That Quecha Tarp tip...

[Max-Felix]

Have to say I read about this somewhere on here a while ago and it works brilliantly. We bought three of the Tarps from Decathlon - £20 each including loads of guy ropes, pegs and two five section poles. They are a great size, good lightweight but strong material and can be used in so many ways.

When thinking of using something flexible but strong for the insert suddenly came up with 3 core round electrical cable of the right diameter - works great! My wife hemmed the tarp over a couple of inches first then we hemmed in the cable length really tight by first using a smaller diameter wooden dowl rod as a guide and then slowly fitting in the cable - feeds in the Cali awning easily.

You can then rig it up as an extension to the ground or flat instead tieing off to trees. A second can be secured with eyelets and elastics to the awning support arms to enclose the space.

 

[Loz]

That is exactly what we want as we have a similar awning on our roof tent.

 

[MattBW]

We used Kador strip on one we bought, they are brilliant aren't they. We have since given it away but intend to get another soon and may try the cable suggestion.

 

[Max-Felix]

A few more pics that might be of help:

 

[Max-Felix]

To be clear on the actual sewing in cable bit - if you try and sew with it in place you cannot get close/tight enough so leave it aside and use a slightly thinner wooden dowel or similar in it's place while you sew, moving this along as you go as a guide. Then the 'tube' created should be a nice tight fit for the cable which can be fed in. We practised on the material instruction/safety leaflet first.

 

[Star01]

Great idea. Do u know what diameter the cable is by any chance?

 

[18hunts]

If you used the correct piping foot attachment on your sewing machine you can sew with the piping (in this case) electric cable, in place as you sew. Just as they do on furniture upholstery or on an awning strip.
If you don't have one then your dowel seems to work fine and well done to your ingenuity.

 

[Max-Felix]

Great idea. Do u know what diameter the cable is by any chance?

Hi, yes about 5mm - probably household lighting flex (round).

 

[Star01]

Great..thank you

 

[methley]

We did similar, but used a proper kador strip sewn onto the tarp.

 

[Walrus]

I'm currently experimenting with elastic shockcord. Comes in 4mm and 6mm and cheap enough.

 

[Max-Felix]

I'm currently experimenting with elastic shockcord. Comes in 4mm and 6mm and cheap enough.

Let us know how it works out - the cable worked quite well I found as it has just the right mix of stiffness and flexibility - if that makes sense!

 

[acer]

A few more pics that might be of help:

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This does look like an elegant solution.
Sorry for my ignorance, but does the electric cable end of the tarpaulin grip onto the awning cassette?
Also, the material used seems a little see-through. We want to block the sun and have it as quiet as possible in the wind. Would you recommend I use the same material?

 

[Max-Felix]

The cable makes a 'P' shape in the material (like a Kador strip) and this slots into the rail on the outside of the awning.

I would not say the material is see through. It is a very flowing sort of material and does not rustle.

Another topic I had saved in my bookmarks is below here which gives another idea.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/awning-diy-sides.14355/

 

[acer]

The cable makes a 'P' shape in the material (like a Kador strip) and this slots into the rail on the outside of the awning.

I would not say the material is see through. It is a very flowing sort of material and does not rustle.

Another topic I had saved in my bookmarks is below here which gives another idea.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/awning-diy-sides.14355/

Many thanks, I've seen that other thread, and while it looks very good, the material wouldn't be right for us. We want a total block. I'm going to have to open up my awning cassette to look for where this 'kador' or 'P' slots in. I can't immediately see how it could attach to the outside?

 

[Max-Felix]

 

[acer]

another picture that's worth a thousand words!
It comes to mind that your fitted tarp also acts as a tie-down for the awning too!

 

[acer]

Hang on! That picture looks like the tarp would hang the wrong side of the upright, so that it couldn't be hung out at an angle. What am I missing?

 

[Max-Felix]

Not an issue in practise. See first pics of this topic.

 

[AlanC]

Decathlon market two Tarps. The green one (£20) has a UPF of 30 while the Tarp Fresh (£25) has a higher UPF of 50. Both available online.

 

[Bugsy]

Decathlon market two Tarps. The green one (£20) has a UPF of 30 while the Tarp Fresh (£25) has a higher UPF of 50. Both available online.

I used the Tarp Fresh with Kador strip sewn on, works well.

 

[Brindisi]

I used the Tarp Fresh with Kador strip sewn on, works well.

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Looks like it provides lots of shade when needed

 

[Max-Felix]

Nice work, love all this DIY stuff. Can you post some close-ups of the Kador attachment etc.

 

[acer]

Think we'll have to buy that Tarp Fresh. Looks versatile and we can adapt it.
We're thinking of rigging-up something using a kador strip.
Does anyone know if you can leave a kador joining strip permanently attached to the awning cassette? https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Sports-O...ing-Beading-6mm/B007JUJGC2/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[Bugsy]

Nice work, love all this DIY stuff. Can you post some close-ups of the Kador attachment etc.

I found the Kador strip quite a tight fit the first time I pushed it in, so lightly rubbed a bit of candle wax on it which seemed to help a lot. My awning is a Fiamma from Nick at Everything California so will be a different Kador attachment to the factory awnings. Thanks for the idea in the first place