I bought this Halfords tent as a side-awning (and one extra side panel, not pictured here) for the van this summer. It's huge and works really well except for one thing: there's no bit to clip onto the van so if it's raining, you get wet from the little gap between the van and tent. Or if it's raining, you can't leave the sliding door open into the tent as the inside will get wet. Has anyone else got this tent as an awning? Have you solved the problem? Is there an "off-the-shelf" solution? I'm thinking I might have to get handy with the sewing machine and convert a spare side panel into a connector piece.
If you want an awning, get an awning? Though seriously someone could make a few quid by designing a van adaptor for these rather attractive event shelters.
the Halfords shelter is pretty cheap: cheap enough to make it an attractive alternative to an awning, if that small issue could be overcome. it could also be used for its intended purpose, i.e. a garden gazebo/BBQ shelter etc whereas a camping awning can't really.
those are ok why do you need to be attached its only a short walk not sure if its really windy thou ? nice and roomy
We might be on to this already!! My brother and I time share a 15ft Coleman. We did VW Action this week and we had the same issue of wet through the gap. It should be as simple as Velcro loops onto the tent, figure of eight (mole grips) onto the van and the right shape peice of cloth. It's easier to shape this to allow for my brothers lowered split with side doors, however to allow the slider to open is more difficult. The difficult thing now is setting the tent and van up together to template without the benefit of a campsite!
yeah, I'd thought of that too, the top corner of the sliding door will rip anything in its path. The joining bit would have to allow for that. another issue is the draft coming in under the van. I suppose a simple enough "skirt" could be set up and stuck to the sill of the van with strong magnets or something.
