DIY Awning For Your Skoolie/RV/Van • Pt. 1 of Modular Outdoor Camp Set-Up • Quick Easy Cheap

Looking for a bus awning, RV awning, or Van awning? Why buy it when you can make it? This is Part 1 of an upcoming series to make an expandable, reconfigurable, customizable awning set-up.
Thanks to @sheezelectric for the inspiration - please check out Shera's channel!
LINKS to all components are coming - they'll be displayed below (working on it)!
• You might notice something NEW underneath the video, next to the "thumb's up" button. We've been selected to beta test a feature called "applause" where viewers can recognize creators and videos they like by purchasing an animated "applause" for a video. it's like Superchat but for regular videos instead of live streams. No obligation, of course - just wanted to explain what that little heart with the $ sign is! •
If you've ever said, "I can't do it!" then did; if you've ever punched fear in the face; if you've ever wanted to quit but kept going, and laughed while you were doing it - this channel is for you.
I'm Mary. My house is a skoolie named Max; my home is wherever it's parked. Ride the short bus to adventure with me, deep into the history and hilarity of these Unites States, to places you've always wanted to go and places you've never heard of. Maybe even some places you're scared of.
Sometimes it works out great, and we all learn something. Sometimes it's a disaster, and we all learn something. Are you sensing a theme here?
I believe lifelong learning is the key to the best, most interesting life. For me, that's outside the lines of conventional "sticks-and-bricks" living. Yours might look different. That's not what matters.
What does matter? Laughter, for one thing. Laugh with me or at me, I don't care, just laugh (But not in a creepy way)!
Isn't it time you got on the bus?
LINK TIME!
***SOME of the following are AFFILIATE LINKS (Amazon), which means that if you use them to purchase products or services, I get a small commission. It doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you. ***
• FABRIC: (This is WATER RESISTANT but not WATER PROOF so I sprayed it with my waterproofing spray - however I typically take it down in serious rain): SOLARIUM WESTPORT PATTERN (price has gone up a little but it's still cheap): amzn.to/3luQa8j
• TELESCOPING POLES: amzn.to/32FuL3t
• FLAGPOLE HOLDERS: amzn.to/3lvIF0P
• KEDER RAIL: www.sailrite.com/Awning-Track...
• KEDER ROPE: www.sailrite.com/Keder-Awning...
• CONDUIT: (priced at $4.41 on the Home Depot website but I paid $2.71 in store at Home Depot. Amazon's price is very high to make up for the "free" shipping): www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-x-...
• CONDUIT COUPLER: (5 pack) amzn.to/34LJxII
• GROMMET KIT: amzn.to/34O3rmq
• VELCRO WRAPS: (not actually Velcro brand but much cheaper and just as good in my experience): amzn.to/3jrIXUO
CLEAR DUCT TAPE FOR TARPS (about $12 for 20 yards): amzn.to/34OoFR8
RV AWNING TAPE ($14 for 30 feet): amzn.to/2YOkC3t (this is what I use in the video, but I usually use the duct tape above)
--------------I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! ---------
Leave a voicemail at (229) MAX-MINI (629-6464).
Send mail to:
Maximalist Minibus
195 Bear Hill Rd, Unit i-3
Waltham MA 02451
Email me: [e-mail]
MUSIC used in this episode: "End of the Tunnel" by Sound of Ocean
Unless otherwise specified, I license music for my videos through MUSICBED.
GET A FREE MONTH of MUSICBED: www.musicbed.com/invite/BkPhp

[@MaxMiniTV]

TIPS WELCOME! Love this video? Hit the "❤ APPLAUD" button above (between the thumbs and the share button). Help us beta test a new KZbin feature! (But leave comment if you do - I don't always get notified of your gift because this feature is so new!)

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

I love the Awning! You sew much better than my sister..😂😅😂😅 I made her an A in school! How her Teacher never caught on, is beyond me!

[@MaxMiniTV]

LOl Just sawe this comment, that's hilarious!

[@eloyanzaldua1889]

Yes, life has a way of just testing ya from all angels yet everyday is still the next adventure of at least just being alive. Hang in there friend, I wish you all the best.

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks so much! I'm hanging!

[@SheltiesRule49]

You are one gutsy gal!! Going beyond your comfort zone!!you are totally awesome! Love it!!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks so much, I had fun!

[@marcis.3945]

I enjoyed the *heck* out of this, Mary!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Yaaaay!

[@stacyszarka9650]

Now you got my brain whirling with ideas. Thanks for the information and inspiration 😀

[@MaxMiniTV]

So glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@wendyannh]

Looks great, Mary! I love that fabric.

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thank you - I'm pretty happy with it! Stripes are easy to find for awning fabric but finding bright colored stripes was a lot harder than I expected! Thanks as always for watching and commenting!

[@IngridBlackburn]

Cool awning chickie. Love that pattern!!! 😘😍😍

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks Ingrid! And thanks for watching!

[@jameslockman3584]

I like it... Little expensive IMO for what it is, however the best part is you did it yourself... YOU BUILT THAT!! I have a suggestion, but a small wheel for a camper door that will keep the door from likely tearing the new AWNING...❤️ ... It's awesome.... The wheel attachment will screw into the top of the door inside I believe, and roll along the fabric

[@MaxMiniTV]

LOL not a lot of building involved but I am proud of the sewing! Remember, the cheap version is $60; the poles are the real extravagance at $40 , but when you see the rest of the modular design you'll understand why I went high-end on the poles - the flexibility is pretty key. You could skip the pole holders and use straight poles but then you need guy lines and I prefer a quick setup. And of course you could skip the keder but that's the whole point of the design and what gives you the simplicity of setup and takedown, along with the fact there's no way for wind or rain to get between the awning and the bus. I'm not sure about the camper door wheel, I'm not picturing it, but I'm not really thinking the door is going to tear the awning, since it's not really in contact with the awning. The long pole allows me to open the door without the fabric touching it, and then come down after it's open. Thanks for being here as always!

[@sundancekidd1550]

You knocked that out of the park! Great job

[@MaxMiniTV]

Awwww thank you - I actually made it better since i shot the video!

[@SandraJeanStroebel]

Super cute... I love it! You did a great job!!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks so much, it was really fun to do!

[@Tiffany.Solorio]

It turned out so cute!!!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thank you, it will be even cuter once I deal with the side edges and get the front squared away!

[@elizabethlarose3632]

Loved the “Girl Scout “ badge at the end....you earned it !!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thank you~! I call my subscribers the "skoolie scouts." I don't know if they like it or not but I do so I'm gonna keep doing it!

[@stevebranham2599]

Thanks for this great video,I learned a lot. Had never heard of keder rail or rope. We were going to use snaps but this is much better.Thank God for Utube and nice ladys.We are going to use one on each side of the little teardrop I'm building. Hope tobe able to use it by october.

[@MaxMiniTV]

Hey,, I'm so glad you liked it! I am working on my bigger expandable version, andother panel that comes out straight off of this one and some big screen sides for it. I'll eventually have a video up about that, too.

[@EJFXxx]

Looks like you and Captain have got it made in the shade ! To prevent inside leaks or rust from the screws attached to the outside, I suggest putting some flat soft rubber washers, caulking, or flexseal tape behind the screws.

[@MaxMiniTV]

Great suggestion, thank you!

[@themaudelife]

I love it! I can't wait to see the trim you pick out for the edges. I am envisioning prayer flags or little pom pom balls. I also love the stenciling you've been doing on the sides.

[@MaxMiniTV]

You read me like a book - I've been exploring pom poms! I haven't done a video about the stenciling yet because I'm doing a terrible job LOL, though when has that ever stopped me? Actually it's more because it'a a work in progress and I wasn't 100% sure I was going to keep it, but now that I see it on camera, Im thinking I will.

[@marydawkins4190]

@@MaxMiniTV awww, yes, stencils. they look great! I was thinking you could also had detachable sides to the awning.

[@MaxMiniTV]

@@marydawkins4190 Great minds think alike, but that is just the tip of the iceberg! Wait till you see what I'm gonna do with this thing!

[@MaxMiniTV]

BTW I just realized I should have said "'great MARYS think alike"

[@marydawkins4190]

@@MaxMiniTV Long live Amazing Mary's!!

[@vincentrvlife2393]

So funny as I was watching the video I thought Mary needs to go to Home Depot. Bam, there she is. Thanks for the Saturday night chuckle. Also, nice project. 🚌🚌🚌🚌

[@MaxMiniTV]

As Gina pointed out, it's not a bus project without a Home Depot run in the middle! Thanks, it will look even better once I get the front looped down better.

[@tothewaters.tothewild9148]

Love this! I just came over from CheapRVL and so happy he showcased your bus. Now I'm a very new subscriber and looking forward to all your how-to-stuff.

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thank you so much! Glad to have you!

[@bradjustbrad]

Very nice. And great tip about going to a marine store. Might try something like that off of the back of Carrrie.

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks, brad - yeah, the price difference is INSANE.

[@MaxMiniTV]

PS - if you do this on Carrie, post a picture!!

[@ginabrytowski3564]

OMG this is awesome! I love how perfectly it matches your bus! 🙌

[@MaxMiniTV]

I was hoping to get an exact match for my bed fabric but this is close enough - plus if it was too matchy matchy it wouldn't exactly be "me"

[@ginabrytowski3564]

@@MaxMiniTV that's a very valid point

[@PeteRondeau]

Ooohhhh.. I don't need an awning, but that Keder rail is new to me and I can think of lots of uses for that stuff, Thanks!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Just DON'T BUY IT FROM AN RV DEALER!! Yeah, it's kind of a project gold mine LOL. Thanks for watching, Pete! (PS - It's my favorite discovery since e-track!)

[@MySonsMother]

Like what kind of uses? Please share.

[@MaxMiniTV]

@@MySonsMother Yeah @Pete Rondeau - tell us!

[@marilynnarnold811]

Cool. So now, I am going to make an attempt at a bigger one using some of your parts and ideas. The flag pole things, pvc, tarp, maybe the rail (or eyebolts) and keder tape. Wish me luck!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Good luck! Report back!

[@massagesbynakia]

how did it turn out?

[@johnettew3957]

Mary, I enjoyed this video. I made an awning for my first tiny house (cottage). My brother installed 5 galvanized pipes out from the the gambrell cottage roof. I had purchased a large roll of plastic webbing fabric from a garage sale years ago. (Unbelievable price). I had to double the width. I then sewed pockets the width of the metal poles to be inserted. (I love to sew.) It was permanent and lasted about 15 years. When I go back to the country I will look for a picture. I still have enough of the fabric to make several awnings. That's how big the roll was! I want to make one for my van, but haven't shopped for telescoping poles. The flag pole holders are a great suggestion. I look forward to seeing how you will attach the retractable pvc. I wish we lived closer together. We could have a lot of fun projects.

[@MaxMiniTV]

That sounds like a great project! I used some really inexpensive telescoping poles on the first awning, but there was no way they could support the heavy top I made. This one is very lightweight, but I figured it's always easier to add weight than subtract it!

[@mikiavidan508]

Love all your music 🎧 🎵

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thank you, me toooo! I get it from Musicbed, they are terrific.

[@mikiavidan508]

Maximalist Minibus Oh WOW! A whole new world to explore. A great way of searching - Genre, mood, instrument. Watch out Sp0tify ⭐️🎧

[@MaxMiniTV]

@@mikiavidan508 Enjoy! Musicbed is mainly for finding music you can license for videos but it's fun to just listen to it. Sometimes I fall down the rabbit hole there and end up taking 2 hours to pick a song!

[@nwpv7170]

Awww! I like this video 😍😍😍 It's amazing how much creativity can be applied to the Skoolie (exteriors). Love the fabric pattern and color 👍😄 It looks so inviting ! Good job Mary and Captain!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks, Zu! It's always so great to hear from you!

[@MaisleyVanGo]

Innovative and looks good! Also... very informative while cracking me up = new subscriber! 👍

[@MaxMiniTV]

Aww, I love to hear that! Music to my ears! Thanks for watching!

[@jipsiemune]

Thats beautiful i lov it am gonna try to make one for my truck

[@MaxMiniTV]

Ooh, I would love to see it when you're done! We have a Facebook page, you could post it over there - facebook.com/groups/maximalistminibus/

[@Andrea-gk1cd]

Nice! Good job👍🏽

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Seannery]

Great job!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks, Sean!

[@fpchicago]

Great job

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks, Frank!

[@normabournes5789]

Love it!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks!!

[@therealsnake5875]

Love how you show us your oops don't do it this way parts, helps us all learn an I appreciate it! cool bus patches in your icon, do you sell them?

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks, I appreciate you saying that! I feel like anyone can edit it to show how good at things they are, but there's plenty to learn from people who are bad at it. As for the patches - not yet but soon!

[@CindyCaVANas]

Nice! 👌😊

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks! (Sorry it took so long to respond!)

[@AlwaysSummer1968]

Super Cute!!!!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thank you! It's even better now, I've figured it out a little more!

[@MySonsMother]

Mary, I had that rail on my vintage trailer I sold. Never thought about adding one to my hightop van. Thanks for the idea! I bought the awning cover 2 years ago from Costco and haven’t yet used it. And I’ll had the poles on my wishlist forever. Think I’ll keep this idea in mind.

[@MaxMiniTV]

I never saw that kind of railing before that one video, so I was excited to find it!

[@marydawkins4190]

YAY!! This is fantastic. I was always wondering about those rails and had no idea how to find them or what they looked like. Not a big deal at all, it turns out. I love the new decorations on your bus. I'm guessing decals of some kind? Nice to see that you're at least out camping if not on the road. Thanks, Mary, for the great video

[@MaxMiniTV]

I first saw the rope part on the @Sheezelectric video - she takes it off of an old ripped awning and uses it, but she mentions it's sold on Amazon, and that's how I found out it's called keder, which led me to Sailrite and to the rails. Not sure WHY it's called keder, I'm embarrassed to say (so much for my deep research LOL). The camp I'm at in the video is actually a former children's camp that I went to when I was a kid!

[@marydawkins4190]

@@MaxMiniTV I'm getting some additional stuff done in my bus this week then I'm planning on getting out on the road and camping for a bit. I got to camp out at a friends farm in NW Arkansas a couple of weeks ago and...it's what I NEED.

[@MaxMiniTV]

@@marydawkins4190 Arkansas is an amazing, beautiful state! I'm glad you got out.

[@marydawkins4190]

@@MaxMiniTV $160 bucks for a nice awning is great!!! And you did it yourself which is awesome, too.

[@MaxMiniTV]

@@marydawkins4190 I've improved it since the video, too! Love those ongoing projects.

[@SINternetEntertainment]

That looks amazing. When it comes to sewing it’s all about taking your time and little practice.

[@MaxMiniTV]

SINternet Entertainment ... which totally explains why I hate it so much - patience is not really in my vocabulary! Lol

[@SINternetEntertainment]

@@MaxMiniTV I dont have a lot of patience too. I have got that way with my channel. I was he when you could make more after getting 100 subs and was making money. It wasnt a lot but it helped me get a new camera.

[@MaxMiniTV]

@@SINternetEntertainment Well I also have the kind of ADHD that makes you really overfocused on tasks you're into, so KZbin has basically become my life. LOL

[@SINternetEntertainment]

@@MaxMiniTV i dont have that but youtube was my life for a long time. My family took the backseat for years. I took no time off for anything and was always doing something with my channel. i didnt see any growth so i took so time off after i had my late baby. i was posting 4 times a week and doing comments and trying to find people to collab with. When i came back for my time away I started posting ones a week and have just keep doing that. My goal is to one day to get back to making money off youtube again.

[@MaxMiniTV]

@@SINternetEntertainment Wow I can't even imagine posting 4x a week - it takes me about a week to edit a video. I keep saying I'm going to start making simpler, faster content but it always gets complicated! As fas as priorities go I don't have kids or a spouse so it's easy for me to stay in the youtube rabbit hole. I think once a week is plenty. It's not a race thoughs sometimes it feels like it is!

[@TheKathept]

You are so funny! I really enjoyed this video. I need to make an awning, too. But it’ll have to be even more rustic than yours. Thanks for the ideas, though. I may be able to use some of them.

[@MaxMiniTV]

My pleasure, glad you go something out of it! thanks for watching!

[@islandwitt1]

😁👍🏻❤️ well done ! Love the colors in fabric you chose. Weight of fabric ? Really enjoy your site 👍🏻🌹

[@MaxMiniTV]

I don't know exactly how to categorize the weight but it's outdoor fabric, probably intended more for pillows or light upholstery. It may turn out to be too light but it's easier to strategically add weight than to remove weight if it's too heavy (my hips can testify to that!). Thanks on the colors, that was important to me. And thanks so much for watching!

[@kurtbaier6122]

Thanks just subd

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thank you for watching, and for subbing!

[@Deb12303]

Hi I'm Deb it looks like your doing some traveling have you been doing it long? I'm seriously thinking about doing the same thing myself any advice for first timer, oh and thank you for your help with the awning.

[@MaxMiniTV]

Hi Deb! I did it for less than a year before I hunkered in to take care of my elderly Mom but now I'm back on the road again! Hopefully forever! You're welcome on the awning, more to come on that!

[@Darkmatter321]

Bravo!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Thanks so much!

[@oneordinaryjoe]

Did you use butyl tape for your screws to seal the holes in the bus

[@MaxMiniTV]

I swear I responded to this comment but YOuTube is telling me I didn't... I did not use butyl tape because I never heard of it; thanks for the tip! I used a little bit fo silicone calk. But I just bought me some butyl tape for the next time!

[@ketsiabella4657]

What type of bus do you have please

[@MaxMiniTV]

Hey there, Max is a Lewis ReddiBus, but there are not many out there of that specific make. There are however lots of similar 4 window buses. The chassis is a Ford E350, and the engine is a 73L IDI (diesel). Max is pretty old, made in 1991. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@welcometoreality3450]

get a sunshade tarp hello?!

[@MaxMiniTV]

Not a fan of sunshades but thanks for the suggestion! I'm pretty happy with my solution.

[@janohdegroot989]

Why do you film from so high standpoint? I don't like to look down on you all the time 🤔..

[@MaxMiniTV]

Great question, and you're not the first to ask it! I choose angles that make me feel comfortable enough to be on camera. It would honestly not be possible for me to do this channel at all at this point without shooting this way; I work on it, but I've got more baggage related to body image than pretty much anything else in my life. In fact I started making videos as a way of working through that, and I'm getting there. I'm sure this will change... it already has, but I'm not "there" yet - if there's even a "there." This video is more extreme than most, but for now... if you want videos from me... they're going to be shot from at least slightly above... Sorry! Thanks for watching.