DIY Shade Awning for My Minivan Camper Conversion! | Tiny Living on a Budget

[@theskatemap]

Southern minivan dweller here. This gave me some ideas. Thanks for the post

[@belindasalinas]

I love the simplicity of your new awning. You are so lucky to have a friend like Matty that is willing to share his knowledge and comes up with some excellent hacks. Enjoy your new-found shade. 🙂

[@LifeWithLeMaige]

Nothing like having shade on demand!

[@exploringnext1111]

Very, very Clever!

[@tracyhull7936]

I think that Wynston is liking the extra shade looks great

[@susanhiggins1940]

Matty is the MAN!!! He can do everything!!! ❤

[@aliceg9571]

I was thinking the same thing for you to use to dry your towels. Thanks to Maddy for his kindness in helping you Amanda. I know Wynston is super happy now too.

[@jesseleroy76]

you can also add pool noodles to the bara-cord so that you know where they are. keeps people from tripping into them. Just slice one sideof the noodle open and you can slip them onto the cord.

[@marciabrainard9837]

I made one very similiar 8 yrs ago, stil working, yaah

[@lagunn327]

Great idea Matty! 👏🏽

[@georgiacorey954]

Ty so much for sharing. I need to get a top cross bar for mine. Between the top cross bar & the extra bungees that did the trick.

[@carolwest6095]

Changes the camp vibe nicely😁🌹

[@johnjames4324]

I totally need to make one of those for my van

[@CindyCaVANas]

Nice! 😊

[@Maritza_8223]

Great job Matty 🌼🌺🌼🌺🌼🌺🌼🌺🌼

[@k8barkley]

What a great idea n so economical too!! YAY for Matty!!!!

[@staceygiometti9680]

Looks Great!🤗

[@tonette9532]

Brilliant!

[@tonette9532]

I'm 3 weeks away from my maiden voyage in my Odyssey minivan. I have been thinking of doing something similar for shade, and this should work perfectly. 😊

[@MarkMayhew]

Put a string of led lights on it! I like your practical well made videos

[@loriheiney5711]

Love it

[@micki777]

Genius! 🎉🎉

[@nancyllowe4]

Matty Van the Tinker Man❣️ 🧰⚒️🔩🔧🔨🪛❣️ Luv ya, love your channel❣️

[@tjmarie6554]

It looks great. Can you show your take down and storage?

[@kayjay816]

I do this every time! I use a larger nylon tarp and use magnets on the top of the minivan. This way it covers the passenger door and the entire sliding door so it is completely protected from rain as well as providing shade. I use an extra tarp pole in the middle instead of making that top pole…..which is an excellent idea! May try that!

[@samanthadodd8112]

Thanks Maddy

[@maryfry920]

Hi Amanda Matty ( the tinker king) is so handy. It tarp looks excellent and sturdy.

[@dorendawhite9383]

❤

[@nancyllowe4]

Could you use thick wooden dowel so places like home Depot could drill the holes for us? Ask Matty, ha!!!

[@AdventuringWithAmanda]

Yes! It just won't keep up against weather elements as well.

[@juliehoot3916]

Great idea and now a clothesline too! Wow! 👍

[@supersonicdevin3212]

That's an awesome awning! What a nice guy!

[@becalmlivelifetothefullest6752]

Great and Simple going to try one.👍🚐

[@tikoy1955]

Good video. Great job on the tarp to Matty and you.

[@roberthanna4882]

MVH is the Tinker King. Best Boy seems to like the shade as well.

[@living2ndchildhood598]

This looks great! I place pool noodles on my guide wires.

[@KatyInNH]

Looks great!

[@HBFLowFlier]

The crossbar is unnecessary if you pitch the tarp correctly with the guylines going out diagonally. The tension bungee is also unneeded - use a tautline hitch on the guylines.

[@wanderingoutyonder]

Very cool! What a creative way to solve a problem! Way to go! We have been discussing awning options and this is a great cost effective approach! Keep making memories & adventure on! ~Karen & Shannon WOY

[@flynnsylvest257]

GREAT! What did Matty do with the para cord ends that he attached at the top of the poles? Did he tie a loop on each?

[@AdventuringWithAmanda]

Yes!

[@flynnsylvest257]

@@AdventuringWithAmanda would Matty be willing to demonstrate how he made a loop at the end of the para cord? I know this is a super newbie question. I've been looking it up on You Tube and the knots I am seeing there are unnecessarily complicated. Would you or Matty be up for showing how to do this? Thanks!

[@thomasdildine8222]

That looks fine for shade but rain will run back to the van and down between the tarp and the van. How will you keep the cross pole from jumping off the pole ends?

[@AdventuringWithAmanda]

It's secured with paracord. Thankfully Arizona rarely sees rain.

[@Rosecamper]

That’s great! I have a 2015 DGC to which the dodge dealer said you can’t add standard roof rails. So I would have no way to secure the awning to the roof of my van. Any suggestions? Also I just made the platform for my mattress using your design. I’ll be checking it our when I go camping next week. Thanks for your great ideas!

[@AdventuringWithAmanda]

I wish I had suggestions. Both of my Caravans (2011 and 2018) came with a roof rack.

[@Teri728]

Magnets?

[@KatyInNH]

Maybe try a different dealer? Sometimes they are inexperienced and unaware…..

[@AdventuringWithAmanda]

@@Teri728 magnets won't be sturdy in any type of wind.

[@Teri728]

@@AdventuringWithAmanda mine are. Super rubber coated with place to attach lines etc

[@artemioescobar8391]

Muy poca sombra

[@kimberlywentz5645]

Amanda, where did you get the third pole? The one Matty had to drill the hole in.

[@AdventuringWithAmanda]

Amazon!

[@kimberlywentz5645]

@@AdventuringWithAmanda thanks!🥰

[@VEWNZ]

Hey Matty ... you inspired me to NOT buy the retail one and I think I will change it to the longer length tarp so I can create a front wall. The cords can be threaded thru the tarp eyelets. MORE PRIVACY

[@tinadunaway1737]

Awesome job Matty😊😊