Homemade Retractable Awning, Cargo Camper Conversion Trailer

[@danemmerich6775]

Great Awning set up. So far my Favorite. I have to pull from so many ideas cuz I want 15x9 Minimum. 15x15 will just give the hang down effect for sun or driving rain. I never knew about the extra pieces you can buy for emt pipe. Thanks for the video!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you! Glad I could help with some ideas.

[@richardbrady2818]

Sure you're very happy with it just cause you made it yourself, and probly saved yourself a large amount of money, thanks for sharing your design.

[@northwoodsengineered]

You bet, happy to share!

[@michaelnash9970]

😳 WOW 😳 YEP THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!! Been tent camping for over 45 years. The memories are beautiful but the body an't. I've selectively watched personal videos on conversions as I already have a utility trailer. Your design is the simplest of five that I have watched. GREAT 👍 JOB !! Love the hardware and details. I was think'n about making several small ones for over the windows rather than one huge one on one side. Everyone else's designs included forced me to use lots of PVC and up-right poles. Your design relies on the side of the trailer 👍👍 I wish You the best.

[@northwoodsengineered]

I’m glad you like it so much! Love getting comments like this, thank you!

[@oldfarmer9004]

I’ve watched a few of the maker pipe videos. They have the pieces to do this! It’s a great project! I would have to practice with the sewing machine

[@mazieways]

Wow, so clever!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@MakerPipe]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing your build and process.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you! Wouldn’t have been possible without your awesome products.

[@ktwingstrom]

This is an impeccable build and the video is perfect. Well done!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@flushot6513]

Thanks for letting us watch your videos

[@northwoodsengineered]

You are welcome!

[@VANESSASVANLIFEJOURNEY]

I love it this is a great concept

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@greglighthall9306]

I am making an awning for a pop up camper. How much extra length do I need to add so I am able to extend the supports? Can I make it to where I can raise the camper without opening the awning? Thank you very much for the video, very cool!!

[@ReelSouthernOutdoors]

Nice build, I have been looking at doing something similar for my Suburban that mounts to the roof rack I built. Thanks for sharing

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you! Good luck with yours

[@sj-gw9wq]

I'm trying to design a little frame for my vintage canned ham trailer, this gives me some hope and ideas.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Happy to help!

[@sj-gw9wq]

@@northwoodsengineered And thanks for the parts list. I'd shopped Makerpipe before and did again, to find the telescoping connector and didn't see it on their site but your little link up there took me straight to it, much appreciated your time in attaching the links. All these little awnings you see take tent poles and a few guy-lines per pole to hold them up and that just isn't for me. To much work, too much clutter (ropes all over!) and my dog gets tangled in all those ropes. I want a quick n easy down and dirty shade. I'll paint the conduit and sew myself a cutsie little shade. Happy trails!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Glad to hear the links got you what you needed. I agree, a lot of awning just have to much going on and too much screwing around. This one is much simpler

[@sambulate]

Great build! It looks like something I could put together. If you have time, I have some questions: 1. Could you pull the awning out further? It looks as if it's extended about 5 feet from the trailer? 2. What would you do differently, if you had it to do over again? 3. How is it holding up over time?

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you! 1. Yes I can pull it out a little further, but It’s limited by pieces of conduit mounted at top on the sides. Those are basically cut to the height of the trailer so when they stick down, they down still below. So if you had a taller trailer you could make those longer. 2. I would attach it differently where it actually goes to the trailer. Another person mentioned in an older comment about using an awning attachment which is basically an extruded piece of aluminum that you screw to the trailer, then sew in a piece large rope into the canvas, then that slides into the channel on the aluminum. Google it and you will see what I mean. Also, use stainless bolts if you will be driving in the winter at all. Salty roads have rusted the hardware. And also, instead of the round knobs, maker pipe sells bicycle clamp bolts that i would use instead. 3. It’s being holding up great so far, but admittedly haven’t used it a ton. But it’s been on the trailer for other trips in the winter when I didn’t use it but the structure is holding up great.

[@sdnlawrence5640]

Very nice design and construction! I'd be tempted to put velcro straps on sides or some grommets with bungees or tarp holders to secure to horizontal arm. (But I'm a retired upholstery guy who doesn't like canvas flapping loose on sides.)

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you ! That’s a great idea for improvement. Should be pretty easy to incorporate.

[@jamiesomma2566]

Very nice job and so we’ll explained!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@Erniesworld]

Nice job, I love the zipper

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@johnfarthing6174]

Great video! Very clever! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@johnfarthing6174]

@@northwoodsengineered just out of curiosity, how much money would you say you had in the awning? I converted a 7x16 cargo trailer last August to a camper and the awning and solar panels are pretty much the only other things I would like to add. That and motorcycle tie downs lol

[@northwoodsengineered]

@@johnfarthing6174 I added it up and i have about $170 into it, which is not nothing, but is much less than anything you can buy from what i could find.

[@johnfarthing6174]

@@northwoodsengineered Yeah that’s not bad at all! Ones I’m seeing are around the $6-$700.00 range! Thank you for your help!!!

[@dawnw3680]

Can this awning be used if the door is open all the way? Maybe the front pole could have a way to stand up on the ground to allow this to happen? Great concept

[@northwoodsengineered]

Unfortunately no I can’t hold the door open all the way if the awning is up, good eye. Yeah I’ll have to try to figure out how to make it work. Thanks.

[@cabmanist]

I really like your design and aiming to use it for my cargo trailer as well but wanted to know if you found a structural reason for not extending past six feet?Im, hoping to get out to 8’ if possible, but didnt want to build if it cant handle it, thanks… awesome build!!!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you! I guess for the distance out from the trailer, you are limited by how tall the trailer is, because the piece that ends up horizontal is about as tall as the trailer wall. If it was any taller it wouldn’t work. But I suppose you could make that one telescoping as well and then it could be longer

[@cabmanist]

Thats what I was wondering if it would be strong enough, thank you sir for getting back to me, you’re a class act!!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

@cabmanist no problem, let me know if you have any more questions along the way. You can always email me if needed.

[@ronwatkins2507]

On the front of the trailer where did you get the spare tire Mount

[@northwoodsengineered]

That’s an accessory directly from the trailer manufacturer, triton

[@GalenGreenlaw]

Fantastic build!!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@andando_huellas]

Perfect idea! Thanks!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

You are welcome!

[@JoeAlvinHerroldjr]

Make a crank up handle for it out of a old socket and extension and a crank up socket handle

[@craftyoldman]

Hey, I am trying to follow along with your canopy build and have a couple of questions. What size conduit did you use for the pocket up next to the trailer? I know you said you put the 3/8 insert in but did not catch the pipe sizing.

[@northwoodsengineered]

I also used 3/4" pipe up there. Although since i made the video, someone commented on this video about using an awning track rail, which is what i would use if i did it again, you would have to fold the end over a small piece of rope and sew it then slide it into the rail. IF you just google it you will see what i mean.

[@craftyoldman]

@northwoodsengineered actually, my brother had 2 sun shades that I am looking to piece together instead. It's kind of like what you are mentioning.

[@ralphramirez9375]

Hi great build and video. If possible can you tell me where you got the ends and fittings? I would really apreciate it

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you! Yes they are all from a company called “maker pipe”.

[@ralphramirez9375]

@@northwoodsengineered Thanks for your attention and quick reply

[@geauxadventuring6039]

Great little concept, I’m interested in that spare tire setup you have on the front, we camp out of a 6x12 Lark.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you. So the tire carrier came with the trailer and is an option from triton. It was originally mounted on the inside but I moved it to the front

[@richardhuffman58]

Dude! You are an Absolute Genius!!! I have a 6x12 cargo trailer. Do you make these to sell? I want one for my trailer!!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you! Unfortunately no, I do not make them to sell though. Maybe someday

[@richardhuffman58]

@@northwoodsengineered I could do all the frame work but I have no way of doing the canvas

[@northwoodsengineered]

Im sorry man i just dont have the time right now to make another one. You might be able to find a local sewing shop that could do it for you if you cut it to the size you need and mark it out for where to sew it.

[@dmc2087]

don't know if you thought about fixing a awning track to the trailer first and sewing in a 3/8 rope into awning that would eliminate gap between trailer and awning

[@northwoodsengineered]

No I never thought of that, I wasn’t familiar with awning tracks but just looked them up. That is a great idea, I think that would work really well. Thanks for the advice!

[@freddybtruckingandRVing5350]

Innovative! Thanks!

[@northwoodsengineered]

You are welcome!

[@MichaelNelson-ln4ul]

Could I get a list of all the specific pieces you used for this awning? I want to build this exact thing for my camper.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Yeah I need to add the list of parts to the description. I’ll try to get that done soon and let you know when I do

[@MichaelNelson-ln4ul]

Awesome! Thanks

[@northwoodsengineered]

@@MichaelNelson-ln4ul I posted links to all the parts i used in the description. Take a look there and if you have any more questions, feel free to email me. my email is the the "about" page of my channel.

[@MichaelNelson-ln4ul]

Thank so much!

[@joeherrold8263]

How many feet is the uprights you made

[@northwoodsengineered]

They are about 4 feet, but the one that ends up being horizontal extends out to 6 feet

[@joeherrold8263]

@@northwoodsengineered i cut mine off at 5foot and I got two of them for each one

[@kevinswinyer3176]

Nice job. I am in the process of paying off a 1991 22 foot Class A Motorhome that currently has no awning on it at all, and the prices for Motorhome Awnings are outrageously high, so I am trying to figure out how to do something similar to your Home made Awning... Any Suggestions ?

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thanks! I guess to start, take as many ideas from my video as you can. What about it would you be unable to do?

[@kevinswinyer3176]

@@northwoodsengineered I am not mechanically inclined at all. I wouldn't even begin to be able to fabricate what you did for your rig.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Ok, not so sure I can do much for you then. You could try to make something way simpler than what I did, something out of stationary conduit that you take on and off each time.

[@hwfranjr]

PVC IS A GREAT REPLACEMENT FOR WELDING ❤CAN GLUE IT PWRMANENT WITH LIQIDNAILS WORKS GREAT AND STRONYE WE ALL HAVE ONE OF THESES SEWING MAXHINES IN OUR WORK SHOP,LOL

[@shelleyconner9586]

Hey, that is my same sewing machine!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Nice! They work great

[@chrislincoln489]

Could you send me a list of the fitting you used and listing for them cant find the 3/4 x 1/2. (I thinh ny computer sent the last one to spam or something) Think You

[@northwoodsengineered]

Yeah I sent an email back to you with a. List. I can try sending again.

[@jc9930]

Fantastic!!

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@mikewasko5670]

Are you sponsored? I see so much Polaris stuff?

[@northwoodsengineered]

I wish, just found a good deal on the shirts

[@parkerjensen9503]

You should tie a piece of Paracord onto the zipper so you don't have to use a stool to unzip it

[@northwoodsengineered]

Yeah that’s a good idea. I do have the stool on the trailer at all times cause we use it to get in and out, it a piece of cord would make it easier.

[@MakingItWork]

nice job. i like it.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thank you!

[@stacyg9824]

Nice

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thanks!

[@LoveDogs___3]

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to use a tarp and paint poll's. And definitely less complicated.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Yep, there are a lot of different ways to do it

[@chrislincoln489]

Would you make one to sell.

[@northwoodsengineered]

I would if I had time but I just have too many other things to work on.

[@chrislincoln489]

@@northwoodsengineered Could you make a list of the fitting you used from Makerpipe

[@northwoodsengineered]

Yeah shoot me an email to [e-mail]

[@pocketchange1951]

👍👌❤🇨🇦, sweet

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thanks!

[@unlimitedj06]

👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@hwfranjr]

The "T" parts can be PVC NOT WELDED,LOL

[@cjsmith6689]

I have a lung disease from welding galvanized. Be careful.

[@northwoodsengineered]

Sorry to hear the at and thanks for the heads up. I know that stuff isn’t good to breath

[@hwfranjr]

WELDING ALIUMINUM is not easy,lol

[@flywiseman]

Great work, appreciate the links

[@northwoodsengineered]

Thanks for watching!

[@hwfranjr]

IF YA NOT GOOD AT ALIUMINIUM,LIKE ME,YIU CAN SUSBITUTEMXONNECRIONS WITH PVC,THEY WORK,GREAT,LOL