vintage canvas trailer/rv awning

Hi. I have a new canvas awning with no frame. It is heavy duty canvas with a rope sewn in for pulling thru trac. It has scalloped edges and cotton fringe. The fringe is starting to rot, but the canvas is like new. I want to use it on my 24' 1969 Islander motorhome. The motorhome has a trac on both sides. I'm assuming this awning is 30 to 40 years old.
My problem is I don't know what kind of pole's I need. There are 4 vertical sleeves (one on each end and two a quarter of the way in), and one long sleeve in the front with an opening between the two. I am assuming it uses 3 standing poles. I'm just not sure what kind of frame I need to make and how it all comes together. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thx

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Permalink Reply by Chas on March 14, 2009 at 4:20pm: JUST CALL THE NUMBER ON THE AWNING. (:>); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bill on March 14, 2009 at 5:27pm: That number no longer exist. I've googled and looked in the yellow pages. I bet this awning is 30 to 40 years old. But still like new except for the cotton tassels. I have one number in Rosemead with a 213 number that I'll call Monday to see if they took over the company.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim on March 14, 2009 at 4:42pm: I'd suggest giving these guys a call: http://www.rvawningsonline.com/

They are pros. Look in the pop up section.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Henry on March 14, 2009 at 4:46pm: I'm an RV tech Bill and Pat asked me to take a look see if I couls help you out. Awnings are not my cup of tea. But good luck with your problem. I'm sure someone here will come up with an answer.
Henry; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bill on March 14, 2009 at 5:25pm: Hi Jim. I believe I sent them a email already. I liked what I saw on their site. Thanks; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cindy Ross on March 14, 2009 at 6:35pm: Hi Bill, You type of awning requires tension poles, three upper spring loaded tension poles that fit into the awning rail along with the rope. Then there are three upright adjustable poles that the sping poles attach to. This style of awning is not a one man operation, it usually takes two. But, you could use it as just a three pole rope style. Get some adjustable poles and put grommets in the corners and the center and put the poles in and adjust your height then stake the poles down with ropes and tent stakes.
Many vintage awnings are the tension style and I really don't know who could make the poles for you. The fringe can easily be replaced. Just need a machine and you can get the fringe from Jo Anns fabrics or a good upholstry shop should carry it.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Ross on March 14, 2009 at 6:37pm: oops, I forgot to mention where I see you said you had four sleeves. Then you would need four tenson poles and the front cross member or bar as well, then you would need four upright adjustable poles that lock into the front bar and then the spring loaded members lock into the poles.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by William on March 14, 2009 at 6:49pm: Hi Bill
We have a '73 Airstream for which I made a canvass awning from Sunbrella material. I sewed exactly the type of sleeves you mention into my awning. We use PVC pipe in the end of the awning into which we drilled holes at intervals. We then bought heavy-duty tent poles (Dick's Sporting Goods) which we inserted into the holes in the PVC pipe. We then used a plastic thin rope from each PVC hole and anchored to the ground in about 4 places. Works great! This is our invention (ha). We weathered a winter in Tampa with high winds without taking the awning down, and RVers with factory-installed awnings had to take their down and some were ruined by the winds. Good luck. Dianne; ▶ Reply to This