Awning for my Skoolie

[Pinelander2020]

Hello everybody!
I'm looking for an awning that I can buy and install on my Skoolie permanently, if possible.
My Skoolie is a FREIGHTLINER built by THOMAS with 9 windows long and the Lift on the back Right side.
I'll appreciate if you could guide me where to buy and how to install.
Very appreciated
Regards
PINELANDER

[rossvtaylor]

Awnings come in so many versions that it would be hard to be specific. Some have extendable arms that attach to pivot points on the side of the bus, some have scissor-type arms mounted to the side of the bus (and they slide in vertical tracks), and some really-pricey ones don't attach to the side of the bus at all (they extend from the roof edge mounted "box"). Any RV or travel trailer awning style would work on your bus.

I've ordered replacement fabrics from Shade Pro and been happy with them:

https://www.shadepro.net/product-category/rv-awnings/

[Pinelander2020]

Originally Posted by rossvtaylor

Awnings come in so many versions that it would be hard to be specific. Some have extendable arms that attach to pivot points on the side of the bus, some have scissor-type arms mounted to the side of the bus (and they slide in vertical tracks), and some really-pricey ones don't attach to the side of the bus at all (they extend from the roof edge mounted "box"). Any RV or travel trailer awning style would work on your bus.

I've ordered replacement fabrics from Shade Pro and been happy with them:

https://www.shadepro.net/product-category/rv-awnings/

Thank you very much!

[DeMac]

I don't have an awning on my bus.
I do have an one on my trailer RV.

2022 was not a stellar year for RV awning manufacturers.

The.CamperReport.com/rv-recalls-2022

"In early August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued RV recalls that could affect more than 50,000 new RVs. The RVs come from seven different manufacturers."

"The issues in the majority of the RVs are mainly due to a faulty and potentially hazardous awning."

----------------------

I do not know the number of awning manufacturers, who supply these builders. Likely the same brand(s) who sell retail aftermarket.

When you do narrow your search, please update this thread.

[BarnYardCamp]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8cEi12Eizs

The link is for the awning used by site member Johnny Mullet. Worth considering.
Bonus on Mullet's design is that your bus retains it's slick aerodynamic profile.

[Booyah45828]

I lucked out and found a new one off a camper that was being removed.
You can read about it here.
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/p...tml#post375779

Some people hate camper awnings, flimsy aluminum arms, etc.

But the only alternative that I know to them is a tarp with poles, stakes, string, etc. and I didn't want that, so a camper awning it was.

[BarnYardCamp]

awesome! It's always good when a plan comes together.

[djdalfaro]

Here's my 2 cents. I hunted for an awning for my Thomas and managed to find an Eclipse model sitting in a barn. I haven't installed it yet, but one thing I noticed about the style that will make it a bit more difficult is that this style of awning has a vertical track that the arm mechanism slides up/down in. Thomas bodies have a slant in the wall that starts below the window, so when I go to install this, I have to accommodate that, probably by ensuring that the roof rack has a mounting plate that is co-planer with the lower portion of the wall that I can mount the top of that track too. Food for thought. Honestly, if I find a couple manual awning arms that don't require that, I may use them instead to save myself the trouble. Or maybe not. A motorized 19' awning would be sweet.

[peakbus]

One issue with awnings is many are designed to bolt to the side of a camper or to a roof rack. The area over the windows on skoolies is curved. I don't have a roof rack to bolt to so I welded brackets to create vertical mounting points for the awning track. I don't have a photo of the installed awning, but it is a Dometic case awning.

[Ross]

I did what Johnny Mullet did, except I through-bolted galvanized eyebolts at every other window post, just below the gutter/rainshield. Small carabiners make the connections. Of course, I had to install grommets in the tarp to match the eyebolt placement. I've got nearly the same 28 foot low ceiling Thomas bus, with a wheelchair lift door at the right rear. Moveable magnet hooks eliminate the need for adding grommets.

P. S. I have a roll-up RV awning assembly (aluminium roll tube and support arms) that you can have for free if you'll come get it.