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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Dub on September 13, 2016, 11:29:23 am

Title: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 13, 2016, 11:29:23 am
I did a search and found nada... I did see a member last week that made a screen for his big awning.. I want something similar but I want to include a door and seems that will keep skeeters out.. I saw one at Camper World for $700 bucks and that seems steep.. I know such is a available so my question is do any of our members have such and can you offer any do's and dont's.. must haves and things to avoid.. Seems like this will be a noticeable expence  but I see where it can add some good useable space which I could use on my no slide narrow body coach. I will spend the $700 plus but I just don't want to regret it.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: nitehawk on September 13, 2016, 01:27:46 pm
We contemplated making/buying a screen room for under the 18' patio awning but decided against it. Instead we have two 12'x12' screen houses. Normally use only one when just the two of us but put the two together when we are with a group. With just one I put it up almost touching the pass side bedroom awning and right behind the big awning. One screen house is for cooking and the other for sitting/visiting, etc. We even use a propane fire pit in the sitting unit! Makes for cozy.
We did have a screen room on our "C" but what a pain putting it up and taking it down. Closure along the coach body was never bug proof in that snaps along the body, under the door steps, and over the wheel wells. Weight--when wet was terrible--and when we got home it had to be dried out. Laying the panels on the ground prior to putting them on the big awning meant they got really full of twigs, etc.
If bugs are bad I have a fogger and usually after two or three treatments they leave us alone.
Also, if inclement  weather pops up I would rather be able to have the big awning put away, considering the cost.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 13, 2016, 02:39:03 pm
How much hassle putting up the screen houses.. possibly could pitch under the rear of my big awning for something similar to the one I'm asking about.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: nitehawk on September 13, 2016, 04:30:16 pm
Sorry, Dub, but the screenhouse is about 10' high at the peak. The outer edges are about 7' high. The frame gets scissored open first and the four legs at the closed position. Then the roof put on, the legs telescoped open, then the screen side panels fastened to the frame. I put one door towards the front of the coach.
Our newest screenhouse was made by a company called The Awning Factory, is 12'x12', has a burgundy roof and burgundy ground edges on the screen panels that match the burgundy graphic on our coach.
The frame goes open easier if two are able to walk the frame open. The roof cover is slid over the frame and Velcro is used wherever anything has to be joined to another piece.
We bought the screenhouse about three years ago after looking all over up here. We wanted a strong, sturdy frame compared to our first s-house. The tubing is stronger, the pivots points are reinforced, and it was on sale!! Early November, last one in the store, season ending, original price marked down from $499 to $200 (after a little dickering and explaining about end of season, likelihood of sale this late, etc)
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 13, 2016, 04:38:07 pm
I see where I could make something like that work and reach pretty much the same goal.. Sounds like it goes up and down easier than the room you had on your C... I need all the easier I can get..Thanks for sharing Nitehawk .
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 13, 2016, 04:40:28 pm
In the one photo it looks like the opening to your room is facing and right at the edge of your coach canopy.. That cathes my eye.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: nitehawk on September 13, 2016, 07:21:04 pm
All three pictures have the door openings (front & rear) parallel to the coach. None were pointed at the coach. Don't really know why, just happened to do it that way.
Also, if it was going to rain I wanted the door opening to be away from the runoff from the big awning.
Please note the height of the screen house roof peak compared to the big awning and the coach roof. Almost the same.
We clothespinned the two tents together and folded the touching door panels back out of the way. The plastic tarps were on the cook-screenhouse end were to keep the wind out so that is why the door is on the coach rear end orientation.
Our temp that day was about 40 degrees with 10-15 MPH wind. A little nippy!!
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: TheBrays on September 13, 2016, 10:56:40 pm
I did a search and found nada... I did see a member last week that made a screen for his big awning.. I want something similar but I want to include a door and seems that will keep skeeters out.. I saw one at Camper World for $700 bucks and that seems steep.. I know such is a available so my question is do any of our members have such and can you offer any do's and dont's.. must haves and things to avoid.. Seems like this will be a noticeable expence  but I see where it can add some good useable space which I could use on my no slide narrow body coach. I will spend the $700 plus but I just don't want to regret it.

The screens (actually I was looking for sunshades) I looked at used an additional slot in the awning roller. The ZipDee awning uses a sleeve that is riveted to the roller and hence no slot.

It sounds like the separate tent is the way to go .
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Geoffh on September 14, 2016, 12:35:32 am
 I posted my Sun Shade addition last week - "added awning sun shade" purchased from CW for approx. $100 and riveted on to the awning tube, ( Nitehawk had a good warning comment ) and I would say it took no more than 40 min to install snaps to tube and sun shade, the snaps cost max $15, I also purchased an end shade which I have not set up yet, it will be put on either end of the awning depending on sun or breeze elimination. I have a mosquito deterrent lamp which I will use when needed, we are fortunate in this area that we do not get major infestations of mosquitos but unfortunately they really are attracted to me so I have to be ready for them.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: nitehawk on September 14, 2016, 09:09:45 am
And don't forget to put something between the coach side and the ground--unless you can lower your coach right down to the ground. Mosquitoes have a liking for shaded places out of the sun and will Kamikaze out from under the coach in anticipation of a nice hearty meal of blood.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 14, 2016, 10:09:22 am
The mountains in Arkansas don't have that much of an insect problem.. I mainly want a place to sit outside that offers a bit of privacy and shade and a dark screen would give enough.. I think one of the screen rooms would fill my wants.. Thanks for the input.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 14, 2016, 11:56:54 am
Looking closer at what Geoffh did as well after re  finding his post.. Working on short sleep and don't have enough faculty to navigate a forum.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: nitehawk on September 14, 2016, 12:11:29 pm
Dub, why not buy two of the Sunshades from CW and alter one for the two ends of the big awning? Two of the Sunscreens would cost about $200 total + snaps and rivets. The end screens could be held onto the end rafter arms in some other way (just haven't thought about it yet, but will) that would not interfere with raising and closing the awning--the telescoping ends.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 15, 2016, 12:18:47 pm
Sorry about the delay Nitehawk.. issues at work.. Are you talking about the screen rooms like you have or a rig like Geoffh has.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: nitehawk on September 15, 2016, 12:54:32 pm
I was referring to using two Sunshades (like Geoff's) so your material would look the same on the ends as the main shade screen.
The ends might not give you a perfect seal against bugs but would provide shade and some privacy--without having to fabricate a door.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: Dub on September 15, 2016, 01:13:05 pm
10/4.. I see where that is doable and can result in some decent space to sit, watch tv and so on.
Title: Re: Make a screen room under the big awning
Post by: nitehawk on September 15, 2016, 01:24:08 pm
Yup, Dere Hey!! And the whole shebang can come down real quick if you suddenly have inclement weather or want to move. Roll the screening up after you get down with your fabrication and then get a piece of PVC to store it in. Might want to cap an end and have some holes for ventilation if you have to put it away wet.
No longer than you can get into the big compartment.