]We used to have a nice Conway trailer tent, but due to age and arthritis, we found that erecting it along with its attached awning was becoming a bit of a bind.
So, we started looking for a small caravan to match our small car, and through a fortuitous meeting with a pair of enthusiastic Puck owners, we were persuaded that a Puck was the thing for us. We found and bought "the van", and love it to bits.
However, I ( Joe ) still wanted an awning, because I still wanted the feeling of camping, and there was none with it.
Research showed that custom made awnings for a Puck 120 were expensive, and looked quite heavy. I wanted neither of these things, so decided that a bit of improvisation was needed.
On Ebay, I found that there were various places selling a "Gelert end porch, small" which, although intended as an extension for a regular tent, looked like it could be converted to fit the Puck.
The cost was £62 including postage, so an awful lot less than the hundreds asked for a "proper" awning.
At this point, the only alteration I made to the Gelert was to fix some plastic tubing along the top of the open end so that I could thread it along the guide rail on the outside of the Puck.

I did this by first sticking a length of thin rope along the canvas, about an inch from the edge, then turned the canvas over and stuck it to enclose the rope.
Next I bought some 5mm (i.d.) clear plastic tubing from B&Q, split it lengthwise so it could be opened out, and fitted and stuck it over the string/canvas along the top end of the awning. I used seam sealant from Go Outdoors)
Now I could thread this along inside the guide rail on the caravan.
Our first run out with the van was for one night to Rosemarkie, and we took the Gelert to try it out.
The Gelert erected very easily in the perfect wind-free conditions, and looked pretty good, but there was a problem.
Because the Gelert was made to fit on to a tent, it was curved at the top corners, and this left a 6" gap between it and the side of the van.
Also, because there was no sewn in groundsheet, there was a gap all the way round the bottom of the awning. Two problems to be solved.
Apart from that, it seemed fine. Nice big windows, lots of headroom, and hopefully watertight.
Before our next outing (two more nights at Rosemarkie) I had cut off some of the canvas along the top of the awning, in line with the sides, then stuck more string, and tubing along this, hopefully to give me a better seal against the van.
It worked. During the two days at Rosemarkie, I then cut the pitiful wee groundsheet, that came with the Gelert, into widish strips, and sewed them on to the bottom of the awning in sections as a skirt, which I tucked in under a nice big new groundsheet that I'd bought. Draughts solved.
I was very please with myself.
Next trip was a glorious three days at idyllic Clachtoll on the West Coast of Sutherland. We had intended Achmelvich, but it was full. No matter, Clachtoll in many ways is better, but no chip shop.
It was during that wonderful spell of weather in late July, and was perfect till the last day, when it poured.
Next problem discovered. Although the awning was fine, the rain running off it, and off the roof of the van, discharged down the van wall at the end of the channel. And then ran down on to the the skirt, groundsheet. This was solved by pulling back the groundsheet, and letting the water run on to the ground. Haven't solved this problem yet, but I can live with it just now.
Actually, the hot weather showed up what could be another problem. The awning gets very hot in the sun, and the only ventilation is by opening the doorup completely, and freeing off the sides next to the van. Suggestions?
There was enough of the old groundsheet to make a skirt for the Puck itself which I did using the string/tube method, and threaded it both ways from the wheel arch. Worked quite well, but I've now put some stitches through the string/tubing to make them stay together.

All in all, I'm very pleased that for well under a hunder I've got a pretty useable awning, which has withstood some heavy rain and wind enough for me to sleep on an air bed in it comfortably without getting wet or blown away.

One of our main considerations was that it had to be light, and easy to erect. It is.
The sequence -
1) thread the tubing through the van awning guide, and tie it each end to those odd looking little brackets on the rail.
(This is the only bit that needs two people, unless you are a giant with an 8' wingspan.)
2) peg down the bottom corners of the awning as close to the van walls as possible.
3) peg out the guy line that comes from the centre above the awning door, to prevent the awning/legs blowing against the van.
4) insert the top rails, then insert the legs, with these angled well back towards the underside of the van.
5) insert with much cursing, the little pins at the bottom of the legs.
6) raise the legs and waffle them about till the whole thing looks like it will stand up and be reasonably tight.
7) peg everything down, find two glasses, open the fridge ......

Please understand that everything that I've said here is quite experimental (for me anyway) and I would welcome all suggestions and feedback.

Our next challenge is to go off for a few days WITHOUT the awning, to learn how that feels.


image.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) SINCE I SEEM TO BE ONLY ABLE TO UPLOAD ONE PICTURE TO THE FORUM, I'VE PUT THE REST ON TO THE GALLERY UNDER "CHEAP AWNING FOR A PUCK"

g85-Cheap-awning-for-a-puck.html

Hi Randa.
Thanks for your feedback.
I should have asked first, shouldn't I?
I might still change to the ready made awning strip. It looks good.
Thanks for that.
Joe

Well done Joe, that awning looks great and just the right size for the Puck .....

Hi Joe
I note you were going to try without an awning. Interested to hear how you get on. We are Puck owners 9 and former trailer tent owners) who got fed up with the bulky AL awning and are quite happy to live with a fairly minimalist set up which comprises 1 - a 4x3 metre piece of green ecomat which we spread in front of the Puck. Its nice to walk on bare foot, set up the table and chairs on, and it also keeps grass out of the van 2 - an Omnistore sunblind; this came with the van and acts as both a sun shade and keeps the rain off you as you enter and leave the van 3 - a Khyam quick erect toilet tent; we store the loo bucket, rubbish bucket and a white Lidl table and two lounger chairs in here.
Geoff

Hi poptop. Thanks for that.
Hi Geoff. Minimalist sounds good. We hope to go off for a few days in mid september (got to be back for the reffyrendumm though.
Question for a Puck owner - how do you heat it over night? Ours has no heater, but I've now bought a tiny convector (200 watt). Don't know if it will be up to the job, but as you will know, space is limited when the bed's made up, so it has to be wee, - and quiet. We have a fan heater, but it keeps me awake, and is too powerful for the Puck.
We're thinking of taking just a windshield and a doormat and chairs.
All tips welcome.
Joe

I've a Puck L and although it has a fitted gas heater I have never used it ! Like many others I find a small (about 800 watt) oil filled radiator to be more than adequate. Takes up little room,safe and no noise. I think all makes have an adjustable thermostat and many a variable output setting. Prices are around £20 - probably fair to say that it's best to avoid the very 'cheap and cheerful' ones !

Heating a Puck. We were lucky as the one we bought from AL had a Propex gas heater fitted in the locker by the door next to the wheel arch. Very compact, safe and effective as it blows lovely warm air round your ankles and heats the Puck in no time. However I would probably never have shelled out the cost of purchase and fitting - the AL salesman told me it was around £600. We don't use ours much in very cold weather but reckon that at night an extra duvet/blanket is the best way to go, as trying to shut off too many air vents results in condensation.

what a great idea
I went for the 8mm awning strip, and machine sewn it to the awning,

2 questions re your fab job -
1. Is that insulating pipe you have used on the down poles right next to the Eriba and if so is this to protect the outside of the van?
2. How have you attached your skirt, my 1990 Familia does not seem to have a channel to thread anything through and all the skirts on the internet seem to expect this channel?!?
I have just ordered the tent £56 + P&P from Filed and Trek (green, another £20 for the anthracite colour of yours!) and 3 meters of the awning piping from Brian Park Camping £5.25 + P&P!
We really want the awning to be able leave outside table and chairs in at night and for somewhere to take off wet clothing and boots after hiking in the rain as opposed to getting the Eriba all wet!
So inspired - thanks - will add pictures when the job is done!!!

Hi Lou.
Yes, you noticed the pipe lagging.
The Gelert doesn't have poles next to the van, just a loose edge, with plastic pole clips attached. These pole clips are designed to fit on to a tent, which the awning would overlay. I cut them off because in a wind they might tap on the van. I am still experimenting to see if the pipe lagging gives a better seal against the van, rather than just the raw edge of the Gelert.
Regarding the skirt , I think Randa is correct. On the Puck, if you put your head in the wheel arch and look at the end of the bottom rail, you will find that the very bottom bit is a channel which takes the skirt. Probably the same on yours.
Yours aye
Joe

The skirt groove in the bottom rail is well hidden underneath isn't it.
On our earlier Troll the wheel arch plastic outer was screwed through the actual track so it was not possible to thread the skirt.

Thanks!!! This is why I love this forum! Everyone is soooo helpful! I do have the channel for the skirt after all!!! Purchasing as we speak! :)))