Patio rug?

**BroncoHauler** · 08-18-2007, 03:55 PM

Was wondering if most people bring along some outdoor carpet for use just outside their van's? I'm thinking about picking up some outdoor carpet for underneath the awning area to help keep the dirt/mud outside.

Anyone have any recommendations, or things to look out for? I know the folded/rolled up size is important.

Herb

Buji · 08-19-2007, 12:34 AM

I was looking at the same thing in a huge rv catalog I got. (call it my new wish book)

Don't know if I'll have the space for storing something like that though...

Ed in Montana · 08-19-2007, 06:57 AM

I bought a role of artificial grass about 4 feet by 8 feet to go under the awning, but have only used it once. Basically I never seem to stay in one campsite very long so i never set everything up, including the awning which I have replaced with an older Kelty Carport.

dkrahl · 08-20-2007, 02:47 PM

A few years ago (when we were in a popup) friends got us an RV mat (http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/c-outside-rv ... YAodmQj02A). It has worked out very well for us. The mat folds up into a relatively small space that is easier to pack than a rolled up carpet. It cleans up easily and dries quickly.

dave

Scalf77 · 08-20-2007, 03:26 PM

Another place similar to above www.patiomats.com. They have a 6x9 size, very easy to clean, doesn't rot,

Greg

Velogeo · 08-20-2007, 03:37 PM

Ed, how is the Carport working for you?

Ed in Montana · 08-20-2007, 06:48 PM

We found an older model of the Kelty Carport on sale at Sportsman's Warehouse for $50 this spring. It is a slanted model that won't pitch out perfectly horizontal like the newer $300 model. But it worked very well in a cold driving rainstorm with some wind last Memorial Day. We staked it down and attached the top to the top of our awning and it worked perfectly. Absolutely no danger of it coming lose and pummeling the side of the van. I would get rid of the Fianna awning at this point, but it would need to be replaced with a horizontal bar at the same height to attach the carport.

Here's some pics of it set up:

Notice how the SMB cargo door easily clears the Carport, something it doesn't do with the Fianna awning.

Ed in Montana

sdwindansea · 08-20-2007, 06:52 PM

Ed - you now have me so jealous now. We loved the Kelty carport, but we couldn't find an easy way to attach it to the SMB we were having built. We actually considered having a horizontal bar installed, but it would've detracted from the appearance of the SMB when we were not using the awning. Great idea using your existing Fiamma awning.

Ed in Montana · 08-20-2007, 08:14 PM

Sdwindansea, actually we have thought that we should ask SMB West to use the three vertical awning supports and attach a horizontal powder coated bar to the top of them for Kelty Carports. It would be cheaper and a heck of a lot safer for your vehicle than a heavy awning. The key is that that carport has to be as high as the top of the closed awning, and not the bottom, in order to let the cargo doors open unobstructed.

saline · 08-20-2007, 09:54 PM

Con Ferr (now ORU) has gutter mounts for their racks that I think would work on a SMB for support and or mounting point for the kelty shades.All you would have to do is reverse the mounting plate.
I have 6 of them. Saving three for the eventual SMB purchase(baby steps!).
Here is a link to what they look like:
http://industryfigure.com/berkeley/Jeep ... rmount.jpg