In addition to the issues of my
shaking awning causing body damage, I'm frustrated by the fact that the awning acts as a tree-anchor -- a giant hook that snags passing low-hanging saplings on overgrown trails.
This weekend, the awning front end-cap finally got smashed off.
So, I'm trying to decide whether I replace the cap or use this as an excuse to remove the awning altogether. I'm tempted to go with John & Dana's simple
Portable Awning idea. If I do retain my awning, I think I need to fabricate some kind of mini nerf bar bumper between the awning and the van body so branches don't get caught in the gap between them.