and now for something completely different - an inflatable awning

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

It's probably just me.....

It's not just you. Lol.

[AndrewInSeattle]

Probably old news to most of you, but I saw my first deployable canvas tarp awnings recently and am convinced one will be part of our next van rather than a fixed-placement Fiamma. Our current Fiamma is convenient, but I have nightmares that a micro-gust will wreck not just the awning but the whole body, and/or we'll have to finish a trip with a giant hunk of scrap metal filling the back.

https://www.dragonflytarps.com/ - expensive, but large and very versatile
https://moonfab.com/ - cheaper, not as waterproof

[Kibo]

I saw a number of Dragon Fly Tarps at a recent van expo here in CO on everything from Sprinters to a $0.5M uber-overlanding rig. The owner was quite nice, and the tarps look very well made. Unfortunately, the pop top on my van sits in the rain gutter (similar to a CCV top), leaving no place to attach the mounting track from the barn doors forward. That, combined with the price and some doubt of whether I'd be willing to go through the hassle to set it up regularly (made more challenging by being 5'6" with a 6" lifted van), dampened my enthusiasm.

Semi on-topic, has anyone installed a batwing-style awning on an E-series yet? I keep waiting for someone else to be first to see how it goes...