Anyone have any experience with Busdepot.com awnings?

[fireninja]

10 year Burner here, headed out for my 11th in 2012.

For years now I have been using burly military surplus shade netting and spreader poles with plenty of guy-wires and rebar for my shade. It is good in that it has survived the occasional gale force winds -- that good feeling when you return from the deep playa to see all your neighbors stuff blown over and yours still standing.

Downside is a that it is a big heavy kit of stuff, takes a good two hours setup, an hour to breakdown and packup, and has guy-lines everywhere to snag me and my neighbors.

So, I found this product: http://www.busdepot.com/details/awning/ looks pretty ideal -- pup-tent style flexible rod dome, attaches to the raingutters of your vehicle, and secures either to the ground or the base of the vehicle itself, packs down small, and goes up fast. Just wondering if it's rugged enough to survive a week on the playa. . .

Any of y'all Burners used one of these? Anyone used a similar product?

pic is of current setup, taken last year.

[Boijoy]

Hi, I actually had one of these for my VW Vanagon. I HATED it. it was hard to put up & the clamps didn't work well in the gutters. there was ALOT of radiant heat. & the first windstorm in 2007 detached it from the van & I never put it back on.

[fireninja]

Just the info I needed -- thanks Boijoy

Well, so much for that. I guess I'll stick with rugged surplus.

[Bob]

Might want to buy new rope and a few extra stakes.

[fireninja]

@ Bob

Been using 200# test paracord and 15" rebar with 10-15 guy-lines and military shade netting and spreader poles (the heavy aluminum ones, not the fiberglass ones that break). . . I know we're expecting serious wind this year, but this rig did survive the heavy winds in '07. . . are you suggesting that will be inadequate for the conditions this year?

[Bob]

Just suggesting for all our dear eplaya readers that rope/cord wears out just like anything else, and probably sooner, but it's relatively cheap and easily replaced. And extra stakes & guy lines can't hurt.