Van Conversion - Part Deux

<p>Some of you might remember <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/thread/69373/dammit-jim-i-m-a-department-mangler-not-a-carpenter">this</a> from last summer.  Essentially we removed the two benches in back of our inherited Chev Astro van and I made a matress platform and a shelving unit for us to continue camping into the fall.  With the shoulder in such pain I couldn't tent camp.</p>
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Strangely enough I was most comfortable sleeping in the van.  For September through November the best nights sleep I had were when we'd drive out to a Provincial Park and spend the night.</p>
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<p>At any rate we're heading out to the Wet coast for a couple of weeks for vacation in mid-April.  Will also help one oby move into his new apartment (out of dorm).  So the missus got to thinking that one thing we needed was some sort of quick set-up awning to cover our door and a window in case it rained.   </p>
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<p>So I came up with an idea that the missus refined to attach a tarp to a dowel (now two pieces of PVC pipe) that we can set on the roof and with zip ties attach to the roof rack.  It's 7.5 x 11 feet, just enough to cover a picnic table.  The dowel was needed to keep the tarp rigid because it will extend over our windshield and I didn't want it flapping in the wind.  We need a window or two open for air.</p>
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<p>At any rate the missus showed the design and finished product to a guy at a local manufacturers where she bought the supplies for the zip line, and he wants to market it. </p>
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Weird.</p>
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And so our journey into RV-dom continues, step by step.  Soon I'll have to hold my pants up with suspenders and they will reach up to my nipples.  Ayup.  Seriously though if it keeps me going and gets me out of the city I'll sleep in the van.  Hoping that tenting is still a possibility at some point...</p>