We cut and sew the awning for the caravan ourselves. How to make an awning for a car trailer? Choosing material for the awning

From this article you will learn:

What features does a trailer awning have? passenger car
What is a truck trailer cover?
How to make a trailer awning
How to repair it

Today, many car owners actively use car trailers of a wide variety of modifications to transport various types of cargo. It is worth considering that more opportunities will be provided by using not an open trailer, but with a canopy. A trailer awning allows you to protect the cargo from dust, precipitation, and dirt that flies out from under the wheels of oncoming and passing cars. In addition, with its help, some semblance of an aerodynamic design is created that reduces air resistance.

Features of an awning for a car trailer

Some time ago, trailer awnings were made mainly of tarpaulin and leatherette. Now for their production they use material based on PVC. Canopies can be made either from ordinary PVC fabric or from a material that also has an internal synthetic part. However, even today you can find products made from tarpaulin.

PVC fabrics used for the production of awnings vary depending on the thickness and number of layers. Thicker material and large quantity layers give car trailer awnings greater strength.

Connecting trailer awning patterns into one is performed using two technologies. In the first case we're talking about about gluing parts of the canopy, in the second - about welding pieces of PVC fabric. Today, the second technology is most often used; gluing is used quite rarely.

The technology for welding parts of an awning onto a trailer is based on the use of a jet of hot air or running pieces of PVC fabric between hot rollers.

PVC fabrics used for the manufacture of trailer awnings have a number of advantages, among which the following can be noted:

Quite a varied color palette.
Good water-repellent properties of the material. This differs from tarpaulin, which also does not allow water to pass through, but absorbs it, due to which the weight of the awning itself for a passenger trailer significantly increases.
Resistance of connecting seams (regardless of the manufacturing technology used) to impact sun rays and the elevated temperature they cause.
Excellent tolerance to low temperatures, despite some loss of elasticity. The current opinion is that low temperatures lead to brittleness and cracking of trailer awnings made of PVC fabric, has no basis. High-quality fabrics are not afraid of even severe frost.

The production of awnings for trailers, including cars, from PVC fabrics is carried out by manufacturers from various countries world, starting with states South-East Asia and ending with European ones (most often such awnings are produced in the Czech Republic, much less often in Germany).

The cheapest trailer awnings made from PVC fabrics are produced in China. Due to the small thickness of the material, the service life of such products is very limited. In an effort to reduce production costs, a number of awning manufacturers use Chinese raw materials.

Korean awnings for trailers are more durable, but also slightly higher in cost. The highest price, as well as best quality have car awnings made from European raw materials.

In some cases, manufacturers not only glue, but also additionally stitch the connecting seams using strong threads. Due to this, not only the connection itself, but the entire structure as a whole acquires greater strength.

All awnings for passenger car trailers, depending on the design, can be divided into flat and box-shaped. A number of manufacturers also produce varieties of awnings designed for tall trailers.

The awnings are fastened to trailers using a system of holes reinforced with metal rings running along the perimeter of the entire structure. A strong cord runs through these slots, securing the awning to the trailer using metal brackets welded or riveted to the trailer body.

For trailers with special high frames for awnings, products with a more complex design are designed.

Cargo trailer cover

The materials used for the production of car awnings have a certain service life, limited to 10–15 years. After this time, the elasticity of the material decreases, and there is no possibility of restoration; the awning cannot be repaired. Bring the old trailer cover back to its previous condition using welds and the patch won’t work, because they won’t stick. This means that even with careful and careful treatment of the awning, after a certain time it will need to be replaced.

It is very difficult, almost impossible, to purchase a ready-made awning that fits your trailer perfectly. During the movement, its structure moves. Different companies producing car trailers place racks intended for fastening awnings at different distances, and therefore there is a high probability that the seals of the product do not coincide with the intended contact points between it and the frame. For these reasons the best option there will be a custom-made canopy, taking into account the dimensions and design features of a particular car trailer.

Perhaps all carriers are faced with the main question - what material to use to make the awning. Market in Lately abounds in Korean and Chinese awning fabrics. Such materials in most cases have a lower cost compared to their European counterparts. However, experts who sew awnings for trailers advise not to get too carried away with saving. If you are interested in the quality and long service life of your car canopy, then use fabrics made in Europe.

Awnings for regular and curtain-sided semi-trailers require the use of different fabrics that have excellent breaking load characteristics. However, the differences between them are quite significant. For example, the weight of the material used to sew an awning on a regular trailer is 630 g, while the weight of the reinforced material required to make an awning on curtain-sided semi-trailers already reaches 900 g. These figures give a sufficient idea of the significant difference in the density of awnings fabrics.

High-quality awnings are distinguished by the presence of additional layers of material in those places where the awning is in contact with the frame of the semi-trailer. To increase the strength of the seam, the material must be welded front side to the wrong side. After using hardware welding, manual check seams for tightness.

Knowing about such nuances, it will be easier for you to judge the qualifications and honesty of the manufacturing company. You can also talk about the quality of the products by the number of measurements taken from the semi-trailer frame during the sewing process. If the measurements were taken once, after which the awning was sewn, then it would be reckless to say that it will ideally fit the trailer and will serve for a long time.

Measurements should be taken at least twice - before cutting the material, and also after the sidewalls and roof are sewn.

Special attention should be paid to awnings for semi-trailers that are used outside our country. For staff customs service European countries great importance The canopies comply with the regulations of the European Union countries. Special attention deserve grommets. The holes for fastenings in the awning should be located at a distance of no more than 18 cm.

Some carriers are not familiar with the applicable European countries a set of rules relating to the sizing of the so-called customs tape. Everyone knows that it is mandatory to close the joints of the trailer awning. However, in addition to this well-known rule, there are other nuances that would not hurt to study carefully. In this regard, if you intend to equip your semi-trailer with a canopy (especially if in the future you intend to travel with it outside Russian Federation), then you should use the services only of long-standing and reliably proven manufacturing companies.

How to make an awning for a car trailer with your own hands

If your old trailer cover has reached the end of its service life, then you are probably thinking about buying a new one. Perhaps you are overcome by doubts about whether the price corresponds to the quality of the purchased product, because, unfortunately, the market is replete with low-quality products that cost a lot of money. However, you can overcome these doubts by sewing the awning yourself.

Measurements.

To sew a trailer awning yourself, you will need to take four precise measurements. A measuring tape, paper and pencil will help you with this. You can make a schematic drawing of the future product. First of all, you need to take measurements of the length and width of the trailer, writing them down on a piece of paper. Then you will need to calculate the required number of hooks; when calculating, keep in mind that the average distance between them is 20 or 30 cm. The final figure is affected by the total length of the trailer, as well as the number of arcs that will be welded to each side.

Now you can start working on the metal arcs. Measurements are taken from the middle of the side to the highest point of the arc (otherwise called the “ridge”). Then measure from the edge of the bead bar(s) to the bend. Be sure to record all the numbers you receive so you don’t forget. After all measurements have been taken of the future awning, which consists of three parts (the back, front sides and the roof - the main rectangular part of the awning), you can go in search of a suitable fabric.

Material.

For the factory production of trailer awnings, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabrics are used. Among the advantages of this material are moisture resistance and the ability to retain heat. For good canopy fabrics with a density of 630–650 g/m2 are suitable, that is, the weight of one square meter of fabric should be 650 g. In most cases, such fabrics have a width of 2.5 m. If we talk about the service life finished product, then it can be 7–10 years. Finding such fabric in online stores will not be difficult - the choice offered by various sites is very diverse.

In principle, you can get by with tarpaulin fabric, the density of which is 480 g/m2 or 540 g/m2. Please note the presence of waterproof impregnation. The service life of such an awning will be slightly shorter compared to a canopy made of PVC fabric. The disadvantages of tarpaulin include the fact that it slightly allows moisture to pass through, which will be especially noticeable during a rainstorm.

You will definitely need eyelets (we are talking about metal rings through which the rope will pass) and a rubber band (similar to the one from which expanders are made). In order not to make a mistake with the size of the fabric and not to buy too much or, conversely, too little, make a pattern for the awning in accordance with the measurements taken. Calculate required amount meters of fabric, in most cases 8 m is enough.

Open it up.

Do not draw the pattern directly onto the fabric. To do this, it is better to use paper and make sure the calculations are correct several times. In addition, in this case, you will have a pattern that you can use more than once in the future.

So, draw the length of the body in one direction, draw the length of the arc perpendicular to it - the main part of the awning is ready. Now you need to draw the front and back parts of the canopy. Draw a line corresponding to the width of the trailer. From its middle, mark the height of the center of the metal arc. Draw the line smoothly; it should follow the curve of the arc of the frame of your trailer.

Do not forget about the need to leave allowances for the seams (at the bottom of the awning the allowances should be 4 cm - eyelets are sewn into this place, for other seams 1.5-2 cm is enough). After this, you can transfer the pattern to the fabric and cut out the details of the product.

Sewing.

You can sew an awning for a trailer at home, regular sewing machine quite suitable for these purposes. You will need very strong threads (you can use polyester or reinforced ones) No. 40, as well as a needle No. 120 or 130. You need to stitch the back and front parts to the main part of the awning. Fold the edges of the pieces into each other and stitch them twice to increase strength. Fold the bottom edge 4 cm, and then sew in a circle (jeans are hemmed in the same way). Don't forget that the grommets will be inserted into this wide sealed edge.

Now the product needs to be tried on the trailer. Use a marker or chalk to mark the places where the eyelets (rings) are sewn in. They will help you with this task in a shoe workshop, where there is a special machine that can rivet rings in the required places. Now you can insert a rubber band (expander) into the eyelets and try the awning on the trailer again.

Fastening.

To secure the awning, an eight-millimeter rope or a steel cable in a plastic sheath (3 mm in diameter) is used. Attach metal tips on both sides to facilitate the process of threading the cable into the rings. So, pull the rope through the rings and tighten it properly. Your trailer cover is ready.

How to repair a trailer awning

Passenger car

Basically, damage to trailer awnings occurs due to exposure to natural phenomena such as rain, strong wind, snow, as well as in case of improper storage and operation of the product. As a result, you may encounter holes and tears in the fabric.

You can repair a trailer awning yourself by gluing or stitching the product.

Can be used to glue damaged fabric different kinds glue:

A special glue for PVC, with its help the connection is strong, moisture-resistant and at the same time flexible. Glue is suitable if it is necessary to eliminate cuts and holes in PVC fabric sheets by gluing patches. The most effective are such compositions as “Karma”, “Desmokol”, “Winstik”.
Cosmofen glue is a fast-setting cyanoacrylate hardening compound. Among the advantages, we note the resistance of the resulting seam to temperature changes. With its help, you can quickly repair trailer awnings made of PVC fabric, but when using it, you need a press that will compress the surfaces to be glued together.
Thermoplastic Rapid, with its help you can reliably repair holes while maintaining the sealing properties of the material at the damage site. It must be used in a heated state and together with a hardener. Copes well with tissue damage.

With the help of glue, you can cope with the holes that appear, however, if the trailer awning ruptures along the seam, it necessarily requires stitching and only after this treatment with glue.

If you decide to repair a trailer awning made of PVC fabric yourself, stock up on:

A patch made of similar material;

Glue for PVC.

The tear site is stitched. This is done in order to create tension in the canvas, reduce the distance between the torn parts, and also displace them when gluing.
Contaminants are removed, the surfaces of the canvas and the patch are degreased, thereby ensuring a tighter connection between the base material and the patch.
Glue is applied to both parts, after which the canvas and patch are pressed against each other as tightly as possible.
You can use the trailer awning at least 24 hours after repair.

Cargo

To eliminate ruptures in the awning on a truck or gazelle, use:

roller;
industrial hair dryer;
glue (for example, “Vinsticom”, “Desmokol”);
awl;
fishing line or strong thread.

The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

Large holes must be stitched using strong thread or fishing line, otherwise the edges may come apart at the seams.
The tissue around the tear is wiped with acetone.
Glue (“Winstik or Demoskol”) is applied to the patch and to the awning, then the patch is applied, and the fabric is carefully smoothed to prevent the formation of wrinkles.
It is necessary to wait about 10 minutes for the seam to set, after which the damaged area is warmed up using construction hair dryer and rolled using a roller. Warming up in this case is important because it ensures full contact at the site of damage. A number of expensive thermoplastic adhesives do not require heating, which is necessarily indicated in the instructions.
Until the seam has completely set, it is forbidden to load or bend the awning. This is especially true when using inexpensive adhesives that have a long setting period. In this case, you can use the awning after at least a day.

If you use trailer awnings carefully, the likelihood of various defects will be significantly lower. However, when they appear, it is worth using high-quality glue designed to combat holes and cuts.

Where to buy a ready-made trailer awning

The Sportstyle company was founded in 1992 and has been successfully presenting its products and services in the markets of Russia and neighboring countries for more than 25 years.

One of the main activities of the company is the production of frame-awning structures, sports equipment, and recreational goods. Our products are very popular and in demand, including:

Autopologa. Made from ordinary and frost-resistant awning fabrics or tarpaulins with eyelets for attaching to the cabin.
Awnings for long trailers. We make awnings for trailers for Euro trucks, Kamaz, etc.
Tents for special equipment. Awnings with transparent windows for forklifts, skid steers, cars, amcords, tractor cabins and other types of special equipment.
Gazelle awnings. For standard, extended, side gazelle, gazelle farmer and gazelle model 3302.
Truck awnings. For domestic, Japanese and European trucks various models and sizes.
Awnings for boats. Parking, transportation, running awnings for boats and boats of any model.
Pickup truck awnings. From passenger cars to full-size ones - to “Patriots”, UAZs.
Awnings for trailer, semi-trailer. For all trailers and semi-trailers of cars and trucks.
Truck awnings. Durable and reliable truck awnings with a variety of fittings.
Curtains for car washes. Curtains for car washes, service stations and garages made of colored and transparent PVC fabric of various densities, tarpaulin. Printing possible.

The safety of transported goods is ensured by a car trailer awning. Such shelters are in demand because they protect transported goods from external influences:

Wind.
Snow.
Dust and dirt.
Rain.
Ultraviolet.
Mechanical influences.
Cargo theft.

Varieties

Depending on its purpose, the awning for a passenger car trailer may vary in height, size or shape. The main thing is that the shelter matches the trailer body. A suitable shelter is quicker to install and easier to use. At the same time, it better protects the transported cargo.

Transporting large cargo requires a high awning covering to allow movement while standing. Transportation of small loads – low.

As for the shape, it can be rounded at the top (drop if made of plastic), rectangular or with an aerodynamic bevel. The rounded cover reduces the windage of the trailer. And this is a significant fuel saving.

There are different material options: plastic, carbon fiber, tarpaulin or PVC material.

There are also awnings for passenger car trailers of specific shapes. It depends on the cargo: snowmobile or motor equipment, kayaks, supports, masts, surfboards.

There are also shelters: do-it-yourself trailer awnings or factory-made ones (included in the basic package of passenger car trailers).

Choosing a quality awning

A high-tech caravan shelter must meet certain characteristics:

Have reinforced areas of the canvas where it is in direct contact with the frame metal.
Designed for reliable protection transported goods from sunlight and atmospheric precipitation.
Meet the stated functionality and price.
Executed from dense material, resistant to temperature changes, excessive humidity or dryness, allowing the trailer to be outdoors for a long time.
Maintain characteristics during operation.
Keep attractive appearance even after prolonged use.
Meet specific requests.

There are cases that owners resort to sewing awnings for trailers for passenger cars when they purchase reinforced suitable model does not work. Manufacturers provide tailoring using high-tech equipment and help you choose an option for an individual order.

Methods of fastening the awning structure

There are several methods of fixation:

The frame, in turn, is installed in a groove manner by threading tubes into the receiving holes on the sides or fastening with nuts and bolts.

Manufacturers of awnings for passenger cars

The company that produces trailer equipment takes care of equipping it with awning shelter. Therefore, the leaders in the production of trailers are also manufacturers of awnings:

Competing companies:

Vector.
Slavich.

Specialized enterprises and studios produce tent shelters:

TODOSS. The Moscow studio has been sewing awnings for 10 years. It offers a choice of colors and shades, a wide range of accessories and measuring services. On the official website there is a calculator for calculating the dimensions of the trailer.
Derby. The Moscow company with branches in Samara and Ivanovo has been operating since 1997 and cooperates with well-known manufacturers trailers
PROGRESS TENT. This is a manufacturing company that produces PVC products and offers its clients advertising on awning products.
Tent-TTK or Transtentcom. Another studio from Moscow. Sews camouflage patterns. Production takes place according to the pattern of the old canvas, measurements or wishes of the customer. The company also sells additional equipment.

We create an awning with our own hands

Purchasing a ready-made awning cover for a specific trailer frame is hardly possible. Therefore the owners trailed units they ask the question: “How to make an awning for a trailer with your own hands?” – Making awnings for car trailers is not such a labor-intensive process. Anyone can create protection for a caravan. You just need to study in advance the subtleties regarding the cutting and sewing process of awning fabric. Rigid structures are eliminated, leaving soft but durable material for the awning. The master requires a reserve of patience and possession of the necessary material:

Construction hairdryer.
White paper.
Threads with a needle.
Pencil.
Sewing machine.
Scissors.
Roulette.

Stages of making an awning:

Measurement of the aggregate (with or without arcs).
Selection and purchase of fabric.
Cutting process.
Sewing an awning for car trailer.
Pressing in eyelets.
Trailer installation.

Trailer frame measurements

Taking measurements is carried out using a tape measure or tape centimeter.

The first step is to measure the basic dimensions for the base of the pattern, which are made with overlaps for free cutting. The sides are measured one by one. The dimensions are recorded on a sheet of paper by sketching the components of the trailer and indicating the segments for attaching the future covering. The distance of these sections depends on the length of the trailer and does not exceed 0.3 meters.

The final stage of measurements is to apply them to a schematic drawing, that is, a pattern.

Material selection

Today, covering awning materials, if treated with care, are designed for long-term operation of up to 10 and even 15 years. Performance loss is minimal. But the awning fabric deteriorates over time and sag. The choice of material should be taken seriously. Tarpaulin, tarpaulin, membrane fabrics or PVC are mainly used to cover the trailer.

When choosing a fabric, thread thickness and fabric strength, determined by the DTEX number indicating the weight of ten kilometers of thread, are key parameters. The larger the number, the stronger the thread. The indicators of resistance to tearing, repeated bending, scuffing, and stretching are also not overlooked. Adhesion, color fastness, and fire resistance are also taken into account.

Advantages of PVC fabric

Sewing of shelters for caravans involves the inclusion of reinforced material elements: polyester or polyester, with the application of polyvinyl chloride on one or both sides. This matter creates protection from precipitation. The inner layer is a lining to retain heat.

Uncover

The material is placed on the surface of the table or on a flat floor. Next, the dimensions of the pattern are copied onto the canvas, taking into account hems for eyelets and allowances for seams not up to three centimeters. At the end, the pattern pieces are carefully cut out with sharp scissors.

Sewing the product

Tailoring of awnings for passenger car trailers is done using thread with an increased strength coefficient. A polyester-based reinforced thread is used in two seams, the distance between which is about fifteen millimeters. In the absence of work skills sewing machine, the shreds are soldered together with the hot air of a hair dryer. Eyelets are fixed along the perimeter of the awning fabric.

Video about choosing an awning

Installing an awning on a trailer

Frame installation – for frame structures.
Gentle pulling.
Hooking eyelets on hooks or staples.
Fixation of the structure using a steel cable three millimeters thick or a hemp/sisal rope eight millimeters thick. The cable or rope is pulled tight to ensure tight contact.

An awning cover is a suitable addition when using a tow hitch. And regardless of whether the awning for a passenger trailer is made with your own hands, ordered in a workshop or purchased, it will serve the car owner with honor and truth.

13.02.2017

An awning for a car trailer can be purchased at any specialized store, but it is also not difficult to make an awning yourself.

Material selection

If quite recently tarpaulin was considered the most popular fabric for awnings, now modern industry offers a choice of more durable and lightweight materials, such as fabric with a PVC base. Moreover, such fabric can be simple, or maybe with a synthetic lining.

Modern fabrics for awnings allow you to firmly cover the contents of the trailer from the influence of the external environment. To join the seams of PVC-based fabric, gluing or welding technologies are used using a jet of hot air or hot rollers.

Advantages of fabric with PVC base

Possibility of painting in any color

100% waterproofing

Seam strength

Resistant to external temperature changes.

Making a car awning

Measurements

Before you start sewing a trailer awning, you need to take measurements from the metal frame:

Trailer length

Trailer width

The length of the frame arc from the center of the side to the very high point

The length of the edge of the side arc to the fold

Length from bend to center.

Uncover

To cut the awning you will need a large, flat surface, such as a floor.

Using your measurements, draw the front and back parts of the awning on the laid out fabric. Measure the width of the panel and place a dot in the center, draw an arc according to the measurements.

Important: about 3 cm should be left for seam allowances. When transferring a figure to the material, an allowance of a few centimeters is given to cover the side and about 5 cm for the hem.

Sewing

To sew parts of an awning for a car trailer, you will need a sewing machine that can handle thick, rigid seams, as well as a supply of reinforced threads.

You need to start working by sewing together the main part and two sides. Don’t forget to do hems and finishing stitches.

When all the fragments are sewn, the awning is put on the frame, and the places for the eyelets are marked. This piece of hardware must be made of stainless steel and is riveted in the marked places with a special tool. The distance between eyelets or rings should not exceed 18 cm.

Attaching the awning to the frame

After the awning is placed on the frame, it will need to be secured. This can be done using:

Metal rings attached along the border

Eyelets along the edges of the awning

A cable securing the awning through its upper part.

To fasten all the parts, a cable made of steel or sisal in a special sheath is used, which is pulled through rings or eyelets and secured.

If a motorist is used to doing everything with his own hands, then making an awning will not be difficult for him.

Many people, when buying a trailer for a car, are faced with the problem of an awning and its price upon purchase, since trailer manufacturers do not manufacture them personally and resell trailer awnings ordered from third-party companies (mutually beneficial conditions, affiliate program). Therefore, many people just buy a trailer, and then later tent on it. Those who have worn out PVC material or old tarpaulin are also interested in purchasing such an awning.

So how can you sew a new awning without resorting to buying an expensive product?

Let's look at production step by step:

1.Measurements of a trailer with bars;

2.Purchase and selection of material;

3.Cut

4.Manufacture (sewing)

5. Eyelets and expander (rubber band)

1.Measurements. In order to make and sew the right tent, we need to take all the necessary measurements to transfer them to the fabric (material). What do we need to know for measurements? The most necessary distances are the trailer length and width. As for the arcs, we take the size from the center of the side and measure to the highest point of the arc (write down the dimensions). Then, we measure from the edge of the side arch to the break (bend, elbow) and it is advisable not to forget to take the size from the bend to the center. All details are in the picture (instructions). The awning will be made of 3 parts. The back and front are in the form of a house and a large piece of roof.

2. The dimensions are written down, all that remains is to buy the material for sewing our trailer cover. Usually classic product made from materials (polyvinyl chloride) abbreviated as “PVC”. It will not be difficult to purchase such material through online resources or in our group of online store “Fabrics” we usually take 630-650 density. Prices for good fabric start from $5.5 per sq.m. This fabric is sold 2.5 meters wide. You will also need to buy the required number of eyelets and a rubber band (expander). And so, draw a cut according to your dimensions on paper to calculate how much you need linear meters purchase. Typically, an awning requires an average of 8 square meters. Did you buy it? Now let's move on to cutting.

3. Open it up. Lay out the material on big table or find plenty of space on the floor for the cut. First of all, we draw the walls of the house (front and back). Let's start with the width, for the total width we will give about 3 cm in total for seam allowances. Find the center on the width you drew and transfer your measurements of the center of the arc to the fabric and the side so that you get a figure similar to the one you measured. Don't forget to give 12-15mm for the remaining seams. We also need to continue drawing the figure 5-6 cm lower in its width so that the awning covers the sides of the trailer. And also give an allowance of 4 cm below for the hem of the material in order to make reinforcement for future eyelets. Now that we have the shape of the walls, we need to measure it along the edge (arc) where the large, main piece of the later cut material will be sewn. Now we take the length of the trailer and add 3 cm to the seams and that’s it, we have 2 sizes that we transfer to the fabric and cut.

4. Ordinary home sewing machines are not suitable for sewing such fabric, but grandma’s “Podolka” or “Zinger” can easily cope with our task. We also need to purchase reinforced thread of the color we need for sewing. Better number 40. And igloo 120-130. Now it's a matter of technique. It is necessary to sew 2 of our sides to the main material and make a finishing stitch on a large piece of PVC material. Ready? Now turn the bottom edges (edge) 4 cm and sew it with inside in a circle, similar to hemming jeans. Done. Put your semi-finished awning on your trailer and mark with a marker where you will need eyelets for ties on the hooks. Buy eyelets at a sewing store - preferably stainless or galvanized. The latter will cost you much less. And take all this to a place where they repair clothes or shoes; they usually have devices that will rivet your eyelets in the right places.

That's it, tuck the expander into the eyelets with a snake and put your hand-made awning on the trailer. Like? Don't forget to brag to your friends.

P.S. Necessary materials for comfortable work:

·Big table.
·Sharp scissors
Long ruler and tape measure
·Erasable marker for boards. Board
·Industrial sewing machine or a good household one.
· Reinforced threads.
Eyelets
· Expander 6-8 mm (rubber band) or strong rope.
·And a lot of patience.

Good luck with your endeavors.

Your "Tentex".

Greetings, dear friends! For many car owners, a trailer is an integral part of their daily driving life. Someone uses them for work, for some everyday issues or to earn money. Depending on what you're transporting, you may need a trailer cover.

How to get an awning

Agree that many of you have decided to buy an inexpensive but high-quality design for transporting goods by car. As a result, you ended up with something like this:

Laker 300;
KMZ 8136;
MZSA 817711;
Laker 400;
Strong, etc.

I don’t argue, the trailers are good, made of quality materials and can serve faithfully long years. That’s why their sales are so active to this day. Although this is not entirely about that now.

In fact open views trailers have a significant drawback - they are not able to protect the transported cargo from dust, dirt, snow, rain and other external factors.

To solve the problem, there are three ways:

initially buy yourself a more expensive trailer, which has an awning from the factory;
take an awning to order, having customized the product;
make your own canvas and install it on the frame of a car trailer.

Since you already have a trailer, as it were, standing in your garage, the first option automatically disappears. Or you have nowhere to spend the extra money and are ready to buy a second one. But this is unlikely.

The second option is a good way out of the situation for those who are willing to spend a little more money but save their own time. Buying the right awning to order is not difficult. It all depends on what size cargo trailers are, whether they have a frame, and what material you want to make it out of.

Everything here is elementary. You find a workshop that sews awnings to order, leave them a request, and they do what you need. In Moscow, St. Petersburg and others major cities There will be no problems finding such workshops. But in small towns it is not a fact that such services exist.

If the first two options do not interest you, I suggest reading the article further. I'll tell you how you can save money and sew an element yourself.

Material selection

It all starts with thinking carefully about your decision. I won’t say that making an awning is something easy and quick. No, it will take quite a lot of time and effort.

The most simple design- this is a sheet of material and a mount for it on the trailer itself. The problem is that such an awning will withstand strong air currents and can be blown away by a headwind. And such a design limits cargo capacity. In short, not comme il faut.

I advise you to use a more current and effective option- installation on a frame, as is done on some Kurgan trailers of some models, for example.

And here the main issue will be the choice of material. Where to buy suitable source material is not a difficult question. There are many stores selling similar fabrics.

For trailer on a car two types of materials are used.

PVC. Aka polyvinyl chloride. Good thermal insulation material(underneath it retains heat when fastened tightly), perfectly protects from moisture. If PVC suits you, choose a material with a density of 630-650 units. In the absence of markings, it is not difficult to check the density. We just put it on the scale. One square meter at a density of 650 it should weigh approximately 650 grams. The material lasts a long time, so you don’t have to change the canvas every season. With good density and high quality PVC awning will last for 8-10 years.

Tarpaulin. When compared with an analogue made of polyvinyl chloride, tarpaulin awnings weigh approximately 100 grams less per square meter. Does not protect against moisture as well and lasts less. But affordable.

Decide for yourself what to choose.

Do it yourself

In addition to the material itself for the future awning, you will need to collect additional elements for future design:

metal rings for eyelets;
strong rope;
reliable rubber band;
hooks

Don't rush to buy material. Before you sew a blanket for your trailer, calculate how much fabric you will need. Make a frame if you are going to install an awning on it, and not just cover your trailer on top.

Dimensions are calculated based on the following parameters:

the length and width of the trailer itself;
options vertical racks frame;
the distance between the top point of the frame (the so-called ridge) and the side.

Don't forget to include seam allowances on the drawings and pattern. They are 2-4 centimeters.

For sewing you need to take:

sewing machine;
a powerful needle that will easily pass through tarpaulin or PVC;
thread, preferably reinforced or made of polyester.

Don't forget to use a strong double stitch and seal the bottom to insert the rings into.

It will all look something like this:

You make a pattern, calculating the amount of material to cover the entire trailer and attach with rings and hooks;
Cut out the material according to the drawing, hem it, but not completely;
The draft version is thrown over the trailer to understand how well the created awning matches in size and location of the seams;
Mark the places for making eyelets. They will have to be sewn in a special workshop, since installing the rings in a tarpaulin or PVC material you will need a special machine. You will find it in shoe shops. The service is not particularly expensive, so in any case it will be cheaper than sewing a custom-made awning;
Before final installation, insert a rubber band into the rings (eyelets);
To connect the trailer to the awning, use strong ropes or cables, as well as special hooks. Here you may have to make a few additional holes on the trailer. Do not forget to treat them with anti-corrosion compounds so as not to start the process of rust formation.

That's all. From now on you know how to make a full-fledged awning with your own hands. This useful experience and skills that can be useful at any time in life.

Now, if you plan renovations at your dacha or at home, you need to transport building materials or anything else that is afraid of rain and snow, you can load them and cover them with your own awning.

Let's say goodbye. But not for long. We'll see you soon and prepare new ones for you, interesting materials. You can subscribe, leave comments, ask questions and be sure to invite your friends who do not yet know about our site to discussions!