Tent pole fittings
Submitted: Saturday, Mar 24, 2018 at 22:21
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oz doc
Hi all. I’m thinking of tweaking a few things on the camper awning setup before our next trip in July. I have replaced the normal spigots with threaded ones and this has been geat. I was thinking of changing from flat end spreader bars(the one with a hole through the flat bit) to ones with either plastic c clips or ? Crab claws- for the three primeter bars. Just wondering if these clips have a tendency to pop off or slip down in windy conditions? Thanks, doc
Reply By: Member - nick b boab - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 02:50
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 02:50
Doc : if you have a look on YouTube at ..scrubbers camper trailers 1 person awning setup . The main tent poles are connected to the spreader bar , which would make it easy for one person to set up. Unfortunately scrubbers campers are no longer being manufactured a casualty of cheap Imports.
AnswerID:
617831
Follow Up By: oz doc - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:55
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:55
THanks for that nick. Having poles connected looked good but where would you get the connectors from? Doc
FollowupID:
889638
Follow Up By: Member - nick b boab - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 13:48
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 13:48
Iv been looking for them , i could try contacting the bloke in the video?
FollowupID:
889646
Reply By: Shaker - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 09:40
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 09:40
If you screw small self tapping screws all the way in near the top of the tent poles the heads will stop the c- clips from sliding down.
AnswerID:
617837
Reply By: Malcom M - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:30
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:30
PolesApart will make you custom poles.
You could get one made up and try it out before committing to your bigger picture.
AnswerID:
617838
Follow Up By: oz doc - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:56
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:56
Ye I think they have stopped trading though. Thanks , doc
FollowupID:
889639
Follow Up By: Malcom M - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 11:37
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 11:37
Damn!
That's a shame as they were super helpful people.
Supex also do custom stuff but are a bit more expensive.
FollowupID:
889641
Follow Up By: oz doc - Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 15:37
Monday, Mar 26, 2018 at 15:37
Ok thanks for that. I was thinking even just cutting a notch in the end of the spreader eyelet would do the trick-but no idea how you would do that or what with. Other option is to put the spreaders on top of the canvas. Doc
FollowupID:
889652
Follow Up By: Malcom M - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018 at 06:44
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018 at 06:44
Not really sure what you are trying to achieve?
The plastic C clips do not provide a lot of grip. Windy conditions could easily dislodge them.
Are the poles aluminium or steel? Cutting a notch with a hack saw would be easy enough. If you notch them, whats going to stop them sliding off teh spigot?
FollowupID:
889677
Follow Up By: oz doc - Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 09:04
Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 09:04
Ye it’s probably hard to visualise but I’m trying to get it so when placing the last two spreaders, I don’t have to lift the canvas off the spigots and thread the eyelets over them and then replace the canvas and guy rope. Just a small tweak to streamline setting up the annexe. Cheers, doc
FollowupID:
889722
Follow Up By: Malcom M - Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 09:09
Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 09:09
Agree the slotted style is probably best.
If you are cutting slots into the steel type poles, you need to protect the canvas from sharp edges. Maybe get the ends plastic dipped.
Personally I'd be replacing the poles with aluminium ones with the swivel type open ends.
FollowupID:
889723
Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 12:33
Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 12:33
Hi Guys, IMHO, I think cutting slots in poles is a bad idea, you weaken the pole, and it is then more likely to bend and break in a strong wind.
Macca.
FollowupID:
889732
Follow Up By: oz doc - Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 22:31
Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 22:31
Macca I suspect you are correct which is why they don’t come with notches. But I do like the prefab “birdbeak” or “ crab claw “ ends which were mentioned on this thread . It’s really only needed for two spreaders - to make set up a little easier. I guess I’m getting lazy. Doc
FollowupID:
889740
Follow Up By: Malcom M - Thursday, Mar 29, 2018 at 06:25
Thursday, Mar 29, 2018 at 06:25
Notches are not a problem unless there is a lot of movement in the structure.
If its all tensioned then it'll take extreme movement to unseat it and then you probably have bigger problems anyway.
It'll certainly make getting the spreaders up easier. One of
mine is some 2.5 meters off the ground and the full 2.7 in length. Currently using the plastic eyelets but I've been waiting for them to break so I can turn them into slots.
Now I can see how you go :)
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889744
Reply By: Member - ACD 1 - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018 at 10:30
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018 at 10:30
Hi ozdoc
I have included a (grainy) photo of the type of spreader pole clip used on my trailer. These are are made by Supapeg and can be bought online or most camping stores stock them or can get them in for you. They are called "birds beaks".
They are designed to click into a wall mounted base plate with a very positive click. I have never had one come lose or fall off in the wind and they have been
well tested.
They make it easier for set up as
well - You set the main leg poles and then clip in the spreaders (on the underside of the canvas). You can then go around and set all your poles and guys.
Bird Beak tent pole fitting
Hope this helps with your original question.
Cheers
Anthony
AnswerID:
617869
Follow Up By: Member - ACD 1 - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018 at 10:32
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2018 at 10:32
I should have also mentioned that although they are designed to clip to a base plate, they do fit the spigot on the tent pole.
Cheers
Anthony
FollowupID:
889683
Reply By: oz doc - Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 08:59
Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 08:59
Yep -they look like they would work- similar to the “crab claw” that I found on the drifta site a short while ago . Thanks for that. Doc
AnswerID:
617884
Follow Up By: Member - ACD 1 - Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 10:34
Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 10:34
Yes they are! - Drifta use supa peg poles. But call them something different (crab claw vs bird beak)
You will probably get them cheaper by going to Supapeg direct rather than buying trough Drifta (everyone adds their margin).
I read your reply a bit further up and these will suit your purpose in that you can set the canvas on the tent pole spigot and the "crab claw" will slide underneath the canvas to attach to the pole without removing the canvas.
Cheers
Anthony
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