How to make a car awning with a tarp for under R1,500 (US$100)

In this video we look at a how to make a car awning with a tarp for under R1500 (US$100).

Tarps, or tarpaulins, are great for wind, rain and sun protection and come in all different shapes and sizes.

The tarp I'm using in this video is 3.5 metres by 3.5 metres (11.5ft x 11.5ft) and puts out a shade area of around 12 square metres (132 square feet). This is a really practical size and offers plenty of space and shelter for a small group.

One of the biggest challenges when putting up a trap is the wind, so this setup makes use of your car to not only block the wind, but also to anchor the tarp so that it's super quick and easy to set up - even on your own.

Step 1: Park your car so that it offers the greatest sun and wind protection.

Step 2: Fill 3 sandbags to about halfway (use pegs if you're not on soft sand).

Step 3: Roll down the sandbags and place them on a nylon strap that you have prepared with a loop knot at each end and a large carabiner clipped in. Feed the carabiner through the loop knot on the opposite end, and pull to tighten.

Step 4: Clip a guy rope onto each sandbag carabiner.

Step 5: Walk the sandbags out to roughly the position they will be in for the final setup.

Step 6: Feed a nylon strap that you've prepared with a loop knot through the cab of your car and position the knot roughly a fist's width from the edge of the car and clip in a carabiner.

Step 7: Clip a corner of the tarp into this carabiner and walk the other three corners out, clipping them into the sandbag guy ropes as you go.

Step 8: Position the sandbags so that the tarp is nice and tight and then prop it up with 3 poles.

There are dozens of different ways to set this system up, so play around with it and let me know what you come up with.

Here's everything you'll need (I just found the best looking products with good reviews on Amazon):

Tarps
OneTigris Bulwark Camping Tarp - 3.9m x 2.9m (12.8ft x 9.5ft)
https://amzn.to/362vstJ

Sanctuary SilTarp - 3.5m x 3m (12ft x 10ft) - includes pegs and guy ropes.
https://amzn.to/3wtmuxQ

FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Portable Tarp - 3.2m x 3m (10.5ft x 9.8ft)
https://amzn.to/34RFiOr

Poles
Green Elephant Telescoping Tarp Poles (Aluminium)
https://amzn.to/3dFxbow

SANLIKE Adjustable Tent Poles (Stainless Steel)
https://amzn.to/3mwa2sI

Carabiners
Sprookber Stainless Steel Spring Snap Hook Carabiner
https://amzn.to/3tkX5He

Nylon straps
Cartman 1" x 12' Lashing Straps
https://amzn.to/36rLUn8

JIAKAI Nylon Heavy Duty Webbing Strap
https://amzn.to/3wd4wSB

Guy ropes
Hikeman 6 Pack 4mm Outdoor Guy Lines
https://amzn.to/3JlH7C1

Pegs
Pinnacle Mercantile 30 Pack Tent Stakes
https://amzn.to/3COra53

Sandbags
Woven Polypropylene Sand bags
https://amzn.to/3IjYFNJ

Woolsacks Sand Bags
https://amzn.to/3KOgJkw

Video Sections:
Intro: 00:00
System description: 00:29
What you need: 01:01
Preparation: 02:05
Choosing a location: 03:39
Setting up: 04:10
Outro: 07:11