MoonShade Awning Unboxing + First Setup & How To for Van Life //Ep. 16 DIY VAN BUILD

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In this Episode of our Van Build Series we unbox our new MoonShade Awning and put it up for the first time on our ProMaster van. If you are thinking about getting a MoonShade, use Promo Code: trailvagabonds at checkout to get $30 off your purchase! They can be found here-- moonfab.com/trailvagabonds
We were lucky enough to win our MoonShade in an Instagram Giveaway put on by Van Life Roadmap. If you haven't checked out Van Life Roadmap before, here's the link to the Bearfoot Theory blog page and RU-vid Channel. I highly recommend checking out Kristen's work! One of the most comprehensive collections of van content out there!!
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bearfoottheory.com/van-life-r...
Bearfoot Theory RU-vid Channel
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For putting up the MoonShade Awning, the only item we used in this project was our telescoping ladder, which can be found here~ amzn.to/3ijWnCr
Buy Havelock Wool~ havelockwool.refr.cc/trailv
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Опубликовано:

17 июл 2020

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Комментарии : 95

@angelahealthyandhealed5317 19 часов назад

Thank you for actually demonstrating the set up!! Wish me luck 🍀

@Trailvagabonds 19 часов назад

You got this!

@johnthomas5806 2 года назад

all this will add to my knowledge of building my van/truck

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

Glad to be helpful! Goodluck with your build! 🙌🏻

@robmckee5295 3 года назад

Highly recommend the Moonshade. My Moonshade was missing the mounting strut necessary to attach it to my vehicle. Contacted the company. They got another one out to me , so they definitely support their product. Took longer than anticipated due to the current pandemic, but that's out of everyone's control.

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

That is awesome to hear! I'm glad you are up and running and that you like it! 😊

@EncompassAdventure 4 года назад

Lookin good guys! Thanks for reviewing this, congrats on the win! I think we'll need to get one of these down the road!! So cool.

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Thank you! 😊 So far we can definitely recommend it. Simple, functional, worth it!🙌🏼

@Fake_Name_MTG Год назад

“Sweet package!”

@Trailvagabonds Год назад

It’s a great option! They have a Kickstarter going for an XL MoonShade now, I’m really excited to get one of those since they are even larger! ~moonshade-xl-portable-packable.kckb.st/e055d8e6

@vanpediem7641 4 года назад

Just bought one, appreciate the discount code! Thinking this will certainly extend my outdoor time on those super sunny days.

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

I'm amazed at how well it's worked. And was excited Moon Fab agreed to make a code for us to share with everyone. You'll love it!

@okcpicker 3 года назад

Looks like a great solution for our Promaster Winnebago Travato. I pulled off the big electric awning because it malfunctioned in several ways - piece of expensive junk. This Moon Shade looks simple and lightweight. Going to order one. Thanks for this video. Like the ladder as well.

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

We are very happy with it! It's definitely light weight and easy to pack, simple to set up (it's even simpler now because I added eyebolts on our roof rack to connect to), and quiet affordable for the quality. I hope it works great for you! All the best and thanks watching! 😊

@molinator2a 3 года назад

Thanks for the video, It looks so easy I just ordered one!

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

No problem! This was the first time I ever set it up too, it only gets easier. I think you'll be happy with it! 🙌🏻

@wherebarbarameetstheroad8600 2 года назад

padding the magnets - use those little eyeglass cleaner cloths that come with any decent pair of glasses or shades ! they are super smooth and also a small size - PS great way to get comments!

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

Great idea! I saw that Moonfab is now selling rubber feet for the magnets. Smart move because they do scratch the paint without something sadly. Thanks for the comment 😉 I've gotta start sneaking more of these question type comment getters in our videos

@edhughes1891 2 года назад

OK, I need to read down the comments before I duplicate something! :)

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

Haha, no worries. It's pretty normal that I answer the same question numerous times. Ask away when you have them👍🏼 And thanks for the comment about the pool noodle, I hadn't thought of it myself. The community of viewers is always giving great info!😀

@chanm1000 3 года назад

We ordered one, but suction didn't work on our van really well, great support, I reached out as the magnets were still on backorder 3 days ago, and they sent an adhesive cups while I still wait for the magnets. Pretty awesome service so far!

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

That's great to hear they hooked you up! Hopefully they work well for you or that you get the magnets soon. I ended up adding eye bolts to my 80/20 roof rack and it's been so slick not having to worry about the other attachement methods. All the best!

@ritaweygint4038 3 года назад

Thanks for the paracord knotting technique!

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

Absolutely! Had to put the boy scout knowledge on display, haha. Glad it could be helpful!

@luvnotvideos 4 года назад

Great video. I keep looking at those, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. It's great to see how easy it was to setup. For the magnets: try coating the base with several layers of plasti-dip. The good thing about plasti-dip is if done correctly, you can peel it off later or spray more on to renew it if it starts to wear out.

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Not a bad idea. I do think having a permanent anchor on the rack will be great. There is a feature that you can rig up a paracord to the carabiners to be able to connect/unattach it without climbing up the ladder. The would be clutch!

@luvnotvideos 4 года назад

@@Trailvagabonds Ooo. If you do that, please do a demo video! Convenience makes the heart grow fonder :)

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

I'll definitely do an update for it. Maybe add in our initial reviews of the awning as well

@BrendaTharp 3 года назад

I love this shade! I do wish the poles were inside (on the underside) of the awning, as the baking sun/uv will dry out those elastic shock cords faster this way, but it is still awesome! I say this because our tent stakes lost their elasticity...and they are on the outside as they have to be...

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

Good point. Maybe worth some feedback to the company- Do you have a Moonshade currently? Have you noticed it being a problem?

@BrendaTharp 3 года назад

@@Trailvagabonds I don't yet, we are still building out our van, about 2 1/2 months away from hitting the road. I will certainly give Moonshade the feedback, though, as we'll be contacting them soon!

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

Awesome! I think it's a great option and we are very happy to have one! Let them know we sent you if you chat with them. We've enjoyed speaking with them and think they are a great company. I think our discount code is still active too if you decide on one and want to save🙌🏻 All the best in your build and hitting the road full time!

@boacimovic1860 4 года назад

Thanks for these videos. We are couple of days away from starting our promaster conversion and will be borrowing some of your ideas 😉 greetings from Colorado!

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Congrats on the DIY journey! I hope the videos can be helpful. I know doing my own research I hoped there was a little bit more of a how/why video series so I'm trying to provide something I would have loved to have access to when I started. Definitely reach out if you ever have questions or want to bounce an idea off someone. Would love to see your progress too! Cheers! 🙌🏼

@boacimovic1860 4 года назад

@@Trailvagabonds Really valuable info for sure. Just finished the subfloor, so stoked!

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

@@boacimovic1860 Nice job, man! That's awesome! Feels so good to see the visible progress take shape!

@boacimovic1860 4 года назад

Matt & Katie sure does!

@edhughes1891 2 года назад

Cut a pool "noodle" for ladder padding

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

Precisely what I did with others suggestions. Good idea, brother!

@m.r.4798 4 года назад

for padding the ladder: try pool noodles, cut them open length wise and slip them over the ladder sides or rungs.

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Oooo, great idea! I'll have to get one to do that! Thanks for the reply!😎

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Just purchased a noodle tonight! Hoping it'll do the trick!

@wlacalle 3 года назад

Looks like a lot of work 🤔 good video !

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

For being the first time, it was more about fumbling through in this one. Now it's a breeze. Plus I added permanent rings to my roof rack (which I'll show in a future video) that make connecting it even easier. We definitely enjoy having it!

@sundrvn 3 года назад

Thanks for the discount.

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

Happy to be able to share it! I hope you love the shade as much as us!

@thepandemicdiva3369 3 года назад

Thank you for the video. It really helps in deciding whether to purchase. I suspect it will work just as well at the rear of the van. One question. Your thoughts on it also being a stand alone? I was thinking with another 2 extension poles, it would work. At a campsite I might want to use the van for an excursion and would want to leave it set-up or over a picnic table.

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

Yes, it would work at the rear too no problem. You would have to guy line it out as a standalone but I think it would be possible if you can get stakes in. Otherwise there is flat bar for one side so the it could also lean against a tree, fence, or building. I think they are very versatile.

@patriciapolizzi4143 3 года назад

Have you used this in the rain? If so, does rain drip down the side of the van or water puddle on top? Thank you.

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

In heavy rain it will puddle at the doorway. I will take it down if I know a heavy rain is coming. In light to medium rain we have sat under it and been completely dry for hours. We leave the door shut however because the normal Promaster water at the doorway is an issue. I plan to add some RV J-gutter soon and hope it will get rid of the problem. If you were to get the shade further back over the lip of the van it might help stop it. We have a roof rack that doesn't allow for that though

@bourdon845 2 года назад

Joli !

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

🙌🏻

@davidhartinger636 Год назад

Pool noodle or pipe insulation for padding

@Trailvagabonds Год назад

Perfect options! Thanks for your comment!

@marks-0-0 4 года назад

Or pipe lagging. What fits best 👍

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Definitely. I have a noodle in the mail. We'll see if that fits. Otherwise I'll definitely check out different size lagging at Home Depot if it's too bulky

@marybethparr7805 3 года назад

How about a simple bowline knot? Super easy to undo!

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

Definitely a good choice!😊

@dalegigstead8337 3 года назад

Tennis shoes for padding.

@devonwaite1208 4 года назад

What brand is your ladder and how small does it collapse? Cheers

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

It's a WolfWise ladder off Amazon. amzn.to/3ijWnCr It's 10.5 feet tall extended and telescopes down to a bit under 3 feet tall. I think about 32". We love it. There are other similar options on Amazon or at Lowes, Tractor Supply, and the like. I just went off reviews when I grabbed it off Amazon

@oscrm1760 2 года назад

Recommendation magnet or suction cup, have an jeep jl black and my preocupation the magnets scratch the paint

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

I had difficulty getting the suction cups to stick on the roof of our van. I don't know if the Jeep would have a better surface for attaching. I did see that Moonfab just released rubber feet for the magnets so that they don't scratch the paint. moonfab.com/products/magnet-booties/?fam=2&campaign=Magnetbooties I did have an issue with a superficial scratch on the roof using the magnets. They have a solid hold so they'd be preferred for their security

@oscrm1760 2 года назад

Oh super ,that rubber feet are an great solution thank you an subscriber more.🇵🇷

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

Thank you! Glad to have you along! 😊

@longhairmullet 2 года назад

I like the idea of having this shade option but that ladder moving ugh. Once my telescoping ladder is extended it’s NOT the easiest to move around.

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

Yea I understand that. The nice thing, in an reach the front ring from the front seat and put my ladder up at the back of the van for the back one. No moving my ladder! Check out my Moonshade follow up video to see my permanent mount solution to see what I mean

@thepandemicdiva3369 2 года назад

How does it work in the rain? Does the rain come through between the van and awning?

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

There can be some water intrusion with the door open. We actually put on permanent mounts that put the awning back a bit that has helped with that issue. I also recently bought some gutter material I hope to add in the future that would help. The Promaster has a pretty terrible sliding door for water intrusion when there isn't an awning in place so it kind of is a continuation of that. With the awning up it is definitely better at shedding water from the door. I still wouldn't keep the door open though while it's raining. We've sat under our awning when it's raining and stayed perfectly dry so it's great to have! Let me know if you have other questions

@thepandemicdiva3369 2 года назад

@@Trailvagabonds Thank you for getting back to me. I've been searching around for an awning that won't let the rain in and doesn't have to be screwed in or attached to a roof rack since I don't have one. Can't find anything in the US. But the UK has something called "drive away awning attachment" which is manufactured by a number of companies. . It's a magnetic strip with canvas and a figure 8 channel that an awning can slide into. Wild Earth makes the canopy. Not expensive even with overseas shipping. The only problem is they are all out of stock.

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

@@thepandemicdiva3369 we love our Moonshade! If you do go that route this is the gutter we plan to use. I've seen other RU-vid videos and lots of people talking about it in the Promaster forums. Seems like a great product ~amzn.to/3KR4DH3 If you have a link I wouldn't minding seeing the product you are talking about. If you do go that route and it comes back in stock, I'd love to hear a review too😊

@thepandemicdiva3369 Год назад

@@Trailvagabonds So sorry I haven't gotten back to you. Here is a RU-vid link. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7c_0DFc-kTk.html. What I like about this is no rain would get in between the van and the awning. After much consideration I think I'm springing for a Thule awning. My issue is I'm too short to hook anything on top of the van and too old (well, getting there) to go climbing up a ladder. So I'm taking the easy way out although expensive. I also want to be able to stop, open the awning have lunch. Anything else takes too much time for a quick sit.

@Trailvagabonds Год назад

Thank you for sharing! Very similar concept to the MoonShade with the but different connection option. The style awning would only worry me because it looks like water could pool really bad on the top of it without ridge poles. I think you will be very happy with the Thule. I have heard great reviews for them and the ease of use will be a big plus! Thanks for following up with us!

@Jaahda 4 года назад

So - is it attached to the roof with only the 2 magnets?

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Yep, the caribiners on each end of the awning clip to 1 magnet. They are really strong magnets. In the future I will add an attachment directly to our rack so I don't have to place the magnets every time

@Jaahda 4 года назад

@@Trailvagabonds OK...I don't have a roof rack and so was wondering if the magnets alone would be ok?

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

@@Jaahda we haven't had issues with them yet. Maybe in really windy conditions you'd have to worry about them pulling but you'd probably want the awning down in those conditions anyway. I can definitely recommend it, it feels very sturdy with the magnets attached

@kylester89 3 года назад

How is it during the rain?

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

With the Promaster lip over the door it can leak some from there (which I plan to put up a J drain gutter for in the near future) otherwise it does a great job of shedding light rain. We've never been in torrential downpours however so I can't speak to how good it would cover that

@PattyPinkham 2 года назад

What are the smaller suction cups for? If you want to attach the legs at a 45 degree angle direct to the van?

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

Yep! Some people swear by that so you don't need stakes and guy lines, especially in rocky areas. Definitely a cool option! Let me know if you have other questions 🙌🏻

@PattyPinkham 2 года назад

How do you attach the bottom of the legs?

@Trailvagabonds 2 года назад

@@PattyPinkham on the legs you pull off the rubber feet and there is a pinhole connector to connect them to the suction cups

@PattyPinkham 2 года назад

Excellent info! Thank you.♡

@PattyPinkham 2 года назад

Update: confused. I pulled off rubber feet and it's just a hollow tube.

@mopedandscooterhomies3304 4 года назад

We have the same ladder, we cut up some pool noodles for padding

@Trailvagabonds 4 года назад

Awesome! I actually ordered a noodle online last night after someone else recommended it. Great thinking!

@RushingWanders 3 года назад

Great video I just purchased one can't wait.

@Trailvagabonds 3 года назад

Awesome! You'll love it! Let me know if you end up having any questions🙌🏻

@Sharonius54 Месяц назад

Very disappointed with my Moonshade. The magnets don’t hold the awning on when there’s a breeze. It’s blown down on several occasions on my Ford Transit mid-roof van. Waste of money for me. 😕

@Trailvagabonds Месяц назад

Due to this issue we put up some stainless rings on our roof rack that are easy to clip to. Not sure if you have another option for attachment but I’ll agree wind is a pain with the magnets. We are still very happy with ours years later

@cjam3660 Год назад

wow seeing the details, id say that is extreamily cheaply build, even the tent piles looke chinsey, calling it like i se it, no way Total cozt over $400 ,,, lol. no thank you...the ends ghat the iver top of the tarp on the rnds should at least be plastic sown on inserts at least...this thing wouldnt hold up long, iv had a few awnings and endless tents...dont bother thats the TRUTH. its junk way way over priced...just tryin😮g to help those not waste hard earned money. it is not a qualiety product. blessings.

@Trailvagabonds Год назад

We’ve had this for two years and it’s held up great. Not having real experience with it I’d say it’s hard for you to grasp from a video. Thanks for the comment. Good luck in your search for an awning