Awning

Since our bus is facing south, lots of sunshine is pouring in through the front windows. We considered shades for the inside of the windshield, but that solution still allows the sun to bake the exterior metal, and the glass. An external awning would provide both shade and privacy...but as usual there are few off-the-shelf items for school buses. So, with sketches and tape measure in hand, we patronized the local hardware store.

UPDATE: The material did not hold up in the strong wind gusts we experienced that winter. We were able to use the materials to make an interior curtain that hangs near the windshield.

Items we used:
-9' x 6' canvas drop cloth
-1/2" grommets w/grommet tool
-Canvas sewing needles
-Heavy waxed craft fiber thread
Not pictured:
-1/2" metal conduit (2 x 10' lengths)
-2 x 1/2" 90-degree conduit elbows
-2 x 1/2" 90-degree plumbing pipe street elbows
-2 x 1/2" plumbing pipe flanges

-4 x #8 hook screws
-2 x Tent stakes
-2 x 10' 3mm cord

Total cost came in under $50 before taxes.
One 9' end of the drop cloth is doubled over with four 1/2" grommets inserted. The hook screws are screwed into the underside of the deck.
The other 9' end of the drop cloth is doubled-over and hand-sewn* to form a loop -- one of the lengths of conduit is passed through. Also shown is one of the 90-degree conduit elbows and an end of 3mm guy line.

*10 yds of thread required, 4.5 hours!
The 1/2" iron pipe flanges are bolted to the sides of the bumper. The 90-degree elbows are screwed in, then 5' sections of conduit inserted. We'll rely on the weight of the awning and the guy lines to keep the conduit resting in the elbows.
Nice! Time will tell how the canvas holds up to the Arizona sun.