sleak
SILVER Star
For anyone who has a smaller awning, did you put it on the driver or passenger side, and why? I'm talking about the square/rectangular ones, not the batwings that cover side and back.
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If you find an easy quick release, post it up! Since the awning is long and relatively heavy it needs to be on very securely!
I put mine on the driver side too and then when I park, always think about where the sun will be in the late afternoon. Plus, the fridge with the cold drinks is just inside driver side rear door.
I've helped deploy smaller awnings and I have an Alu-Cab Shadow Awn (270* or batwing as commonly called) just to give you an idea where I'm coming from.For anyone who has a smaller awning, did you put it on the driver or passenger side, and why? I'm talking about the square/rectangular ones, not the batwings that cover side and back.
I put mine on the drivers side so I could access the drivers door and not get wet. All controls are there, theres never crap on the seat and where ya gonna sit if you want to get inside out of the weather/wind etc.
I have the 8 foot one so it reaches from the front of the drivers door to the hatch, where you can also stay dry.
Who needs a batwing, huh?
I've helped deploy smaller awnings and I have an Alu-Cab Shadow Awn (270* or batwing as commonly called) just to give you an idea where I'm coming from.
So, to give some insight to those who haven't seen how easy it is to deploy the Alu-Cab...check it out. (Link is a search for youtube videos that show the Alu-Cab.) To get back to the OP's question which side to put your awning on....for my use I would choose the driver's side since my spare tire swingout mount is passenger side. Gives you more usable room under awning.
Why am I even mentioning the "batwing" style, since OP wants info on the smaller awnings? Well, with my experience with both, I can't imagine recommending the smaller awning for those who are running a single awning, as long as you have the size rig capable to install the Alu-Cab. It does everything the smaller awnings do plus more. It's easier to set up and take down...at least as sturdy - probably sturdier than most. In fact, setting up for a lunch stop along the road while traveling is commonly mentioned by users. Not many "batwing" style awnings are as strong as the Alu-Cab, so the Alu-Cab Shadow is the only "batwing" I'm suggesting.
The Shadow that I ordered and installed on my 80 series is actually for the passenger side because it is temporary. I plan to run an off road trailer and mount the Shadow on it. One other caution that I must mention to those thinking of running an Alu-Cab Shadow is mounting considerations. It requires an extremely stout mount to your rig. In other words, if your roof rack is just "barely hangin' on" to your rig, it will need to be fixed before installation. And check with Rin at OK4WD before, to get latest adapter info for your rack. Also, a wall kit is available for this awning, but like the awning, $pendy.
Yeah, that spoiler could interfere with opening your hatch, if you were to go with the Alu-Cab. The tailgate lid on my 80 series, without a spoiler, hits an arm of my Alu-Cab, when opened. It's a minor issue mainly caused by the new struts that push the lid up further than normal.I was originally planning on a 270 degree, but I'd hate to buy one and find that I can't install it so the swing arm fits between the roof rack (that I don't yet have) and the spoiler on my 200 series when the hatch is up. I don't want to remove it. I also have the same spoiler concern about fitting an Eezi-Awn T-Top RTT so it folds off the back. It's a pretty big spoiler; it could spoil some plans as well as air.