Freestanding Awnings 180 vs 270 recommendations

[jlm43]

180 vs 270, which do you prefer and why?

The long version. I currently have a 6 foot Rhino Rack awning that I've been happy with overall. I really like that it's lightweight and easy to install so I don't have to leave it on the LX all the time. I can throw it on the wife's GX easy enough as well. One negative is that it isn't freestanding so poles and ropes are always in the way. The other is that it doesn't provide a lot of coverage. I have a couple camping trips and a few softball tournaments this summer where a bigger awning would be appreciated. I do have a 12x12 EZ up but I'm thinking a bigger awning would be handy. Or maybe just more EZ up's and strap them to the roof rack.

Obviously, individual use cases make a difference. For me, the OVS Nomadic awnings seem to be the best value. I'm looking at their HD offerings. I don't need the XD and I'd rather not get the smaller LTE versions.

180 is lighter, cheaper, and won't interfere with rear upper hatch. It's also smaller and no coverage over the back.

270 provides a lot more coverage but it's heavier making it a bit harder to install, remove, and store.

What's everyone else's take on this first world problem?

 

[kcjaz]

I recently installed a Bush Co XT Max 270 awning. It will see its first real use at Cruise Moab in a couple weeks so I'll have a better sense of how I like it after that. I think I'll really like it when overlanding, especially when its raining. A big reason I went with the big boy is that I wanted coverage over the rear hatch for my drawers and kitchen. I also wanted a fast deploy to get rain cover over camp chairs and my single man swag tent. Another thing is that I wanted free standing w/o poles and the ability for no guy ropes if wind conditions allow.

While I like the jumbo size of it when deployed (ask me again when I get surprised by sudden high winds), its also huge folded up. I don't love it stowed on the roof rack. Its like 90 lbs and I had some struggles installing it solo. Dropped it once when it rolled off the roof. Got very lucky, as no real bad happened. So, its not something that you can easily throw on and take off when you don't want it. I had to customize the mounting brackets and add add shims to mate up with my Dissent roof rack. I am mentally thinking about fabricating some kind of easy mounting / quick release bracket system.

 

[DRCocaCola]

The Alu-Cab 270 is probably the most expensive and heaviest. If you're set on taking it on and off then it's not for you. But if you're willing to leave it mounted, the 30 second deployment, beyond stout design, and easy stow, are why it's been on my last three rigs and the only one I'd consider. I've seen too many other awnings fold up in a stiff wind and get completely destroyed. Buy once, cry once.

 

[Wafflroo]

Bush co 270 as well for 4 years. Great awning, no downsides to it really. It’s fast to deploy and stow, strong, materials have held up very well. I guess I rub it on trees sometimes because it sticks out a little, but it’s taken the abuse.

 

[Fisher23]

I have a 180 on the vehicle and a 270 on my trailer.

I would not put a 270 on the vehicle because of the rear hatch. I do have a tent room from ARB for the 180 ARB. It works out nicely and packs small.

Also legs are what hold it down in the wind and rain.

 

[grinchy]

I had a rhino rack 270 for a year. With some careful adjustment and custom brackets I could leave the hatch open.

It wasn’t freestanding, and it did blow over in a gust once. Luckily it was designed with sacrificial hinges. Unfortunately they were out of stock for a bit.

Since I didn’t trust it not to blow over, I rarely put it up because of staking. Most of my stops were the 30 min quick lunch type, not the sit for 4 hours and watch the ocean type. Wasn’t worth the 5 min setup for a 30 min stop.

It was easily resold.

It was light, one of the lightest 270s if I recall.

I also tried a hatch awning ($30 spring pole kind of thing). It was both fiddly to setup, and it broke a tie down web in the first wind.

 

[jlm43]

Thanks for all of the thoughts so far.

Alu-Cab, Bush Co, and OVS are my thoughts so far. The biggest hurdle is my analysis paralysis when deciding between 180 or 270. Too much time in the office and not enough time out actually enjoying the LX I suppose.

 

[DRCocaCola]

Thanks for all of the thoughts so far.

Alu-Cab, Bush Co, and OVS are my thoughts so far. The biggest hurdle is my analysis paralysis when deciding between 180 or 270. Too much time in the office and not enough time out actually enjoying the LX I suppose.

How do you use the back of your LX when camping? If you have drawers or a kitchen then the 270 is the way to go for shade and rain protection. If you pull bins out and set up away from the rear of the vehicle or just need shade for sitting in camp the extra 90° doesn’t benefit you much.

 

[jlm43]

How do you use the back of your LX when camping? If you have drawers or a kitchen then the 270 is the way to go for shade and rain protection. If you pull bins out and set up away from the rear of the vehicle or just need shade for sitting in camp the extra 90° doesn’t benefit you much.

No drawers or pull out kitchen, just a sleeping platform with storage bins underneath that get pulled out.

I've had the 180 on my list to get this spring before the season starts. I've found a deal on the OVS HD 270 putting it within $100 of the 180 and it has me wondering if I should just go that route or stick with plan A.

 

[ryanCA]

I've found a deal on the OVS HD 270 putting it within $100 of the 180 and it has me wondering if I should just go that route or stick with plan A.

yes