Portable Awnings

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Atomic City

Atomic City

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Sep 23, 2019
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New Mexico
I really like the idea of an attached awning, but also sort of hate the idea. Another thing that is constantly on the rig and will get beat up by the trees and the sun. Plus, it is always there to take away from your payload no matter what.

So, I'm looking at just buying a portable awning that I can throw in my roof basket on occasional trips, and am looking for any comments from those who have went this route and suggestions on what are good, quality units to consider.

Thanks,

Devin
 
My in-laws gifted me an Everbuilt 10x10 from Home Depot this fathers day. It is heavier, and even when folded up it is bulkier than I'd like. But it's very simple for one person to setup and I feel like it's pretty sturdy. The legs are also all independently adjustable to any height, whereas most canopies like this have set "click in place" settings.

 
If your roof rack can support your awning you choose. You can use these really quick off-on brackets. I use these for a shower tent I mount
to the roof rack only when on trips. Ironman quick release mounts
 
One of the nice things about portable awnings is that you can leave them set up at camp for shade/weather/eating and not have them on the vehicle when doing day trips. They also aren't blocked by the vehicle on one side so they are easier to walk in and out of - especially with more people in the group (ie kids). This is fine when staying in one place for a few days but if moving camps daily than it can be a bit of a hassle setting up and putting in or on the vehicle with each move.

A friend of mine uses an ez-up with his f250 and was camping where there happened to be a bunch of westfalia VW's with awnings. All of them were laughing at him until some bad weather came in. They didn't have the coverage needed and had to hide in their vehicles to eat dinner while he and his family were fine under the ez-up. Needless to say they were no longer laughing and all came to talk about his set up the next day when the weather was better.
 
Not sure if what your looking for but EZ-up has a tent cube that attaches to the setup also. I use this to dock to the rear of the 80 and had a local sew shop sew a zipper in the 80 side to open and seal. Leave everything inside and disconnect to go do your thing. I think your looking for something that you can attach to the rack but store inside tho?
IMG_8367.JPG
 
This is a rabbit-hole sort of question. There are tons of products out there, however, it depends on what type of camping you do, what you want out of it, etc.

Do you camp with multiple people that can help with setting up? Do you typically stay in camp once arrived, or launch on adventures after setting up?

An easy-up, (big box hardware or Walmart stores, etc) would be nice since they're usually fairly light weight, able to be stowed on a rack basket, but some require multiple people for set up.

Awnings are nice from the standpoint that they're mounted already, making deployment a breeze, typically. But there's downsides too, being that, if you leave, you need to open/close each time.

I went camping with my GF and her family, and they brought one of these, or similar:

Clam Quick-Set Escape Screen Shelter

The Clam Quick-Set Escape Screen Shelter has a 6-sided screened-in build that generates more room for you!
www.campingworld.com www.campingworld.com

It was super nice, but took 4 adults to set up. Probably could've be done with two, but would have been a PITA solo.
 
I'm of the same mind exactly. I have a Kelty shade thingy that works pretty well, and it's light and fairly compact. It's a giant sail though, and you might have to go looking for it if you forget to anchor it down... Last year, I bought a Bat Wing 270* awning which is completely awesome, but with the standard drawbacks you mentioned. A friend has an REI shade structure that seemed pretty nice, similar to an ez-up but a little more compact.
 
on the rocks said:
Not sure if what your looking for but EZ-up has a tent cube that attaches to the setup also. I use this to dock to the rear of the 80 and had a local sew shop sew a zipper in the 80 side to open and seal. Leave everything inside and disconnect to go do your thing. I think your looking for something that you can attach to the rack but store inside tho?
View attachment 2729127
Click to expand...
I'll say, that's a lot better than jury rigging tarps. LOL
 
What about both but in one package?
Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp. It's designed to be attached to the back of the vehicle but can be setup independent. The only drawback is that it does require additional anchor points like trees to really be effective. It weighs maybe 15lbs and is fairly large.
1626124181458.png


1626124219020.png


1626124415872.png
 
lumbee1 said:
What about both but in one package?
Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp. It's designed to be attached to the back of the vehicle but can be setup independent. The only drawback is that it does require additional anchor points like trees to really be effective. It weighs maybe 15lbs and is fairly large.
View attachment 2729381

View attachment 2729383

View attachment 2729393
Click to expand...
I have one of these. I've been super impressed with how stable they are when attached to the Cruiser. Mine has survived many major thunderstorms. Freestanding they are not as stable. I've gotten pretty good at just disconnecting from the Cruiser going out for the day and then backing back into to position when returning. The only complaint I have (minor) is it is a little fiddly setting it up by yourself. I finally figured out that if you eyeball where to stake out the pole guy lines it goes pretty easy.

I got this because I needed something but not sure on an attached awning. I like it so much I'm not sure I'll get an attached awning. If I do It will probably just be a simple off the side type.

IMG_3251.jpg
 
YMT said:
This is a rabbit-hole sort of question. There are tons of products out there, however, it depends on what type of camping you do, what you want out of it, etc.

Do you camp with multiple people that can help with setting up? Do you typically stay in camp once arrived, or launch on adventures after setting up?

An easy-up, (big box hardware or Walmart stores, etc) would be nice since they're usually fairly light weight, able to be stowed on a rack basket, but some require multiple people for set up.

Awnings are nice from the standpoint that they're mounted already, making deployment a breeze, typically. But there's downsides too, being that, if you leave, you need to open/close each time.

I went camping with my GF and her family, and they brought one of these, or similar:

Clam Quick-Set Escape Screen Shelter

The Clam Quick-Set Escape Screen Shelter has a 6-sided screened-in build that generates more room for you!
www.campingworld.com www.campingworld.com

It was super nice, but took 4 adults to set up. Probably could've be done with two, but would have been a PITA solo.
Click to expand...
Understood on the rabbit-hole statement.

For the trips I would want one, there would be multiple people to help set it up. And we would probably hang in camp mostly (maybe hike and bike, but leave the stuff at camp). When I'm by myself I don't really care if I have an awning or not, and am always out for exploring and wheeling.
 
surfpig said:
I'm of the same mind exactly. I have a Kelty shade thingy that works pretty well, and it's light and fairly compact. It's a giant sail though, and you might have to go looking for it if you forget to anchor it down... Last year, I bought a Bat Wing 270* awning which is completely awesome, but with the standard drawbacks you mentioned. A friend has an REI shade structure that seemed pretty nice, similar to an ez-up but a little more compact.
Click to expand...

Guy I was camped next to this year during Cruise Moab had his new Bat Wing fold up/in half in the wind. He took it off and threw it right in the dumpster.

My Ez-up that was staked in the ground held fine

The Ez-up takes up room inside or on the roof rack but once it's up and setup no worrying about it for wheeling or whatever.
 
bhsdriller said:
Guy I was camped next to this year during Cruise Moab had his new Bat Wing fold up/in half in the wind. He took it off and threw it right in the dumpster.

My Ez-up that was staked in the ground held fine

The Ez-up takes up room inside or on the roof rack but once it's up and setup no worrying about it for wheeling or whatever.
Click to expand...
Yup. It’s about what you want to care to do.

Traveling a little lighter has been my thing lately. For a long time really.

:lol:
 
cahill said:
This is fine when staying in one place for a few days but if moving camps daily than it can be a bit of a hassle setting up and putting in or on the vehicle with each move.
Click to expand...
Spoken like a guy who might fish a lot on trips. We often set up camp for the day somewhere, fish that area really well and then move in the next day. Or even make runs during the day and return at night. It's a lot easier if your gear can break down easily.
 
CactusHopper said:
What stakes are you using the sand?
Click to expand...
I've got two different types of stakes that I use with beach sand.

I picked up 6 sand stakes off Amazon. There bright orange aluminum and about 12" long and 2" wide. These are extremely easy to deploy but have to be buried deep if the wind is strong.

The other type of stake are four that I made. They are cloth sand anchors with paracord at the corners. Dig a hole, spread the fabric sand anchor in the hole, dump the sand back in, and attach guy lines to the paracord. These work incredibly well but are more messy.
 
lumbee1 said:
I've got two different types of stakes that I use with beach sand.

I picked up 6 sand stakes off Amazon. There bright orange aluminum and about 12" long and 2" wide. These are extremely easy to deploy but have to be buried deep if the wind is strong.

The other type of stake are four that I made. They are cloth sand anchors with paracord at the corners. Dig a hole, spread the fabric sand anchor in the hole, dump the sand back in, and attach guy lines to the paracord. These work incredibly well but are more messy.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that was my thinking... i picked up a $35 walmart copy of these and am curious how well made it is in comparison. Have this one on order as well to compare.

Do you have a link to the stakes you're using?
 
Depends on the sand. Orange Screw work well in some sand.
 
CharlieS said:
Depends on the sand. Orange Screw work well in some sand.
Click to expand...
I was surprised at the linked stakes. I saw those prior and figured they wouldn't hold well, and was going to try the screw ones...
 
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