Lets Talk About Vehicle Mounted Awnings

[Stephen]

I have resently become interested in vehicle mounted awnings, so lets hear peoples experiences. I'm interested in something small, light and cheap (I am a Samurai owner after all!) And no, I'm not above the tarp+tentpole route, I'm just interested in seeing whats out there thats a little more purpose built.

Kirkhams Auto/Truck Canopy intriuges me mostly because of it's low price. Has anyone used this?

The ARB Awnings are also awesome, but quite a bit more spendy. I know Kurt has one mounted on his Tacoma.

There are also the Hannibal, Ezy-Awn, Kelty, ect. Who's used what, why and how has it worked out?

 

[Tacoma]

I had some kind of RV awning on one of my work vans once. It was in a clearance bin at a stepvan supply place. No IDEA what brand that was, cost in the bin was I think $30. So not much help there either.

But what I can say is that it was AWESOME for making a porch anywhere. Hard to say what the wind was like, because I was on the side of a 12' tall box, but it was a lot of shade when you needed it. I'd say they're really nice to have, and a very strong want on an expo rig. Since I had that I keep wishing I had something to put one on, as my main purpose being out half the time is to paint, and painting in the shade is mo' bettah.

 

[Kiel]

Camping lab has some less expensive alternatives, check them out

 

[SAMI]

Saw Kurts in action this weekend.. A lot cooler than I expected!

 

[lewis]

Saw Kurts in action this weekend.. A lot cooler than I expected!

Saw Kurts what in action? Not sure if I really want to know.

Stephen thanks for posting this, I have been looking for an alternative to the the tarp and rope.
I found this Kelty however its more $$ than the Arb and not nearly as cool. I may go with the Kelty one.

 

[Brian P]

Kurts Canopy is pretty sweet!
I tried to build one, But the rivets I installed caught on the tarp..

Link...

http://www.lcool.org/technical/sunshade/sun_shade.html

 

[SAMI]

Lewis, since this is a thread about awnings, I didn't think my post would be too difficult to follow..

.."I saw Kurts [ARB awning] in action..."

 

[Kevin B.]

Kurts Canopy is pretty sweet!
I tried to build one, But the rivets I installed caught on the tarp..

Link...

http://www.lcool.org/technical/sunshade/sun_shade.html

I've been pondering something real similiar to this, but I want it to retract automatically, and mechanically (no wires). Still looking for the right spring.

 

[phatfoto]

That doesn't look to difficult to make...

 

[MOODY]

I have the Kirkham's canopy...I like it, but I feel like it is too small. I think it is great for shade, but in a storm it is lacking. I actually have it for sale for 65 bucks. I am having one custom made, as I don't want it permanently mounted on my truck like the ARB and others.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...I don't want it permanently mounted on my truck like the ARB and others.

Don't permanently mount it. My ARB awning can be removed from my truck with two clips in less than 30 seconds, deployed in under 2 minutes and stowed in a minute more than that

Seriously though, its very easy to make a bracket that is removable from the rig, the way mine is setup it can easily switch from side to side, if my rack was a top mounted vehicle, I could even have it off the back too.

Pics of my ARB Awning in action

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Also, for more ideas, there is a giant thread of awnings here:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38439

 

[MOODY]

That is sexy...I will try out my custom made deal for awhile and see how it goes...

(p.s.-is there a bumper there for me?)

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Oh, and I've updated all the ARB Awning Pricing on my website... far lower than they were before

http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/acc_ARBRTT.html

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...(p.s.-is there a bumper there for me?)

Nope but I did hear from Luke, give me a ring tomorrow and I'll bring you up to speed

 

[solidfrontaxle]

(p.s.-is there a bumper there for me?)

You ordered one too? No wonder its taking ages to get mine.

 

[Stephen]

I bought Roger's (MOODY) Kirkham's Auto/Truck Canopy today and I wanted set it up and see how it worked. AWESOME! Can't wait to use it next week.
Here are some pictures. And yes, the rack is new too, but that deserves it's own thread.

 

[SAMI]

Looks like you have your booth/canopy for the ExUt booth for this weekend. Seriously, bring that and set it up.. That's BA.

 

[Stephen]

Way ahead of you on that one!

 

[newtoy]

looks good it will be nice not to bake in the sun next weekend.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

That is cool Stephen, the rack turned out stellar too!

I forgot that I have an older awning like that. I can't remember the brand right off the top of my head but I used to use it off the side of my Cruiser a couple of times. A nice reprieve from the sun.