"Best" Awning for Your Buck?

Thoughts on awnings? I feel like awnings don't carry the stigma of "you get what you pay for".

I have seen reviews (youtube/articles) on the Napa Vehicle Awning and it seems to have a few nit picky things people don't like but they say worth the price tag.

Plan is to car camp for awhile with an awning for cover instead of roof top tent, so wanted to get opinions!

 

I’ve been wanting to pick up the Napa awning for awhile to give it a try, but they’re harder to find than a Gobi roof rack.

Recently, I did a trip to Palo Duro and one of the rigs with us had the Napa awning. It looks like it’s easier to setup with an extra set of hands, but other than that small detail, they seemed to really enjoy the awning. Was decent quality and seemed to hold together really well, even in our higher winds.

Now, just to find one in stock.

 

OVS Nomadic on Amazon is decently liked and relatively cheap. Ironman4x4 makes some. Dobinsons. ARB. I currently have a 23zero peregrine 180 up which I love. Or just put a pole in a sheet and close the other side in your door call it good. You can get exactly as simple or highfalutin as you want

 

ARB 2000 with screen room. Awning has nice LED light strip and the screen room has a clear section of roof to allow the light in. I keep it on my truck from April to October. Never has an issue. Also have a small ARB 1200 awning off the back of an off-road trailer, trouble free as well.

 

I’ve been looking at 23zero, they seem really well made. Do you have the regular 180 or the shorter 5ft version? I’ve been considering the shorter only because I have a 3/4 roof rack. Also considering just going with the standard bushman pull out. How has your awning held up?

 

When I got mine, Ironman was the best bang for buck for size and with discount code. Plus, it has LED lights which is super useful.


I’m convinced 99% of awnings are made in the same factory, so definitely get the best deal you can.

 

The best awning is the one that's the most flexible.

So I went with a tarp and polls. lol

This was great for a passing rain:


But when I had multiple heavy rain days this was ideal:


Recent trip:

 

The Napa Awning is you will get what you pay for deal, I had one for a short time and then put it out in the Garage Sale .... Flimsy with weak poles and subpar quality but hey only $159 for the 8 foot one and in stock at several local Napa Auto parts here right now, Just stay out of the wind and hope it don't rain too hard it will be OK I guess.

 

I know it’s not a vehicle mount awning, but if your planned use is for camping situations, I like the idea of the 12x12 square collapsible canopies you can get anywhere. I don’t have one yet, but have seen how convenient it is at camp. Set it up for the weekend, and you can come and go at will. Especially nice when you can back the 4runner to it and have some cover if you are hanging out at the hatch during meal prep etc.

 

Well I live in Oklahoma so wind is part of everyday life, but we normally head to Arkansas to camp which then is more rain...we car camp my thought was the awning would provide coverage for access to the 4R if needed (both front and rear). Then if you have a slide out leveling deck the hatch does the job.

 

Yeah we tend to bring a regular tent (just in case we decide to sleep outside) and a "rain tent" similar to this:

$300 CLAM Pop Up Screen Tent, Outdoor Camping Gazebo Canopy, Escape, 11.5', Brown

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Set-98...locphy=9026254&hvtargid=pla-318296428452&th=1

But the "rain tent" isn't efficient for space so was trying to go a different direction for coverage.

 

Love my "rain tent" but it is a bit bulky. Still use a tarp with polls most of the time.

 

This was our set up before we got the 4R. Truck bed tent and rain tent haha it was a wet mess.

 

Similar to some other posters, Because we set up a camp and then drive places, My Walmart “Ozark Trail” 10’x10’ “awning’ serves our needs. About $99. Fits over a picnic table if needed and it does not care how we are parked or how level we are. Takes about 5 minutes to set up and stake down and about the same amount of time to break down. Weight is probably no savings over a vehicle attached awning. If we did not need to use our vehicle during the day, or went to a different locale every day, we would possible give up our “ground tent” preference.

 

I have the regular version as I do have a full rack. Held up great so far here in South Florida, I use it after bike rides on Haulover or South beach and just chill out and cool off in the shade

 

The full sizer fits on a 3/4 rack easily.

 

My buddy and I went with the “all of them” option on our last camping trip

 

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Ive been so afraid to open mine on the popup. We want to get one for the 4runner but just last week, I saw 2 get ripped off my neighbors. I don't care which one I buy at this point, but it better be able to handle 30 mph gusts here in CO. We typically just use the 10x10 walmart special.

This has been the one I've been researching but cant find any wind videos
https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/18049909-ovs-nomadic-awning-2-0-6-5-with-black-cover-universal/

 

Moonshade

https://moonfab.com/products/moonshade

 

Wind is what has made me hesitate this long. Even if it's calm when I stop, most places I roam in the SW will be windy before long, especially in mountainous areas subject to katabatic and anabatic winds.

 

My mother got hit on the beach a few years back from an umbrella that was blown down the beach. 12 staples in her melon! I agree, even this overpriced one its iffy if it will survive CO wind...

https://kammok.com/products/crosswing-instant-car-awning they even make you buy the poles separate after spending $$$$
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd3ky-Wyw44

 

Yeah, the performance might be much different if the wind had more of a vertical component.