Eezi-Awn or Alu-Cab 270 degree awning and why?

[prerunner221]

I did get some made, and was less than thrilled with the outcome there, too.

I think you should contact Greg at www.gziladesigns.com and see if he can get something made to work with your rack and awning. I agree, not getting contacted back sucks, and is generally bad customer service. I have nothing to do with Gzila other than being a very impressed customer of his, and I think he could probably solve your clamp issue if he has time. I bought my ARB awning and their mount kit for my BajaRack, and while it mounted the awning just fine, it obviously wasn't meant to be used with a RTT since I couldn't open the window on the awning side. Greg made some clamps for it, and not only do they look great, but they work exactly like I needed them to.

These are the awning brackets he made that fit my rack. They came powdercoated, and the fit and finish is far better than I expected from a guy who was just starting his own company at the time.

I appreciate everyone's feedback on the awnings. It looks like the Alu-Cab is the way to go when choosing between the two if you can find a clamping system to mate it to your rack. Thanks for all the insight!

 

[rino]

I did get some made, and was less than thrilled with the outcome there, too.

That doesn't justify calls, inquires, emails to the manufacturer, etc. going unanswered or vague like "Sorry man, talk to somebody else". I tried for a week once to get ahold of a certain rep from OK4WD, only to be passed off. I was trying to find out if Alu-cab's UNIVERSAL mounts would work with the K9, but never got any response. Site has no info, pics, or detailed info on it. I get the fact that not every product works with everything else, but when a company says they offer a UNIVERSAL mount, and I've already shelled out some cash for something I can't use yet, I'd like some fairly detailed info in the said item before spending even more money on the kit. I did finally get a pic emailed to me from another rep at said store, only to see a pile of SS bolts and hardware. THAT'S detailed?

And look, I think it's a great awning, I saw them in action last year in CO, when we stumbled into some folks there for the Hundred in the Hills 6. I was so impressed I went home and sold my Eezi-Awn, and bought the Shadow. I just want to be able to use the dumb thing, that's all. And another thing, prior to getting the K9, I had a Slimline rack on the handy, which Alu-cab DOES make direct fit brackets for, but after using the rack with a RTT, and being less than impressed by the overall design, I got the K9. So, would it have been better to stick with a rack I didn't like to get some brackets??

And while we're on the topic of racks, I had two different brackets from Front Runner for the SlimLine to mount up my Eezi-awn awning. Neither of them worked right either ( sold as DIRECT FIT FOR THE MANTA), and one set I felt would work with the Shadow, only to find out that they would't once I got the awning and brackets together. So it's not like I bought the shadow, found out I have some mounting issues, and jumped on here to start badmouthing people. I have spent a lot of time trying to get this to work, and work correctly, and so far have not got there.

So anyway, back to the OP's original question. Having had both, even though I haven't been able to use the Shadow but seeing first hand, I feel the Shadow is a better awning and would love to use it!
Cheers and all that.

I spoke with Alu-Cab and in an attempt to make your day, the engineering team designed and prototyped a set of brackets for the k-9 rack. They will test them and if all is well they will be on next months container.

Contact me at rino@ok4wd.com with your info and I will have a set mailed to you when they land. Also if you cannot get ahold of myself via calling the shop, I may be out in the field but can be reached anytime on my email.

-Rin

 

[Mr. Snappy]

Unbelievable! I'm impressed! If they work out, you, sir, have a sale. They making them for both right and left side mounting options?

I'll email you later with my info, or if you guys are going to be at expo west, I'll meet you in person there.

 

[jacobconroy]

You people are overthinking the mounts for the most part. there are tons of universal brackets. We ended up with the Alucab mounts. But not happy with them for the frontrunner rack due to height. Had to get a custom set of riser bars made for the awning. Haven't seen the "Tall Mounts" for the frontrunner rack. The Jeep Run has had a taller setup on it.

You happen to have any pictures of the Alucab mounts on your Slimeline II? I'd love to see it all assembled (from a little further back that Rin's picture).

 

[Mr. Snappy]

You people are overthinking the mounts for the most part. there are tons of universal brackets. We ended up with the Alucab mounts. But not happy with them for the frontrunner rack due to height. Had to get a custom set of riser bars made for the awning. Haven't seen the "Tall Mounts" for the frontrunner rack. The Jeep Run has had a taller setup on it.

I had a pair the tall mounts or whatever, for the Manta awning, from Frontrunner. I HATED them. Hung way off the side, and the because the awning is up and away from the rack, it caused the outer edge of the rack to flex, and that produced the most annoying, high pitched squeak. Like, non-stop. Too much weight hanging too far out. Looked like a good design, but in actually use, not so much.
So, I'm not sure if people are over thinking this, or not thinking enough....I kinda like the craftsman furniture design ethos. Form follows function, and practical is beautiful.

 

[fire_strom]

Mr. Snappy, I would be happy to buy the All-Cab from you. I'm in Durango CO but could come down and pick it up.
Thanks,
-G

 

[Mr. Snappy]

Mr. Snappy, I would be happy to buy the All-Cab from you. I'm in Durango CO but could come down and pick it up.
Thanks,
-G

Thanks, but it's not for sale. I've been in contact with Rin from OK4WD about brackets, stay tuned!!

 

[fire_strom]

Cool, hope it works out for you. I will soon have a weather guard safari rack back from the powder coater and I'm pretty sure I should be able to face mount the awning directly to the rack. Minimal fabbing if any. The thing is a tank with a 1000# rating. Just need to explain to myself that the Alu-Cab is worth the premium vs the Rhino. I'm the guy that will get tangled in the guy lines and collapse the poles.
-G

 

[rino]

Cool, hope it works out for you. I will soon have a weather guard safari rack back from the powder coater and I'm pretty sure I should be able to face mount the awning directly to the rack. Minimal fabbing if any. The thing is a tank with a 1000# rating. Just need to explain to myself that the Alu-Cab is worth the premium vs the Rhino. I'm the guy that will get tangled in the guy lines and collapse the poles.
-G

Are you headed to Overland Expo West by chance?

 

[Corey]

Being a new Eezi-Awn Bat 270 owner, I m very happy with mine so far.
It was to heavy for the stock BajaRack awning mounts that I had used for years with my 20 lb campinglabs awning.
The awning would have bent over the Baja ones since it is close to 2.5 times the weight of the Campinglab one.

The shop I deal with was going to weld some gussets in there like you see on rock sliders, but they came up with an easier idea right in the shop by making a bracket that tied the upright part of the Baja unit to the lower part that bolts to the Baja roof rack.

Look ma, no poles

 

[Mr. Snappy]

So, spent the morning at expo west, and wa able to meet up with Rin, and the other guys at the booth showing off the shadow awnin, as well as the gen3 tent. Rin had some better info on eta for the brackets for the K9, plus I was able to see how they mount up to the tents, if one is minded to do the package.
Gotta say, they make some good stuff! The tent is killer, deffinently next on the list (or locker and gears, not sure, oh the agony) and one thing that's huge for desert life is the aluminuzed fabric that they use on the awning. My manta made it hotter underneath, in the shade, than it was out in full sun! Kinda defeats the purpose of the awning, huh?
Another cool thing, was able to meet Jeremy, the owner of Alu-cab, and speak to him first hand about the brackets needed, status on development, pros and cons to different designs, and more. Pretty neat to be able to speak with him
So, all in all, a good day at expo, stay tuned for bracket updates.

 

[fire_strom]

Are you headed to Overland Expo West by chance?

No, sad to say. Did not make it down. Would have loved to see it all and get your evaluation on whether or not the rack can handle the awning. I am pretty confident it will with ease.
Did I miss a sweet deal on a discounted display awning?
-G

 

[Red Rock Overlander]

Need Alu-Cab Shadow 270 Mount Specifications

Rino, We are in the process of sourcing ordering an Alu-Cab Shadow 270 Awning and room for our new CVT M416 RTT trailer can send photos.

We desperately need the installation or mounting template or bolt pattern to insure what we believe to be a solid mount for the new awning will work. We understand you would be the best source to get this info from in the USA. Can you provide the right dimensions and specifications?

We are working with Rob Culpepper at CVT Vehicle tents in Bend OR who manufactures the trailer who indicated he can provide a proper bracket as long as we have the right specifications in terms of dimensions and tolerances bolts sizes and the like...

Thanks we really want this awning can you help?

Red Rock Overlander

 

[rino]

Rino, We are in the process of sourcing ordering an Alu-Cab Shadow 270 Awning and room for our new CVT M416 RTT trailer can send photos.

We desperately need the installation or mounting template or bolt pattern to insure what we believe to be a solid mount for the new awning will work. We understand you would be the best source to get this info from in the USA. Can you provide the right dimensions and specifications?

We are working with Rob Culpepper at CVT Vehicle tents in Bend OR who manufactures the trailer who indicated he can provide a proper bracket as long as we have the right specifications in terms of dimensions and tolerances bolts sizes and the like...

Thanks we really want this awning can you help?

Red Rock Overlander

Just replied to your email

 

[fire_strom]

How come the Bundutec offerings aren't in the conversation? For me it is between the BunduEL 2.95 or the All-Cab Shadow. They each have +'s and -'s. Would love to hear more user experiences on these.
-G