The Ultimate Awning-shelter?

[Tucson T4R]

I also have one of the 4 man Moss dome tents. It's heavy but it's built like a tank and should last me forever. I only use it in the winter or when I know conditions will be rude.

 

[adventureduo]

That's the one i saw that sticks out a 1-2 feet forward in thin air. Would suck to snag it on something.

Here it is stowed:

That's why i like our F35.. it doesnt extend further than most racks at 6 feet. Yes it's 6 feet , it just doesnt look it.

 

[cnskate]

Has anyone thought about the Shadyboy?

http://www.shadyboy.com/

They were about $225 last year or so before the dollar tanked, they're made in Canada. Lots of Vanagon Westy people swear by them.

 

[VikingVince]

When I'm setting up camp for a week, I can't imagine using anything other than my 12'x12' Paha Que Screen Room. http://www.pahaque.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PQWO&Category_Code=SASS5 There are roll-down flaps so you can either have screen sides or solid sides...which also gives you the option of more privacy if you want it...or you can have awnings. It also opens on two ends...I back the end of my truck into one end and "attach" the zipper opening to the sides of the truck. It takes me about 30 minutes to set up by myself, two people could easily cut that in half...but it's worth it for a prolonged basecamp...it's really like having another room...plus you can make it either really open, closed, or variations. You can see a pic of the setup in my signature link. (click on the pic to enlarge it) For shorter stays, I use a 10x10' tarp awning with tent poles that attaches to the back of my truck.

 

[elcoyote]

There are three different sizes in the Fiamma F35:

F35 Pro 180 6' W x 6' Ext (13.2 lbs)
F35 Pro 250 8' W x 7.5' Ext (19.8 lbs)
F35 Pro 300 10' W x 7.5' Ext (23.1 lbs)

If you have a LWB vehicle, the F35 Pro 250 is a nice option. We have a client who fitted one onto his G-Wagen, it turned out nicely

 

[adventureduo]

Oooh, i might have to step up to the 250 .. i can easily fit 2 more feet

What are the prices difference in the 3 models?

 

[elcoyote]

Oooh, i might have to step up to the 250 .. i can easily fit 2 more feet

What are the prices difference in the 3 models?

F35 Pro 180 6' W x 6' Ext (13.2 lbs) $359
F35 Pro 250 8' W x 7.5' Ext (19.8 lbs) $435
F35 Pro 300 10' W x 7.5' Ext (23.1 lbs) $485

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Do you guys Really spend up to $500 bucks on Awnings.........>?!!!!


I wish I was reeeeech$..........like you!:arabia:


..........just think of all the BajaTaco's~N~Beer you could buy fer $500 bucks!:chowtime:


.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Do you guys Really spend up to $500 bucks on Awnings.........>?!!!!


I wish I was reeeeech$..........like you!:arabia:


..........just think of all the BajaTaco's~N~Beer you could buy fer $500 bucks!:chowtime:


.

Yeah but then they would be all sunburned from not having an awning to sit under when they drank the beer. Life is full of trade offs. :shakin:

 

[adventureduo]

F35 Pro 180 6' W x 6' Ext (13.2 lbs) $359
F35 Pro 250 8' W x 7.5' Ext (19.8 lbs) $435
F35 Pro 300 10' W x 7.5' Ext (23.1 lbs) $485

That's not bad. Anyone want to buy our F35 180? lol

 

[TheRoadie]

That's not bad. Anyone want to buy our F35 180? lol

Don't laugh. It's possible. I'm always looking for bargains.

 

[elcoyote]

Life is full of trade offs. :shakin:

Agreed, besides last time I checked, treatment for skin cancer was a tad more expensive.

 

[Echo_29]

A friend has the Kelty...scratch that...after this weekend I think he tossed it. No matter how you tie this thing down it will self-destruct in a moderate wind--it's a foil, always ready for lift off!

Last year he set the thing up in Saline Valley, a great place to test a sun awning. While we were away on a hike the infamous winds came up and blew this thing up and over his truck even though it was securely tied-off to the ground.

Last week, in the same location, he set up the shade--for two days he was fine, no winds, good shade--until Sunday. When we were just starting another hike and fortunately only 10 minutes from camp, a storm quickly rolled in and the winds started. He ran back to the truck to find the shade in pieces beating against the truck leaving some nice little scratches.

Mine actually are the models that come without the poles too, so I just bought a couple Kelty telescoping poles to mimic t he deluxe setup.



This is my one complaint with the Kelty design, and it may actually be worse with the poles in place. The poles take the portion which is flat when configured as a lean-to, and angle it down, toward the Carport/vehicle interface.

 

[paulj]

One would think that the Carport in the leanto configuration would stand up to moderate winds, especially if the car blocks the wind, or it blows against the sloped side. But I haven't used mine in much of a wind.

The wing tarp potentially is better in wind. I think I could rig my 7 point Vista in a relatively wind proof fashion. I have, though, taken my 4 point Noah down when the wind picked up. It puts a lot of strain on the anchor points. It would be best if the windward corner(s) was staked down close to the ground.

In strong wind, I suspect a tepee with a couple of dozen tie downs is the best shelter - short of the enclosed truck.

paulj

 

[Green Ganesha]

A friend has the Kelty...scratch that...after this weekend I think he tossed it. No matter how you tie this thing down it will self-destruct in a moderate wind--it's a foil, always ready for lift off!

Last year he set the thing up in Saline Valley, a great place to test a sun awning. While we were away on a hike the infamous winds came up and blew this thing up and over his truck even though it was securely tied-off to the ground.

Last week, in the same location, he set up the shade--for two days he was fine, no winds, good shade--until Sunday. When we were just starting another hike and fortunately only 10 minutes from camp, a storm quickly rolled in and the winds started. He ran back to the truck to find the shade in pieces beating against the truck leaving some nice little scratches.

This is good information. So far, I've only used my Kelty setup a couple times, both with lots of trees blocking any wind. However, 95% of their intended use will be in the Saline Valley. I'm all too familiar with the brutal winds there, and would expect to take down--or at least lower--the awnings during anything severe. But I need something that will survive light-to-moderate gusts. Were your friend's Kelty's outer corners on the ground, or up on poles?

For anyone familiar with the ARB awnings, how are they with wind?