270 deg awning which side?

[Scoutn79]

I am giving some serious consideration to a 270 deg awning. For years I have just hooked, clamped and draped tarps where I needed them. It has worked ok but is definitely not ideal or quick to deploy/stow.
So I was wondering those of you with a side or 270 deg awning could you help me pick a side?
So which side do you think is best and why?

If it matters I am looking at the Rhino Rack Batwing

Darrell

 

[Bayou Boy]

The United States is built for passenger side camping. Even though you may boondock a lot, it's going to suck when you use an actual campground site and have to set up your campsite on the opposite side of your vehicle from the firepit and picnic table.

 

[harbinger808]

ours deploys on the passenger side. we did so since we can pull up to the side of curbs closet to parks for summer time shade with our kids. same when we park next to the lakes here in az. our rtt deploys over to the driver side.

 

[aaen]

passenger side.

 

[C-Fish]

The side is dependent on the swing of the rear door/tire swing.

On the FJC the door opens to the drivers side, we have a passenger mount Foxwing.
On the Turtleback Trailer the tire swing opens to the passenger side, we have a driver mount Foxwing.

This works best when walls are added, as you have the most usable space with the door/tire out of the way.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

Mine deploys on the drivers side, but because I have the tent opening on the passenger side. It allows me to do park on the road and sleep.

 

[80t0ylc]

The side is dependent on the swing of the rear door/tire swing.

On the FJC the door opens to the drivers side, we have a passenger mount Foxwing.
On the Turtleback Trailer the tire swing opens to the passenger side, we have a driver mount Foxwing.

This works best when walls are added, as you have the most usable space with the door/tire out of the way.

Agree with C-fish. I have a Alu-Cab Shadow with wall kit, that I purchased for an off road trailer in the future. I installed it on my Land Cruiser temporarily. I chose passenger side because it would work best for the trailer installation. Unfortunately, my spare tire swingout is on the passenger side and it gets in the way as C-fish mentioned.

 

[Scoutn79]

A good point, one I hadn't thought of. Is the direction your rear door opens.
Since a Scout doesn't have a door but a tail gate and a top gate I don't have that particular concern BUT the top gate might hit the awning when open and the corners.handle of the gate may wear into the awning....

Darrell

 

[80t0ylc]

A good point, one I hadn't thought of. Is the direction your rear door opens.
Since a Scout doesn't have a door but a tail gate and a top gate I don't have that particular concern BUT the top gate might hit the awning when open and the corners.handle of the gate may wear into the awning....

Darrell

Yup, that's one consideration when mounting the awn. The upper tailgate of my Land Cruiser hits the one of the supports of the Shadow when I open it. The awn comes with some adhesive backed foam to mount on support just for that purpose. I just open carefully. Just a slight inconvenience, but very much overshadowed by the convenience of the awn! As a side note, I had just replaced the struts on my tailgate before I mounted my Shadow and the new ones push the gate open about 4-6 inches higher, so it is actually open more than a right or 90* angle.

 

[Scoutn79]

Gas struts could be held down some but the Scout uses a mechanical design and has to be open a specific height to stay up. I could rig up some support rods to prop it up if needed I suppose.
Not a big deal but something I would need to address.

I think having the awning open to the driver side would work best. I usually am the only one in the truck and always want to get in the drivers door so I am more likely to park with the passenger side close to an obstacle.

Darrell

 

[80t0ylc]

Gas struts could be held down some but the Scout uses a mechanical design and has to be open a specific height to stay up. I could rig up some support rods to prop it up if needed I suppose.
Not a big deal but something I would need to address....

I remember those supports. You lift it all the way to the extreme height and they ratchet internally to the held open position, an inch or so below upper limit. When you close it, push open to the extreme height and they ratchet again and allow you to close it back up. You could open the back 1st and then carefully pull awning around during setup if clearance is a close call.

On mine, setting up camp is "sequence sensitive". I have to open up the RTT 1st because the secure latches are on the back of the RTT & with the awning deployed, I can't reach them...lol. Then proceed with the rest of setting up camp. Packing up is the reverse, last 2 steps are to close & pack awning and last drop & secure RTT. Not a bad idea, IMHO. I can always use the shade & shelter while packing up camp and it allows the RTT to air out as much as possible before hitting the road.

.....I think having the awning open to the driver side would work best. I usually am the only one in the truck and always want to get in the drivers door so I am more likely to park with the passenger side close to an obstacle.

Darrell

Sounds to me like sound reasoning. And you're correct. You need plenty of room on awning side of rig. Figure the length of the closed awning enclosure at a minimum on awning side and also at the rear of rig.

 

[Corey]

Well for my case with my 2007 FJ Cruiser I have it mounted on the left side.
If I had it mounted on the right side, I would not be able to enter my roof top tent.
Some would say just enter from the left side, but I cannot because I access my fridge from the left side rear seat door, and it would not open with the tents ladder there.
I see how it works out for others, but each case is different, thus why I chose a left side mounted awning for my rig.

On my FJ it does not matter to me at all which way the rear door with the spare tire opens, it does not effect the way the awning is mounted.

Access the fridge from underneath the awning, and from the smaller rear seat door

Tents ladder blocks right side rear door from opening, so fridge is mounted on the left side access door