Awning Owners: Driver's Side Mount or Passenger's Side Mount? Logic? Why?

[TheFutur]

What I want to know is, how are all of you guys with these bag awnings mounted on racks, keeping the rain from pouring in between the vehicle body/camper shell and the awning itself?

If you're just using the awning for shade then it's no big deal, however here in Florida rain is as much of a problem as the blistering sun is. Water coming in that location makes a big mud hole right there under the awning, and that's no fun!

My RTT overlaps my awning enough to prevent that on both my truck and my trailer. However on my truck it only overlaps 4 of the 8 feet so water still trickles down the truck. Its not an issue for me really, nothing a small tarp or other waterproof material cant solve.

 

[patoz]

I can see how a RTT would help prevent the rain from going into the gap, but I was thinking more of the awnings that are just mounted to racks by themselves, i.e. on vans, PU truck camper shells, SUVs, and in my case an ambulance body.

I'm thinking maybe a piece of metal, plastic, rubber, or fabric, could be used to fill the gap between the back of the bag awning frame and the vehicle's rain gutter, if it has one. If it doesn't have a gutter, something would have to be fashioned even if it was just good quality waterproof tape, securing a flap of material to the vehicle body/topper.

 

[carbon60]

I can see how a RTT would help prevent the rain from going into the gap, but I was thinking more of the awnings that are just mounted to racks by themselves, i.e. on vans, PU truck camper shells, SUVs, and in my case an ambulance body.

There is a 1.5" gap between my awning and my RTT. But, the curve of the vehicle means that the water just hits the side of the truck and runs down harmlessly. I've never had a problem. I do generally try to place the truck windward, so it protects the awning side.

A.

 

[patoz]

There is a 1.5" gap between my awning and my RTT. But, the curve of the vehicle means that the water just hits the side of the truck and runs down harmlessly. I've never had a problem. I do generally try to place the truck windward, so it protects the awning side.

A.

I'm hoping to find a good roll-up type awning that will mount on my ambulance body in the space that I have. If I do, that will automatically solve the problem.

Mine will run full length, and mount on the right side over the side door, so that's why I don't want any water running down in between.

 

[JCTex]

I put my Manta, Ezzi-Awn's version of the Foxwing, on the Driver Side because my swing away on my JKUR opens right-handed to,the Pass Side. By using the DS, I don't have to walk around the spare tire to get to the Galley.

 

[seekerbeta]

My OzTrail Awning deploys Drivers Side because my tent deploys Passenger Side, and my Xterra has a tailgate that folds up left me limited.

 

[PIC4GOD]

Drivers side because the crank for the RTT is on the passenger side. This goes against everything setup on my vehicle and common sense because of the crank location but I make it work. Rear door opens to drivers side so I have to walk around it. Deployment in developed areas is rare but have wished for passenger side in certain situations. Mostly I'll back into locations to make it work. Just my two cents.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[patoz]

patoz - put your sand ladders down on the ground where the offending gap would be. I can understand your concern now that you divulged its a Square body vs a contoured body. Making a flap to deploy between the awning and vehicle in your case would be optimal.

My idea, have another flap sewn onto the awning bag. Use some of the hook/hook velcro heavy duty stuff. Attach one piece to the vehicle, another to the flap, and the last piece to the awning bag to secure it when not in use.

Other oprion is just to attach it directly to the side of the vehicle with NO GAP.

Between these two pictures. you should be able to see the profile I'm dealing with.

The awning must be mounted above the rain gutter and in-between the corner marker lights. There will be four 300 watt solar panels installed on gutter mounted racks (no holes in the roof) on the roof. My idea is to mount the awning to the side of the racks, just above the rain gutter and cover the gap with an additional flap like you suggested. Instead of Velcro, I'll probably use a section of sail track to secure the flap to the body.



It will take some experimenting to get it just right, but it can be done.

 

[ADVSubaru]

I'm a simple person. I put the awning on the passenger side because the fridge freezer was on that side. Don't want to walk to far to grab more beer when intoxicated :beer:

 

[patoz]

I'm a simple person. I put the awning on the passenger side because the fridge freezer was on that side. Don't want to walk to far to grab more beer when intoxicated :beer:

That is the best justification I have heard yet!!

 

[Corey]

Drivers side, and I will explain why.
My old fridge and my new fridge is mounted behind the drivers seat.
With the roof top tent the ladder is on the passenger side, and if I had the awning on the passenger side, I would not be able to climb the ladder to get into the tent.
Some may say just move the ladder to the drivers side then, but then I would have to remove the ladder each time I needed to open the rear drivers side door to access the fridge.
Works out great this way with the old awning and the new Eezi-Awn Bat 270 I just got.