Awning Recommendations
- Thread starter luk4mud
- Start date
Driver-Navigator
Explorer
FWIW, in his build thread, Mauka2Makai wrote "With a couple of nights at Lake Isabella behind us we concluded two things. One, I wish we had bought the Hannibal awning versus the ARB... The ARB awning provides lots of shade and for the price you cant go wrong. My big gripe are the guy lines, they are trip hazards and a royal pain to set up during high winds. We needed 4 lines to keep the awning from turning into a kite. If the Hannibal is able to handle periodic high gusts and sustained winds of 20-30 knots I am sold."
That was a few months ago, so you may want to check and see if he still feels the same.
Mauka2Makai
Explorer
Like I reviewed earlier, The ARB is a great awning for the price. It provides ample shade and does that job well and like I said, its great for the price. That said, With small kids and when its dark and you've had a couple of beers the guy lines will get you or you kids. I've been finding that staking in the desert is proving to be ridiculous and if wind is in the forecast this awning will launch if not staked. Setting up by yourself can be a pain as well. Otherwise we are making do with what we have and will upgrade to the Hannibal once funds allow. If you have the money go for the Hannibal. 
Driver-Navigator
Explorer
Do they use reflective material in the guy lines? If not, it might be worth replacing them with lines that do have reflective material sewn in, like many of the newer backpacking tents do. Seeing the lines lit up in your headlamp can prevent some of those stumbles. I picked up a pack of very lightweight but strong reflecting line from REI a few years back and I use it for a lot of other things, like making zipper pulls.
nmatcek
Adventurer
If you want to save lots of money at the expense of a little bit slower deployment:
One large canvas tarp with one edge attached to rack. Drape it down and roll up your two support poles (many universal height adjustable poles available) and 4 stakes with pre-attached nylon string. Secure it in a roll with some nylon straps and you are done. To deploy just undo straps, unroll, position poles, and stake down your supports. Just an option...it's what I use and MUCH cheaper than the alternatives.
One large canvas tarp with one edge attached to rack. Drape it down and roll up your two support poles (many universal height adjustable poles available) and 4 stakes with pre-attached nylon string. Secure it in a roll with some nylon straps and you are done. To deploy just undo straps, unroll, position poles, and stake down your supports. Just an option...it's what I use and MUCH cheaper than the alternatives.
Chris Sandstorm Fj
Observer
I have a camping lab also. Great awning, have had for 4 seasons now, no issues. OJ did a comparison in a recent back issue, also.
I also have a Kelty car port awning, which I always take with me, it can mount on any car in minutes and is great to have as a quick community safe harbor from the conditions. I have had both the large and medium in the Kelty, returned the large, felt it was too big. medium size seems just right.
I also have a Kelty car port awning, which I always take with me, it can mount on any car in minutes and is great to have as a quick community safe harbor from the conditions. I have had both the large and medium in the Kelty, returned the large, felt it was too big. medium size seems just right.
m(a)ce
Adventurer
^^^good stuff. just ordered (& received super fast thank you!) back issue of OJ with awning shoot out. can't wait to tear it apart.
for those with the Camping Lab & walls how rain proof is it?
I'm or here on the East Coast & think walls would be a functional & a good option to have around a rainy campsite.
delivered by winged monkeys
for those with the Camping Lab & walls how rain proof is it?
I'm or here on the East Coast & think walls would be a functional & a good option to have around a rainy campsite.
delivered by winged monkeys
HenryJ
Expedition Leader
No walls here, but I thought I'd relate my experience. It doesn't rain much here, but when it does it is drops an inch in diameter! Bucket loads of water! During an "Eastern Oregon rainfall" and while sheltering under our Campinglab awning I had one little spot leak. Right on a stitch. I may have stressed it or pulled on a thread? Dunno? A dab of Chapstick on top and it quit. I inteneded to spray it down with some waterproofer, but never did. That was several years ago. Still working great and has no chapped lips
JeepTreeHouse
Adventurer
I've used the camping lab with the walls in the rain! It's great but you have to remember that there are only 3 walls so any spaces between the vehicle and the awning will leak air and rain if it's raining at any kind of angle. Still a lot dryer than the alternative (not having it)!
I like to get the most bang for the buck and it seems that the Ironman4x4 awning is the least expensive and the longest fold out length: 98". I'm guessing that this awning, along with campinglab and ARB are made similarly. Cruisercorps carries them for $236 http://www.cruisercorps.com/store/accessories/ironman-instant-awning
ckkone
Explorer
Another vote for the foxwing, mine just showed up...cant wait to get it mounted up..
Good deal on it here:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/...SPG-3-GOOGLE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse
Good deal on it here:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/...SPG-3-GOOGLE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse
JohnnyS
Explorer
Attachments
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
They are very similar as from what I have been told in the past, they are made in the same factory in China.
Some do have have a few things different depending on what vendor's label is going on the final product.