Clamshell RTT: Window awning/rainfly (Roofnest, ikamper) vs no awning (Autohome, Baroud)

[Superpanga]

In the last throes of picking a clamshell style RTT. Really leaning towards the Autohome Columbus Variant but have seen that quite a few other tents of this style have struts to support a mini-awning/rainfly over the back window and neither the Columbus or something like the Baroud Extreme do.

Curious to learn if this would be a make-or-break feature for anyone, and especially interested to hear from Autohome owners who might weigh in.

 

[Wallygator]

My Eezi-Awn Blade has the awning feature on the back window and I like it. Can have the back window completely open without the fear of rain coming in while sleeping. Can also pull out the poles and can zip the awning down if in extremely windy or cold conditions. I use the sides for entry/exit.

 

[towee]

I had the alu cab gen 3 and Loved the awning/rain fly on the back window. It’s one of those things I didn’t think about when purchasing but was an absolute game changer. I think even some of the other aluminum rtts and maybe even alu cab have side coverage now too. if I was in the market for one again it would be one of my top considerations before I bought.

The only thing I didn’t like about it was it always seemed to still be wet when everything else was dried out but it was never an issue.

Also I had a 270 and used side entry the awning was strictly for rain protection and in fairness I hated being fully enclosed in my tent it was too small and too dark. In anything above freezing I wanted my windows at least partially open.

 

[Superpanga]

My Eezi-Awn Blade has the awning feature on the back window and I like it. Can have the back window completely open without the fear of rain coming in while sleeping. Can also pull out the poles and can zip the awning down if in extremely windy or cold conditions. I use the sides for entry/exit.

Ok-Now I have added the Eezi-Awn (Dart) to the decision matrix. Looks like another well-built unit. The rear-awning is definitely in my feature wish-list. (As pointed out- not so much for entry, but for the ability to leave something open in rain.)

 

[Wallygator]

Ok-Now I have added the Eezi-Awn (Dart) to the decision matrix. Looks like another well-built unit. The rear-awning is definitely in my feature wish-list. (As pointed out- not so much for entry, but for the ability to leave something open in rain.)

Eezi-Awn makes some high quality products that will last a long time. An the rear awning is why I stopped looking at tents that didn't have it. It's an advantage to have one.

 

[Superpanga]

Fresh arrival! Went with the Eezi-Awn Dart. Cheers to Kristin and Lola and the crew at Equipt for getting this done for me.

Just managed to get this up on the racks before the rain came today. Will get better pictures soon. I'll work up a full review to follow.

 

[Wallygator]

Fresh arrival! Went with the Eezi-Awn Dart. Cheers to Kristin and Lola and the crew at Equipt for getting this done for me.

Just managed to get this up on the racks before the rain came today. Will get better pictures soon. I'll work up a full review to follow.

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Great choice! Congrats!

 

[1pieceatatime]

Ship has sailed for you (looks great BTW!) but in case others come across this thread... there is a tunnel and awning option for the side entries on the James Baroud tents.

 

[Superpanga]

Ship has sailed for you (looks great BTW!) but in case others come across this thread... there is a tunnel and awning option for the side entries on the James Baroud tents.

I was super close to going with the Baroud and awning/tunnel. It's a great combo. In the end I was at the Eezi-Awn Dart, the Baroud Extreme (or a model which could take the tunnel/awning attachment, and the Autohome Columbia. Considered others like Roofnest and iKamper as well.

Final choice definitely included the desire for the rear awning for a sense of more space on a funky day, Also- and this was key- the Baroud models seemed to be out of stock, or long delivery times. There are definitely some great pieces of kit out there and it is hard to make a pick, especially without seeing any in person! In the end, I just had to make a call! Can't wait to take it out for a test run soon!

 

[Superpanga]

Grabbed a better photo of it mounted up, with the ARB 2000 awning. The awning mates up nicely. Clean lines and both fit the 2 door profile well.