Lets Talk About Vehicle Mounted Awnings

Stephen

Who Dares Wins
Moderator
I have resently become interested in vehicle mounted awnings, so lets hear peoples experiences. I'm interested in something small, light and cheap (I am a Samurai owner after all!) And no, I'm not above the tarp+tentpole route, I'm just interested in seeing whats out there thats a little more purpose built.

Kirkhams Auto/Truck Canopy intriuges me mostly because of it's low price. Has anyone used this?

The ARB Awnings are also awesome, but quite a bit more spendy. I know Kurt has one mounted on his Tacoma.

There are also the Hannibal, Ezy-Awn, Kelty, ect. Who's used what, why and how has it worked out?
 

Tacoma

Et incurventur ante non
Location
far enough away
I had some kind of RV awning on one of my work vans once. It was in a clearance bin at a stepvan supply place. No IDEA what brand that was, cost in the bin was I think $30. So not much help there either.

But what I can say is that it was AWESOME for making a porch anywhere. Hard to say what the wind was like, because I was on the side of a 12' tall box, but it was a lot of shade when you needed it. I'd say they're really nice to have, and a very strong want on an expo rig. Since I had that I keep wishing I had something to put one on, as my main purpose being out half the time is to paint, and painting in the shade is mo' bettah.
 

lewis

Fight Till You Die
Location
Hairyman
Saw Kurts in action this weekend.. A lot cooler than I expected!

Saw Kurts what in action?:eek: Not sure if I really want to know.

Stephen thanks for posting this, I have been looking for an alternative to the the tarp and rope.
I found this Kelty however its more $$ than the Arb and not nearly as cool. I may go with the Kelty one.
 
Last edited:

SAMI

Formerly Beardy McGee
Location
SLC, UT
Lewis, since this is a thread about awnings, I didn't think my post would be too difficult to follow.. ;)

.."I saw Kurts [ARB awning] in action..."
 

MOODY

Bald Guy
Location
Sandy
I have the Kirkham's canopy...I like it, but I feel like it is too small. I think it is great for shade, but in a storm it is lacking. I actually have it for sale for 65 bucks. I am having one custom made, as I don't want it permanently mounted on my truck like the ARB and others.
 

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
...I don't want it permanently mounted on my truck like the ARB and others.

Don't permanently mount it. My ARB awning can be removed from my truck with two clips in less than 30 seconds, deployed in under 2 minutes and stowed in a minute more than that :D

Seriously though, its very easy to make a bracket that is removable from the rig, the way mine is setup it can easily switch from side to side, if my rack was a top mounted vehicle, I could even have it off the back too.

Pics of my ARB Awning in action

Open:
Delta_May_2010 024 (Medium).jpg

Closed:
Delta_May_2010 039 (Medium).jpg

Also, for more ideas, there is a giant thread of awnings here:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38439
 

MOODY

Bald Guy
Location
Sandy
That is sexy...I will try out my custom made deal for awhile and see how it goes...

(p.s.-is there a bumper there for me?)
 

Stephen

Who Dares Wins
Moderator
I bought Roger's (MOODY) Kirkham's Auto/Truck Canopy today and I wanted set it up and see how it worked. AWESOME! Can't wait to use it next week.
Here are some pictures. And yes, the rack is new too, but that deserves it's own thread.

Canopy-1.jpg


Canopy-2.jpg
 
Last edited:

SAMI

Formerly Beardy McGee
Location
SLC, UT
Looks like you have your booth/canopy for the ExUt booth for this weekend. Seriously, bring that and set it up.. That's BA.
 

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
That is cool Stephen, the rack turned out stellar too!

I forgot that I have an older awning like that. I can't remember the brand right off the top of my head but I used to use it off the side of my Cruiser a couple of times. A nice reprieve from the sun.

Slyline_Swell%20(34).jpg


Slyline_Swell%20(35).jpg
 
Top