Awning or canopy?

[thirteen]

I'm looking to get some cover for camping and for stops out on the trails. The roof rack awnings look great, but I'm wondering if it would be better to have a separate pop up canopy that I can put anywhere.

Any opinions from people who have used both? Are the awnings as cool as they look, or just a gimmick?

 

[Harlock]

It really depends on what sort of outings you plan to take and how many people will be with you.

Pop-up canopies can give you more cover, more height underneath, and can withstand more extreme weather than awnings. But they are heavier, take up more space, and need at least two people to put up and take down - with three or four being better. They are generally superior to awnings for base camping with a group or family.

Awnings are lighter, take up less space and can be easily set up and put away by one person. They are less roomy underneath and more easily collapsed/blown around/damaged by bad weather. When space is at a premium or you're on your own, awnings are superior. Hence their popularity for overlanding.

Neither is really a replacement for the other. In the right situations, each is awesome and there's nothing wrong with eventually having both.

A third option is to set up a dining fly using a tarp, some paracord, and knowledge of how to tie a taut-line hitch. This does require trees to tie the rope around (remember to place three or four twigs between the rope and the tree to protect the bark) if you're solo. Tarp poles can be substituted for trees if there aren't any around and you're not alone. This can take up the least amount of space and weight and can also be at least as weather resistant as the pop-up when done right. Plus, it can cost just a few dollars.

 

[Bumbo]

I really like the idea of a awning, but I just use a separate pop up canopy.

I generally go out there to drive the 4Runner around and have fun with it too. Not having to mess with attached to the truck when I want to drive it is better for how I use it.

 

[Cymon]

[MENTION=589551]Harlock[/MENTION] and [MENTION=144483]Bumbo[/MENTION] pretty much spelled it out above.

Camping - Canopy

Trail Breaks - Awning

 

[curmudge1]

products to look at

If you're reading all the 5th gen posts, you might have seen mention of Slumberjack... they have a canopy that drapes over the hatch & extends off the back, and a small tent (shack) that extends a fly over the tailgate. I thought these looked pretty neat, have not tried them.

Tundra tarps for a canopy material with some flexibility.

FWIW, YMMV, etc.

 

[Mudhorn]

Terrain and setup dependent. I enjoy my ARB awning. The walls are perfect for the family and I to have bug screen or weather protection. We have started to use it as a tent as well.
But we have been to places when being by the car is not an option, so obviously a canopy.
My awning and canopy are the same size.
I would recommend if you go with an awning figure out your needs. Just go out and see what would be nice. There are a lot of options on the market today. If it wasn’t for the wall option, I would get a 180 or 270.

 

[thirteen]

It sounds like the best answer is both. An awning would be great for me most of the time, but I have been to some places where it would be useless. Joshua Tree National Park, for example. You need to park in your paved parking spot away from you camping spot. Only a canopy would work there.

 

[sn_85]

I'd vote awning and maybe something like a camping tarp. Advantage of an awning is that it's on the truck already and is always with you. It's a little tricky to setup by yourself but you get the hang of it. With two people it's a breeze. If you need more shade or something not attached to the vehicle itself the tarp, like the Kelty Noah's Tarp or even the Slumberjack one, would work well. They pack down pretty small and don't weigh much at all. The thing with an Ez-up Canopy is that they're large, bulky and heavy. So depending on your cargo layout it might take up a lot of space or you might have to load it up top. Another consideration is something like the Gazelle Tents Gazebo Room and I'd prefer that over a ez-up canopy.

Pop-Up Camping Hub Tents and Portable Gazebos - Gazelle Portable Gazebos for Outdoor Gatherings

 

[jhguth]

a pop-up is a useful thing to have if you have somewhere to store it, i use mine all the time for tailgating or to setup a shaded work spot in the driveway or backyard.

i use it sometimes camping but it's big and bulky so that's really just been when camping with the wife and i'm already bringing enough gear to outfit a squad anyways

for beach days i do prefer a pop-up to a vehicle awning since it's easier to move to stay in the shade

i use a cheap kelty noah tarp (can't remember what size. 12' or 16') but am going to get an awning too. i will still use the tarp with the awning.

i used to have a slumberjack roadhouse screen tarp but it took longer to setup than a plain tarp so i sold it (i was otherwise satisfied with the quality)

 

[thirteen]

Never heard of that Slumberjack. Looks like an interesting alternative to the roof rack awnings. Maybe even better?

 

[Sundy]

I was just having this dilemma, as monsoon season has started in Colorado. I like to camp an wheel a bit, so was very torn.

I ended up finding one of these Nemo Bugout 12x12 barely used for $80 with poles - going to try it out. It's huge but I think I can make some stuff work / use it as a hybrid awning, camp cover, etc.

I'll likely mount it too high to effectively use the bug mesh most of the time, as bugs aren't bad here. I like that it packs up to the size of a tent and is super light!