Let's talk awnings

[RaisedByWolves]

Looking to grab an awning for my 15 and mount it to a gobi stealth. Love gobi but $100 for two brackets

Let's hear your thoughts, reviews, pros and cons...

Hannibal
Ironman
Eezi
ARB

What say you?

 

[A.Wilson013]

The Hannibal and Eezi awn are completely different beasts than Ironman, ARB, Tepui, CVT which are all very, very similar with VERY minor differences you'll only notice if you own one of them, and see another being used.

If you can afford the Hannibal and Eezi Awn, you'll be very happy with their products. When I see other people with them I am always impressed by how quickly and easily they set up.

The ARB, Ironman, CVT, etc. etc. are also good products, but nowhere near as expensive, or as quick/simple to set up as the more expensive brands.

I own a 79" CVT (full disclosure- I didn't pay a dime for it and won it in a photo contest) awning and I struggle to set it up by myself if there's any hint of wind. With two people it's pretty dang easy.

One thing that, to me, makes the ARB a little superior to the CVT is the number of velcro straps it has which secure the fabric to the horizontal poles when it's deployed. My CVT (and the Tepui and Ironmans I have seen) has 3 on each side- one in the middle, and one on either end. This leaves a gap of about 3' between mounting points which flap around in the wind and makes all sorts of noise. Big deal, right? It ALSO makes for a great spot for water to pour down or even pool up if you don't have that thing TIGHT. The ARB awnings I have seen have the straps every 18" or so which to me seems like a much better idea.

If I were in your shoes (and had the cash) I'd likely pick up the Eezi Awn. Simple to set up, and looks a lot less barbaric than the Hannibal on your vehicle. They have a "shade" line which is similar to the cheaper options, and then the 1000 and 2000 lines which are much higher quality. The 2000 is even self retracting! The 270 degree line is cool, but not practical for my needs.

If I DIDN'T have that kind of cash, I'd go with an ARB, or (like in my case) whichever brand your roof top tent is. =)

 

[Krayziekid]

I'd love to hear more about awnings. I am looking to pick one up in the near future with some side walls (and hopefully floor) to replace my tent when traveling solo. Right now the ARB and the Tepui look like pretty attractive offers, especially when the price is considered.

Does anyone know of any good ways to attach an awning to a stock 4th Gen Limited roof rack? I haven't been able to find anything great so far...

 

[loafer]

this is an aluminum extrusion its about 1 and a quarter inches tall. there is a quarter inch polyethylene tube that gets sewed into the fabric. easily slides in and out. there is also one made specifically for round tube

 

[loafer]

I'd love to hear more about awnings. I am looking to pick one up in the near future with some side walls (and hopefully floor) to replace my tent when traveling solo. Right now the ARB and the Tepui look like pretty attractive offers, especially when the price is considered.

Does anyone know of any good ways to attach an awning to a stock 4th Gen Limited roof rack? I haven't been able to find anything great so far...

I just want to clarify ... you want something over your head , that includes sides and a floor. Dude that is a tent.

 

[CGCruiserDude]

Another slightly less expensive mounting option is Greg at GZila Designs. Here's the link to his stuff: GZila Designs I just ordered his mounts for my FJ. I have an ARB 2500 on my 4Runner on a Gobi Stealth and love it. With an ARB fridge in the back its the perfect soccer tournament/camping set up. I'm putting the same awning on my FJ. I ordered it last week from AutoAnything. They had 20% coupon and free shipping. Came to $231 shipped and Greg gave me a discount on the mounts so the whole thing was just over $300. I know other guys running Greg's mounts on their 4Runners and they like them. I have Gobi's mounts on mine only because I got them free when I ordered the rack.

 

[TeamLord]

[MENTION=117650]CGCruiserDude[/MENTION]
That's a nice set up. I've been looking into the awnings, I didn't even know they existed until just recently- yes, we are newbies to the 4x4 accessories. Thanks for sharing those pics. Looks like you are loving that 4Runner.

 

[Zonie Taco]

Eezi-Awn Bat 270 is my dream awning but there are other things I'd rather spend $1300 on right now. Will probably get one down the road due to its coverage, quality, and most importantly quick set up/tear down.

 

[Split]

I went with the ARB 2000 for my 16 with Gobi rack. Ended up getting the wind break and room with walls and floor.

I ordered all of this right before a weekend with bad rain at the campsite, and really wished it had arrived already. A room would have made a big comfort difference over an standard open awning for dinnertime.

I ended up getting the Fourtreks mounts, once they arrive I'll get it mounted with some pictures.

 

[codyHTX]

Another slightly less expensive mounting option is Greg at GZila Designs. Here's the link to his stuff: GZila Designs I just ordered his mounts for my FJ. I have an ARB 2500 on my 4Runner on a Gobi Stealth and love it.

just ordered the same ARB2500 with the autoanything deal, good call!
i don't see how it could be the larger size, but to confirm the Gobi Stealth requires the 1.00" tubing diameter clamps correct?

 

[Mariner]

I'm looking at getting an awning for beach trips. Can anybody post up pics of the type they have so I can compare?

 

[ritmatt]

Do any forum members have an Eezi-Awn Bat/Manta 270 mounted to their 4Runner? I like the concept, but the clearance looks a little low and it does not appear possible to open the rear door with the awning deployed. Same goes for the similar Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning.

 

[3wbdriver]

Do any forum members have an Eezi-Awn Bat/Manta 270 mounted to their 4Runner? I like the concept, but the clearance looks a little low and it does not appear possible to open the rear door with the awning deployed. Same goes for the similar Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning.

Clearance off the rear hatch has been the ONLY reason I didn't get one a couple years ago. And I have yet to see one on a 5th Gen. I saw a new one on Facebook a couple months ago that only covered one side, but had 90 degree swing outs on each end to get 180 degree coverage all the way down one side of the vehicle. Like the Batwing but only along one side of the vehicle. But for the life of me I have not been able to find it again...... out:

 

[AirspeedX]

I'm also ready to pull the trigger on a bat wing awning, but I don't see the rear hatch being able to come up completely. So it's a no go for me. I'll stick to a 2.5m awning with a change room.

 

[wadle5]

Do any forum members have an Eezi-Awn Bat/Manta 270 mounted to their 4Runner? I like the concept, but the clearance looks a little low and it does not appear possible to open the rear door with the awning deployed. Same goes for the similar Rhino-Rack Foxwing Awning.

I'm also ready to pull the trigger on a bat wing awning, but I don't see the rear hatch being able to come up completely. So it's a no go for me. I'll stick to a 2.5m awning with a change room.

But with the batwing and the benefit of these vehicles, couldn't you just roll down the back window for any gear you needed etc?

 

[ritmatt]

But with the batwing and the benefit of these vehicles, couldn't you just roll down the back window for any gear you needed etc?

You could, but you'll miss out on the sliding cargo tray. Bulky items like coolers, chairs, and tents will also be harder to get to and more difficult to put away. And if you want to climb into the back of the truck, it's a lot harder to do through a window than a door.

 

[AirspeedX]

You could, but you'll miss out on the sliding cargo tray. Bulky items like coolers, chairs, and tents will also be harder to get to and more difficult to put away. And if you want to climb into the back of the truck, it's a lot harder to do through a window than a door.

....and don't forget - PARTY MODE!

(sarcasm).

Took the words right out of my mouth though. My back hatch is up a lot during camping. Usually my rear window is way too muddy to roll down anyway.

 

[wadle5]

You could, but you'll miss out on the sliding cargo tray. Bulky items like coolers, chairs, and tents will also be harder to get to and more difficult to put away. And if you want to climb into the back of the truck, it's a lot harder to do through a window than a door.

True. I just guess usually get it out set up camp and that's it. I'm not going in and out of the back is all. Fair enough though.

 

[Pathfinder5243]

I have the GOBI brackets for my stealth and love em. Yeah they're $100 but it fits like all of their other kits and matches perfectly.

 

[Sleeter]

I went with a ARB 2500 with gobi brackets. The gobi brackets were hard to swallow being $100, but I'm glad I went with them. I'm going to buy the wall tent and wind-block next time autoanything has a 25% off coupon.