Official Awning Thread

[jhguth]

Has anyone tried removing the spoiler on a 5th Gen so you can install a 270 awning?

it's not really smooth underneath, you would see all the clips and everything from where the spoiler attached unless you fabricared a custom cover (you'd also lose the rear wiper).

and the 270 awning still wouldn't work unless you limited how far the rear opened

 

[curmudge1]

Anyone have experience with Slumberjack?

I'm intrigued by their products, the Roadhouse Tarp that is designed to fit on the back... and I see just now they have new products... a Screen Tarp, and a 4-person tent "Shack".

Also noted is 25% off and free shipping just now.

(I don't work for them, nor have any $ interest. Just sayin')

--
Dave

 

[Akkording]

Got the 6 foot Chinese ebay awning recommended by [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] and found a member that sold his 4runner and never opened his ARB 2000 room for $120, on its way. Total out the door under $200, I'm ready for the Tacoma World
or any Toy South Padre Island beach run. [MENTION=127657]codyHTX[/MENTION] What you doing July 20th, wanna head to SPI for the weekend?

 

[SnoRnR]

I'm looking at the RhinoRack Dome 1300 rear awning. Saw it on a 3rd gen at the weekend. Solves the rear hatch 270 awning issue and you can attach side walls. Plus Gobi now does a mount for it.

 

[codyHTX]

Got the 6 foot Chinese ebay awning recommended by [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] and found a member that sold his 4runner and never opened his ARB 2000 room for $120, on its way. Total out the door under $200, I'm ready for the Tacoma World
or any Toy South Padre Island beach run. [MENTION=127657]codyHTX[/MENTION] What you doing July 20th, wanna head to SPI for the weekend?

Actually down here this weekend (off fri) my mom just moved back to spi recently. Already saw a heard of tacos heading north up the beach

 

[DingusGoziña]

Awning Mount Round Roof Rack Basket Yakima

Good morning fellow broyotas.

My Setup:
Yakima Mega Warrior Tube Style Round Roof Rack Basket
Tuff Stuff 6.5' x 8' awning
1.25" Exhaust Clamps (Wrong Link)

I have spent some time researching how to mount awnings to my roof rack, and succeeded yesterday. I am going to dump all the info I researched here, in the "Official Awning Thread"... Although I believe this should not be restricted to only 5th gens nor 4runners in general.

There are a few ways to mount an awning: Using the included hardware (if one is lucky enough to get it); Purchasing specialty fabricated (expensive) mounts like fourtreks; or Building your own (The fun and learning way)

A lot of times, the included mounting hardware is either non existent, or not 'universal' enough to attach securely to your roof rack. Securely is an important word here, because we don't want an awning turned into a missile/torpedo in a crash. This means hose clamps or some other quick hack (cable ties?), while effective, are UNSAFE.

Custom machined mounts (FourTreks) are too expensive. If you buy an awning for $150-250 you are likely not going to spring for $100+ mounts.

This leaves the only option of creating your own mounting solution. Here are the solutions I have stumbled upon when researching.
Hose Clamp Special
Another Hose Clamp Solution
Exhaust Clamp
Vibration Damping U-Bolt

After reading through all of these, I decided to create a solution using exhaust clamps. They are thick metal bolts and once secured do not budge on a circular roof rack. Many of the circular clamps listed below have reviews from customers stating that they were NOT strong enough to hold even small light bars without rotating. Be Aware.
Some other circular clamps include:
Wrap Around O Clamps
Wrap Around Clamp
Aluminum Truss C Clamp
Ballast Clamps (Made for Mounting stuff to roll cage in racing applications)

I thought I had hit the jackpot with the ballast clamps, but decided for the exhaust clamp in 1.25" diameter configuration for my application to a 1" diameter Yakima round tube roof basket. After a trip to home depot for 3 inch bolts, we were able to drill into the awning metal backing and secure it to the bars VERY snugly. I was adverse to mounting with the included L brackets and sliding the awning on via the bolt channels because we dropped the awning from 3 feet and the channels bent, leading me to search for a more safe and secure mounting solution.

I am very happy with the ToughStuff Overland / 4x4 awning and am very interested in buying the attached camp shelter room enclosure I called in and was told they could provide me a student discount of $50 which, for a college kid, is some decent beer money.

As you can see from the picture of the mounts, we did not use the U bolts supplied with the exhaust clamp in favor of straight bolts drilled through the awning. This was to ensure the awning pole legs housed inside could still close snugly. Now, I'm off to the store for some waterproof patches and flex seal to prevent mold and mildew from moisture within the bag.

 

[Mantilgh]

Anyone check out or have a Rhino-Rack batwing awning?

They look pretty cool. Swings out 270* for a lot of coverage

Rhino-Rack Crossbar Batwing Awning Review Video | etrailer.com


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DingusGoziña]

Awning Room Info

Before reading. Glean these articles:
Tent Fabric Guide
Another Fabric Guide
Plastic Numbers Guide

Using the above knowledge, it is easy to see why one would choose the ARB awning room vs the TuffStuff awning room, or visa versa. These awning rooms appear to be interchangeable, as they both attach in a similar fashion (I can't find any differences in the awnings) and are meant for the same size awning (2 meters x 2.5 meters; 6.5' x 8')

ARB

• $200
• 300 Denier Polyester Walls
• Polythylene Floor
• 17 Pounds
• 4 Doors/Windows/Screen Walls
• Cable Access Ports
• Storage Pouches

TuffStuff

• $350 (Was around $200 when first edition came out I believe)
• 280G (Grams per square meter?) Rip-stop Canvas Walls
• PVC Floor (Highly Toxic, but removable)
• 37 Pounds
• 2 Doors; 2 Windows
• Cable Access Ports?
• Storage Pouches?

Speculating based on the three included articles... It makes sense that the ARB is so much cheaper--the walls are made from cheaper fabric (300D Polyester) vs the TuffStuff (280G Rip-stop Canvas). This also explains the weight difference of nearly 20 pounds. I do not like that the flooring is made of PVC which has been banned in many countries products and is beginning to be phased out in the United States, however the floor is removable so unnecessary and replaceable by a tarp. Furthermore, speculating from the articles and fabric properties, I expect the canvas to be much more comfortable to sleep in given its better insulating properties as well as natural UV and Waterproofing abilities as well. It's better insulation also means colder interior on hot days and warmer interior on cold ones (especially with a heater). One of the articles mentioned the pros and cons of a polyester vs canvas tent. He noted that in windy situations, the canvas is more rigid and will be far quieter, allowing for better sleep.

I called both ARB and TuffStuff but neither of their representatives knew much about the awning room enclosure tent. I hope this helps you to choose between the different awning rooms. Before researching the materials I would have gone with the ARB, but I think I'll spring for the TuffStuff based on the higher quality fabrics used.

I will update with pictures of the awning room once I order it.

EDIT:
I made this posting on 8/8/2019 I refreshed the page the next day (today 8/9/2019) and now the price has increased to $400 for the TuffStuff Awning Room. I will call them immediately and question the increase.

 

[DingusGoziña]

EDIT:
I made this posting on 8/8/2019 I refreshed the page the next day (today 8/9/2019) and now the price has increased to $400 for the TuffStuff Awning Room. I will call them immediately and question the increase.

I am responding as a new reply rather than an EDIT because I believe this regards TuffStuff products and the brand itself. I am quite disappointed in their customer service. I called 2 weeks ago and was told that I would receive a student discount for 10% off their awning room product. The man on the phone said they are out of codes but to call back in 2 weeks. I called them today and explained the situation, and asked if I could get the awning for the price I was promised just two weeks earlier ($320). Instead I must pay $400 - 10% which is still $10 more than the price listed yesterday. I am still very interested in their awning room but this business practice is abhorrent and must stop. As a customer I feel I have been baited into waiting for a scheduled price increase in order to screw me out of more money.

 

[bauhausbold]

New Trail owner here. I have an ARB 2500 on my Westy Vanagon and I'm looking to be able to transfer it back and forth to the 4runner. The stock rack seems too short to be able to support it? Who makes compatible brackets?

I've been reading that a new roof rack is the key, but which one? I'd like to get the Alu-Cab or similar clam shell roof tent setup in the future. Would a different roof rack be necessary for these? I'm trying to figure out the right steps, and not divert the subject of a thread, but the min post rule to start threads is tough.

Also I got my ARB 2500 off ebay for $221 shipped. If you wait for a coupon/promo code to pop up you can save some serious money. It took a few months for that to happen.

 

[Oceantech84]

Need advice from owners

Looking to get the ARB Aluminum awning but am curious as to how weather proof the enclosure is.

Pictures online show it to be a simple flip over cover and not really sealed in any way to keep a big splash or heavy wind and sand from entering.

Please let me know if anyone has experience with this.

 

[Baughb]

I am responding as a new reply rather than an EDIT because I believe this regards TuffStuff products and the brand itself. I am quite disappointed in their customer service. I called 2 weeks ago and was told that I would receive a student discount for 10% off their awning room product. The man on the phone said they are out of codes but to call back in 2 weeks. I called them today and explained the situation, and asked if I could get the awning for the price I was promised just two weeks earlier ($320). Instead I must pay $400 - 10% which is still $10 more than the price listed yesterday. I am still very interested in their awning room but this business practice is abhorrent and must stop. As a customer I feel I have been baited into waiting for a scheduled price increase in order to screw me out of more money.

Uh, as a "student" with a $40,000 SUV that gets poor gas mileage compared to sedans, I think you can afford the $80 bucks... But I DO appreciate your write up as I am wanting to attach a Tuff Stuff awning to my stock 3rd gen roof rack. Thanks for the report.

 

[mrblah]

New Trail owner here. I have an ARB 2500 on my Westy Vanagon and I'm looking to be able to transfer it back and forth to the 4runner. The stock rack seems too short to be able to support it? Who makes compatible brackets?

I've been reading that a new roof rack is the key, but which one? I'd like to get the Alu-Cab or similar clam shell roof tent setup in the future. Would a different roof rack be necessary for these? I'm trying to figure out the right steps, and not divert the subject of a thread, but the min post rule to start threads is tough.

Also I got my ARB 2500 off ebay for $221 shipped. If you wait for a coupon/promo code to pop up you can save some serious money. It took a few months for that to happen.

People have jerry rigged a 2500 arb onto their stock roof rack. It looks a little goofy but its been done.

There are many types of roof racks out there that will fit different types of budgets. If you are looking to upgrade, you might as well get a 7/8th to a full rack if you plan on actually using your rack ,and in aluminum to save on weight, especially if you plan on mounting a RTT.

 

[Chris21700]

Shady Boy Trailer Awnings – Parts Made in USA – Assembled in Canada – Wolf Design

best awning out there imo

 

[DingusGoziña]

Update:

I have used the TUFFSTUFF awning room (in conjunction with tuff stuff awning) twice now. In extremely windy conditions, the canvas held up great and noise was bearable. The insulating properties of the fabric also meant that the room remained warm through the night. However, in extreme winds the poles may bend. I had two poles (an arm and a leg) bend under the weight of the room being pushed by the wind. I have since replaced the poles with a sturdier variant under the ARB brand name. The ARB legs have a metal round piece instead of plastic inside to serve as the locking mechanism for the telescoping parts of the pole.

I will be camping again this weekend in the tent for veterans day and I will report a more in depth review.

A suggestion: I recommend blocking as much wind with the Car itself to lighten the load on the tent. Plan to park the whole setup in an area protected from wind by trees/rocks/ other natural features etc... I was foolish and set up on top of a flat mountain facing the wind which blew towards the tent and into the car. The poles are not necessarily weak, my planning was...

 

[DingusGoziña]

ALUCAB Awning

Shady Boy Trailer Awnings – Parts Made in USA – Assembled in Canada – Wolf Design

best awning out there imo

I would have to argue for the $1500 ALUCAB awning as the best awning out there. Ease of use and durability justify its price tag (maybe).

270deg Shadow Awning - Alu-Cab Awnings - Alu-Cab