4wd Side shades

Vehicle mount is a great idea! Ours takes 1 to 2 minutes at most to set up and put away. We use it for lunch if out in the middle of nowhere, that's how easy it is! Michael

We have a side awning and after toing and froing with the idea I finally gave in and and have not looked back....... as others have said; it takes a few minutes to setup and pack up.

The best thing I like about it is when we are doing trips and we want to stop for lunch we can pull up and have our own shade/shelter.

A side awning is not something I would set up and use as a main camp shelter...... it's more of a convenience item when mobile.

We went away at easter and used it one night to sit under by the campfire as it was raining.

Hi Trev,
I have the tarp and poles, however they are still connected to the vehicle. It's a cheap alternative to a fixed side shade and it is easily stored.

Cheers
Alan

Perhaps sew some flyscreen spline into a tarp, attach a length of sailtrack to your roof rack and see if that works for you.
It's still attached, but it's quick and easy to demount and fold away.

The vehicle mounted awning has definite merits as other folk have stated.
As far as we are concerned though, a simple tree is all that is needed for a quick cuppa.

But, for a camp shelter, you cannot go past a free standing gazebo, subject to room to carry it of course.
We have an Oztrail Deluxe Gazebo (need to carry on roof racks or trailer) and have spend a dry spell with 4 other people out on the Nullarbor during a thunder storm.
Is is simple to erect with its concertina style roof structure so there is no hassle in assembling the frame.
In calm weather, just a peg in each corner is sufficient, but for windy conditions, the included tie down ropes give extra security.

Kulkyne Camping have them for $199 at present:-
Oztrail Deluxe Gazebo

Hi Trevor,

I was considering a commercial shade but decided to give a DIY a go first.

I purchased a 2m x 1.8m tarp and some tent poles, pegs and ropes.

I then fitted a 2m long metal section on the edge of my roof racks. This was fitted with 4 eyebolts to match up with the eyelets of the tarp.

To join the tarp to the metal section I used 4 clip-on connectors. The first time we used the tarp it was quite windy and the connectors (metal on metal) meant it sounded a bit like a boat's rigging. So I have now fitted a rubber thong onto each eyebolt.

The outcome is adequate sun shade protection.

I have subsequently purchased another matching tarp to provide wind protection. This will sit down and out utilising the guy rope pegs (yet to field test).

Whilst I could probably erect it by myself, it is obviously easier for two people to erect.

Hi Trevor,

I have to agree a side awning is very useful and handy for a quick setup. We have a foxwing awning which I have found okay but does have drawbacks particularly when its windy.

On a recent visit to a 4wd and fishing expo I came across a side awning that impressed me and was easy to set up etc. It was well made and looked as if it could handle the most rugged of conditions. Its called a Hannibal awning and was available from a firm on Brisbanes southside,suburb is Tingalpa. Not sure what your budget is but these awnings were not cheap from memory. But worth a look, I have no association with the company just wish I had spotted them earlier.

Jim

Thanks for your feedback. Theres a few on the market. Theres a 4wd show on at Maitland NSW next month so Ill have a good look there. I have to get a roof/rack yet.

I have one and its so easy to setup and packup.

One thing to be aware of, they are light and if you don't peg them down with the supplied ropes and pegs and a breeze gets under them they easily get picked up and tossed over the vehicle. This happened to me and bent a couple of the poles that extend out from the mount.

It was no problem to fix as the poles were same diameter tentpoles bought from a camping store.

As an aside I rarely use the pegs to secure my awning but use sand bags. Just use the "green" recycle bags or similar and fill with soil/sand or stones to suit the prevailing conditions.

buy one u cant go wrong great idea

Trevor, I made my own. Attached to 50x50mm angle alloy,(tarp 2.4m wide by 5m long). I have set it up so the tarp is freestanding with uprights attached at the 2m (out from the vehicle) mark by using expanding alloy poles from the roof to the edge (uprights pivot on a section of alloy channel to which the horizontal poles attach). I guy it down if windy or staying overnight.

If we are staying for a while I remove the horizontal supports (the guys keep the main section standing) and extend the tarp out to the desired length and support with the other poles. This gives me numerous configurations and privacy if in shared campsites or van parks.

This has worked brilliantly for the last three years, I'm now about to renew the tarp (blue heavy duty, $48) in preparation for a Cape York trip later this year.

Cheers,

Mark

I used to use a roof tent, now I use a stretcher cot tent under a side awning. Quick setup and no climbing ladders. Tie the awning down or its 'gone with the wind'. :-)