Are vehicle awnings more useful on the side or out the back?

Left hand side....... right hand side is to close to the road and out the back makes the overall length of the vehicle to long when parked.

The side mounted ones can be longer up to 2.5m long whereby at the back only 1500 wide.

If you have a lift up tail gate it makes it very hard to mount a rear awning.

We find the rear lift up tailgate offers all the protection we need when prepping food.

Don't know where you get them from, or what the brand is, but there is one available that goes down the side and across the back.
baz

We have one of these that we put over the back of the 4wd. It's great for keeping rain and sun off. Takes a few minutes to set up so isn't something you'd use if you're just pulling over to make a cuppa (but neither are the side awnings) but if we're staying in one spot for a couple of days or doing a day trip up the beach we will set it up.

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Wanderer-Instant-RV-Shade.aspx?pid=224107&menuFrom=571579#Cross

Probably not too much hassle to prepare lunch in relatively fine weather, in the sun for a while etc . . . but maybe for inclement weather you can use a couple of large bulldog clips and pin a bit of canvas or bratus sheet (might need a couple of corner weights for this) at the back, roll down over the window and prepper for the time spent getting sandies made, coffee brewed etc, then retreat to the left side awning . . .
Good to lay on it too if needing to get under the vehicle, or use as a ground sheet, etc.

Anaconda have the Quick Stop Side Awning and the rear R.V. Awning available. You get both for under $200 and they work a treat. 10 minutes to set up both.

Mine gets most use over the tailgate as it's our "kitchen" as well, big benefit is it stops the sun shining in on your beer when the fridge gets slid out;)
2mtrs wide and extends 2.4mtrs, mounted on the side and pivots around to the rear, alah freds arm.

I'll swing it around and set it up if even only for a coffee stop as once you get a handle on it, it only takes a minute or 2, probably getting out the hammer and pegs, roping and pegging down use half the time,
Coffee Mmm. did someone mention Coffee...

Was on a big trip with a mate a few years ago who had a 2.4mtr on the side and one the width of, and mounted on the rear, the rear one was handy but not wide enough to shelter from the rain or sun properly and only just kept the dew off the swag.

On the side is good if needing a bit more shelter, or using a small tent/ swag to camp.

Cheers

4WD supacentre.com.au has them for between $150-$199.

On the left hand side, especially a long one. We have a roof top tent that opens over the the rear.

My side awning measures 4.2 m along the side and 4 m out, this attaches to the rear section that is 2 m across the back by 2 m out.
When assembled it is an " L" shape 4.2 m x 6 m.
Sufficient eyelets allows for different setups, the side awning can be set with part of the roof used as a wall, either along its length or across the end.
The rear (2x2) section is removed and folded for traveling, the side awning has 1 m each end folded over and then the whole section is rolled up and placed in the pack rack, held in by stretchy cords.

If just stopping for a cuppa or whatever, the rear awning is large enough and quick to set up.

Scrubby

I have done thousands of Km's off-road, have had one of these for 5 years and as I mostly travel these roads in the winter period I have hardly ever pulled it out to use.

In fact its a point of some conjecture between, she who must be obeyed and myself, she calls it "the greatest lemon I have ever purchased".

I pulled it out once somewhere between the Dig Tree and Cameron Corner on an unusually hot day where there wasn't a tree in sight, so once in 5 years means she's probably right.

Mind you I have pulled it out 2 or 3 times up at Fraser Island as we go up there a bit (living in Brisbane as I do). Particularly good when setting up on the beach to let the kids (or in my case the grandkids) go for a swim at Eli Creek.

Now I know some people use them to camp under, and yes those Fox Wing ones are smick BUT would I put another one on my next 4WD......probably not!!

I have a SupaPeg on the side of my canopy. Use it all the time. Less than 3 mins to put up and less than 5mins to put away - even quicker if you have help.

No affiliation, however the SupaPeg is one of the easiest and most robust awning I've seen on the market. The rest of our 4WD club liked it so much, there are aorund a dozen of these on various vehicles.

Krooznalong
I too have a 100 series with barn doors though.
I gave this problem some thought so I purchased 25 mm square tube to fit the whole length of the side of the truck from just behind the snorkel to the rear of the car and pop rivited sail track to it. I then had a lightweight canvas awning made 3.5 m out from the side of the car to fit to the sail track. (lightweight being the key)

I have modified the ARB roof rack feet kit and added three flat bars to them to carry a Yak. On the driver's side bolts I welding threaded rod on top of the original ARB bolts and use three windnuts to hold the awninig in place.

On the flat bar at the rear I welded two extra pieces of rod, so by undoing the three wingnuts from the side I can reposition the whole awning to the rear of the car using seperate holes in the tube and two of the three wingnuts from the side in about two minutes.

Due to the long length of the awning when on the side it makes for a wide awning at the rear when mounted (about 600 mm wider on each side).

This allows both barn doors to be fully open with the whole back of the truck dry and/or shaded

I carry two spreader bars and four poles under the back seat of the LC to hold the awning up.

Works a treat

Hi. I've got BT50 with a drop side tray and canopy and my awning is side mounted. My food prep area is there next to the 60ltr Engel all under the awning. Side mount lets you have a larger awning. Brad