awnings

I have a Foxwing attached to a 3/4 ARB steel roof bar - I will never look at anything else !!!!

We have an 'open sky' awning, i've heard they are the same as the ARB and probably similar to many others.I think they'd retail these days for around $600, and we are really happy with ours. Easy to pull out and pack up, can do it on my own. Very light weight, and all the aluminium poles are telescopic, and tighten with a twist, so easy for a one hander.

Hi Rick,

I have ARB's awning, there was not a lot around that i like when i bought mine, do like the foxwing but brcauce i have roof top tent which i have opening out the back that was not an option.Have no troble putting it up but if there is any breeze about you do need two people. Hope this helps you.

harvey

G`day Rick,
As your Troopy has a pack rack attach some aluminium awning track, about 2 inches shorter each end than the pack rack, along the side.
Using a medium duty tarp ( I use the silver outside,black inside one ) get some rope edge a tad longer than the track, sewn along one side in the central position.
The size of the tarp is your choice however if you go longer than about 2 1/2 times the length of the inside of the pack rack you may have difficulty rolling it up.
The width, i.e. the distance out from the vehicle, can be about 10 ft , any more and you may need center poles.
Attach the tarp into the track with about equal distance out each end,a piece of 1inch electrical conduit the same length as the aluminium track, is attached to the outer edge directly opposite the track, I used cable ties.
Telescopic poles around the edge with ropes and pegs holding it all tight.
When you are moving on just remove the pegs,poles and ropes then fold the ends over the middle section and using the conduit roll it all up towards the pack rack. When you get it to about 1ft, maybe less, of the rack , while holding the roll firm, place it in the rack along the inside edge. 3 oky cords around the roll and through the rack hold it secure.
Next time just roll it out, unfold the end sections out, poles -pegs -ropes, jobs done.
A much cheaper option than the expensive bought ones and works just as well if not better.

Regards,

Scrubby.

Hi Rick!
The type of awning you get depends on your needs. I've got the ARB awning which works for me as I use it for some shade every now and then, it's easy for me to erect by myself and the price was pretty good. Mate has a Foxwing 'cos he camps in tents so needs extra undercover space. The downside is that compared to the ARB its quite bulky and in even the slightest breeze needs 2 people to erect it safely + they cost twice(?) as much.
It's all courses for horses!

Cheers
TG

I have a "Red Centre" brand from TJM good price under $300.00 easy to use and as sturdy as units twice the price
Cheers Kev

Hi Rick,

I've got a Danbri Canvas Awning. It's not freestanding like the ARB style, but it's easy to put up and uses good quality canvas.

Graeme

Thanks for the advice and opinions, it seems that most awnings are OK. Now to try and get a good kook at some of them and make a decision.

If only it was this easy to get good advice and opinions on tyres.

Cheers, Rick.

I have a Black Widow attached to a "Fred's Arm" also from Black Widow. The arm allows the awning to be swung around to open to the rear of the vehicle as an alternative to opening it off the side.
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You can also get a drop down side screen for it. We got ours from TJM. The only problem we had was the pins used to secure and release the arm had too tight a tolerance and seized up. TJM and Black Widow replaced the pins with ones that had a bit more tolerance.

I got one from ARB 2 years ago, cost $320 at a camping show (RRP $360). Freestanding, quick to setup, can be put up by yourself, seems to handle strong winds well (with guy ropes) and is waterproof. Doesn't seem to "flap" around in the wind either. I haven't used any others to compare it to.

To be honest, I don't use it that much but comes in very handy on beach trips, or to put the swag under.

Have a look at the Oztrail version. Similar to ARB, open sky etc, but has Oztrail's patended triple silver coating on the roof. Reflects a lot of heat. Definitely my pick of the bunch.

DAN

Rick,

I use a tarp attached to tent poles on the side of the car and have a Gunyah awning on the camper trailer.
The Gunyah is good quality but they aren't in business any more.