Awning options - please help me choose

[chorky]

So, went camping with good 'ol dad this past weekend for fathers day. Weather was less than optimal but it was still fun. I used a temporary solution of cover - your standard tarp and poles. It worked ok, but I realized I definitely need an awning. It will make camp setup-takedown so much faster and easier.

But there are options - and I need help choosing. Here are the four I am currently considering. One thing that will be difficult and requires consideration is mounting options. Due to how the tent is mounted directly to the canopy, I MUST direct mount any awning to the side of the tent. This is the only viable option unless I find someone to fabricate brackets and drill holes to mount directly to the canopy. I am not super concerned with a free standing option as frequent wind would make me opt for legs during every outing - and they are not that hard to deploy. However, a concern I have with legs is as I am moving around in the tent and the vehicle rocks side to side, will that place undue stress on the awning main pivot bracket and cause it to stress and brake? Obviously with legs down, the amount of movement the awning has is minimal.

4x4 Colorado Cirro
https://www.4x4colorado.com/collections/vehicle-awnings/products/cirro-270-led-awning-system

• Matches the tent fabric color - I like the tan a lot
• I know already the fabric quality
• Heavy at 80 pounds without the walls
• Appears to have decent coverage
• Good lighting
• Supporting legs on all bars
• Longer than the RTT at 101"??
• $800 without walls, $1,200 with walls - based on this past weekend and mosquitoes - walls would be nice

OVS nomadic 270
https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/...lack-cover-universal/#product-tab-information

• The most coverage of all options
• Rooms available
• Grey in color - meh I dislike but not a deal braker
• Lighter at 71 pounds without walls
• decent lighting
• support legs available
• Same length as the side of my RTT
• No lights? Not a big deal really
• $800 without walls, $1,700 with walls

Ironman 4x4 XT-71
https://ironman4x4america.com/deltawing-xt-71-270-degree-awning/

• Lightest of all options at 44 pounds
• Walls available
• Arm mounting seems weakest of all options, but replaceable parts available!
• Grey, eh...
• The LEAST amount of coverage but should be sufficient
• Supporting legs available
• Cheapest option also
• $600 without walls, $1,300 with walls

Ironman 4x4 STR-143
deltawing-xtr-143-awning-and-wall-kit-package-270-degree-freestanding-awning-3-piece-wall-kit

• Second lightest option
• Walls included
• Arm and legs same as above
• Grey, eh....actually it looks to have a slight tan tint which is cool
• Slightly more coverage than above, but this weird and awkward triangle thing at the back
• Second cheapest option
• $1,400 - walls included

I am mostly leaning to the last option mostly because of weight, and it offers a good side coverage which is where my table usually goes, butted up against the passenger side of the bed/tire so that the water hose can directly connect to the pump. The one downfall is the weird triangle coverage design at the rear which just seems weird. So that situation might sway me to the 71 series. Also since the canopy extends past the bed some I will have to figure out a netting solution to keep those pesky mosquitoes out.

Looking for input from anyone who has any of these.

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[ttn333]

https://basilsgarage.shop/products/270-degree-awning-clevershade-tm

This thing is 26.5 lbs and looks very slick. This might be my go to when i need a second awning. The OVS I just picked up is around 50lbs. They also have a 360 option but costs over 3k.

 

[Minty JL]

I went with the OVS Nomadic 270LTE passenger side mount; under $500 on Amazon.

Its the latest version with all of the better hardware, no plastic.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

my vote:

 

[chorky]

OVS Nomadic 270LTE

that looks like the same exact thing as the ironman delta wing. Interesting

my vote:

I am a little confused. Why was the OVS so ‘bad’ with the setup! Isnt it exactly the same? Maybe Im missing something. I do really like the little L-bracket they have to rest the arms on. I would have assumed all of them have that. Maybe not?

 

[Free2roam]

I've got the OVS 270LT works great. Simple setup and take down.

 

[Minty JL]

that looks like the same exact thing as the ironman delta wing. Interesting




I am a little confused. Why was the OVS so ‘bad’ with the setup! Isnt it exactly the same? Maybe Im missing something. I do really like the little L-bracket they have to rest the arms on. I would have assumed all of them have that. Maybe not?

Couldn't beat the price point either

 

[GobiExploring]

Not that’s it’s on your list but I have the ARB Touring awning. It’s not a 270 but it’s very nice. It’s also not free standing but it’s 86” inches and fits nicely.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

that looks like the same exact thing as the ironman delta wing. Interesting




I am a little confused. Why was the OVS so ‘bad’ with the setup! Isnt it exactly the same? Maybe Im missing something. I do really like the little L-bracket they have to rest the arms on. I would have assumed all of them have that. Maybe not?

The OVS was not nearly as easy to setup or put away as the roofnest, also the lights are an epic bonus. I was showing my friend the OVS and he said "this is awful, look at my roofnest." I just liked it WAY more. I will say the OVS having the poles stored in with the awning is a nice feature. Its not all bad but i really like the simple functionality of the roofnest. I was very happy to get rid of the OVS.

 

[Minty JL]

The OVS is easy to use.......like anything else one you use it a few times it becomes muscle memory. Install was easy after I fabbed up brackets and was light enough to install on the rack by myself.

I can have my set up in literally 2 minutes. Then the options for walls and light of you decide those are things you want.

I got ours for the beach, a place to chill out and keep items under shade (coolers).

Are the other brands and features worth double, triple or more.......that's just something you have to weigh out and decide. The 270 LTE I got is store in a weatherproof case.

 

[Solar Sparky]

So, went camping with good 'ol dad this past weekend for fathers day. Weather was less than optimal but it was still fun. I used a temporary solution of cover - your standard tarp and poles. It worked ok, but I realized I definitely need an awning. It will make camp setup-takedown so much faster and easier.

But there are options - and I need help choosing. Here are the four I am currently considering. One thing that will be difficult and requires consideration is mounting options. Due to how the tent is mounted directly to the canopy, I MUST direct mount any awning to the side of the tent. This is the only viable option unless I find someone to fabricate brackets and drill holes to mount directly to the canopy. I am not super concerned with a free standing option as frequent wind would make me opt for legs during every outing - and they are not that hard to deploy. However, a concern I have with legs is as I am moving around in the tent and the vehicle rocks side to side, will that place undue stress on the awning main pivot bracket and cause it to stress and brake? Obviously with legs down, the amount of movement the awning has is minimal.

4x4 Colorado Cirro
https://www.4x4colorado.com/collections/vehicle-awnings/products/cirro-270-led-awning-system

• Matches the tent fabric color - I like the tan a lot
• I know already the fabric quality
• Heavy at 80 pounds without the walls
• Appears to have decent coverage
• Good lighting
• Supporting legs on all bars
• Longer than the RTT at 101"??
• $800 without walls, $1,200 with walls - based on this past weekend and mosquitoes - walls would be nice

OVS nomadic 270
https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/...lack-cover-universal/#product-tab-information

• The most coverage of all options
• Rooms available
• Grey in color - meh I dislike but not a deal braker
• Lighter at 71 pounds without walls
• decent lighting
• support legs available
• Same length as the side of my RTT
• No lights? Not a big deal really
• $800 without walls, $1,700 with walls

Ironman 4x4 XT-71
https://ironman4x4america.com/deltawing-xt-71-270-degree-awning/

• Lightest of all options at 44 pounds
• Walls available
• Arm mounting seems weakest of all options, but replaceable parts available!
• Grey, eh...
• The LEAST amount of coverage but should be sufficient
• Supporting legs available
• Cheapest option also
• $600 without walls, $1,300 with walls

Ironman 4x4 STR-143
deltawing-xtr-143-awning-and-wall-kit-package-270-degree-freestanding-awning-3-piece-wall-kit

• Second lightest option
• Walls included
• Arm and legs same as above
• Grey, eh....actually it looks to have a slight tan tint which is cool
• Slightly more coverage than above, but this weird and awkward triangle thing at the back
• Second cheapest option
• $1,400 - walls included

I am mostly leaning to the last option mostly because of weight, and it offers a good side coverage which is where my table usually goes, butted up against the passenger side of the bed/tire so that the water hose can directly connect to the pump. The one downfall is the weird triangle coverage design at the rear which just seems weird. So that situation might sway me to the 71 series. Also since the canopy extends past the bed some I will have to figure out a netting solution to keep those pesky mosquitoes out.

Looking for input from anyone who has any of these.

After some consideration, I went with the Darche eclipse 270°. If wasn’t the cheapest, or lightest option, but, for quality and durability, there was little choice. Chris at Antelope Valley Overland Supply can get you set up. Walls are an option I don’t really need, but certainly available. 5 minutes to open, 6 to close, alone. Just spent the holiday weekend exploring the Alpine Loop above Telluride and Ouray Colorado, and it performed flawlessly. What’s the 4th of July in Colorado, without a little snow ?. Anyway, my cot tent fits nicely under the awning, with room for the kitchen table, chair, and room to walk around to the back of the Jeep to get gear.

 

[ttn333]

that looks like the same exact thing as the ironman delta wing. Interesting




I am a little confused. Why was the OVS so ‘bad’ with the setup! Isnt it exactly the same? Maybe Im missing something. I do really like the little L-bracket they have to rest the arms on. I would have assumed all of them have that. Maybe not?

I am also confused. My 270LT can't be any easier to set up and take down. Actually it's even faster than the roofnest since the pole is already mounted on the wings. Just drop them and you're done. My guess is the comparison was made with the full size 270 that has the extra arms and canvas making repacking it a pain.

 

[Minty JL]

I am also confused. My 270LT can't be any easier to set up and take down. Actually it's even faster than the roofnest since the pole is already mounted on the wings. Just drop them and you're done. My guess is the comparison was made with the full size 270 that has the extra arms and canvas making repacking it a pain.

Agreed and the price point can't be beat for a 270. Got mine on Amazon for under $500 all in

 

[chorky]

I really appreciate everyone's input so far! And a few side phone convo's as well. I have decided to narrow my options down to 2. Both from Ironman - despite some of the negative reviews others have had it seems to fit my needs at a lower cost and weight than others, as well as offering side walls when weather sucks which is frequent during the shoulder season.

These two options have 'solid' arms and are 'free standing' but have plastic connectors for the legs, although for me free standing is not a positive as I intend to always use the legs. I actually like this because it is replaceable if/when it brakes and I have had bad experience with aluminum brackets cracking over time. However, it would be nice to decide between the two still.

XTR-143
https://ironman4x4america.com/delta...-degree-freestanding-awning-3-piece-wall-kit/

• $1,378
• as an interesting rear triangle coverage but full and even side coverage
  • since the passenger side of my canopy is where the water system is, this is a nice feature
  • at the cost of full rear tailgate access
• front portion can have awning extended to cover door access, or go to ground
  • I would have to get a custom piece of canvas or bug netting cut if I wanted to use it as a wall likely
• length of the awning when closed is 7.2', whereas my tent is 6.8' so it will stick forward of the tent by half a foot
• the rear bar is 6.6' wide whereas my tent is 4.25' so the tent would extend almost 2.5' past my gladiator leaving an open gap that would need to be closed to keep mosquitoes out
• pro
  • good side coverage
  • one stop shop (all walls included except for front portion if wanting a total closure)
  • would be able to fully open passenger rear door even in bad weather
• con
  • longer than tent
  • wider than tent by almost 2.5'
  • rear coverage is weird with the half triangle design over tailgate

XTR-71
https://ironman4x4america.com/delta...-degree-freestanding-awning-2-piece-wall-kit/

• $!,198
• has more coverage around the tailgate at the cost of side coverage
  • maybe not a big deal as I likely will be adding to the fridge slide to include a table/sink slide out after realizing my current table is not super user friendly.
• only includes 2 walls, so would need to purchase 2 more walls at $300 making it more expensive than the XTR-143
• length of awning when closed is 6.6', so it is slightly shorter than my tent so it would be relatively flush
• the rear bar is 6.1' wide whereas my tent is 4.25' so the tent would extend almost 2' leaving an open gap that would need to be closed to keep mosquitoes out
• pro
  • good rear coverage
    • no weird half triangle shape over tailgate
  • easier to seal off in bad weather / mosquitoes
  • shorter than tent eliminating potential branch hangup point
• con
  • more expensive
  • might not be able to open passenger rear door fully when walls are installed
  • less amount of total sheltered area
  • wider than tent by almost 2'

The others discussed here so far have either been too heavy, too expensive, or don't allow for walls from what I have read up on.

 

[chorky]

I take it nobody here has any of these two awnings? I sure would like to take advantage of the sale - almost $400 bucks off right now. Really having a hard time deciding on options though.

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