[dnelsonid]

With longer days on the horizon, shade is on my mind. Of the many decisions made and directions gone this one vexes me. Awning or pop-up? I just cannot decide. It seems that each camp has their pro/con. What says the community? My sportsmobile neighbor is anti, having one on his first van but going with a pop-up on his current. Power or manual, DIY or bought, what route did you go? If so why? Pros? Cons? Appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jrosser1]

Oddly enough we've decided to make the back door our main entry to the camper van, and so are leaning toward some sort of tailgate awning like this: https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Accessories-Tailgate-Waterproof-Adjustable/dp/B072KM8P2P/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1519602038&sr=8-7&keywords=Awnings+For+Vans

I bet that doesn't help answer your question one bit, sorry! I thought I'd throw it out there just get the ball rolling.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I hate the setup and put-away part of camping. That’s why I have a van- drive to the camping spot, shut off the van, done, now relax. I own a pop-up and would only give it room and set it up if I were camping at an event or sale. My awning is a triangle tarp which takes 2 minutes to set up by one person and folds to almost no space. It makes enough shade or raincover for two or three.

 

[scottwood2]

I hate the setup and put-away part of camping. That’s why I have a van- drive to the camping spot, shut off the van, done, now relax. I own a pop-up and would only give it room and set it up if I were camping at an event or sale. My awning is a triangle tarp which takes 2 minutes to set up by one person and folds to almost no space. It makes enough shade or raincover for two or three.

I like it. How is it attached to the van?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[proeddie]

Gazebo!

Benefits:

Shade
No bugs
Place to hang light
2 minute setup and breakdown, one person... I didn't believe it until I set mine up!
Not attached.. leave it at the camping area
Room for 4-6 people
Stores in bag that's less than 6' long... fits under my bed
Not waterproof, but pretty close
Side covers available

About $159... Amazon

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Gazelle-25500-Portable-Gazebo-Person/dp/B01CCT9G3I[/ame]

(add 5 side panels and you could take group showers!)

 

[ThomD]

That gazebo looks neat. I was skeptical of your 2 minute claim, but the amazon video shows it up in about a minute (after it is out of the bag).

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I like it. How is it attached to the van?

Look at page: http://www.promasterforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37177&page=13 3rd or 4th post down.
The front of the triangle tarp has a D ring that came with the tarp and it hooks over the front nub on the roof, the rear has a bungie attached to the tarp and I climb up on the rear door hinge and pull it over the back nub. Then one pole and stake and you're done. Super easy. When I made the tarp I cut a rectangle tarp in half and had the edge sewn along with the D ring for the bungie. Since I now had 2 triangles of material I had the second one sewn too. Getting that done cost me $95 plus the cost of the tarp. I’d sell the second tarp with bungie but no pole if anyone has a 136” van and wants it. I’d like to get $65 shipped to get back half my expense. The pole I used is:
https://www.stansport.com/aluminum-tent-pole-8ft-pin-lock-258 bought on eBay for $8

 

[keeponvaning]

I just wear a hat

 

[proeddie]

I just wear a hat

Hat...

Benefits:

Shade (OK)
No bugs (NOPE!)
Place to hang light (NOPE)
2 minute setup and breakdown, one person... I didn't believe it until I set mine up! (HAT is FASTER)
Not attached.. leave it at the camping area (HAT travels well)
Room for 4-6 people (NOPE)
Stores in bag that's less than 6' long... fits under my bed (HAT is more compact)
Not waterproof, but pretty close (OK)
Side covers available (NOPE)
Group showers? (MAYBE, but not much privacy!)

 

[keeponvaning]

Hat...

Benefits:

Shade (OK)
No bugs (NOPE!)
Place to hang light (NOPE)
2 minute setup and breakdown, one person... I didn't believe it until I set mine up! (HAT is FASTER)
Not attached.. leave it at the camping area (HAT travels well)
Room for 4-6 people (NOPE)
Stores in bag that's less than 6' long... fits under my bed (HAT is more compact)
Not waterproof, but pretty close (OK)
Side covers available (NOPE)
Group showers? (MAYBE, but not much privacy!)

You win!

 

[proeddie]

I'm not sure...you get a lot of points for portability, easy setup, and compactness!

... and now back to our regularly scheduled thread (see below)

 

[Streetdoctor]

Both. Carry a pop up for securing a spot in certainn situations. Rhino rack 2.5m awning for others.

 

[Paul_E_D]

I really like my fiamma awning. It's a manual setup and does require 2 people. It only takes a couple of minutes to set up/break down and it is really stout once the legs are staked. It makes the whole entrance to the van more pleasant. drier and cooler. plus a place to sit or cook under cover is essential sometimes.

 

[BillMac]

I like my Rhino Rack Fox wing awning for the full side-rear coverage. Only issue is setup time, takes 15-20 mins if I put on the extensions and walls so I only use it when I'm camped for 2 days or more. Day trips or overnight stops EZ-up it is for me.

Don't remember who, but there is a memeber here out of Idaho I believe that makes some pretty cool awnings that look easy to put up. Maybe do a search, see what "Pops up" ?

 

[ThomD]

I'll admit to being interested in the Fiamma legless awnings. I wonder how durable they are.

 

[Paul_E_D]

I'll admit to being interested in the Fiamma legless awnings. I wonder how durable they are.

Any legless is likely to get lifted and flipped back in a good wind, or weighed down in heavy rain or snow. That said, my new rig is coming with a legless (carefree) awning. It has a wind sensor and auto retract. People say that the wind will still flip it though, and suggest not fully deploying it when there is wind.

Honestly, I wish it came with an older leg type awning. If the wind destroys it, I will replace with a fiamma with legs.

 

[John Giese]

This works for me

Sport-Brella Versa-Brella All Position Umbrella with Universal Clamp

 

[proeddie]

Don't remember who, but there is a member here out of Idaho I believe that makes some pretty cool awnings that look easy to put up. Maybe do a search, see what "Pops up" ?

See this thread: http://www.promasterforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69730

dragonflytarps.com

 

[Rich Maund]

Oddly enough we've decided to make the back door our main entry to the camper van, and so are leaning toward some sort of tailgate awning like this: https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Accessories-Tailgate-Waterproof-Adjustable/dp/B072KM8P2P/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1519602038&sr=8-7&keywords=Awnings+For+Vans

I bet that doesn't help answer your question one bit, sorry! I thought I'd throw it out there just get the ball rolling.

Wow. That is pretty darn cool! If hadn't already bought a new 13' pop up canopy this last Fall, I'd be all over that! The main problem I see with stand alone pop ups is they dump rain all around them. And they aren't tall enough to go over the rear doors to dump water on the van roof. So you have to set them to one side. I am considering building an awning by fastening fabric to a PVC pipe. Roll it up for storage to lay on the van floor. Say 6 to 8' long. Put some brackets on the roof to hold the pipe ends. Just put grommets at the outer corners of the fabric and use poles with lines and stakes to secure it.

 

[MsNomer]

Rich, you are somewhat describing mine, except that pipe is way overkill.

See the description and photos on my built site.