Why don’t you have an awing ?

MOS2 · December 9

Been RVing for years and have had a number of RVs , all with awnings .

So I now have a 2025 Black Canyon 400.

Thinking should I buy an awing or not .

Over the years I have noticed a number of RVers don’t use them .

So for the people that don’t use an awing , Why ?

qhumberd · December 9

For our 400 the small awning was a concern with wind, and so unless we are right at the camper we typically do not use it.

With the larger awnings that stake down, that is likely not as much of a concern

AnOldUR · December 9

We'll set up our small awning (half umbrella) even for one night stays. Fast, easy and protects the door from rain and sun. And I'll admit that I just like the cosmetics of it. It gives the bare looking side of our T@B a more complete look IMO.

Now if you're talking about side tents, we sold the one that came with our (used) T@B. Never used it. We much prefer a popup canopy that can be setup at any location on the campsite.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/06/4mgfry2bfo8b.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/n9/a6c3rn9fmzbk.jpg

Grumpy_G · December 9

I do have the visor style awning but never set it up because I don't have a need to sit right outside the camper. Even with my previous full-size trailer I had the awning out only once in Utah where there was no shade.

pthomas745 · December 9

I have a 2017 with a visor, and use it all the time, weather permitting. I learned how to really secure it so it is pretty stable in reasonable winds. If I want more shade, I have "shade sail" type material to block out the sun.

My visor, including all the stakes and straps, the two sets of poles I have for it, fit in a small thin bag that is easy to pack and carry around.

gkreitzburg · December 9

We got a moonshade XL for our tab400 - but we only put it up when staying anywhere several days. It goes up and packs down and stores easily; and it stands up to the wind very well.

BandB · December 9

@MOS2 we have a 320 S BD and love our Isabella awning, purchased through All Pro Adventures. It attaches using the Keder rail. Easy to put up and take down once we got the hang of it. Being 5'5" I need a three-step step ladder to reach the top. Holds up through pretty strong winds. We've never had trouble with it in a storm.

ScottG · December 9

I almost always set up my awning (the full coverage PahaQue version) so like most previous respondents your question is not directed at me. However, having deployed my awning many times in many places, I can offer some reasons why I might not do so:

Time or effort. Although the awning is considerably easier to deploy than a tent, it still adds another step to both the set-up and breakdown process. If I were only staying a night and the weather was good, I might not bother.
Space. Some campsites are a tight fit, either because of natural features or the proximity of neighbors. My awning doubles the width of my T@B, and the straps to stake it down (a trip hazard in their own right...) stick out another several feet beyond that.
Terrain. If you're parked on rock or pavement, there will be no way to secure the awning (at least not the PahaQue style).

tphaggerty · December 10

We don't use an awning (yet, but it's been six years so..... maybe never?). We love the huge amount of light coming in through the windows and normally don't want to limit that. When we absolutely need shade, we use fitted baby crib sheets to cover the windows while they are open (they fit quite nicely!!).

The one reason I do want one is as a rain porch over the door. Like a mini-visor. I looked at using a 320 visor, but they are basically as big as the 400 visors. I don't want to limit the door from opening all the way when not raining. So, no solution found yet...

FriendsofMario · December 10

When we bought our 2019 400, it came with two awnings, a Doaty Hill awning (which some refer to as a “potato chip/baseball visor”

) and also a PahaQue awning. We’ve used the Doaty Hill which is easy to set up. Ours came with good support poles so we’ve used it in moderately windy conditions without any issues, however, it’s not waterproof. The PahaQue awning has never been used and we haven’t tried it out yet either.

manyman297 · December 10

We bought the All Pro shade wing…used it maybe three times…one time the wind caught it and collapsed it. Haven’t used it for the past two seasons. I know some love and use theirs a lot but the All Pro limited the door swing too so it was more restrictive than expected.

marleecamps · December 10

My choice is to set up my 6-person Clam screen tent instead of using an awning. This not only provides shade but also a reprieve from mosquitos, bees, etc.

andytabrv · December 11

I use a KingCamp SUV awning. I ended up sewing on a Keder rail strip as I liked how it made it more secure.

Pros are:

it was about $120
it's great when it's raining as it keeps water out of your trailer when going in/out
it keeps the front of the trailer cooler when it's hot
it provides shade for two people to sit
it packs up nicely and doesn't take up much space

Cons are:

It takes about 20 minutes to get fully setup if you count nailing in the tent stakes (but much less time than what I read for people with the nice All Pro or Pahaque varieties). Tear-down is much faster
it flaps a lot when it's windy and may blow up and over the trailer in high winds
putting up in breezy weather by yourself is a creative process
taking it down in breezy weather is a creative process

Involve a friend if you set it up for the first time. You'll figure out how to set it up by yourself soon enough. The sew-on keder rail insert strip made it even easier to attach. Hire a seamstress who has an industrial sewing machine to sew on the strip. I hand-sewed it and it took foooooreeeever.

After being awakened in the middle of the night from a fast moving storm that blew it up and off the front of the camper (before I had the keder rail insert sewed on) I've been trying to figure out an easy way partially disassemble it without fully removing it for the evening or times when I'm away from the camper. I've got a half-baked idea that involves unclipping the supporting poles and rolling all the poles up in the awning all the way to the keder rail like a rug. And with some well placed sewed-on velcro strips I could let it just hang rolled up on the side of the camper. I was going to try using carabiners at the base of the tent stakes to let me keep the stakes in the ground, but quickly disconnect for temporary roll-up. I am going to try it out when I have the time and I'll post if it works.

There is a post somewhere were someone built and drilled some brackets into their Tab frame to hold a pull out awning. However, I'm not that industrious or brave to drill into my camper frame.

I really do enjoy having it on and love, love, love sitting out under it with a nice soft rain or staying cool in the shade. I can't find the King Camp for sale on Amazon anymore but this Hasika is almost identical.

Wow, now I really want to go camping again.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/m6/d2pcycly3ua1.png

Binghi · December 12

Awnings are too much trouble and expense. I use the trailer body (400 BD) to provide my shade. If it rains I go inside.

jimcenname · December 12

AnOldUR said:

We'll set up our small awning (half umbrella) even for one night stays. Fast, easy and protects the door from rain and sun. And I'll admit that I just like the cosmetics of it. It gives the bare looking side of our T@B a more complete look IMO.

Now if you're talking about side tents, we sold the one that came with our (used) T@B. Never used it. We much prefer a popup canopy that can be setup at any location on the campsite.

Where did you get the umbrella and how is it mounted? Thanks!

AnOldUR · December 12

jimcenname said:
Where did you get the umbrella and how is it mounted? Thanks!

The original half umbrella we purchased from Ikea for $30. After a couple of seasons it was worn and faded. We liked it enough that we purchased this more expensive one from Home Depot. It's larger and better built, so hoping to get more life from it.

I mounted a couple of eye bolts by the door that the umbrella pole slides into. I cut the pole down so that it doesn't extend too far past the eye bolts. It drops in place and can be removed in seconds.

When we want better coverage, we use a pop up canopy that can be setup in more convenient locations at the campsite. It has optional bug screen and wind break side walls when necessary.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/fo/fjn4d8p08p5r.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/jg/9dncislx6t4h.jpg

rcarlson1957 · December 12

We've had quite the adventure over the years as far as awnings go. A lot of trial and error in many different conditions. Lost a few to storms too (it seems to be a right of passage). We finally figured out that we had 2 separate needs and settled on 2 different items that work best for us. First, we needed something that was quick and easy to put up and take down that provided a little shade and rain protection on the door side of camper when we're just stopping overnight. For that, we use a simple 9 ft half umbrella with a folding base strapped to door handle and with adjustable paracord guy lines with spring buckles attached to the handles at each end of camper. Can set up/take down in less than a minute and handy if a big storm is coming. Second, we needed something that provided wind, rain, bug and sun protection for us and our camping friends at rallies and was relatively easy to put up and take down. For that, we use a 5 sided Clam Quickset Venture with built in wind panels. Easy to set up and take down although usually have to stake it out. It easily has space for 4 chairs and a table and it's only 5 ft when folded up so it fits in the bed of my truck.

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