Why you decided not to purchase awing ?

MOS2 · May 27

Got a 400 Black Cannyon Boondock.
We are more travelers than campers . Had a number of rvs over the years all with an awing .
We purchased the tear drop to make things easier and simple . I have noticed a number of pictures here that show tear drops without an awing .

So why did you decide to not purchase an awing ?
How do you handle the sun and rain when outside ?
Thanks

MuttonChops · May 27

I've got two of the 'Ball Cap Style' Visors.
Only seem to use them on longer stays in the real hot months.

These visors haven't worked very well in the rain and don't like wind at all, part of the reason I don't use one very frequently.

Grumpy_G · May 27

I don't like sitting right outside the trailer, too much like a commercial RV park for my taste. Almost all my camping is in Forest Service or BLM campgrounds that have plenty of room so why not use it. Having said that, I recently pulled out the visor awning that the PO had gotten for the trailer because I was in one spot for a week and the sun was beating down on the trailer in the afternoon.

Bayliss · May 27

@MOS2, we have a visor, but rarely use it. Instead, we prefer the portability of a standalone pop-up canopy (12' x 12', or 10' x 10'). Fortunately, we tow the trailer with a Toyota Tundra 1/2 ton pickup, so the pop-up is easy to carry. I store it side-to-side at the front end of the truck bed, below the rear window. It is easy to put up and take down. We generally set it up over a picnic table, but we can also move it to wherever works best at out campsite. We like the canopy with the roof vent, because it is more resistant to strong wind. It has worked great for us in rainy weather.

mx4789 · May 27

Short answer: because my 320 didn't come with one and I haven't felt the need to buy one.

Long answer: I don't have an awning, but I do have an "ez-up" and a Neso shade. I don't use either one very often. Usually there's enough shade that I can find a spot for sitting/hanging out under a tree somewhere. I would consider some kind of larger shade structure if I could put it over the entire trailer (park under it), but then it'd probably be too unwieldy to manage. This weekend the sun was hitting the front of the trailer and it was very noticeable but an awning wouldn't have helped any. I like being able to move/set up the Neso wherever I need it and it packs down into a bag, is super light weight and is easy enough to keep in the bed of the truck full time so it's always there if I need it.

B0atguy · May 27

We have had both small visor awnings and Isabella full awnings on our 320 , and 400 . . We much prefer the full Isabella style awning . Visor awnings are slightly easier to put up , but the Isabella full awning doesn't take too much longer once you get the hang of it . About 15 minutes , and its up . The visor is flimsy , and doesnt take much wind to blow it over . The full Isabella is very secure . Last year we happened to step out of the campground we were staying at when a big storm blew in . When we came back , there was lots of awning damage on lots the traditional RV awning types , but our Isabella held rock solid and didnt budge ! NO blow over, no damage nothing . With the pole system , it almost becomes part of the T@B . We dont even use any guide lines ( I hate those tripping hazards!) . A lot of other RVer's couldn't believe it !

We love our Isabella awning , and wouldnt trade it for anything as long as we have the T@B .

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webers3 · May 28

Precisely for the reason you quote: "We are more travelers than campers". We don't hang out in one place for too long, carry as little as possible and like quick set-up and quick break down

SLJ · May 28

Got a 9'x12' moonshade for ours. Really only use it if we're camped for more than a day. Quick set up and attaches to front and rear handles. Sits just over the roof so no leaks on the door side. Keeps the T@B a lot cooler when that side faces the sun. Nice to have a lot of shade especially on small sites. Very sturdy strapped to the T@B. Wind doesn't bother it. Easily attaches to our other non-T@B camper also.

Yoshi_TAB · May 28

Hi, Like you, we are mostly travelers rather than campers (some differences).

We had a visor for our 320, but never really used it much, but drifted over to a 10 x 10 that we feel gives us more flexibility to move it during the day as sun moves throughout day. We also did not like being "pinned" against trailer for some sites. Can also move it over a picnic table and also lower legs on one side (i.e tilt it) that also gives shade in certain conditions. Can set up in a matter of a minute or two or take down if unexpected high winds come in.

pthomas745 · May 28

I have a visor, and use it any time I'm spending a day or so at a campground. I'm pretty much self contained when I camp, so I don' t have much need for EZ ups, etc, so being near the trailer in the shade is useful for me. I am impressed with the "Moonshades" that have made their appearance in the last year or so.

The trick with the visor in the wind is to tie it down properly. The tiny guy lines the visor comes with are simply not up to the task. It must be supported with extra guy lines (I use light duty cargo straps), and I use some "modified" painter's poles attached to the visor and staked out. The painter's poles prevent the visor from "dipping" in the wind. The guy lines prevent the visor from flipping "up". See the photo of the Moonshade above: secured with poles and extra guy lines. My painter's poles are only really needed in the stronger wind situations.

I also carry small "shade sail" type tarps that can attach to the visor for extra shade.

Here is my visor all tied down (I think I had 7 tie outs) during a trip last week in Anza Borrego. The wind was blowing about 25 mph from left to right in the picture. With this much support, it was pretty rock solid.

Many owners over the years have come up with different/improved/home made awnings and shades to work with their trailers. There are lots of threads with ideas.

Diy Awnings and Shades

elbolillo · May 28

Short answer, I'm lazy 😂 We had an Isabel awning for our 320, and it did come in handy on a few of our trips. When we upgraded to our 400, we didn't get an awning, and mostly haven't felt a real need for one. Most of our longer trips are in the SW during February and March, and rain isn't generally an issue, and even with the sun and warmer temps, we haven't felt a real need for cover. If we did more trips in areas with more rain or needed more shade in hotter temps we would probably do something of an awning. The moonshades look interesting.

andytabrv · May 29

You'll find this discussion also helpful. I posted regarding my use of a KingCamp SUV awning.

Why you decided not to purchase awing ?

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