Home > Maintenance & Modifications > 270 degree awning that can be safely used by one person? |
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Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 |
I'm looking for an awning with walls that will wrap round the side and back of my 110 and that I can put up by myself quickly and without it blowing away.
Talking to people about Foxwings they reckon that it's best to do it with two people to avoid accidents, and the standard Tuff Trek one seems to be the same. So that leaves me with the Ostrich Wing self supporting awning which is pricey (£1800), but that's fine so long as it's decent quality and good value (i.e. lasts). Are there any other options that I should be considering? It needs to cover the back door, I'm not using a roof tent and have no current plans to. |
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17th Oct 2016 8:23am |
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acuss01 Member Since: 27 Jun 2014 Location: London Posts: 225 |
I've looked at lots of 270 degree awnings. My impression is Foxwing is one of the flimsiest because it hangs from poles (rather than box section) and also NEEDS support poles. Like the Oztent I own, its a bit more faff than you think.
The Ostrich Wing is pretty strong, it doesn't need support poles and I was able to hang off the joint (I'm 85kgs!). Alu-cab make one that is similar (and lighter). My favourite however is probably Eezi awn which also has box section supports but a bit lighter and has the support poles (when needed) built in. All three look like a doddle to put out. 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack |
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17th Oct 2016 9:11am |
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Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 |
acuss01: Thanks. I was coming to similar conclusions to you, particularly about the Foxwing.
It's annoying you can't get a wrap around awning that is in a hard case, is reasonably sturdy but not quite as sturdy as the Ostrich Wing. I have no issue with using poles but I don't want loads of faff and it has to be a quick and easy one man job. I like the idea of a Fiamma with a hard shell but that doesn't work with how I use my Defender. I'm worried that a fabric cover is going to get damaged on the greenlanes I drive. Maybe it's just going to be a case of putting the awning on when I'm going away. Then there's how to mount it, I wish someone would buy my roof rack so I can get some roof bars but maybe I'd be better keeping the rack just as a means of supporting the awning. The rack is difficult enough to get on and off by myself, it's going to be a bit of a challenge with the weight of the awning too! Decisions decisions! |
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17th Oct 2016 5:59pm |
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Brewstop Member Since: 28 Oct 2012 Location: South Oxfordshire Posts: 313 |
I'd go Foxwing to be honest, you can put it up in strong winds on your own if you have a system after a bit of practice.
The tapered panels are brilliant they really add to the available space underneath. The foxwing cover is robust and resistant to green lane abrasions, they are available separately if required. Sandy |
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17th Oct 2016 6:39pm |
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acuss01 Member Since: 27 Jun 2014 Location: London Posts: 225 |
What roof rack have you got Cupboard? Whats the issue? I have a LR Expedition, which isn't the easiest to work with but still do-able. 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack
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17th Oct 2016 7:46pm |
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Greadh Member Since: 17 Feb 2016 Location: North West Posts: 97 |
Not seen one in the flesh (I have tuff-trek one), but these look pretty smart.
http://tmdtuning.com/shop/bunduawn-self-supporting-awning/ |
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17th Oct 2016 8:17pm |
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ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328 |
Ostrich Wing suggests putting it away at night in case of bad weather sorta defeats the point
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18th Oct 2016 6:10am |
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Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 |
Thanks for all the input, it's appreciated
Hadn't realised the Ostrich wanted putting away at night, that's silly. BunduAwn: thanks, hadn't seen that one before. Weird that it goes over the bonnet, they're obviously aiming it at Land Rover owners they're not advertising sides which is a shame. It does seem better value than most actually.
That's the one I have. The reason I don't like it is because it's not very good as a roof rack. Try carrying 8*4 sheets on it and you have to bend them and it's hard to tie them down. Want to carry smaller boxes up there? No chance because the bars are too far apart. I'd be better off with two or three roof bars. |
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18th Oct 2016 11:58am |
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JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7905 |
Not the best photo of the awning but this is TMD Defender at the LRO Show. It's is quite some structure, seemed reasonably robust, but don't know if you can zip sides on.
I've seen one 'Ostrich-wing' (but can't remember which one, possibly the Alu-cab?) which can be free-standing but also had legs that dropped down for bad weather. Click image to enlarge James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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18th Oct 2016 12:16pm |
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acuss01 Member Since: 27 Jun 2014 Location: London Posts: 225 |
Cupboard, I know what you mean! I plan to have mine boarded out, either a marine ply panel like Safety Devices do for their rack or more likely some kind or mesh or waffle boarding to reduce weight and provide more lash points.
Seen the Bunduawn on TMD stand at LRO Show. Complete waste of material covering the bonnet, makes even less practical in windy weather unless you plan to sail your truck! The advice on putting Ostrich awning away at night could easily apply to any awning without sidewalls. But having seen it I am confident it could take plenty of punishment. 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack |
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18th Oct 2016 12:29pm |
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leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8581 |
In our travels we have seen many different types of awnings from the home made, to cheaply made commercial ones, to badly designed ones (good H2O collectors), to good well designed and made commercial ones..
To try and answer some of the points raised. If you want a metal container for your awning consider one such as the Eezi- awn one available here The Foxwing awning was one of the first (if not the first) commercially available 270 degree awning. The cover used to be black canvas and is now a PVC covered fabric one. Spare covers are available but not commonly requested. If worried about it whilst greenlaning etc choices are a) drive with it in mind, b) remove it, c) use some clamps such as the Prospeed ones which fold the awning flat onto the roof bar/rack. The Foxwing is about 10m2 and according to the official video here yes it can be set out by one person. We normally recommend two people as a safety precaution and for simplicity. Maybe we are erring on the side of caution too much!. Correctly deployed in high wind and rain it will withstand 55 mph winds and heavy rainfall (Personal experience) There are mid tie down points which enable each awning panel to be able to be veed so rainwater runs off readily avoiding water pooling on the awning Yes the Foxwing does need the supporting poles. If there are any mishaps, spares are available and normally a straightforward repair. The Foxwing is currently £595, weighs 19 kg and spares are readily available There are some 'self supporting' 270 degree awnings which are a lot more expensive then the Foxwing. The Ostrich 270 degree awning is 'self supporting' but comes with a integral upright pole and additional upright support poles are available. Current price is £1125 with additional upright poles at £38 Taken from Big Country site here
ALL awnings need to be CORRECTLY deployed with an eye to prevailing and possibly changing weather conditions. So when considering purchase of an awning consider your budget, weight of awning, your intended use, how well the awning is constructed (i.e are seams double stitched, reinforcing patches etc) availability of spares. Is it part of a system? side walls, mesh floor ability to attach tents etc. Will rain water readily run off or pool in the awning panels. Just a few things to consider whilst contemplating which awning to buy Brendan |
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18th Oct 2016 8:50pm |
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JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7905 |
Great reply Brendan
Acuss01 you ought to see this http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic40001....ck+chicken James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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18th Oct 2016 9:19pm |
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acuss01 Member Since: 27 Jun 2014 Location: London Posts: 225 |
Thanks James I have seen it. I think I'm going to get my rack modified by a specialist metalworker and have mesh welded to the base and then cut a section of the rail and make it into a hinged drop side. 2015 110 XS CSW Montalcino Red with Black Pack
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19th Oct 2016 9:50am |
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Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 |
Thank you Brendan.
I'm wanting a full set of walls too and I know that's going to take some time to set up. What I don't want is it all falling off the side of the vehicle or breaking whilst I'm trying to set it up. Obviously you can't predict the weather when you arrive at camp but I usually seem to have rain! There are some awnings with metal covers but they tend to just cover the side of the vehicle which isn't what I'm after. If I go Foxwing then I have the choice of tapered or plain walls, but they all come with poles which I don't want. I already have a heap of poles and another eight spare is going to be silly. |
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19th Oct 2016 12:20pm |
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