Top 5 tips for choosing a 270 awning for overlanding | what's the perfect awning setup?

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  • Опубліковано 6 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 40

  • @demolitionbmxd
    @demolitionbmxd Місяць тому +2

    I've had a similar gripe with 270 awnings at the back edge of the vehicle not closing the gap. I've owned 4 x 270 degree awnings now and none of them have done so.
    I looked at both the FSR and James Baroud and despite the JB being a rediculous price, neither of them have the full coverage down the length of the awning, which I need as I own a 4x4 econoline van (and want the coverage over the side doors and the back.
    My previous 3 awnings were in Australia, I am now in the US and was shopping again.
    I settled for an OVR awning, considering the price point (I purchased for $700 shipped) I figured if I were going to have gripes, I may as well have gripes and save myself $800 at the same time as most awnings here seem to be about $1500.
    For what it's worth, over the years I have gotten around the non-squared off panel at the back of the vehicle by purchasing a wall panel for that side (I tend to go with all walls from whichever company anyway), using that panel as either a wall or an extension to the awning tends to do the trick.
    I don't trust any awning to be 'free standing', yes granted there are always limitations but you are effectively bolting a giant wind sail to the side of your vehicle and if you don't have it set up with poles you are asking for trouble (I know because my very first awning was the Foxwing 270 by Rhino/Oztent and the very first time I set it up, I left it without poles for about 1hr on a relatively calm day, went to catch up with buddies at their camp and while I was gone a strong gust had come through unexpectedly and blown the awning over the top of the vehicle and snapped the arms).
    For this reason I say having built in legs as a part of the arms is a huge benefit, as storing large tent poles in a vehicle can be an issue.
    So for now I will settle with the OVS and make my own kind of rain gutter, the other downside to these types of mounted awnings compared to an RV type is rain also coming down the length of the vehicle between the vehicle itself and the awnings backing plate, something I am brainstorming currently as in a van with side doors being the main entry/exit this is a pretty big annoyance, another issue to address.
    If a 270 awning existed that completely came across and covered the gap at the rear of the vehicle, while having a squared off back, and also covered the full length of the sides, robust construction and a large bag to make packing away easier existed I would splurge on it.
    The closest I have found is the ikamper, but it still doesn't have the full length coverage down the side, just better than the FSR or JB.

  • @davidscott1629
    @davidscott1629 6 днів тому +1

    Great information. And to the point. Great job!

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  6 днів тому

      @@davidscott1629 Thank you! I appreciate that 🙏

  • @Eddie_-_
    @Eddie_-_ 3 місяці тому +2

    We have a fantastic awning. South African brand - Howling Moon. The material and build is extremely sturdy. It looks almost new after five years of use in the middle eastern sun

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  3 місяці тому +1

      @Eddie_-_ ill check out that brand! Thank you 🙏

  • @jimmyz3482
    @jimmyz3482 8 місяців тому +6

    I couldn't watch your previous video, only got about 2 minutes, it really was slow and drawn out. For me, the pace and coverage in this video is much better. Watched until the end. Thank goodness because there was great information!
    Oh, and I'm guessing Taruca!

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  8 місяців тому

      Haha thanks for the honesty 😅 and thanks for watching! I try to learn and adapt with every video. And Taruca was a solid option but I've decided on 23Zero

  • @christopherp3474
    @christopherp3474 11 днів тому +1

    At 6:27 when discussing mounting options, where did you get the long t track sized aluminum bar with the two bolts attached that you used with the OVS brackets?? That's the exact type of solution that I've been searching for.

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  11 днів тому +1

      @@christopherp3474 It actually came with the OVS awning as part of their standard hardware 👍

    • @christopherp3474
      @christopherp3474 11 днів тому +1

      @varsityoverland Ah ok. Mine came with the black L brackets but didn't include the silver aluminum bar that slid into your rack to mount it. Thanks.

  • @Tinoknow
    @Tinoknow 10 днів тому +1

    For me, zipper along the awning for attaching the walls would also be on the list. Not sure about longevity of Velcro for this application.

  • @TheAngryCamper
    @TheAngryCamper 2 місяці тому +1

    I have a homemade drawer system that pulls out 7 feet, with my fridge sliding out sideways out of the driver rear seat, that said I need one the mounts on the driver side and has a square enough rear to cover my drawer so I can cook under an awning.... grrrr AND covers the read driver door.

  • @Utubeisazzho
    @Utubeisazzho 4 місяці тому +1

    I have the smaller lte mounted much lower right above the rails. I like it low low. I only sit under it I don’t cook under it. Bed rug in bed can camp in bed with low cover over tailgate.

  • @brulew976
    @brulew976 6 місяців тому +3

    Kind of interesting that two of the five checkpoints for must haves for the 270 have to do with coverage in the back yet you're going with a 180. Curious to see how you mount that.. I have the Alu-Cab and made my own gutter with velcro attachment. Realistically I only need that when it's raining. We had our first one on our small off-road camper and liked it so much that we got one for our truck topper we're building out.

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  6 місяців тому

      I was hoping to mount the 180 on the rear of the bedrack. The 23zero 180 is the perfect size to fit there.

  • @frid4y212
    @frid4y212 6 місяців тому +1

    I think the new feature now is using truss arms. The higher end awnings like Bush Company have them and 23zero seems to be shifting to truss arms now.

  • @Martystube3195
    @Martystube3195 4 місяці тому +1

    Have a look at the Australian market for 270 awnings, some fantastic designs 👌

  • @TazeHedrick
    @TazeHedrick Місяць тому +1

    Have you seen the OVS XD? It looks like it would check all the boxes (almost, it’s not a true boxed back, but close)?

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  Місяць тому

      @TazeHedrick my current OVS awning has rubbed against itself inside the bag during travel and developed a small hole. This happened after only 3 months of use. Id like to use a different brand in order to compare material quality.

  • @ront2857
    @ront2857 6 місяців тому +1

    You might want to check out this one: Darche Eclipse 270 LED

  • @oscardimasrodriguez7184
    @oscardimasrodriguez7184 9 місяців тому +1

    Have you tested a Bush Company awning?

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  9 місяців тому

      I haven't. Do you have any experience? Id be interested because I know they're a long standing Australian overland brand.

    • @rickmackenzie8488
      @rickmackenzie8488 5 місяців тому +1

      @@varsityoverlandthey are a South African brand, but very popular here in Australia. I have one. Awesome unit. Extremely strong, no need for legs. It is heavy, as it’s free standing. Also bag needs holes for bolts. They are in tracks, but once you find the spot, you need to cut the holes. It pulls very square to the rear. Just need to set the rear of the awning in the right spot.
      The rear is not fully square, but it has an extra arm which makes it quite good coverage wise.
      Checkout some of Lifestyle Overlands videos as they are in the states. They have one on their camper. I think they are going to be a US reseller I think off memory.

  • @phlfly10
    @phlfly10 6 місяців тому +2

    1. weight, 2. Moutng bracket (sk me how do I know), 3. true 90 degree, 4 do you need awaning over cabin, 5. good point 90 deg square

  • @ront2857
    @ront2857 6 місяців тому +2

    Great points. Succinct. Accurate.

  • @AT4OB
    @AT4OB 9 місяців тому +1

    23zero 🧐

  • @twoarms
    @twoarms 6 місяців тому

    Checkout the Bushwakka 270 awning darkness. Should tick all your boxes.

  • @FlorianR59
    @FlorianR59 7 місяців тому

    To me, the ikamper awning checks all the boxes.
    Great video, I like better your new format and that you go a bit faster

  • @Casanovafff
    @Casanovafff 3 місяці тому

    Excellent video

  • @LoveTribeOverland
    @LoveTribeOverland 6 місяців тому

    I had similar thoughts when i bought my Free Spirit 270 awning which I bought with the Room Kit.
    I was VERY disappointed when i saw the actual coverage by the Free Spirit awning. Yes... the awning squares up in the back, but does so at the sacrifice of overall width. The awning is incredibly narrow. With the room kit attached the walls are designed to hang straight down. When standing inside its only just a few feet wide. (I can literally touch the wall and the side of my rig... which means there is barely enough room for two people to pass side by side.
    If we want to set up a chair or table that space gets MIGHTY narrow.
    This might work for some but definitely a disappointment for me condidering it was one of the most expensive of the awnings i was looking at.

  • @jamestribol1434
    @jamestribol1434 4 місяці тому +2

    23 zero has an extra piece of fabric that slides into their rail system to keep rain out from tailgate section of awning. set up any slider drawers you have for the drivers side of vehicle, problem solved. if worried about 270 size, get a 180 size. looks like you've decided on an awning.

  • @acksmann23
    @acksmann23 6 місяців тому

    Other awnings to look at would be bushwaaka, Obama Dorchester, hardkorr and San hima

  • @adkcampadventures
    @adkcampadventures 2 місяці тому +1

    Look at Open Road 4x4. Meets most of your needs

    • @varsityoverland
      @varsityoverland  2 місяці тому

      @adkcampadventures do you have any experience with the brand? They reached out to collaborate with me but I've heard mixed reviews 🤷‍♂️

    • @adkcampadventures
      @adkcampadventures 2 місяці тому +1

      @@varsityoverland I have their winch which has been fantastic and I just ordered their 270 awning

  • @1ryanlc
    @1ryanlc 9 місяців тому +1

    I'm betting on Kammok!

  • @lorenwbrown
    @lorenwbrown 3 місяці тому

    What is that trash bag you had clipped to your vehicle?

  • @JamesJ9900
    @JamesJ9900 5 місяців тому

    the side of that awning is useless