ARB awning comment. Have been using a 2.5 x 2.5 in Aust for 3 years. generally ok but problem is if you use the ARB drop down delux awning room you will find that the awning room ( 8kg )tends to bend the horizontal swing out arms. We told ARB head office and manufacturing plant in Melbourne Australia ( where we live) about the issue and asked to speak to a technical ARB person. Unfortunately the sales staff at the Glossy Melb showroom say NO NO No way the poles bend ( despite have two bent poles of ours in their hands. Reluctantly they replaced them and when it a hAppened again we approached ARB in another state whilst on the road travelling with some very convivial feedback and got the same result excuses excuses excuses except this time they said 'stiff luck buddy' and no replacement so we bought more poles from them. So we just STOPPED sing the Drop down delux awning room and put it into storage at the back of our garage and continues to use the awning . NO PROBLEMS SINCE WITH THE POLES.. it is clearly apparent that the weight of the drop down awning is just a bit too much for the awning . We are about to travel again in late 2020 and may try to use the awning tent again and have now purchased two vertical poles to place under he awning arms about a metre out from the vehicle to support the swing out arms . Over the last three years we have purchased thousands of dollars of gear from ARB. inc fridges, underbody protection plates , awnings, drop down awning tent rooms, spot lights, radios, snorkels, recovery gear etc etc. generAl quality of ARB gear ok price point is expensive but generally ok BUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WILLINGNESS TO TAKE A BIT OF CONVIVIAL FEEDBACK FORM AN ESTABLISHED CLIENT ABSOLUTELY LOUSY.
I have the cheap one on my rig and have had it for two years now. While the quality may not be as high it's shade and shelter and it's held up from my adventures. Also the awning cover held up to a tree raking alongside it when I fell in a rut coming down a hill and had to ride it. The awning saved me from panel damage.
My $100 awning isn't horrible, but I just can't bring myself to recommend risking $100! A group of us ordered from the same seller, and every one of those awnings has had a different problem - the worst being the one with the really brittle canvas!
Revere Overland agreed, mine was one of the three. Both my zippers broke the first day, but I’m still using it 2 years later. I have had to repair it a few times now, but it’s still going!
I've had my Amazon special for about a year and it's been perfect. I've been around some $400-$800 awnings and the biggest difference besides price is the fabric material. Honestly I'm happy with mine as it's slightly thicker than average tent material so as long as you're taking care of it you won't have any issues there. We paid $112 shipped for ours and can't really complain about it,the bag is meh so definitely baby the zipper. I recommend you only put it on during "adventure season" to help give the bag a longer life. I've also reached out to the seller and he can could order almost every part individually if I wanted spare of anything.
If the cheaper awning is torn or whatever.. You can always buy the ARB (just the awning) for 95$ and replace it with the higher quality one still far below the cost of the ARB full get up. Its an idea.
My only issue with the ARB is it is unavailable in anything larger than 2500mm x 2500mm where the All Top is 3048mm x 2500mm, Not a huge difference, but it goes from ALMOST covering the side of my camper van, to giving me full coverage...
Did you give it a shot yet? I've been debating on grabbing one of those for the affordability. Can't fathom spending 400+ for some shade. However, 100-150 is very doable.
I appreciate your subjective and objective report. I didn't hear any "red flags" except the almost 3 times more expensive. I have used pop up canopies in the past, realizing that the cheap ones are sooner than later, disposable. I am tired of discarding them. Correct me if I am wrong, I think you said you sold your awning. It must have been fairly durable. That is a plus.
I believe in the philosophy of "buy once, cry once." Yes I might think that I'm saving money by purchasing the "cheaper one... but that's what I'm buying "Cheap." I have seen this happen too many times when someone... including me, buy the cheaper one and end up buying the correct one later and feeling terrible. Do your research and make up your mind. Nice review. Skillet
I have a fancy Foxwing awning on one side and then this cheap fella on the other side. It's great when we just need some cover to cook while traveling, but it doesn't get much use when camping. I'm a bit wary of the build quality when it starts buffeting in high wind during the night in Victoria. I'd recommend it for that purpose for sure. Probably fine for camping in more predictable climates too.
Harbor Freight has tarps that size for under $7, there's Chinese awning tents for less than 30. Spending $100 for something like that reminds me of the old saying, A fool and his money are soon parted.
Do these awnings come off and on easily? I don't want to leave this on my subaru all day whilst at work. But i want to put it on when going for a camp.
It's not a knock off if it doesn't pretend to be something else. I'd also say more that 'it's almot like arb is selling rebranded chinese awnings made to their own spec' which is what the vast majority of 'australian' brands do.
Someone literally gave me one of the cheap ones from amazon and said it broke on the first use. I thought I had repaired it, used it one time and it broke in another spot. Just thankful it didn't hit my van when it went down. Immediately threw it in the trash and hunting for an ARB 😂
You say you recommend the ARB awning, well not if ya gunna have to fork out for extra brackets and seeing as how the price is three times the national debt. Give me three cheap ones anyday. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🙋🏼♂️
i bet there is a very good off-brand awning out there that is 90% of the arb's quality for 50% of its price, but it's just hard to tell it apart because they use very similar marketing materials to the other poorer quality products
I have a pop up canopy and prefer an awning. It doesn't take up a ton of space in the vehicle, it's easier to set up, and I have a fully enclosed room to attach to it.
@@americanmade422 Which one did you go with? I've been browsing for one for my Element. Would like to know which one you have for a cheaper price tag, that has held up for 3 yrs.
Youre review is very bias, you have a ARB obsession because you are saying its better in so many ways, but other reviewers who arnt busy trying to sell others on ARB have said they are both VERY similar minus a thinner aluminum used for the base, and not having stakes on the legs which dont work great to begin with, people should always mount rope to top corners to steak into the ground at an angle. Please do better with reviews or dont do reviews when you cleary not giving the cheaper one a good fair shot, you forgot to mention that the cheaper awning has metal brackets vs plastic that ARB uses. ARB has always been insanely overpriced IMO
Only one of those awnings is still around, the other is irreparably broken and in the trash. The ARB is better, and despite a LOT more use than the eBay one, is still in great shape.
ARB awning comment. Have been using a 2.5 x 2.5 in Aust for 3 years. generally ok but problem is if you use the ARB drop down delux awning room you will find that the awning room ( 8kg )tends to bend the horizontal swing out arms. We told ARB head office and manufacturing plant in Melbourne Australia ( where we live) about the issue and asked to speak to a technical ARB person. Unfortunately the sales staff at the Glossy Melb showroom say NO NO No way the poles bend ( despite have two bent poles of ours in their hands. Reluctantly they replaced them and when it a hAppened again we approached ARB in another state whilst on the road travelling with some very convivial feedback and got the same result excuses excuses excuses except this time they said 'stiff luck buddy' and no replacement so we bought more poles from them.
So we just STOPPED sing the Drop down delux awning room and put it into storage at the back of our garage and continues to use the awning .
NO PROBLEMS SINCE WITH THE POLES.. it is clearly apparent that the weight of the drop down awning is just a bit too much for the awning . We are about to travel again in late 2020 and may try to use the awning tent again and have now purchased two vertical poles to place under he awning arms about a metre out from the vehicle to support the swing out arms .
Over the last three years we have purchased thousands of dollars of gear from ARB. inc fridges, underbody protection plates , awnings, drop down awning tent rooms, spot lights, radios, snorkels, recovery gear etc etc.
generAl quality of ARB gear ok
price point is expensive but generally ok
BUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WILLINGNESS TO TAKE A BIT OF CONVIVIAL FEEDBACK FORM AN ESTABLISHED CLIENT ABSOLUTELY LOUSY.
I can hear your accent through the text
Nice comparison, made me a little happier about my ARB awnings knowing there is a difference and it wasn't just branding.
I have the cheap one on my rig and have had it for two years now. While the quality may not be as high it's shade and shelter and it's held up from my adventures. Also the awning cover held up to a tree raking alongside it when I fell in a rut coming down a hill and had to ride it. The awning saved me from panel damage.
My $100 awning isn't horrible, but I just can't bring myself to recommend risking $100! A group of us ordered from the same seller, and every one of those awnings has had a different problem - the worst being the one with the really brittle canvas!
Revere Overland agreed, mine was one of the three. Both my zippers broke the first day, but I’m still using it 2 years later. I have had to repair it a few times now, but it’s still going!
Good video. Helpful and concise. So many review videos ramble on and on. Thank you for not rambling.
RO, very good vid! better than i spected, sort of unbiased, good disclosure,etc. ima keep watchin and see how , what, you review
This is a great to the point no bs review 👌
They’re so similar because there’s 3 companies in China that make all the awnings on the market 😉👍
And rooftop tents.
Not all but definitely most
@@NunYa953 shitch yeah 😉👍
@@itzbishop5256 any awnings for trucks made in usa?
@@shadow6pt533 USA, I’m not sure but I know there’s a few brands in Australia
Gimme the $100 knockoff and a roll of duct tape. I'll be fine.
It is the way.
I've had my Amazon special for about a year and it's been perfect. I've been around some $400-$800 awnings and the biggest difference besides price is the fabric material. Honestly I'm happy with mine as it's slightly thicker than average tent material so as long as you're taking care of it you won't have any issues there. We paid $112 shipped for ours and can't really complain about it,the bag is meh so definitely baby the zipper. I recommend you only put it on during "adventure season" to help give the bag a longer life. I've also reached out to the seller and he can could order almost every part individually if I wanted spare of anything.
Amen Brother
If the cheaper awning is torn or whatever.. You can always buy the ARB (just the awning) for 95$ and replace it with the higher quality one still far below the cost of the ARB full get up. Its an idea.
If youre gonna go camping twice a year ill go for the cheap awning
My only issue with the ARB is it is unavailable in anything larger than 2500mm x 2500mm where the All Top is 3048mm x 2500mm, Not a huge difference, but it goes from ALMOST covering the side of my camper van, to giving me full coverage...
I’ve seen to many videos of expensive awnings getting destroyed in bad weather.. imma stick to a cheap one for now
Just bought the Vevor awning from a local auction site for $35. We'll see how it goes.
Did you give it a shot yet? I've been debating on grabbing one of those for the affordability. Can't fathom spending 400+ for some shade. However, 100-150 is very doable.
I appreciate your subjective and objective report. I didn't hear any "red flags" except the almost 3 times more expensive. I have used pop up canopies in the past, realizing that the cheap ones are sooner than later, disposable. I am tired of discarding them. Correct me if I am wrong, I think you said you sold your awning. It must have been fairly durable. That is a plus.
Nicely done. You sold me on ARB.
I would rather buy two cheap ones and put one on each side of my rig.
Does thw zipper exterior hold up to the sun over time? Like, can you leave the whole thing mounted all the time in between uses?
Thank you, very professional review.
I believe in the philosophy of "buy once, cry once." Yes I might think that I'm saving money by purchasing the "cheaper one... but that's what I'm buying "Cheap." I have seen this happen too many times when someone... including me, buy the cheaper one and end up buying the correct one later and feeling terrible. Do your research and make up your mind. Nice review. Skillet
Buy the $100 dollar one and modify with your own quality control to your spec and liking money saved, with menards there is endless DIY scenarios 😅
Excellent comparison. Now cheap awning price up to $300.
“I sold it to my poor friend.”
Great comparison, thank you
The $100 from Napa is way better than the ARB one and I’d buy 6 of them before buying a ARB one!!!!!!!
Can you please provide a brand? I'm on the look out for an awning for my Element. 6.5x8.5 ish. To fit on my 84 inch roof rack.
What about Darche awning 2.5m vs ARB anyone had any experience with Darche?
More information on the ARB brackets to install on a roof basket/roof rack please?
I just used some 10mm bolts (I think), and some flat metal plate with a couple of holes.
Uv rating between the two??
Our Smittybilt awning has held up fine since 2016.
It cost us $180 +tax back then.
thank you, very helpful young man
Alhamdulillah baru siap DIY SIDE AWNING bajet..
I have a fancy Foxwing awning on one side and then this cheap fella on the other side. It's great when we just need some cover to cook while traveling, but it doesn't get much use when camping. I'm a bit wary of the build quality when it starts buffeting in high wind during the night in Victoria. I'd recommend it for that purpose for sure. Probably fine for camping in more predictable climates too.
Harbor Freight has tarps that size for under $7, there's Chinese awning tents for less than 30. Spending $100 for something like that reminds me of the old saying, A fool and his money are soon parted.
"The bitterness of poor quality last long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten". Thanks for the review!!
yes so get the yescom one
Do these awnings come off and on easily? I don't want to leave this on my subaru all day whilst at work. But i want to put it on when going for a camp.
It’s about a 5-10 minute job since they bolt on. You might be able to come up with some sort of quick release system though.
@@RevereOverland 👍
It's not a knock off if it doesn't pretend to be something else.
I'd also say more that 'it's almot like arb is selling rebranded chinese awnings made to their own spec' which is what the vast majority of 'australian' brands do.
No wind......I need to know if it will stay up to wind
Both will. I trust the ARB in wind a lot more than I do the off brand though.
A tarp, some poles and a bit of tie down cord and I'm good to go.
Someone literally gave me one of the cheap ones from amazon and said it broke on the first use. I thought I had repaired it, used it one time and it broke in another spot. Just thankful it didn't hit my van when it went down. Immediately threw it in the trash and hunting for an ARB 😂
nice review!
So thats how to mount it to a basket 0:48
Maxi Trac baby!
You say you recommend the ARB awning, well not if ya gunna have to fork out for extra brackets and seeing as how the price is three times the national debt. Give me three cheap ones anyday. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🙋🏼♂️
I wouldn’t recommend the ARB brackets. Just figure something out yourself for $10!
@@RevereOverland If you are paying that much for a premium ARB then they should be coming with adequate brackets.
i bet there is a very good off-brand awning out there that is 90% of the arb's quality for 50% of its price, but it's just hard to tell it apart because they use very similar marketing materials to the other poorer quality products
Cry once when you buy it, or cry every time you use it. Buy quality if you can. Great video review. Thanks mate.
Great review. I guess it'll be ARB
funny the yescom one i seen around way before the arb one
Yeah, I don't understand the draw of spending big bucks on an awning just because it's attached to the roof. Small pop-up canopies are pretty cheap.
I have a pop up canopy and prefer an awning. It doesn't take up a ton of space in the vehicle, it's easier to set up, and I have a fully enclosed room to attach to it.
I prefer the cheap one, value for money...
The cheap awning is more prone to failure in wind and cause three times the damage to your car. Just buy the ARB awning.
Not true. Lol I have had mine for 3 years and never had a single issue
@@americanmade422 Which one did you go with? I've been browsing for one for my Element. Would like to know which one you have for a cheaper price tag, that has held up for 3 yrs.
Did I hear a drone?
No, that was Wes doing his chainsaw review (coming soon!) in the background!
Revere Overland lol, it really was!
Good review….
$79.99 shipped. 🤠👍
From where
What brand is the cheaper one?
It’s sold under about 5 different brands on eBay and Amazon
$100 worth the price especially when you snag it on a branch while wheelin lol
Youre review is very bias, you have a ARB obsession because you are saying its better in so many ways, but other reviewers who arnt busy trying to sell others on ARB have said they are both VERY similar minus a thinner aluminum used for the base, and not having stakes on the legs which dont work great to begin with, people should always mount rope to top corners to steak into the ground at an angle. Please do better with reviews or dont do reviews when you cleary not giving the cheaper one a good fair shot, you forgot to mention that the cheaper awning has metal brackets vs plastic that ARB uses. ARB has always been insanely overpriced IMO
Only one of those awnings is still around, the other is irreparably broken and in the trash. The ARB is better, and despite a LOT more use than the eBay one, is still in great shape.
@@RevereOverland user error
Amazon for the win
ARB is almost 700 dollars now.
It’s $266 on Amazon!
@@RevereOverland I think thats the awning room. I was referring to the awning itself if its black.
@@joseph401 I think you're right about the room. The aluminum shell awning is $686, but the awning in this video is $423. That's still a lot!
Slide ya bolts in the slot of the roof rack then put ya L bracket and awning on . Then put Nuts on . You done it backwards no wonder u had issues
Are you referring to the cheap awning? The bolts freely spun in the track on the awning. Doesn’t matter what order I put it on in.
@@RevereOverland no the ARB one as I have the same on my truck
ARB not available anywhere. Cheap brand for me.
So the Chinese are plagiarizing again...who'd have thought
seek adventure
awnings are so expensive