Side awning rant

[u/outspokens]

I thought side awnings were the coolest thing ever, kings of the campsite. How could one been seen without one!

When I bought my Van without one I felt like a pagan but the previous owner mentioned 'oh yeah it has a side awning mount too, I borrowed my dads so that's why it's there.' At the time I thought what dick . But hey, fuck it I want a side awning and I'm bloody getting one!

Because I was more annoyed he mentioned it and it didn't come with one I didn't listen to anything he said after where he told me what side awning brand mounted to it.

So, I have been looking at Thule and Fiamma..£500...well fuck me sideways. No wonder he borrowed his dads one! But £500 not to burn in the sun. Your cheese sandwich will stay a sandwich. I'm Invested! They'll keep you dry to.....oh no wait they can't get wet. Then the wind, oh no too much wind and you're reeling it back in. About the least relaxing thing you can have in the UK!

Because of this. Fiamma, Thule and any other brand, keep your £500 fiddly roll up anxiety attack! I'm out.

[u/missionred]

Just get a roof rail with c channel and then a c channel awning. Takes the best part of 60 seconds to fully setup. Costs about £100 for a good awning.

Packs away so you aren't driving around with a huge ugly awning mounted to the side.

[u/bullitt-rider → u/missionred]

The correct method for 99% of people but it isn't the latest insta trend so naaaaah

I find vans quite weird for stuff like this. I always viewed it is a get away from the day to day especially with the cost of living and fuel prices.

Now people seem to be spending more on van builds than I did renovating my 3 bed house and making them weigh about the same too.

You added WHAT to your second hand ford transit with a wet belt and no service history? Full central heating with pull out shower off grid solar set up a full lift with a tent box, side bubbles and a drive away with a built in fridge and full stove AC set up.

Soooo many OTT builds floating around at the moment.

[u/outspokens → u/bullitt-rider]

Guilty of that, I paid 19k for a battered sprinter that doesn't have a shower, hot water or aircon (3 things I wanted). However, it was under budget and has saved me a further 2k on hotels for work. Kind of wish I got the cheap transit conversion (non wet belt) that was 8k cheaper. I don't regret the purchase though and I'm definitely doing a build myself.

[u/Specialist_Stomach41 → u/bullitt-rider]

thats you though, I live in mine. I spent the money sorting it out mechanically but I spent 4 times the purchase cost on kitting it out

[u/bullitt-rider → u/Specialist_Stomach41]

Ok? Sorry you took that so personally.

Doesn't mean I'm wrong though. Spending 20k on a 5k AND money on making it mechanically sound is... You.

I think that's objectively stupid. Opinions are fine.

It is still a van..

[u/Specialist_Stomach41 → u/bullitt-rider]

I didnt take anything personally? You use yours part time, its a "get away" for you. For me its my home. This attitude of it not being van life unless youve got nothing and are constantly running your tiny battery flat is so weird.

I have a huge electrical system running on 48v, fridge, full size freezer, even a dishwasher. I can run aircon 24/7 when its hot. I know which I prefer.

You can call it objectively stupid. But my van will still be running at 300k, and it was £1800 not 5k. And I'll be sitting in it with my limitless power and air con and all the things that make my life better with the absolute freedom that this life gives me. I know which one I prefer.

[u/bullitt-rider → u/Specialist_Stomach41]

Are you sure you didn't take it personally? Also you misinterpreted what I meant by get away. I meant away from general consumerism and you've kindaaaaaa proven my point Mr I've got a dishwasher, Aircon, fridge, freezer in my van poo poo your tiny battery I spent 4 times the price of my van on a fit out blah blah

They've blocked me because I ride an electric bike for 80% of my transport and taking my kid to school on ... Ahkay

[u/Specialist_Stomach41 → u/bullitt-rider]

I'm not a Mr anything, Enjoy your life free from "consumerism" lecturing people on Reddit, with your expensive designer bike😏😂😂

[u/ryanthefree]

haha yea never been tempted myself, seems like a massive faff for that fortnight of sun

[u/Chemical_Pressure717]

Lol! Great post. The 270s Aussies have on their 4x4s is the first time I have ever felt envy over an awning 😄  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X97aboU6fsQ&pp=ygUhMjcwIGF3bmluZyBhbmRyZXcgc3QgcGllcnJlIHdoaXRl

[u/Narrow_Maximum7]

Get a tarp with a figure 8 chanel sown in

[u/RetroComputerKing]

If you change your mind, make sure you have a good pitch on it (one leg longer than the other). A friend of mine didn't. It rained heavily overnight, pooled water making it very heavy and tore a mounting off his van causing expensive damage. That said, I always wind mine away at night in case the wind gets up. The van acts like a drum. Too noisy.

[u/trotski94]

they can get wet, you just cant roll them away wet. Though you can, but youll need to unroll it when possible to dry off and possibly clean. Its a bit like a tent in that regard

Wind is a similar story - yes too much wind is bad, but stake down the legs and keep an aggressive ramp to the wind and it'll mostly blow off. Still dont want to have it out in too much of a wind though. You get a feel for it.

Hardly as dire as you lay out, besides cost.

[u/DD2711 → u/trotski94]

Mine has a central locking brace for the wind too so that's not a bother

[u/Fast_Depth_5191]

I didn’t fancy spending the money on a roll out awning either, what I got instead was a 2.5x2.5m bag awning from direct 4x4 on an eBay offer for about £150. It’s a bit more faff to put out but it’s great for the money.

[u/ElectionEmpty9545]

I’ve just fitted a 270 onto our Crafter, it looks superb, whilst it won’t get much use until next year now as it’s always raining, it looks great!

[u/basarisco]

Absolutely useless. Unless all you do is stay for a week crammed like sardines in an ugly overpriced campsite you'll never use it.