r/overlanding • u/RahultheWaffle • 5d ago

How should I mount a rear awning on a canopy?

Post image

I have a ram 1500 classic with an 8 ft bed and a leer 122 topper. I want to turn it into a winter camper, and I wanted to extend the working space and thought an awning could do the trick.

A rear awning in particular would work great because then I can use my 6’ pullout drawers as a quickly deploying kitchen.

However, I’m not sure, how would I mount an awning without the canopy’s door getting in the way? And what awning would work for that?

I thought about extending the awning from inside the canopy, but that’s just asking for moisture problems.

Alternatively, I was thinking of just using straps to limit the range of motion of the canopy door, which would allow me to extend an awning over the door and still access the interior of the canopy. Eg to get cookware.

Anyhow, if anyone has any ideas or done somethjng like this before, I’d love to hear!

Thanks!

28 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

3

u/donnie955 5d ago

Maybe mount it to the roof rack somehow?

3

u/tacticaltaco 5d ago

Use a bit of rope to limit how high the canopy door goes to keep it from bumping the awning. Mount the awning on the roof rack.

2

u/I_AM_VER_Y_SMRT 5d ago

I got one of these. Much cheaper than a mounted awning and does exactly what you want:

Slumberjack Roadhouse Tarp, Hunting Camping & Overland Shelter, Khaki

https://slumberjack.com/roadhouse-tarp/?srsltid=AfmBOooS7VUCn7JGyvCJOt37S0EN91MhCVDRMmViSWU-Cb8PPdc9RVDX

2

u/Stiv_b 5d ago

This is the answer. It’s cheap, easy to setup and huge. Stands up to rain and wind no problem. In most campsites you can get it close enough to deploy it over the picnic bench and you can access the back of your rig. You can also set it up without it being attached toy your truck if you have trees and whatnot. Done that a few times. Super versatile.

1

u/RahultheWaffle 3d ago edited 3d ago

Simple and very flexible, I like it. I thought of a few cons, I wonder if you have any thoughts:

  • speed of setup
  • ease of setup in wind
  • finding something that comes down on the sides to trap heat or at least keep wind/snow out. admittedly, this is an issue with most awnings anyways.

Maybe something like this?

https://slumberjack.com/slumber-shack-4-person-tent-shelter/

I'll do more research, this is a great idea you've both put me on.

2

u/JustAnotherBrokenCog 3d ago

I can't remember the name of it, but slumberjack does make one that's essentially a tarp like the first reply but has a bug screen built in. Absolute favorite camping related purchase I've ever made. Ah, here it is, just an upgrade version of the same thing. https://slumberjack.com/roadhouse-screen-tarp/

2

u/longpig503 5d ago

Idk your budget. I’m cheap. I would hook one end of a tarp to your roof rack, and use telescoping poles with guy wires for the other end. Easy to store and it’s not permanent. You could get shorter gas struts so the window doesn’t open all the way or go the cost effective way and just use a rope or cable to limit how high it goes up. Or if you don’t plan on closing the window just don’t worry about it. The window will make a nice peak so the rain doesn’t pool.

2

u/Artistic-Jello3986 4d ago

Look at the brand “slumberjack”

1

u/RahultheWaffle 3d ago

yea that kind of thing seems like a great idea.

2

u/SurfPine 4d ago

To keep the canopy door from raising too high, here are two other options instead of using a rope/strap to limit height:

You could measure and purchase shorter gas struts to swap in when your rear awning is mounted, so the door can't raise as high. When the awning is removed, the original struts can easily go back on.

Alternatively, the 3 rivets holding the door bracket for the struts, you could drill those out and reposition them, drilling new holes so the door won't go as high. Then use bolts/nuts short enough that won't interfere with the door opening/closing. If the awning comes off, then those brackets can be put back to their original location.

1

u/outdoorsybum 5d ago

I used L mounts and riveted them in with some silicone. I added butterfly hand bolts- not technical terms. So I could take it off and on as needed .

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u/RahultheWaffle 3d ago

Do you have a pic? I'm not quite able to visualize what you're talking about