If you’ve ever seriously considered holidaying in your 4×4 then you’ve probably at least toyed with the idea of buying a 4×4 awning. These tent-like contraptions can essentially transform your vehicle into its very own mobile home, with some offerings providing enough space to house a family of four and others designed to survive perilous conditions such as the Australian outback.
With a multitude of options to choose from, we thought we’d take you through them here, while also exploring the various accessories that can transform your awning room into a comfortable and safe space for you and your family.
Considerations
Before we explore the individual options, let’s take a look at what you’ll want to consider right off the bat. First, what are you going to be using your awning for? If you’re a regular overland adventurer who wants a safe option for sleeping in harsh environments then you’ll need not only an awning room but a windbreak and perhaps even a mosquito net.
Or perhaps you are a tradesperson that needs an awning for commercial use. For example, perhaps you’re a carpenter that wants to turn your 4×4 into a mobile workshop? In this case, we’d recommend a 2m or 2.5 side-mounted awning that extends from the side of your vehicle. If you just need a room to get changed in (or sleep in), meanwhile, an awning room with a floor would be the most sensible option.
Sizes, accessories and brands
Generally speaking, there are 3 sizes of awning room available – 1.25m wide, 2m wide, and 2.5m wide. The price difference between the three is generally not substantial so it’s always going to be more a case of what you think is going to be practical rather than just going with the larger size because it offers the best value for money. We would always recommend going with ARB products as they are world leaders in the field with a proven track record.
Available accessories for awning rooms include:-
- 6-sided awning rooms, which can be used as sleeping space with added fly screens, zipped sides, windows and doors. These can transform the awning into a fully functional room and might be an option to consider if you have a larger family you want to bring on your off-road trips.
- Windbreaks, which are available for most awnings and are typically designed to angle out from the awning and provide protection not only from the wind but also from the rain.
- Mounting bracket kits are often required for installation. There are several types available including quick release options.
Remember that it is important to combine ARB awnings with ARB accessories so that everything is compatible. Thankfully, we stock the vast majority of ARB’s awning range so if you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly and we’ll be happy to help you find the right awning for your 4×4.
