Car Awnings are rapidly becoming essential accessories for outdoor enthusiasts, overlanders, and anyone who loves the convenience of shade and shelter on the go. These versatile additions to your vehicle provide a comfortable and protected space wherever your adventures take you. If you’re considering adding a car awning to your setup, you likely have some questions. We’re here to provide clear and concise answers to the most frequently asked questions about car awnings, ensuring you’re well-informed before making your choice.
Understanding Car Awning Compatibility and Installation
Roof Rack Compatibility: Do You Need One?
A common question when considering a car awning is whether it will fit your vehicle’s existing setup. Generally, car awnings like the Crosswing are designed to be mounted on roof racks. Directly mounting a car awning onto your car’s roof rails is typically not possible. You will need cross bars on your roof rack to securely and properly install most car awnings.
What if I Don’t Have Crossbars?
If your vehicle is not already equipped with crossbars, don’t worry, you’re not out of luck! To install a car awning, you will need to install crossbars on your car. Crossbars provide the necessary mounting points and stability for your awning. There are many aftermarket crossbar options available that are compatible with a wide range of vehicles.
Exploring Car Awning Features and Functionality
Size Differences: 5′ vs 7′ Car Awnings – Which is Right for You?
Car awnings come in various sizes to suit different needs and vehicle dimensions. For example, the Crosswing is available in 5′ and 7′ lengths. The primary difference between a 5′ and 7′ car awning is simply the length they extend. A 5′ awning will take up 5 feet of space along the side of your vehicle’s roof, while a 7′ awning will occupy 7 feet. The choice between sizes often depends on the size of your vehicle and the amount of shade coverage you desire.
What Components Come Included When You Purchase a Car Awning?
When you invest in a car awning, you want to know exactly what you’re getting. Typically, a car awning purchase includes everything you need for installation and operation. For the Crosswing models, whether you choose the 5′ or 7′, you can expect to receive:
- A fully assembled awning unit in your chosen size (5′ or 7′)
- A complete set of mounting hardware specifically designed for car roof racks
- Extra T Slot hardware for accessory attachment
- A comprehensive user manual to guide you through installation and use
- Necessary installation tools to make setup easier
Wind Resistance and Weatherproofing: Can Car Awnings Handle the Elements?
Car awnings are built to withstand outdoor conditions, but it’s important to understand their limitations. It’s generally recommended not to have your car awning open in winds exceeding 25 mph. While the Crosswing awning material itself is waterproof and rust-proof, strong winds can put excessive stress on the awning frame and mounting points. For rain, car awnings are designed to be waterproof and provide shelter. They can also handle a light dusting of snow, but it’s not recommended to use them in heavy snow conditions. Packing up your awning when winds pick up or in heavy snow will help prolong its lifespan and prevent damage.
Adjusting the Awning Angle: Maximizing Shade and Rain Runoff
Versatility is a key benefit of car awnings. Many awnings, including the Crosswing, offer adjustable angles. The awning angle can be adjusted during installation to three set positions: neutral (horizontal to the ground), 12.5 degrees upwards, or 12.5 degrees downwards. Adjusting the angle can be beneficial for maximizing shade coverage depending on the sun’s position, or for facilitating water runoff during rain.
Hanging Items and Accessory Usage: Utilizing Your Car Awning’s Full Potential
Car awnings can be more than just shade providers. Many feature attachment points for accessories. However, it’s important to be mindful of weight limits. It’s generally not recommended to hang heavy items directly from the deployed awning fabric itself, with the exception of lightweight tarps or screens. Heavier objects, up to a specified weight limit (like 10 lbs for the Crosswing), can often be mounted on designated parts of the awning frame or body, such as a T-slot. These T-slots are perfect for lighter accessories but should not be used for load-bearing purposes or anything exceeding the weight limit.
Car Awning Usage and Maintenance
Overnight Use: Can You Leave Your Car Awning Open While Camping?
For camping and overnight stops, convenience is key. Yes, you can typically leave your car awning open overnight. Car awnings are designed to be robust enough for extended use, providing a comfortable outdoor space even after dark.
Driving with the Awning Deployed: Is It Safe?
Safety is paramount, especially on the road. No, you should never drive with your car awning deployed or open. Driving with the awning extended is extremely dangerous and could cause serious damage to the awning and your vehicle, as well as pose a hazard to other drivers. However, it is perfectly safe to drive with the car awning mounted on top of your car when it is properly packed away and secured.
Opening and Closing Mechanism: How Easy is it to Operate a Car Awning?
Ease of use is a crucial factor when choosing a car awning. Operating a Crosswing awning, for example, involves a straightforward process:
To open the awning:
- Set the locking mechanism to the “unlock” position.
- Pull the two tabs located at the front of the awning outwards until you hear two distinct clicks.
- Use the locking mechanism to ratchet the awning outwards, applying tension as it extends.
- Once the awning is sufficiently tensioned and extended to your desired position, set the locking mechanism back to the “lock” position to secure it.
To close the awning:
- Set the locking mechanism to the “unlock” position.
- Pull the awning outwards by about 4 inches. This releases the tension.
- Gently guide the awning as it retracts inwards, allowing the internal tensioning mechanism to pull it back in smoothly and straight.
- Once fully retracted, set the locking mechanism to the “lock” position.
- Secure the two tabs at the front of the awning to ensure it is fully closed and packed away.
Car Wash Compatibility: Do You Need to Remove Your Awning Before Washing Your Vehicle?
Maintaining your vehicle’s cleanliness is important, but you also want to protect your car awning. It’s generally recommended to remove your car awning before taking your vehicle through an automated car wash. The brushes and high-pressure water jets in car washes could potentially damage the awning fabric or frame. However, if you are washing your vehicle by hand, you can usually leave the car awning mounted. Just be sure to rinse it off gently along with the rest of your vehicle to keep it clean.
Car awnings offer a fantastic way to enhance your outdoor experiences, providing valuable shade and shelter wherever you roam. By understanding these frequently asked questions, you can make an informed decision and enjoy the benefits of your car awning to the fullest.
