Use ours nearly everytime were out in it. We've not used the rear patio at least not yet. The side patio seems to be more convenient with accessing the living space than the rear one. Love ours for morning coffee and watching the news! Doesn't stick out any farther than the awning either. We have the chairs on the ground with ground mat and usually sit around the campfire when everyones up and about, but when we get up in the morning, usually the first ones up, we stay on the patio. Don't think I'd want to be without one either now that we have one!