I am in the beginning stages of purchasing a truck camper for full-time use. I have a question about your use of awnings. Do you have one? Rear or side? Do you use it often? I currently have a separate sunshade shelter I use with my teardrop. But I am unsure how I might like to use only the one on a camper. Any opinions would be helpful as I spec out my future camper.

Well, I'm sort of in the same boat. TD to TC in the near future.Coming from a Tear Drop (Camp Inn) and using the Shelter Logic/EZ-up 12x12 shade canopies, when I order/get my Camper, I'm planning on both side and back.Side awning for quick and easy uses, the back awning for dry or dryer access. Unless you get the big ones for the back, my understanding is that the back one is nice to keep the rain out as you go in and out of the back of the camper and I'm guessing takes a little heat from the hot sun off the back door area..I still plan on using the 12x12 if needed for sitting out or BBQ etc.. for longer than 1 days stays.. heheh, if I can fit it in... also I'm planning on the ice chest for beverages...Luved the TD, but when Wind & Rain work the same 12-hr shift or longer, it gets a little crowded, thus the TC rig..fun..(standing by for the posts by the pros...)

I use the rear awning more than the side , only to shed rain when the door is open. If you open field camp a lot, or plan to use the rig at a parking lot event then they make better sense and offer shade for the door or side window. IMO, they are too small (8FT) to be of any real good against rain and the wind can rip them off an RV if you forget to pull it in . Therefore I either tarp the entire site or use my 12x12 free standing awning with screen and drape enclosures. I get a lot more use out of that set up and its more 3 seasonal ( Mr Heater can heat the 12x12 used as a living room). that's my .02 , only you know your intended use .

we have a side awning that protects the front door and also helps shield the slide from direct sun where our fridge is located. We were camping this week trout fishing parked North to South and the awning offered a relaxing spot to hangout extending shade as the sun settled West. I'm glad we have it.

We have one on the rear and the side, we use the side almost every trip for shade. The rear one gets used also if were staying in one place for more than a day.

I see many truck campers with awnings and know many like having them. I used sunshades during my race days in the paddocks. It was from this use I would not want to have one on my TC. I am predominately in windy areas and with snow periods. Both of these weather type events keep me from using ones. Some of the TC manufacturers are using the technology now that will automatically close them, when needed. I also have never had one on my slide and so far have not seen a time when I have needed one. But, I have helped a few people by loaning my Milwaukee Heat Gun to clear ice that has gathered under their slide awning. As well as danger from traveling through limb filled forest roads and streets. But But, I don't feel strongly about awnings to tell you not to get one. Just that I haven't needed one or have ever missed not having one. Would I use one if it was given to me? No. b

Awning? | Good Sam Community

bobndot
Explorer II
May 04, 2015
I use the rear awning more than the side , only to shed rain when the door is open.
If you open field camp a lot, or plan to use the rig at a parking lot event then they make better sense and offer shade for the door or side window.
IMO, they are too small (8FT) to be of any real good against rain and the wind can rip them off an RV if you forget to pull it in .
Therefore I either tarp the entire site or use my 12x12 free standing awning with screen and drape enclosures. I get a lot more use out of that set up and its more 3 seasonal ( Mr Heater can heat the 12x12 used as a living room).

that's my .02 , only you know your intended use .
fpoole
Explorer
May 04, 2015
Well, I'm sort of in the same boat. TD to TC in the near future.

Coming from a Tear Drop (Camp Inn) and using the Shelter Logic/EZ-up 12x12 shade canopies, when I order/get my Camper, I'm planning on both side and back.

Side awning for quick and easy uses, the back awning for dry or dryer access. Unless you get the big ones for the back, my understanding is that the back one is nice to keep the rain out as you go in and out of the back of the camper and I'm guessing takes a little heat from the hot sun off the back door area..

I still plan on using the 12x12 if needed for sitting out or BBQ etc.. for longer than 1 days stays.. heheh, if I can fit it in... also I'm planning on the ice chest for beverages...

Luved the TD, but when Wind & Rain work the same 12-hr shift or longer, it gets a little crowded, thus the TC rig..

fun..
(standing by for the posts by the pros...)

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