Hello!About to place an order for a Bigfoot 10.4 (rear entry camper) for my retirement next year to fulltime in. Talking to the sales guy, he brought up point that the side awning I like is nice, but when camper mounted on 4x4 dually that awning is WAY up in the air, not as useful as one would think. I figure 50-50 on how much time the camper spends mounted to the truck ... just don't know for sure though.Then there is the cost, $1600 option, how useful is it? Just use included rear awning or find a tree? Summers will be spend at enough altitude to stay cool in the western states. Winters in AZ or coastal CA. Thanks for any insight!Dave

I just carry a 12x12 pop up that stores on the rear floor of my truck and can be set up anywhere. $1600 would buy me 12 of those over the years

Hi Dave,I'm also in California and I am very glad I ordered not only the side awning but the rear awning as well. During rain or drizzle and having somewhere to take off shoes or hang out outside and stay dry is a plus. Hanging netting or shear fabric from the side awning for shade during the day as well as LED's at night is a big help also. Trees aren't always an option. It's money well spent in my opinion.Good luck!Ray

A 10x10 or 12x12 pop up is much cheaper and only deployed needed.

In my opinion, it is certainly nice to have but I do not have an awning on my current TC. Had one on a previous pop-up and there were times when in very open areas with sun beating down that I enjoyed. Most of my camping is done in fall (hunting) and winter (ski-camping) and it is not missed.One item to note: mine is for sale and have had comments from many a potential buyer that passed on it because it did not have an awning. Getting an awning as an option might affect resale desirability.

We purchased the optional side awning on our AF990 and yes it is up there but it has come in handy keeping the sun off the drivers side of the camper. I bought a nice Louisville fiberglass ladder, that we keep in the back seat of the truck, to make it easier to access the awning supports that store in the awning. Glad we bought it.

Is side awning worth it? | Good Sam Community

bigfootgrey
Explorer
Nov 03, 2018
You could e-mail Grant at Bigfoot with any concerns you may have about structural strength. He has been very helpful to us in the past and responds quickly. I agree, they should have a handle on it!
Camp_woof
Explorer
Nov 03, 2018
Well I will think on it more. Interesting about structural strength, Bigfoot should have a handle on if they have enough strength for the side awining. I really lean towards just getting it ... the truck will be a lot more expensive!

Thanks,
Dave
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2018
I am just installing box awnings on my house and when with remote opening and optional wind sensor they are nice, the brackets have very high stress on them.
On the house I am using 1/2 x 5" concrete anchors and I wonder how factory mounts those on 3/4" thick TC walls.
Years ago, driving Bounder motorhome I lost awning at 60 mph and this is not a good memory.
Evidently the screws got weaken with the years and not all screws found wood members, holding to siding only.
egarant
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2018
I've had a side awning on a previous TC but decided that the TC itself, other than high noon provided enough shade if you positioned it correctly.

I do recommend highly the rear awning, great for many reasons.

The biggest improvement for interior cooling and privacy is the installation of individual window awnings. They give you shade during the day and some privacy as well.
Travels_with_Yo
Explorer
Oct 29, 2018
We often spend most of the day exploring and hiking quite some distance from the camper. Some areas of the country have weather patterns that can kick up substantial winds in a matter of moments. I'm always paranoid about returning to the camper to find inconvenient damage to our awning. We have had very convenient "push of a button" electric awnings before and that's the only way I could live with an awning since I usually stow it before departing for the day's hike.
mountainkowboy
Explorer
Oct 29, 2018
We use ours all the time.
beachbum2011
Explorer
Oct 28, 2018
Had Carefree side crankout awning on our 2011 Northern Lite 8-11 , you need a 4 foot stepladder to deploy awning support arms.
Removed awning 4 years ago saved 70 pounds of weight. Haven't missed it one bit.
Use rear awning often.
bigfootgrey
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018
I think Dometic(A&E) has changed their awning frame designs. The hi - low rear awning frame is not produced by them anymore but the fabric is still available at this time. Bigfoot must be installing whatever the latest design being offered by the manufacturer.
Z-Peller
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018
bigfootgrey.
Bigfoot not using that type of side awning anymore. Wish I had that awning on mine.
My 2017 BF 10.4 awning cranks straight out. Does not angle down and does not have any support arms that attach to side of camper or onto the ground.
It cranks out on scissor arms on each end and that is only support.
bigfootgrey
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018

Here’s a pic of the 10’ box awning without the support arms deployed