Is side awning worth it?

[Camp_woof]

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

[sonuvabug]

I'm pro side passenger awning even though the points about it being quite high are well founded. We added ours when we purchased our used TC. It did not have a rear awning and they told us they couldn't mount one there because of how it was constructed.

Anyway, we ASS-u-med the side awning would run the entire side of the TC .... like our Class C awning did. When we picked the unit up ... it the awning fell well short of covering the length of the TC. They said they didn't want to have an "exposed" inside mounting bracket so they "hid" the bracket in one of the upper sleeping area cabinets.

It could have easily have been 2 feet longer and we wish it was. Any exposed bracket (which is quite flush with the wall) inside could have been tastefully covered up in any number of ways. My advice is to ask how long the awning will be and as one of the earlier posters suggested, have them physically show you the mounting points they would use.

[Camp_woof]

I think I've changed my mind a couple times while reading these responses. Thank you all for the insight!

I'll order it ... even if the Bigfoot awning not great while on truck, I can use off truck or keep sun off fridge, window, have a nice space for a little flat rain during a summer afternoon.

Well, in a couple years I'll be able to respond to the next newbie who asks!

thanks again.
Dave

[bigfootgrey]

We use our side awning often. It also provides shade for the fridge to help keep it cooler. We also carry a 10’x10’ ez-up with a screen room. Both serve their purpose depending on the campsite configuration. Congratulations on retirement and the 10.4!

[AidenJ]

We use our side awning a lot. If we happen to camp where there is a picnic table out it comes. I use it to cook in the shade or just to keep dry, also shades the window and refer vent. It is a manual so it does take a couple of minutes to crank out.

[Z-Peller]

I would not do it again...Bigfoot is now using an arm free cassette type of side awning. The angle can only be changed downward 3 deg, and even that is with great difficulty. I did not know this when I ordered my BF 10.4 with side awning and assumed it would have adjustable side arms like older models do. And yes, you are right, it is way too high to be of much use when it cannot be angled down.
I am a long time Bigfoot guy, but was truly disappointed with the side awning on this camper.
I have noted that Lance side awnings are attached just above the camper window, which makes them lower and more useful I would think.

[Kayteg1]

Everybody has different preferences.
We spend 80 days/nights in our Lance last year and I think, I opened side awning only once.
Camper with side entrance, so it is over the door.
Couple main issues with using it was that either the site was to small, or too windy when manual awning is taking time to unroll.

[RKB]

I have a side awning on my Northern Lite. I tried using it a few times early on, but found it to be too much trouble. It is manual,so maybe electric would be another story. I use my awning over the back door all the time.

[wnjj]

With a passenger side slide, the awning wouldn't have much usable space under it. A driver side awning would be find while boondocking but is the utility side when at a campground. Between that and the extra weight, we didn't bother with the side one.

[northshore]

Our Lance has side and rear awnings, we like them, especially when we go to the coast.Perfect for keeping rain off of us. It is nice to have a dry place next to the camper.
But $1600 is pretty spendy, when you put your order in for the camper I would for sure have them make it "awning ready" put the backing in for the awning and insure you know the location of the backing.
Most people who want to install an awning later want to know about where to attach it.
I like the idea of the EZ up, but having the awning there on the camper is way convenient.

[toedtoes]

I camp at many NSFS campgrounds in Northern California and an attached awning is not that handy. There are either trees or boulders next to the RV so you can't really sit underneath.

For $1600 extra and a rear awning already, I'd skip it and buy a stand alone canopy later if you realize you can use it.

[GeoBoy]

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.

[d3500ram]

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.

[Lwiddis]

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

[Western_Sky_Ran]

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

[Buzzcut1]

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