Exposure to the elements is one of the most challenging things about going to the beach, a picnic, or on a camping trip. While there’s nothing quite like relaxing in the sunshine with the people you love, it can sometimes seem like the only option for relief from the intense rays is getting back in your vehicle.
However, a car awning or 4WD awning can make that an issue of the past. Once installed on your vehicle, it can work as a form of shade that you can access in just seconds. If you’re on the hunt for the best 4WD awning, some of these options and factors can be worth exploring.
What Features to Consider in a New 4WD Awning
Size
The size of your new 4WD or car awning is undoubtedly one of the most important things to consider. Too small, and it won’t have enough space for your needs but, too large, and it may not fit the side of your vehicle.
Measure the area you hope to install your awning to ensure there’s plenty of room. Then, think about what you would typically have sitting in the shady part underneath. Think about how many people will require shelter at any one time to help you decide the best awning dimensions.
Awning Style
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to the positioning of their awning. Some people prefer the generous shade volume of a side awning, while others prefer a rear model for shade while cooking at the back of a vehicle.
You can also purchase side-mounted awnings spanning 180 or 270 degrees, sometimes called Batwing or Foxwing awnings. These are mounted at the side but cover both the side and rear.
Weight
While the weight of your preferred awning may not seem important, it can be if you carry other items on your roof. Consider the weight limit of your vehicle’s roof before choosing a new 4WD awning.
Materials
When you’re relying on material to protect you from the sunshine and UV rays, it needs to be strong. Look for features like UV resistance, waterproofing, and reflective layers. When purchasing awnings with polyester cotton and similar materials, take note of the GSM weight, with some of the best being 250 GSM and above.
It may also pay to take note of the awning frame materials. Avoid plastic fittings that may perish with time, and opt for robust, light, and easy-care materials like stainless steel and aluminium.
Attachments
Most awnings come as standard with one piece of fabric to provide shelter from the top, but you may not be limited to just one. Look out for compatible accessories such as extra walls. Some of the best 4WD awnings even allow you to add complete enclosures, mosquito nets, and LED strips.
Best 4WD Awnings
Now that you know which features to look out for, it’s time to start comparing products and seeing which ones stand out for all the right reasons. We’ve scoured the internet and discovered that these 4WD awnings undoubtedly hold their weight in the competitive market.
Table of Contents
- Supa Peg Stand Easy ERV Awning 2.5m x 2.5m
- Darche Eclipse 180 Versatile Rear or Side Awning
- Oztent Foxwing 270 Awning Series 2
- Oztent Foxwing 180° Awning
- 23Zero Raven 2500 Side Awning with LST 2.5 x 2.5m
- Darche Eclipse 270 Awning Gen 2
- Darche Eclipse 180 Versatile Awning
- 23Zero Falcon 270 Passenger Side Awning
- Darche Eclipse Slimline Side Awning 2M x 2.5M
- Darche KOZI Series 270° Awning
- 23Zero Raven 2000 Side Awning with LST 2 x 2.5m
The Supa Peg Stand Easy ERV awning is a 2.5m x 2.5m awning made right here in Australia. It has 6.25m2 coverage, suits most RVs and 4WDs, and is quick and easy to set up and pack away, thanks to self-standing pegs and an exclusive folding footplate.
The awning material consists of 275gsm Dynaproof canvas with UV treatment and mould and mildew resistance, and it’s stored within a waterproof UV-treated heavy-duty Tonneau bag. You’re also bound to be impressed by the heavy-duty aluminium poles and tent pegs, included mounting kit to fit most roof racks, and compatibility with other accessories.
Dimensions: 2.5m x 2.5m (6.25m2 coverage)
Mounting style: Side
Materials: 275GSM Dynaproof canvas, aluminium poles and tent pegs
Weight: 15kg
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $559
Put a Darche awning on your wishlist because it’s easy to see why this is a firm favourite among Australian 4WDers. This Darche Eclipse 180 rear or side awning is designed to suit all directions based on your preferences.
It only requires one person for setup and has a freestanding mode that lets you extend the 320gsm ripstop polycotton canvas awning before dropping the telescopic poles that are stowed along the rafters. There are also two leg poles, guy ropes, and pegs.
Rain or shine, this 4WD awning can’t help but impress. It has a PU 150mm water rating and seam sealing and also comes with a PVC cover to protect it when you’re on the road. Use the included mounting brackets to fix it in place, and purchase a wall kit for extra protection.
Dimensions: 4.2m length by 1.4m width by 2.1m height
Vehicle height capacity: 1.6m to 2.2m
Mounting style: Side or rear
Materials: 320GSM ripstop polycotton canvas awning, box tube alloy rafters frame, stainless steel and alloy hinge system, 600GSM PVC transit cover
Weight: 13kg
Warranty: 3 years
Price: $599
Get as much protection as you need, courtesy of the Oztent Foxwing 270-degree awning Series 2. This strong, easy-to-setup awning is designed to provide shade from the front and rear, with four poles that extend around the rear of your vehicle.
Its exclusive ModCan material is waterproof, mould resistant, CPAI-84 fire-resistant, and has a UPF50+ rating. It’s also hard to beat the zipped edges to attach extra walls to, the continuous skirting for rain protection, and the superior materials that make this awning stand out from the crowd. All that’s left to do now is attach it to your roof rack cross bars and set it up.
Dimensions: 2.4m radius, 11m2 coverage (270 degrees)
Mounting style: Side and rear
Materials: ModCan ripstop polyester awning, solid aluminium frame
Weight: 19kg
Warranty: 2 years
Price: From $690
With an Oztent Foxwing 180-degree awning attached to your vehicle, you can’t help but feel comfortable on your next outdoor adventure. This Foxwing awning is easy to set up by one person and comes with mounting brackets, claw spigot telescopic poles, guy ropes, pegs, and a storage bag.
The awning is something special, too, with CPAI-84 fire-resistant and UPF50+ ripstop polyester, not to mention zips on the side for your extra walls and accessories. You can even source fitting kits for most rack types.
Hit the road this summer knowing you can set up and pack down this awning in minutes while enjoying hours of protection from the elements.
Dimensions: 2.4m radius, 6.5m2 coverage (180 degrees)
Mounting style: Side and rear
Materials: ModCan ripstop polyester awning, solid aluminium frame
Weight: 19kg
Warranty: 2 years
Price: From $689.99
23Zero has you covered with a cost-effective solution for protection from the elements. This Raven 2500 side awning with light suppression technology might be a game-changer on your next outdoor adventure.
It comes with a mounting kit, five sail ropes, a PVC transit cover, a robust alloy frame, and 290GSM polycotton canvas that blocks out light and UV rays. Set it up fast and easily, and enjoy how quickly it packs away into a 600gsm laminated PVC transit cover.
Dimensions: 2.5m x 2.5m
Mounting style: Side
Materials: 290GSM polycotton canvas awning, 600gsm PVC transit cover, alloy frame
Weight: 12.6kg
Warranty: 1 year
Price: $349.95
This Darche awning is easily the crème de la crème of all awnings. The next time you go on a camping adventure, you won’t want to come home!
It’s a 270-degree Gen awning for 4WDs that one person can put up with ease. It features heavy-duty polycotton ripstop canvas, an alloy rafter system, and a robust steel and alloy steel hinge system.
Once set up, you can enjoy up to 20.5m2 of shelter, with optional sidewalls for extra protection. Everything needed for this awning comes in one convenient bag, and all you need to do is purchase additional walls and start planning your next camping trip.
Dimensions: 6m x 4m (11.5 m2)
Mounting style: Side and rear
Materials: 320GSM polycotton grid ripstop canvas awning, 600GSM PVC cover, alloy frame, steel hardware
Weight: 23kg
Warranty: 2 years
Price: from $1,099
If you’re looking for a versatile car awning to take on a picnic or while camping, check out this cost-effective model from Darche. The Eclipse 180-degree awning is designed to mount from the rear or side of your vehicle and comes with a convenient freestanding design for one person.
You can set it up on two pivoting telescopic leg poles and enjoy having two extra leg poles in a separate carry bag. This awning also consists of robust 320GSM polycotton grid ripstop canvas with 150mm PU waterproofing to seal the deal.
As this awning comes with everything you need, such as heavy-duty brackets, guy ropes, and holding straps, it’s one of the most straightforward awning options on the market.
Dimensions: 4.2m x 1.4m x 2.1m
Mounting style: Rear or side
Materials: 320GSM polycotton ripstop canvas, 600GSM PVC cover, alloy rafters
Weight: 13kg
Warranty: 3 years
Price: $599
There’ll be no sweltering in the heat without protection when you load up your 4WD with the 23Zero Falcon 270 passenger side awning. This robust awning that suits dual-cabs and general canopy and wagon arrangements has every possible feature you could need to enjoy a comfortable camping experience.
The awning boasts 280GSM polycotton canvas with UV, abrasion, and mould resistance, with an LST coating to seal the deal. You can also add extra side walls if you wish. What people appreciate the most about this awning is how fast and easy it is to put up. One person can set it up in one minute, all thanks to convenient features like integrated swing-down pivoting telescopic legs.
Dimensions: 6m x 4m (11.5m2)
Mounting style: Side
Materials: 280GSM polycotton canvas, 600GSM PVC transit cover, aluminium, alloy, and cast alloy frame
Weight: 19kg
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $1,149.95
The Darche Eclipse Slimline side awning is leagues ahead of its competition regarding protection, shade, and ease of use.
You can mount this 4WD side awning on general canopy and wagon arrangements, along with dual-cabs, and it takes one person just 60 seconds to set up. The awning has a durable 280GSM polycotton canvas, which is bound to impress with its mould, UV, and abrasion resistance.
Thanks to the aluminium box extrusion rafters and cast alloy hinges, this generous 11.5m2 setup is lightweight and comes with everything you need to set it up right away.
Dimensions: 6m x 4m (11.5m2)
Mounting style: Side
Materials: 280GSM polycotton canvas, 600GSM PVC transit cover, aluminium, cast alloy, and allow frame components
Weight: 19kg
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $1,149.95
Be the envy of all your friends when you head to your sun-drenched campsite with this Darche KOZI Series 270-degree awning. Spread yourself out with three arms and enjoy superior materials that help this 4WD awning last the distance.
You’ll likely have complete confidence in the 280GSM ripstop polycotton canvas that provides 11.8m2 of coverage, along with the strong aluminium rafter poles and four pivoting telescopic leg poles. This awning also comes with everything one person needs to set it up in just minutes.
Once you’re ready to leave, this high-quality side awning all packs down in a strong 1000D PVC transit cover.
Dimensions: 2.5m (11.8m2)
Mounting style: Side
Materials: 280GSM ripstop polycotton canvas, aluminium rafter poles, 1000D PVC transit cover
Weight: 20.2kg
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $799
If you’re after a simple yet effective form of shade and protection on your next outdoor adventure, don’t look past the 23Zero Raven 2000 side awning with light suppression technology. This 2m x 2.5m awning features 290GSM polycotton canvas, a slimline design, a PVC transit cover for protection on the road, and all the mounting components you need.
This strong, convenient 4WD side awning even has five sail ropes with adaptable tracks so that you can add all the accessories you want, like strip lighting, gear pockets, and extension walls. It sets up and packs away quickly, making it the ideal option for day trips.
Dimensions: 2m x 2.5m
Mounting style: Side
Materials: 290 GSM polycotton canvas, 600GSM PVC transit cover, alloy frame
Weight: 9.8kg
Warranty: 1 year
Price: $319.95
Got yourself a great 4WD awning? Which model did you buy? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.
If you’re looking for ideas on where to take your next family camping trip, check out our Travel Inspiration section. Need hikes to do on your camping trip? Try The Trail Finder.
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