We’ve talked about caravan and motorhome awnings; now, let’s have a chat about 4×4 awnings. In this ultimate 4×4 awning guide, we walk you through the different kinds of awnings available, things to consider when buying or replacing one, and a few options for all-sized wallets.
The 4×4 and vehicle awning game has changed dramatically in the past decade or so. Where we were once limited to rigging up a tarp with some tent poles and rope, these days we’ve got fold-out in seconds, freestanding, huge coverage awnings that keep Mother Nature from turning you into a drowned rat or a British tourist.
And yeah, we know that your caravan or camper most likely already has an awning, so why would you need one for your tow rig? Well, they come in super handy on day trips or if double the protection from above is something your campsite would benefit from—and whose wouldn’t?
Come with us as we journey into the, frankly massive, world of vehicle and 4×4 awnings and see if we can’t find one that will suit you perfectly.
Roll-out awnings
The classic style. Roll-out awnings essentially unfold at 90° to your 4×4 and are held up with extension poles incorporated into the leading edge and guy ropes to keep gusts of wind from blowing it back over your rig’s roof and causing all sorts of drama.
They’ve been around for years, they’re simple, and they work. With that said, these days there are a lot more options that are easier to fold out and with more coverage. However, if simplicity is your style and you don’t want to drop four figures on an awning that only gets occasional usage, then a good roll-out is for you.
Things to consider
The big one is price. Yeah, we’re at the cheap end of 4×4 awnings town, but an extra few bucks spent on something that’s not going to tear open at the mere mention of an overhanging branch or douse you with water as soon as it gets cloudy is worth the slightly increased investment. Check the poles stay nice and tight when extended, that it’s easy enough to get back in the travel bag, and the stitching is of high quality.
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4×4 roll-out awning options
Crashpad Crash Cover Slim Line
The Crashpad Slim Line 4×4 awning is in the middle of the price range and offers a big step up in quality. Inclusions like YKK zippers, 2.5M x 3M of coverage, 280gsm canvas, and ‘full flat felled seam’ stitching for a high level of waterproofing (3000mm PU). Plus, it only weighs 12kg, so it won’t contribute to you exceeding your GVM by too much.
Nomad by Caos
Caos have been making a name for themselves as a budget-friendly yet high-quality accessories retailer, and their Nomad 4×4 awnings are another example of that ethos. Measuring up at 2M x 3M, the coverage is pretty darn good and features 280gsm ripstop waterproof canvas.
Darche Kozi
Darche have been around for ages now and are consistent in putting out quality camping accessories. Their budget line, Kozi, is filling in a gap in their market and the 2.5M x 2M awning, at under 200 bucks, is a pearler. With an easy 2-person set-up and optional walls, it can become a fully enclosed tent in a matter of minutes. 200gsm ripstop canvas and a 2000mm waterhead rating round out the features.
Hulk 4×4 pull-out
Hulk 4X4 is a massive aftermarket accessories retailer with a truly huge range. So there’s plenty of options if you feel like adding walls or a tent kit to your 4×4 awning. Like the others, it’s made with 280gsm ripstop and is set up with a dual aluminium pole system. Is it the best awning money can buy? No. Is it meant to be? Also no. Is it simple and reliable? Absolutely.
180-degree 4×4 awnings
Let’s step things up a notch, shall we? In the next price/quality category, we have 180-degree awnings. Much like all 4×4 awnings, they mount to the side of your vehicle. Where they differ, is that instead of just rolling straight out, they fold out to the left and right and provide a lot more coverage down the length of the vehicle. However, this usually comes at a cost to the coverage out from the vehicle. Nevertheless, they are a quick and easy one-person set-up and pack down, and several are also freestanding – you don’t need to use poles or peg them down – although this generally means a larger price tag.
Things to consider
As with the roll-out style of 4×4 awning, weight plays a part here. This design also may have some freestanding properties that are worth enquiring about if you hate banging in a couple of pegs and attaching ropes. Other than that, waterhead ratings and canvas quality are paramount to inspect if you’re in any doubt, and also check the framing and hinges look to be of adequate strength and quality.
Pros:
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180-degree 4×4 awning options
Oztent Foxwing
One of the original 180° awnings, the Foxwing is still a cracker. It has a solid aluminium frame and 300gsm ripstop polyester,. Weighing in at a relatively lightweight 18.3kg there’s little in the way of undue weight up top. It’s also one of the cheaper 180° 4×4 awnings on our list. With a little internettery, we found it over $200 cheaper than the listed price, but it was from companies with a lot of buying power and few morals that we don’t really want to advertise on these hallowed pages (but we still thought you should know).
Darche Eclipse Gen 2
The Eclipse Gen 2 weighs in at 18kg and offers an impressive 8.2M² of shade. Ringing in at under a grand makes it one of the most popular one-eighties in the country. Built with 320gsm ripstop and a PU 1500mm water rating, the Gen 2 is capable of handling just about any weather conditions. There’s also a freestanding awning available for a few hundred bucks more.
Ocam Wingman
While Ocam are a relatively new kid on the 4×4 awning block, their Wingman awning seems pretty good. With inclusions like a hefty 600D Oxford fabric, PU 3000mm waterhead rating and set-up times in under a minute, there’s a lot to like. It is a hefty-boy at 24kg, but that’s what you get with such a heavy-duty fabric. Which also means it should last for a good long time.
Campboss 4×4 Boss Shadow
The Boss Shadow may have a name that reminds you of that bloke at the pub who calls himself “Nightstalker”, but unlike Nightstalker, the awning is pretty flippin’ good. It has inclusions like LED lighting and extended poles, as well as a 3000mm waterhead rating and 280gsm poly-canvas. At 24kgs, it’s no featherweight, but it also has super-beefy aluminium framework that adds a bunch of strength.
The Bush Company 180 XT Max
If you’re chasing the biggest and baddest 4×4 awning, the Bush Company has what you need. The XT Max is a beast – it doesn’t even come with poles, it’s fully freestanding (with a couple guy ropes to peg it down in high winds) thanks to its reinforced aluminium arms. 315gsm canvas keeps the sun, water and mildew at bay while the 5.9M of length when open, allows for an impressive 8.5M² of shade. Even the mounting brackets are extra-long for increased strength and stability when bolted to the vehicle. Built to last, the Bush Company awning will probably outlive your vehicle.
270-degree 4×4 awnings
Much like the 180° awnings, 270s also fold out in either direction from the middle, but as the name implies, take things a step further and have a dual-action folding hinge at the back so that the canvas can wrap around the rear of your vehicle. Genius, eh? The good news is that pretty much every accessory store on the planet sells one. The bad news is that they’re not what you’d call either light nor cheap. With that said, these 4×4 awnings offer the most coverage out of the three styles and are perfect for keeping the rear-door area of wagons or utes (with or without canopies) out of the weather, which is super handy when trying to unload in the blazing sun or drizzle.
Things to consider
Price and weight are not as big factors here, as none of them are what you’d call cheap or skinny. More important is looking at the quality of the framework and mounting bracketry, as that will largely determine its ability to freestand. Speaking of, it’s also useful to ask the folks you’re buying from what the wind rating is and under what conditions you should attach some guy ropes. Spoiler alert: nobody will offer a warranty or help in any way if a gust of wind causes any damage, so it’s safer to just take the three minutes and peg them out if it’s at all breezy.
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270-degree 4×4 awning options
James Baroud 270-degree awning
James Baroud awnings are all designed and manufactured with a revolutionary patented canvas to keep you cool in summer and warmer in the winter months. 100% waterproof, they’re backed by a 2-year warranty.
The Baroud 270 awning (globally known as the Falcon 270 awning) provided the most extensive coverage on the market at its release over seven years ago and sets a quality standard with its complete construction, which includes optional extras such as walls and a net room.
30-Second Wing awning
Any guesses for how quickly this 4×4 awning sets up? Hint: it’s in the company name. Yep, half a minute after pulling up, your shade is taken care of, which is pretty good we reckon. The 280gsm ripstop keeps things relatively light, and they reckon its freestanding abilities is good for up to 20 knots of wind. Personally, I’d tie it down regardless, but that’s me. There’s a healthy 12M² of coverage, and the weight is a stout 29kgs, but the strength is right up there with 100kgs being able to be hung from the pivot points.
Crashpad Crash Cover
Featuring Crashpad’s ‘full flat felled seam’ stitching and 280gsm canvas, which gives 11.5M² of coverage, there’s a lot to like about this unit. It is a freestanding awning up to about 30km/h winds but does come with a central support leg and guy ropes for when it gets rowdy. Speaking of, it’s waterhead rated to 3000mm PU and has YKK zippers on the bag. If you’re after good quality and want your awning to just work, be sure to chuck this one on the shortlist.
Bushwakka Extreme Darkness
With over 12M² of 900 denier poly-canvas coverage, the somewhat ominously-named Bushwakka 4×4 awning is as heavy duty and sun-n-rain repellent as they come. Boasting ENDO frame aluminium construction, built in LED lighting, 3 built-in poles for high-wind conditions – it even has tie down loops so you can make a rain gutter to direct the water off the roof. So yeah, if quality is your thing, the Extreme Darkness (ugh) is a great place to start looking.
23Zero Falcon Extreme 6-arm
The 6-Arm design of the 23Zero 4×4 awning means it’s super stable and there’s a built-in access panel for accessing the vehicle’s roof – ideal for rooftop tent owners or for folks who have gear stored up on the racks. LED lighting is also incorporated and the 280gsm poly-cotton is coated with Light Suppression Technology that 23Zero say is a “groundbreaking advancement” that scatters sunlight and UV rays making it as sunproof as they get. It also comes with a 2-year warranty, which is better than most in awning-land.
Destination 4×4 Freestanding Awning
The all-Aussie-made Destination 4×4 270° awning is another one that’s right at the top of the quality tree. Billed as “Australia’s best freestanding awning”, it’s a difficult statement to argue. Extendable poles increase the shaded area, the square edge design offers improved coverage, the canvas is Dynaproofed Australian 260gsm quality and it’s a fully freestanding awning (no poles required) thanks to its 4mm stainless base and alloy construction. Yep, it’s expensive, but the value is there. This thing is quick and easy to use, strong as buggery and locally designed, built and owned in FNQ. If you want the best of the best, this needs to be on your radar.
Toilet/shower/rear 4×4 awnings
It ain’t all side-mount awnings and shadiness at camp. There are 4×4 awnings for other roles as well. Need a quick change room at the beach? Or a place to hang the shower head? Or somewhere to stash the porta-potty? You need a shower awning, Captain. Or if you just want somewhere out of the elements while you go digging in the back of the wagon for your hiking gear, or want to change the baby’s nappy, or don’t want the rain damaging your slide-out fridge – a rear awning is calling your name. Both shower and rear-mount awnings are smaller (and generally cheaper) than side-mount units and can make a huge difference in comfort levels whether you’re parked up for a couple of hours or a couple of days.
Things to consider
As with the side-mounts, there are cheap options and good options, and the line between the two is blurry. The main thing to think about is the usage it will see and how well it is fit for purpose. A shower awning that takes forever to dry is going to be a pain. A rear 4×4 awning that dumps water into your cargo area or doesn’t clear the tailgate is gonna suck. Make sure the one you’re looking at will work for your individual needs and how you’ve got your rig set up.
Toilet/shower/rear awning options
Aussie Offroad Kalahari
It’s waterproof, it’s quick and easy to set-up, it has a roof, it has interior LED lighting and it’s large enough (1000mm x 1800mm) to fit most bodies. Calling it “the best” is fairly subjective, but the Kalahari 4×4 awning ticks a lot of boxes and won’t put you in a “I’ll never financially recover from this” fiduciary position.
Joolca Single Ensuite
Joolca are well known in the camp hot water delivery game and their ensuite tents are top quality. The single shower (which is also available as a double, so you can have one as a change room/toilet and one as a shower) has an optional drain tray base so you’re not having a mud bath while you shower. Plus there are nifty inclusions like a retractable roof, ripstop canvas and aluminium arms for rugged reliability.
30-Second Shower Tent
300D ripstop canvas and aluminium construction make the 30-Second Shower Tent a joy to have onboard. It cleverly has an access window so you can grab stuff from inside your vehicle, and takes less time to set-up or pack up than it does to get the kids back in the car.
TJM Rear Awning
Measuring in at 1400mm x 2000mm the rear 4×4 awning from TJM has plenty of coverage to fully open side-swinging or lift-up tailgates with room to spare. It’s a roll-out style with the usual twin pole arrangement, so it takes a few minutes to get set-up, ideally with some help from a friend, but the usefulness and coverage of the rear opening is nothing short of excellent.
Hannibal Rear Awning
A favourite among old-school rooftop tent-owners for decades, South African company Hannibal have long been synonymous with high-quality camping products that are built to last. Their rear awning is perfect for quick and easy set-up thanks to its fold-out legless design (similar to a 180° awning) and offers 1.3M of coverage for the rear of the vehicle.
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