What to look for when buying an Awning
An awning is a fantastic way to take your adventure to the next level, and Rhino-Rack has a range to suit just about any application. There are a few things you need to consider if you’re in the market for an awning. You don’t need to over-complicate things, but before making a purchase you should consider the following; vehicle size and shape, shade coverage, UV protection and water resistance.
Vehicle Size and Shape
Each Rhino-Rack Awning comes in two sizes 2m and 2.5m. An awning shouldn't exceed the length of the vehicle and should be installed with relatively equal overhang each side of the rack. When the awning is open you want to consider if it will interfere with opening doors, particularly for 270-degree awnings on hatchbacks. If you have a hatch which opens considerably higher than the roof you'll need to keep in mind there may be limited rear access when a 270-degree awning is extended. The width between your front and rear roof racks should be greater than 700mm and the overhang on either side shouldn't exceed 1000mm. If your roof racks are too close or there is excessive overhang you may damage the racks or the awning while driving or when set up in high wind. These dimensions are particularly important for installing 270-degree awning on roof racks. Pioneers and track mounts allow full flexibility for positioning an awning and are recommended for Batwing products.
Coverage area
You don't need to worry too much about coverage area as we have a large range of awning accessories including extensions. So if you have a small vehicle and opt away from a 2.5m awning there are plenty of ways to increase your shade coverage. However, if you have a larger vehicle and don't need a large amount of shade, the 2m awnings may be what you're after. When it comes to how much shade you want to create, Rhino-Rack’s awning range offers a number of options. It’s also important to remember that these awnings are compatible with many accessories, all of which can help customise your set up to suit your needs.
UV Protection and Water Resistance
Awnings are great for keeping cool in the shade and staying dry if it rains, but keep in mind not all awnings are created equally. You should make sure the awning you purchase will provide sun protection and water resistance. Our awnings are made from high-quality rip stop and PU2000mm water-resistant PVC (210D P/OX W/R PU2000mm) with an independently tested UPF 50+ and you shouldn't settle for any less!
If you're not up to date with the jargon don't worry, it's not that complicated. UPF is the ultraviolet protection factor and it refers to the proportion of UV radiation which can penetrate a material. UPF 50+ is the maximum achievable and means only 2% of UV is able to penetrate the material, so bear in mind while it does provide some protection it's not 100% and you should always wear a hat and sunscreen.
So that's UPF, now for water resistance, PU refers to polyurethane which is a coating added to fabrics to fill in the gaps between the threads so water cannot seep through. A water rating (HH) is the amount of water in a column a fabric will endure until 3 drops of water seep through. In this case, our awnings will withstand a two-meter column of water before water will seep through. It's important to consider the higher the water resistance the heavier and more ridged the fabric. We've kept the quality high while keeping the weight down so you can carry more and stay dry.
Having the right gear can be the difference between a great comfortable, dry escape and a miserable burnt or saturated weekend away. These are two areas you don't want to skimp on.
Product Range
Rhino-Rack Sunseeker:
- Sunseeker 2.5m Awning - 2100mm x 2500mm - 5.25m2
- Sunseeker 2.0m Awning - 2100mm x 2000mm - 4.2m2
Rhino-Rack Batwing: (Right hand side also available)
- Batwing - 2500mm extension with 270 degrees of coverage - 10m².
- Batwing Compact - 2000mm extension with 270 degrees of coverage - 6.4m².
No matter what kind of adventure you’re heading out on, an awning will enhance the experience. Whether you need a cool spot to pitch your tent or a dry and shady spot to sizzle your sausages, no serious camper should be without an awning.
Follow this link to see the full range of Rhino-Rack Awnings
Facebook: facebook.com/RhinoRackUSA || Instagram: @rhinorack
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