270 degree self-supporting awnings with Poptop conversion.

[W&KO]

Out with the old…..in with the new

4-5 years ago I fitted an Alu-Cab 270 awning st the same time as the pop top conversion was done. The awning worked out to be awesome, so easy to deploy and pack up, just need one person and the wife could easily do it. Could withstand decent winds however used to suffer water pooling in heavy ran.

I removed it this week, main reasons is we wanted a bit more shade for our road trips.

A few pics from earlier in the week when we removed it.

LOL, I even replaced a nut that had been missing from one of the hinge’s for like 3 years [emoji4]

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[W&KO]

New 270 fitted today……

Ended up with a The Bush Company 270 MAX

Install was delayed as I need to modify the Mulgo awning brackets so that the awning would sit higher to clear the rear door.

First impression when k unboxed it was the quality…..one minor issue with one mounting bold slot.

It’s a handful to mount, 3 off us struggle the other day, had four set of hands today.

With the extra coverage at the front it’s a little fiddlelier to set up/pack up when compare to the Alu-Cab.

Just need to fit a couple of point for the tensioning straps to connect to, a brace for the rear hinge, lighting and a fishing rod holder.

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[simonmelb]

Looks nice, but at $2400 and 33 kg, do you use this instead of a tent or just for shade?

We decided against any awning as prefer a tent and double kayak on the roof racks which is close to our offroad weight limit.

[W&KO]

Looks nice, but at $2400 and 33 kg, do you use this instead of a tent or just for shade?

We decided against any awning as prefer a tent and double kayak on the roof racks which is close to our offroad weight limit.

Good thing I think it’s good value for money. Sure it’s heavier than the previous awning.

100% for sages….we are about to depart on a 700 days road trip where it’ll be used everyday.

270 self supporting means we don’t hesitate in deploying, so easy, no ropes, no poles.

We prefer nothing on the roof racks……..as the roof is part of our sleeping arrangement, no tents for us [emoji6]

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[W&KO]

First use of da new awning……..

Raining on/off all arvo…..needed a couple of ropes to remove the water pooling.

Overall…pretty happy with the upgrade.

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[Colmoore]

Nice looking rig and the colour is [emoji108]

I installed an Ostrich Wing on our Conqueror 390 the year before last.
I was hoping to buy Australian made and the Clever Shade looked great but I couldn’t get one for 4 months and the Ostrich Wing was available (though I had to wait a month for the zip on walls) from Australian Outback Outfitters, so I went that way.

The canvas fold out tent on our Conqueror trailer is made by the same company that make the Ostrich Wing and is an add on option, so I knew it would suit.
The OW weighs 28kg, is made from structural aluminium and 380gm ripstop, has a drop down leg on each arm for tie down in high wind and or heavy rain. The legs aren’t necessary for general rain and wind under 40km/hr but I’ve found tying it down gives me control over where the water sheds and peace of mind when the wind comes up.
We’ve been away a few times since install (not nearly as much as we would have pre covid) and we’ve had 2 storms with 80km/hr + winds, sideways rain with 27mm in an hour once! The awning performed very well and didn’t suffer any damage, though water did pool between the arms to a degree.
To eliminate this issue I just cut one fibreglass dome tent pole to fit between each arm with an upward curve, securing it to the canvas with 2 stick on Velcro dots.

In bad weather, the awning with walls is a Godsend with a family of 5!

I’m seriously thinking of putting a 270° awning on the 130 too.

[Colmoore]

Btw, did you sell the old awning?

[W&KO]

Btw, did you sell the old awning?

Yep sold the Alu-Cab Awning

[rar110]

Great set up weeds.

[86mud]

I second that and also looks much better with the green material.

[The Cone of Silence]

First use of da new awning……..

Raining on/off all arvo…..needed a couple of ropes to remove the water pooling.

Overall…pretty happy with the upgrade.

They say that great minds think alike....and I'm inclined to agree ;-)

I also have a pop-top (#14) on my Puma 110 and removed the AluCab awning and replaced it with a Darche Eclipse 270 which like yours, has the forward arm and also has the guy line attachments points in the centre between the poles so no more water pooling! This was my big bug-bear with the AluCab.

I have the AluCab shower cubicle mounted to the driver's side as well although I don't use it very often as I don't go to the beach much....but it does get used as a changing room from time to time.

Sold the AluCab awning (and walls) as it was still in excellent condition - in fact I'm impressed by how well it's stood up to the test of time and usage.

Love that car colour mate - Bravo.

[DiscoMick]

Superpeg 270 degree awnings are now an option on Jawa poptop caravans such as ours, so that may be worth investigating.