Awning without a rack on my cap?

I have a snugtop camper shell but no roof rack. I’ve searched and haven’t really found much, which likely means I need to buy a roof rack heh

Any suggestions for mounting an awning with no roof rack? Looking to take my truck on its first camping trip where I don’t bring a stand-alone tent. Will be setting up camp for 3 days, doesn’t have to be a cool/quick/easy method

 

I'd just suggest a pop up.

Very versatile as you can set it up anywhere you want versus orientating the vehicle in a specific manner to block the sun; this could limit how you set up camp.

I do have an awning, and I've used it (really like it) but only because I've been lucky to have an open area to park in. Otherwise, I've always used a pop up before I ever bought it.

 

You don't really need a full-on rack, but you'll need some sort of brackets to mount it to. Those would likely have to be custom.

I definitely see the advantages to an awning, but I'm with @Kwikvette here, an ez-up is way more versatile and you can leave it set up while you head out for the day.

For the types of trips where you set up camp then head out for day trips, ez-ups are definitely the way to go, but you of course don't get the "overlander" street cred.

 

I take a lot of road trips, hoping to just sleep in the truck bed now that I have a cap and pad. I’m a little hesitant to use an EZ Up, saw one properly secured put some nice dings in a friend’s vintage gt350 on a windy camping trip at watkin’s Glen

awning would be nice to keep the sunny side off the cap window is a main reason. I don’t have any bars on the cap or cab though

What type of brackets options do people use on cap/cab? Or do I need bars on each likely?

 

Well if you insist on having one, figure out a means of adding a rack or some an extruded aluminum bar.

Here's my awning set up -



Here's my pop up setup -



Again, the awning is cool and all but the pop up can be moved in a variety of ways for convenience, not to mention having walls that provide additional wind/sun block.

 

Large beach umbrellas
Try not to look like all the other overlanders.

 

not many overlanders in Buffalo, NY, don’t really have to worry about that

I do have a gigantic beach umbrella I bought for a past gf & her dog, but it wouldn’t be able to accommodate my shading-the-sunny-side-of-the-cap hope

 

https

$125 Slumberjack 58755517 Roadhouse Tarp

://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y3NDMLJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_CHA0B2WNDWSCTC3W1GFX

$16 Airhead SUP Suction Cup Tie Downs, 2 pk.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JS1R3V6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_1CRDD8Z1R8Q0HJSMQDSS?_encoding=UTF8

 

And a review from someone (not me) who uses it in the fashion you describe. I'm in the same situation as you, Snugtop with no rack. I'm ordering this setup for an upcoming New Mexico/Colorado trip.

https://pmags.com/gear-review-slumberjack-sjk-roadhouse-tarp

 

If it's wind you're worried about, the awnings honestly don't really fair that much better. Most are pretty flimsy and need to be tied down just like the ez-ups would

Generally, a roof rack is the easiest option for mounting an awning, but like I said, if you don't want a rack, you're likely looking at a custom set of brackets. Although you'll probably still want something that uses normal cross braces (what the rack would attach to) for strength.

 

I'm in the same delema, I want an awning but don't want a roof rack. I was toying of the idea of installing angle iron and then bolting/securing the awning to it. I do not care about putting holes or resell value of my truck shell.

 

I'm hesitant to put holes in my cap for water-tight reasons

 

A local friend had this to say on the truck awning vs ez up:

“they are easy, light, move aroundable and cheap! But they are NOT water proof, light duty, and cheap!”

some of you may be interested in what he daily drives, so photo attached

 

I tried different mounts all but drilling tend to fail or leave things hanging at the worst time.

look at stand alone awnings about all the option if your not drilling your cap.

 

I drilled a 6" hole for a fan on a brand new $2,200 truck cap for my Tundra. Its been 6 years, no leaks. It does leak around the bed rails due to poor gaskets or install tho.

 

Straight tent poles, tarp, rope, and these bad boys!

Car Tent Suction Cup Hook, 4pcs/Set Suction Cup Hook With Securing Hook Tents Tarp for High Strength and Light Weight Easy Install, Suitable for Camping, Travel and More Outdoor Activities

https://www.amazon.com/Suction-Securing-Strength-Suitable-Activities/dp/B08GCPZC6S

 

small, simple, light, wind goes through it, doesn’t do anything for rain, can tie it to the truck if I want…

​

https://www.neso.com/

 

I had a set of these on my snug top shell. It does require drilling into the shell though.
I had a 270 degree awning attached to it.
It worked well.
I paid a lot less for two cross bars and brackets.

https://vantech.us/product/m-series-ladder-roof-rack-system-for-box-trucks/

Edit: as for drilling I had no leaks for 6 years.

 

The EZ Up worked well, kept the sun off my bed for much of the morning. I didn’t move the truck for 4 days but I appreciate the option to.

Now if I can just find a waterproof model

 

Told ya a pop up would work well

Stupid convenient.