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Smittybilt Trail Shade

Discussion in 'Product Reviews' started by colinb17, Nov 29, 2012.

  1. Nov 29, 2012 at 3:56 PM
    #1
    colinb17

    colinb17 [OP] If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    Wheelers, campers, tailgaters, and general outdoorsmen alike........this thread is to give an overview of the Smittybilt "Trail Shade".

    My problem
    I usually carry a 10''x10'' easy up canopy on wheeling trips. It provides shade from the sin, and shelter from the rain, but is heavy, and even when collapsed, takes u a large amount of space.

    What i was looking for
    my criteria for a replacement for the bulky easy up was something that was small, compact, light weight, and versitile. The obvious solution was a rollout awning, like what ARB and other RTT manufacturers make like this
    I liked all of those awnings, however it would have taken up more space on my bed rack than i am able to give up. I will be mounting an ARB (or similar) awning on my off road trailer down the road for some larger scale shade.

    What i went with
    After looking into the different options, both for purchase, and making something myself from scratch, I wend with the Smittybilt Trail Shade.

    It is a trapazoidal shade, measuring 3' wide at one end, 6' wide at the other, and 10' long. It is designed to mount to a spare tire, but is easily attached tojust about anything. You could even attach it to some trees in the woods for some shade on a hike.

    It comes with what is a surprisingly nice little pack. it functions as both a backpack, and a unit that can strap onto your spare tire.
    the canopy itsself, the two collapsable poles, two stakes, and the adjustable cords all fite comfortably in the pack. it's not like a tent, where you break your wrists trying to roll everything up tight enough to fit.

    Overall I am very happy with the purchase. The only downside that i can see so far is that the plastic clips don't have the greatest holding strength. I'm going to try notching the teeth to see if i can get them a little more bite. In all reality, they will probably be just fine though.

    and finally, the price.......you can pick these up for about $65. I actually think that is very good price for all you get.


    Now for the pictures

    The backpack/truck mounted carrying case
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    pack mounted on the spare tire as specified by Smittybilt

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Canopy in action (attached to the spare tire as recomended by Smittybilt)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I tried attaching the outer straps to the bed rack instead of the spare tire to spread the canopy a little......maybe it made a difference. who knows.

    [​IMG]

    wooden blocks to tension the tie downs

    [​IMG]

    for more efieient deployment, what i will probably do on the trails is roll up the canopy without putting it completely away. turns out the straps double a great method of securing the canopy without detatching it from the truck to put back in the pack. you could di the same thing with a bungee as well.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    for those of you withough spare tires mounted in the proper position to use one of these, you could also use it off of a bed or roof rack. It will work just fine with a factory rack as well.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I don't have a picture of it, but this would also be nice to hang off the front of a roof rack to give you some shelter/shade while working under the hood.

    Once i packed it all back up, I tried one last thing. turns out the pack will strap perfectly around the tailgate as well :)

    [​IMG]

    and that's all i've got for now. I'll update this thread as a use the canopy.
     
  2. Nov 29, 2012 at 4:02 PM
    #2
    hard2kill

    hard2kill Well-Known Member

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    ...315's,2in bora wheel spacers,safari snorkel,wheel spacers,bruteforcefab rear bumper and sliders,afe filter,hi-lift jack,5100 with OME 886 & 1/2in spacer,allpro expo's,icon 10in rear shox,flip kit,ss brake lines,cobra cb,fog light mod,yellow fogs,weathertech mats,fullsize spare tire and extra sport rim,tinted windows,aeroturbine 2525 muffler dumped over axle...rear diff breather mod...removed factory spare...removed 2nd air filter...THULE roof rack and fairing....bud builts front to back,allpoo front bumper,BAMF lca skids,overland Offroad roof and bed racks,
    very nice bro!!! i like it off the roof rack...
     
  3. Nov 29, 2012 at 4:22 PM
    #3
    colinb17

    colinb17 [OP] If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    deffinately gives you more height off the roof rack. tailgate would be nice with a cooler in the bed and some chairs though :cheers:
     
  4. Nov 29, 2012 at 4:58 PM
    #4
    Slimwood Shady

    Slimwood Shady I love your mom!

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  5. Nov 29, 2012 at 6:01 PM
    #5
    sytfu510

    sytfu510 Instagram: tacoma510

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    I've been using the same, works pretty well for the price.

    IMG_5904_4d54bfc5dbf1e36151d824c342eb0f6cf8f5dd66.jpg
     
    Lumberjackcoma and GHammer like this.
  6. Nov 29, 2012 at 6:02 PM
    #6
    Slimwood Shady

    Slimwood Shady I love your mom!

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  7. Nov 29, 2012 at 6:06 PM
    #7
    sytfu510

    sytfu510 Instagram: tacoma510

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    yea I submitted the picture lol. I reviewed it too.
     
  8. Nov 29, 2012 at 6:14 PM
    #8
    Slimwood Shady

    Slimwood Shady I love your mom!

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    lol, I was like, that truck looks a bit familiar....:laughing:
     
  9. Dec 3, 2012 at 10:17 AM
    #9
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    That's pretty slick.
     
  10. Dec 3, 2012 at 10:20 AM
    #10
    BAMFTACO

    BAMFTACO Another day another beer

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    Op your rear bumper is sick and truck aswell
     
  11. Dec 3, 2012 at 10:31 AM
    #11
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    Colin, your truck is ridiculous (in a good way) :laugh:

    Nice review :thumbsup:
     
  12. Dec 3, 2012 at 5:13 PM
    #12
    colinb17

    colinb17 [OP] If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    definately a cool little system. i'm looking forward to using it on the trail in a few weeks.

    thanks man, just finished the bumper a couple months ago.

    gracias amigo :cheers:
     
  13. May 19, 2014 at 8:44 AM
    #13
    Cohbsteq

    Cohbsteq Hood Rat

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    Pretty much stock with some crap welded to it.
    old thread but, any further review on these awnings? im about to purchase one and wondering how its holding up
     
  14. May 19, 2014 at 8:47 AM
    #14
    CanisLupus

    CanisLupus Member since 2011

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  15. May 19, 2014 at 8:54 AM
    #15
    colinb17

    colinb17 [OP] If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    still enjoying it. shot is from the top of a mountain at an off road park in kansas. made it to the top and decided it was time to break for lunch when it started to drizzle. took a minute to toss up the trail shade, and ate my lunch without getting wet.

    [​IMG]
     
  16. May 19, 2014 at 9:24 AM
    #16
    Cohbsteq

    Cohbsteq Hood Rat

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    Pretty much stock with some crap welded to it.
    do you always leave it on?
     
  17. May 19, 2014 at 9:27 AM
    #17
    colinb17

    colinb17 [OP] If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    No. after leaving it on for about a week (due to laziness), the bag for itfaded a little. so if you leave it on, the sun will fade the color, and i'm sure if it gets wet inside the bag and just sits there, that you'll develop some mildew. i usually just toss it on at camp, the first morning of each wheeling trip, and then take it off when i get home. it lives in my bed box when it's not on the tire.
     
  18. May 19, 2014 at 9:30 AM
    #18
    Cohbsteq

    Cohbsteq Hood Rat

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    sweet man, i'm going to grab one, im also thinking of buying a tool box, alot of people dont run them on here do you like yours?with mine being an extended cab i could totally use the extra space.. sorry kind of a off topic question haha.
     
  19. May 19, 2014 at 9:36 AM
    #19
    colinb17

    colinb17 [OP] If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    i really like mine. it's nice to have a waterproox means of storage that doesn't take up people room. I really don't use the bed to move large items either, so i was completely fine with the bedspace reduction.

    it's also nice to have a lockable space to put something if you don't want it in plain sight of a theif
     
  20. May 19, 2014 at 9:41 AM
    #20
    Cohbsteq

    Cohbsteq Hood Rat

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    ya thats true, i think im genna grab a tool box too.. thanks for the info man!
     

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