The Best Car and Truck Awnings of 2024

Easy to mount, deploy, and providing plenty of shade, there isn’t much more to say about the Front Runner Easy-Out 2.5M Awning ($389) — an 8-foot-wide single-panel hideaway that was fairly bulletproof in our testing. No, it isn’t a full-blown 270-degree mobile living room, but we found that for the price, effort, and pure enjoyment, the Easy-Out awnings had everything we needed and more.

The Easy-Out awnings are fully manual, meaning you’ll have to enlist a second pair of hands to get it spread out to full glory (you did bring friends, didn’t you?), but the simple design unfurls with ease. The two vertical twist-lock upright poles have spikes on the bottom for secure ground placement and can extend to nearly 8 feet in height. We tested the 2.5m variety, but the Easy-Out is also available in a few smaller shades, including a 1.4m (4.5′) and 2m (6.5′) wide version.

The Easy-Out awning easily pairs with most roof racks, including Front Runner Roof Racks, and extends a little less than the same distance as it is wide for quick shelter when you need it. The included L-brackets are decidedly low-tech, but they will interface with T-slot compatible rack bars. The awning is housed in a heavy-duty PVC-coated 650g nylon zippered cover and can be mounted to either side of a rack. It weighs 30 pounds and is made from water-repellent and UV-resistant materials.

For added stability in windy conditions, the awning includes reflective guy ropes with tent stakes. Although this awning doesn’t come with an integrated LED light strip, it’s available for purchase separately. But even on its own, the Front Runner Easy-Out 2.5M Awning nails the idea in our opinion. Figure out which size would look best on your rig, mount up, and go.

Not every awning option needs to be hardmounted to your rig, and the Kelty Backroads Shelter Awning ($170) is an excellent option for a mobile awning that adds not only a roof over your head, but also drop-down walls and a door. Consider this your instant mobile home addition — all at a budget price.

During our testing, we tried out both the lighter-duty Kelty Sideroads and Backroads awnings, and found the latter to be the more livable of the two with the addition of the single doorway. Both awnings are otherwise very similar, and spring to life with three poles that bump up the peak height to more than accommodate our tallest testers.

Once set up, the Backroads can be shuffled into place behind your rig of choice, and secured down to it with a strap system that latches onto whatever is available. We found these straps long enough to reach the rear wheels on our pickups, and more than happy to attach to the roof racks on smaller hatchbacks. Then after pinning down the front of the awning, the twin doors can be rolled back for more airflow, buttoned down for weather protection, or left one up, one down for more flexibility.

The single door screams camping tent, and works as such (we left ours open for much of our testing, but there’s even a mesh window to add some view). The fiberglass poles, while admittedly durable, are certainly not our favorite, as they are fairly heavy and can shed splinters when new. The addition of some lightweight aluminum poles (like those that the Moon Fabrications MoonShade uses) would yield high praise from us, but would admittedly drive the price up.

Perhaps the highest praise we can heap on the Kelty Backroads Shelter Awning is just how versatile it is. We set it up on trucks, hatchbacks, and sedans — even slinging it between two rigs. If your adventures aren’t tied down to a single vehicle, this awning offers a budget entry point to car camping done right.

The 270° awning has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, and now feels like the vehicle-mounted shelter du jour for those serious about camping alongside their trusty steed. And while there are many on the market today, the Yakima MajorShady 270 Awning ($949) hits the perfect balance point in our opinion. 

We tested this awning on a Toyota Tacoma, and found it to provide the ideal amount of coverage for cookouts, camping, and kicking back after a day at the ski resort. The setup is a cinch, and the awning springs forth from the rugged vinyl case to be set up in less than 5 minutes. The whole thing mounts easily to T-slot compatible bars, and impressively only weighs 47 pounds, quite a bit less than comparable awnings.

Unlike some 270° awnings that incorporate a second set of hinges for an additional panel at the front of the awning, the MajorShady keeps it simple with a single pivot point from which three spreader bars rotate — unfurling the full 80 sq. ft. of shade. This is right on par with the majority of the 270° market, equalling the Overland Vehicle Systems 270 LT awning, and just a bit under the ROAM ARC 270 (at 92 sq. ft.) When we set up underneath it, there was easily enough space for four campers, plus a cooler and stove set up.

At 90 inches in length when collapsed, the MajorShady is primed for longer wheelbase rigs and pickups with full-size beds — the 6’-bed access-cab Tacoma we tested it on was just about the lower limit of what we think can support a large-and-in-charge awning like this, though it is a bit smaller than the iKamper ExoShell 270 when collapsed (that awning case spreads a full 103”).

One of our only desired improvements for the MajorShady was related to the support legs; they are made of excellent twist-locking aluminum (though we do like the thumb-knobs on the iKamper 270 better), however, there are only two of them included with the awning, and we often wanted for one additional leg. The awning itself is fully self-supporting, however, and you can toss in another for an extra $20 if you so desire.

Primed for entire seasons of relaxing underneath it, the Yakima MajorShady 270 is the 270° awning refined. There are some that sport more coverage, and some pack down smaller, but for the full package, it’s tough for us not to recommend the MajorShady. Mount up and ride on.

If you’re looking for full coverage from an awning, but your rig is of the compact variety, the Aussies have got you covered. The Rhino-Rack Batwing Compact Awning ($766) spans a massive 270 degrees around your vehicle, and is perfect for shorter-wheelbase jeeps and SUVs.

This batwing awning not only includes 69 square feet of coverage, but it’s also stylish, and thanks to its true pentagon shape it extends as far outboard as it does deep, meaning a more compact footprint in tighter overlanding sites. Most 270 awnings like the iKamper ExoShell 270 or Yakima MajorShady 270 are a good bit wider than they are deep, and are better suited for long-bed pickups where the space can be better utilized. The Batwing Compact, on the other hand, is ideal for small to medium vehicles that still want the full coverage a 270 awning provides.

Made from a durable ripstop polycotton canvas material, this Rhino-Rack compact batwing awning is water-resistant, and in traditional down-under style is rated to a full 50 UPF+ to protect against the sun. Made for either the right or the left side of your vehicle, we found this awning to be easy to set up with two people. Simply unzip its storage bag, fold out the arms, and peg down the ropes. You’ll have a shaded and secure basecamp set up in no time.

While many 270 awnings utilize metal support hinges, the hinges on the Batwing is an engineered plastic that while it initially gave us pause, proved itself to be able to hang. The mechanism is also user-replaceable, and it’s simple enough to swap out a support hinge end if one becomes munged up.

As Rhino-Rack is a roof-rack solutions brand, their mounting system is friendly to other brands and types of roof bars, integrating with most any T-slot type bar including Thule ProBar and WingBar Evo as well as Yakima JetStream and HD Bars. There are also a number of different tubular and square bar rack brackets, making this one of the most mix-and-match friendly awning systems we’ve tested to date.

Unlike other vehicle awnings, the Rhino-Rack awning’s poles, ropes, and pegs stow in the main awning compartment rather than in a separate pouch that could get lost. The Rhino-Rack Batwing Compact Awning is our choice for a 270 awning for overlanders and weekend warriors alike who want as much shade as they can get on their smaller-profile rigs.

Sure, you could rig up any old camping string light to the underside of your truck awning, but when you’re trying to get camp set up quickly and efficiently, an all-in-one option is handy to have. That’s why we dig the ARB 8.2′ Touring Awning with LED Light ($436), an awning that builds the light strip directly into the canvas canopy, and puts out an impressive 1200 lumens of dimmable cool white or amber light.

Sliding into an integrated sleeve, the LED light strip is set and forget it once it’s in place, and can be rolled back up with the awning for storage. The unit is powered off the cigarette plug in your vehicle, and can be dimmed down to fit the mood. The awning itself is a manually deployed unit that unfurls to over 8 feet in both directions. Check your vehicle’s length to make sure this awning isn’t too long for it.

Boasting a simple design, the awning uses a 300 GSM PU-coated polycotton ripstop canvas and weighs a hair under 45 pounds. That’s held up with tough aluminum legs and struts, and was simple to set up in our testing. The whole affair packs away into a zippered 1,000D PVC carry bag, but if you’re frequently driving through dense bush and worry about banging up the bag, the Touring Awning is also available in an aluminum hard-case variety — just know that it will run you an extra $250 for the upgrade.

Unfortunately, the Touring Awning does not come with any mounting brackets, so you’ll either need to get handy or snag a few of the awning brackets that ARB makes. These come in both a fairly standard L-bracket that will interface with T-slot roof bars, or some burly gusseted brackets for mounting to platform racks of roof baskets. Overlanders are resourceful folk, and we doubt many would have trouble brewing up a strong connection to their unique rooftop system.

Once you install the included LED lighting strip, you can light up your camp with the ARB Touring Awning with LED Light — giving you shade, style, and illumination.

Want shelter or shade in an instant? The Thule OutLand Box Awning ($850) is a tough and well-designed alternative to soft awning covers. Compared to the typical twist-lock legs and struts of many other awnings, the mechanics on the OutLand are all proprietary and feature smart tensioning and locking systems that will outlast their lesser counterparts.

The 6.2-foot OutLand Box vehicle awning, which is also available in 7.5-foot and 8.2-foot sizes, is made from durable and lightweight aluminum, including the tough storage case. This case pops open easily with a single push button, and really protects the awning while on the road. Unrolling the awning is similar to most other awnings, but the Quick Lock system on the legs and tensioning system in the struts sets it apart. These mechanisms are simple to use, and really made the OutLand feel a bit more refined and fast to set up in our testing.

Rounding out the higher-gloss finish on this awning is metal telescopic legs that connect to the lead rail with metal connectors, rather than nylon. The jury is still out on whether we’re entirely sold on these yet, as nylon often has a little bit more give when wrestling an awning into place, but metal will undoubtedly win the durability race.

Be mindful of wind with this awning, as there are no tie-off loops on the canopy or lead rail. In a pinch, you likely could fashion yourself some guylines and make them fast to the lead rail itself, but you’ll need to source the cordage to do so. Thankfully the legs do sport openings to pound stakes through, so you’ll have some connection to terra firma.

The Thule OutLand Box Awning includes a locking adapter kit that mounts to Thule or various aftermarket roof racks. The price is certainly on the higher end, but the well-refined design and ease of use will make sense for many who are looking for a mount-and-go option.

Attaching an awning to an overlanding vehicle has its limitations, and deploying it is typically a two-person endeavor. The Moon Fabrications MoonShade ($395) is a 9×7-foot portable awning designed around a flexible aluminum pole-and-clip architecture typically used for tents.

Setup by one person is straightforward, and the awning is adaptable to almost any type of vehicle. A nice feature is the option to orient the MoonShade with either the 9- or 7-foot side facing outward.

The awning fabric is a sturdy 420-denier ripstop polyester with a UV 50-plus topcoat facing outward. The underside has a reflective coating that blocks outside light and works to disperse lantern light. Its tent-like design and light weight make it easy to attach to different vehicles or use as a standalone canopy.

When not in use, the MoonShade fits into a zippered bag 28 x 6 inches, weighing a little under 8 pounds. The compact dimensions are great for stowing inside and are much easier to transport. This also keeps weight off your roof when on the go, and doesn’t cut into fuel economy.

Read Review: First Look: MoonShade Is a Temporary Awning for Your Adventure Rig

The iKamper ExoShell 270 ($1,750) is one of the newest awnings on the market and is a great choice for full-size vehicles. The hard shell aluminum case is 7 inches square by 8 feet 7 inches long — and it’s a formidable roof adornment. It weighs in at a hefty 75 pounds, including mounts. That weight comes from its burly construction.

The ExoShell 270 offers a huge amount of shade (a full 121 sq. ft.) and weather protection from its 45-denier waterproof-treated ripstop polycotton awning material. It’s self-supporting, but it also comes with dropdown poles and guy wires included if you find yourself in high wind conditions. It’s so fast and easy to use that we can see ourselves popping it open for an afternoon mountain bike ride or even the kids’ soccer practice.

270 awnings are our favorite for real base camping in our rigs, and it’s impressive to watch them unfurl for the first time — wrapping around the rear of your vehicle and providing covered space for even the back hatch. For our pickup truck-driving testers, this made a killer front porch and made entering and exiting the rear sleeping platform much easier (and drier). While some 270 awnings are offered in both driver and passenger models, the ExoShell only comes in a driver-side arrangement.

While iKamper specs out their mounting brackets as being compatible with their rooftop tent offerings, they don’t claim it to be universal, and our testing agreed with this. Traditional T-slot crossbars will play nice with the brackets in theory, but at 75 pounds the cantilever force is more than we were comfortable with. The ideal setup would be to mount the ExoShell 270 to a burly platform rack, where it’ll be fully supported.

If you value coverage and convenience — and have a big vehicle with a platform roof rack — the iKamper ExoShell 270 has a lot to offer at this not-inexpensive price. If that equation works for you, this is a great way to spend more time outdoors in comfort.

Read Review: iKamper ExoShell 270 Review: Big, Burly, Bountiful Awning

Not everyone wants to pilot around an overlanding battleship, and for those who want to add some coverage to their daily driver, a more minimal awning is just the ticket. The 4.5’ Thule OverCast Awning ($420) was a perfect fit on the Honda CRV we tested it on, and added a comfortable (and adjustable) amount of shade that can host two people.

Built on a time-tested design, the OverCast is in many ways quite similar to the ARB Touring Awning and Front Runner Easy-Out Awnings (we actually believe these awnings and the OverCast to be made nearly identical). After unzipping the tough travel cover, the awning unrolls and is supported by twin struts and two adjustable legs. These aren’t as high-polish as the Thule OutLand Box awnings, but they are a reliable design that lasted in our testing.

Shade in the 4.5’ design is minimal, but certainly enough for tossing a few camp chairs underneath or even setting up a small camp table with a stove to cook on. You’ll have to get inventive if you want some side coverage, as none are offered for the OverCast, but thankfully this awning does sport tie-off loops for guy lining the awning down in breezy conditions. For more coverage, go with the 6.5’ awning ($470).

In the same way that the Rhino-Rack Batwing Compact adapts to other mounting systems, the OverCast also plays nice with a variety of different bars, including all T-slot options, round and square bars, and aero-style stock bars. It’s nice to not be locked into a rack ecosystem when mixing and matching vehicle accessories, and our OverCast bolted right up to the Yakima round bars already on our vehicle. This is actually one of the major reasons to go with the Thule option over the very similar Front Runner offerings.

One feature we found on the OverCast to be unique among vehicle awnings are the locking hoods that encase the mounting brackets. These simple plastic enclosures surround the mounting bolts of the brackets and help to keep folks honest. They also add a nice finished look to the package.

Kids’ soccer matches, community cook-outs, or tailgates: all fair game with the Thule OverCast. This was an awning that had our friends reconsidering what’s possible to add to a crossover or compact SUV.