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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
Ostrich Wing awning - user reviews?
Recently back from a good trip in the Defender, enjoying the sun(33degs!) in southern France. Covered about 2500miles and she ran sweet!



Click image to enlarge



The camping setup includes a good porch on the Jettent which gives good shade when camping in hot conditions, with the sides rolled/folded up and the bug mesh in place its cool, shady and mostly bug free.

However, it reminded me how useful it would be to have some shade on the side of the truck, for impromptu lunch stops or for single night stops where the time taken to put the Jettent porch up is undesirable.

With that in mind, if I were to get an awning it must be quick to put up/down and be self-supporting; I don't want to mess with legs and guy ropes.

I've looked at simple ARB style side awnings before but I wonder what people think of the Ostrich wing awning? Looks to give more shade and is self supporting. Its expensive at £1200, but if it lasts that might be justified.

Is it good quality? Does it last?
How easy to put up/down is it?
Website suggests its ~25kgs.. that sounds pretty heavy! Any issues?
What's the mounting system look like? I can't find any info on how it attaches to a roof rack.

These pics taken from the internet;


Click image to enlarge
 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #954541 4th Jun 2022 2:32pm
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BrickBox



Member Since: 05 Oct 2021
Location: Wales
Posts: 619

Wales 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver
Sounds like a fantastic holiday!

Do you have anymore pictures of the trip? Cool 2008 2.4 110 Utility XS.
Post #954542 4th Jun 2022 2:41pm
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8619simon



Member Since: 05 Nov 2016
Location: North Wales
Posts: 228

Wales 1995 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
I previously had an ARB pull out awning and whilst it was ok it was a PITA to set up and so I didn’t use it much. I wanted a 270 awning that was easy to set up and looked at both the Ostrich wing and Alucab. Both really good but pricey.

I have now gone for the Tuff-Trek SeedWing and am really pleased with it. It is free standing and fine in light winds. It does have integrated poles and guys if the wind picks up a bit and these are recommended but to be honest it only takes a minute to set up the poles and guy lines as they are all integrated.

https://tuff-trek.com/product/tuff-trek-speedwing-awnings/

I would give Dara at Tuff-Trek a ring, really nice chap and also stocks Alucab and Ostrich wing awnings. I think his own brand SpeedWing awning has the right balance of super quick set up but not the hefty price tag. When the poles and guys are used it will also stand up to some pretty hefty winds.
Post #954549 4th Jun 2022 5:09pm
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
Thanks 8619simon, good shout on Tuff-Trek and interesting to hear your experience with the Speedwing. The price certainly looks a little more attractive that the alternatives. How does it mount? I expect I'll need to do some fabrication, irrespective of the brand of awning I choose to fit my roof rack, but it would be useful to know what I need to adapt to.

BrickBox, thanks - yes it was a good one, a disappointing amount of time spent on tarmac however.

Here's a couple more pics;

Loaded up and ready for another day

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Picnic (and potty!) stop in rural France

Click image to enlarge


Nosing about in Provence

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Beynac by night

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Rusting* hulks in Brittany (* no defender content Laughing )

Click image to enlarge


Very Happy

Click image to enlarge
 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #954637 5th Jun 2022 7:51pm
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8619simon



Member Since: 05 Nov 2016
Location: North Wales
Posts: 228

Wales 1995 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
Lovely photos! Can't wait for our trip to the Pyrenees in October now.

The back of the awning plate is a pretty standard two rail design with slots:


Click image to enlarge


I would imagine there will be a bracket available for most roof racks but TuffTrek can advise I am sure, they are very helpful.

Cheers

Simon
Post #954646 5th Jun 2022 8:47pm
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
OK, that’s really helpful thank you 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #954648 5th Jun 2022 9:22pm
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GeeBee



Member Since: 03 Apr 2018
Location: Perthshire
Posts: 15

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
I love my 2.7m Howling Moon Swing Awn. Used it this weekend - perhaps could have made it bit more taught though.[img]

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[/img] 2012 USW Keswick Green 110
Post #954720 6th Jun 2022 6:06pm
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boxoftricks



Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Home Counties
Posts: 745

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver
I was thinking the same but the lack of access to the roof when erect put me off. Currently, my side awning is great, especially if raining on arrival. You can unload and the family can stand under the side awning whilst putting the tent up. We always end up with loads on the roof so dropping the awning each time I don't think would work. Also, the kids (9 and 12) love sitting up on the roof.
Post #954726 6th Jun 2022 7:09pm
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
Looks great Geebee! Who sells Howling Moon awnings in the UK? 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #954727 6th Jun 2022 7:13pm
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
Which side awning do you have boxoftricks? I did think about the loss of roof access, probably for me I could deal with it, especially if putting the awning up/down is quick and easy. 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #954728 6th Jun 2022 7:16pm
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GeeBee



Member Since: 03 Apr 2018
Location: Perthshire
Posts: 15

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Keswick Green
UtilityTruck wrote:
Looks great Geebee! Who sells Howling Moon awnings in the UK?


Flatdog are the dealers and have all the accessories. 2012 USW Keswick Green 110
Post #954730 6th Jun 2022 7:24pm
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Scotm



Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 640

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
If you carry stuff like bikes and canoes on the roof then not having to take an awning up and down for access is very handy.

Our homemade side awning (from Scout Patrol tent flysheet) was much appreciated shade this weekend on the West Coast. In bad weather half folds down as 45 Deg wall.


Click image to enlarge
Post #954744 6th Jun 2022 8:34pm
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Not_Given



Member Since: 25 Dec 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 80

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Orkney Grey
Roof access
One option for roof access with a 270 degrees awning is a chequerplate bonnet cover. I get to the roof via the front bumper onto the bonnet. It also helps when passing bulky/awkward items as you can stand half-way up, receiving said lump from easily from someone on the ground.

Would change the way your Defender looks, of course. Mine came plated up from day one, so I don’t know any better!

NG
Post #954762 7th Jun 2022 4:23am
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steveww



Member Since: 05 Jan 2022
Location: Uppingham
Posts: 537

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Bronze Green
I have the Bundutec roof top tent, they also do an awning https://tuff-trek.com/product/bunduawn/

Not the most cost sensitive option but I'm really impressed with the build quality of the tent. The quality is remembered long after the cost is forgotten.
Post #954776 7th Jun 2022 10:16am
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