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Introduction
Awnings for pickup trucks provide a great way to both protect your truck from the elements and create extra storage space. Whether you’re going on a road trip or just need some extra protection from the sun and rain, an awning can be a useful addition to your vehicle. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages of installing an awning on your pickup truck.
Advantages: One major advantage of having an awning for your truck is that it not only provides shade and shelter from wind, rain, and sun but also gives you additional storage options. This extra storage can come in handy when packing for any outdoor adventure or hauling supplies to work daily. An awning also adds curb appeal to your truck, making it look more stylish while parked. Additionally, many pickup trucks already have mounting points designed to secure an awning directly onto the bed of the truck giving it more stability.
Disadvantages: Unfortunately, one major disadvantage of installing an awning is that they can make it difficult for accessing items situated at the tailgate area due to their size blocking the view. Furthermore, setup time may take longer than expected as many attachments need be secured in order to achieve optimal stability from wind gusts and heavy downpours. Additionally, an overhanging structure such as this can add drag to your vehicle’s aerodynamics which can reduce its fuel efficiency somewhat.
A Brief History of Awnings for Pickup Trucks
Awnings for pickup trucks have been around since at least the early 1950s. Initially, awnings for pickups were made out of canvas and usually attached to the cab’s roof and sometimes on the sides. These awnings were mainly used by farmers, ranchers, and other outdoorsmen who needed shelter from harsh elements.
Over time, these canvas awnings transformed into metal versions that were lighter in weight and could be folded up when no longer needed. During this period, custom pickup truck owners began to purchase metal-framed pickup awnings to show off their vehicles and express their individuality through their vehicle modifications. In the 1970s, with the introduction of more modern fiberglass-based materials like clothritetm that were lightweight and waterproof, metal pickup awnings became a thing of the past except for customizing purposes.
Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, many different types of vehicle awning designs came onto the market, including manual pop-ups installed on truck beds or permanently mounted along each side’s roofline. These all provided superior protection from rain and sun while still allowing owners to customize their vehicles’ look. Today there are even more options when it comes to truck awning products ranging from camper style canopies to retractable pop ups that are stowed away after use.
Creative Uses for Awnings for Pickup Trucks
Awnings for pickup trucks are an incredibly versatile tool that can be used for a variety of activities. One of the most common uses is providing a shelter from sun or rain while stopped at a campsite or parking lot. The awning can quickly be put up and taken down, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about weather conditions. They also make great tailgate tents, allowing you to enjoy sports matches or other outdoor functions while staying out of the sun (or rain).
Awnings for pickup trucks can also be used as makeshift boat covers if your truck is Close to the water and you don’t have access to a regular tarp or cover. Just drive your vehicle close enough to the water’s edge and unroll the awning off the back of your truck for extra protection against UV-rays and minor precipitation. Additionally, these awnings will keep your cargo safe when sitting in remote areas; protecting everything from dirt getting inside, animals running amok and any potential thieves being tempted by valuables left in plain sight on your couch bedliner. Finally, you can use them for beach photo shoots! Hang holiday lights around it and bring along some cushioned outdoor furniture so you can create a mini beach party with family and friends anytime, anywhere.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing an Awning for Your Pickup Truck
1. Size: Before you purchase an awning, it’s important to consider the size of your truck and decide on the size of the awning you need to cover the desired area. This will depend on what kind of activities you plan to do underneath the awning.
2. Weather Resistence: It’s important to look for an awning that is made from durable materials with good water-resistance and UV protection so it can withstand whatever mother nature throws its way.
3. Ease of Set Up and Take Down: When shopping for an awning for your pickup truck, look for one with easy setup and takedown capabilities. This will make it easier to change locations quickly and store away when not in use.
4. Price: Depending on budget, different awnings come in different price points, so it is important to determine your budget beforehand and look for options within this range. Buying something overly expensive that may have features you don’t need or won’t use isn’t necessary.
5. Design & Aesthetic Features: You may also want to consider other features such as availability of side walls ($) , color (#), etc., while ensuring they also contribute to weather-resistance as well as match your personal style when selecting an awning for your pickup truck.
Easy Steps for Installing and Caring for Your Pickup Truck Awning
1. Preparing Your Truck: Before you install the awning, it’s important to ensure your truck is properly prepared for installation. Start by cleaning off the area where the awning will be located and make sure any bolts or screws are properly tightened into place. Additionally, check for any surrounding obstructions that may impede your view or impede the installation of the awning itself.
2. Installing the Awning: Once your truck is ready, you can begin installing your pickup truck awning. Depending on the type of awning you chose, there may be several different tasks associated with this step. For example, some types of awnings require drilling while others use adjustable clamps and mounting hardware. In either case, make sure you read through all installation instructions before proceeding with any step—this will help ensure that your awning is safely installed and secure.
3. Caring for Your Awning: Once you’ve installed your awning, caring for it over time is essential in order to make sure to get maximum usage out of it. Make sure to regularly inspect your Pickup Truck Awning for any signs of wear or tear such as frayed fabric, minor rips/tears, and other damages caused by daily use. Perform regular maintenance checks on its hardware components such as tightening loose screws and bolts as needed; If possible store potable water in containers so the fabric does not have promote mildew growth from long-term exposure to moisture; Finally, if storing it away during extreme weather conditions such as winter or heavy rain make sure to choose an appropriate space with enough air circulation in order to prevent attracting additional humidity which could potentially damage its material over time if left unattended
Troubleshooting Common Issues With Your Pickup Truck Awning
Often times, the most common problems when it comes to your pickup truck awning is related to its set up, installation, or its general structure and materials. Here are a few potential issues and ways you can help troubleshoot them:
1. Check for Abrasions and Damage: It’s important to check for any abrasions or punctures in your pickup truck awning’s roof, fabric, poles, and stake points. Take time to inspect all sections of the material and make sure everything looks in good condition.
2. Examine the Poles: The poles that come with your pickup truck awning should be firmly secured within the sockets of the main frame. Look out for anything that appears loose or bent that could adversely affect the structure of the awning when it’s in use.
3. Make sure You Have All Parts Intact: Set up instructions for power retractable awnings will require some special parts (like electric motor assemblies) not included in basic installations kits. Furthermore, ensure you haven’t left any pieces behind while installing your awning so everything is in working order during operation.
4. Clean off Any Debris: Leaves, dirt and debris may accumulate on your pickup truck’s awning overtime if neglected during maintenance care – leading to permanent damage over time unless checked regularly and tended to upon sight of trouble spots forming on the material itself or fittings for mounting hardware loosening their grip on whatever surface area they were attached on.
5. Perform Routine Checks : Make routine checks part of your maintenance plan including examining take points and anchoring systems before each use – looking out for any signs of strain such as tears along seams or strain from heavy wind gusts from previous uses impacts that could affect structural integrity if further exposed at each use before being addressed as soon as possible upon seen detection (i,.e rust accumulation).
Conclusion
Pros: Owning an awning for pickup trucks offers numerous benefits. First and foremost, it provides protection against the elements by keeping off the rain, snow, wind, and sun. It also reduces glare caused by sunlight that can make driving uncomfortable. Having an awning being used with a pickup truck can also help provide additional space to store items or set up camp chairs in the shade instead of having to use a tent. Additionally, they are relatively easy to install and maintain over time.
Cons: While there are many advantages of owning an awning for pickup trucks, there are also some downsides. Depending on environmental conditions, such as wind speed or gusts of wind, an awning may not perform at its best and can be affected by strong winds that could damage it over time or even cause it to fall off entirely. Furthermore, awnings are often attached to the bed of the truck so overhead clearance may be reduced; this could affect how much you can fit in your truck bed without having to loosen or turn down the tension poles. Lastly, they might block some exhaust fumes which can create health hazards due lighting storms where lightning grounds on metal building parts like stacked sheet metal panels causing fires when dry materials like leaves collect around them heat up but not burn away due lack of oxygen exposure preventing ignition sources nearby from burning too hot for too long thus resulting in brushfire wildfire scenarios.
