VEVOR Car Awning

WHY I CHOSE IT

The job it needed to do

A compact cargo van does not offer much room to spread out. I chose a retractable weatherproof awning to create usable outdoor space that could disappear back against the vehicle when I no longer needed it.

HOW I USED IT

What it looked like at camp

I installed the awning myself on the van's existing roof rack. The instructions were clear, and with the appropriate tools I found the job fairly straightforward. That does not mean every person or vehicle installation will be the same. Vehicle configuration, mounting system, tools, ability and experience all matter; help from someone with mechanical know-how may be enough without automatically requiring a shop installation.

Deployment and retraction became fairly easy once I understood the sequence. To put it away, I brought in the side poles, lowered the awning, removed the front supports, cleaned it, rolled it and zipped it into its cover. Because of the mounting height, I use a small folding step stool to secure it comfortably. The stool then folds flat for storage.

I used the awning throughout my six-day camping trip at Moreau Lake and clipped mosquito netting to it to make the outdoor space more comfortable.

WHAT I NOTICED

The part a product box cannot tell you

Stability was good during my use. When extra wind stability was appropriate, I used guy lines and stakes.

The awning handled rain during the trip. I adjusted its pitch for the conditions and consistently kept one side lower so water had somewhere to drain instead of collecting overhead.

I am very happy with this awning. If I were purchasing one again, I would choose a slightly wider model that extended far enough forward to cover the driver's door. That extra coverage would make entering and leaving the van more convenient in the rain.