Reign Outdoor made some changes & improvements to their awning following this video and I have now tested the new version out as well: ruclips.net/video/mj7iic2JBUU/видео.html
Put my Darche 180 awning up on the rim of Owyhee Canyon on a very calm late afternoon ( no wind) and was kicking back enjoying the view....the awning was all LASHED DOWN to the ground with all tie downs and I thought it was good to go....until what sounded like a freight train coming out in the middle of nowhere 50 miles from pavement and all of sudden this huge freak wind blast came thru and bam 30 SECONDS LATER my 180 awning was standing straight up like a huge sailfish! It ripped all the stakes out of the ground and bent all 3 heavy duty steel mounting brackets 90 degrees in an instant. I got it folded up but lost the use of my awning for the rest of the trip and rebuilt it when I got home 5 weeks later. Hi Donald....good luck with the awning lol! Beware of canyon rims!
This looks exactly like the FSR 270 awning. Has to be the same manufacturer behind the scenes, but this one is $500 cheaper. Completely agree with the squared off tailgate coverage.
I really like the way they squared off the back side of the awning to cover the whole back of the truck. Why hasn't anybody else thought of that? The overall construction looks beefy and should last a long time under the conditions we seem to put these things through. This one goes on my list of candidates for my own awning. Thanks, Donald!
Lucie! It was good to see you. Don't be a stranger. 🙂 Donald, I love your dying and reuse style. Your Reviews of products mean something. Between you and Slim Potatoehead in Canada, I have got many ideas. Thanks for this review.
Excellent description, as usual. I can see why retailers want you to demonstrate their products. Interesting comment about the shortened rear coverage of some awnings. I probably wouldn't have noticed that until too late.
I still miss your Forester, but the truck you've built up takes the cake. This is so cool to see come along, it looks perfect for you. Nobody could have done it better.
This looks like a good option. I have the Eezi Awn 270 canopy on my Pro4X. It's been mostly OK. I'm on my second one because the first Eezi Awn was destroyed by a rouge wind gust in Thermopolis Wyoming - pulled the spikes out of the ground. I've upgraded the spikes from 8 inch to 12 inch heavy duty steel spikes. The longer spikes made a positive difference. I look forward to seeing more of your experiences with the Reign Outdoor canopy.
Looks like a great product. I’m not in the market yet, as I have an arb awning and I’m trying to use it, but I do like the tailgate coverage! I’ll be watching to see how it works out for you.
Looks like a decent awning. A plus for you is they reached out to you which should mean you got it for free or for a very little cost which is always good.
Bag size is a tough call for the manufacturer. Too small, and it's a bear to put away. Too big, and it's an annoying noise maker going down the road. Excellent review as always Donald. Hope it works out.
Same with tent bags. I watched/heard my dad cuss up a storm with every tent he had putting it away, I thought it was normal. Every tent I've ever bought fits right back in. I think it's an exercise in patience, and paying attention to how it was folded from the factory.
Looks like a great awning. Though awnings are used for in-climate weather, awnings provide protection from the sun too. In the case of protection from the sun, the gap is not even an issue. I use mine more for protection from the sun than for rain. The useful area they create in the rain scenario, for me, out-weighs the gap allowing small amounts of rain through. I purchased the wall kit for my OVS and enjoy having the ability to completely enclose the useful area.
Historically, most of my life I've done 10-year cycles with my vehicles. (the Forester broke the pattern when that lady ran a red light and totaled it, heh). If my pattern holds, I'll have the Frontier until 2031. 😄 I really love this truck especially now with the camper on it, and there's no other type of rig that tempts me...this is perfect for how I like to explore and camp.
HI DONALD 👋 WITH THE LITTLE BIT OF THE GAP BETWEEN THE TRUCK & CANAPY MIGHT BE A GOOD THING IT LET' S THE WIND / BREEZE PASS THROUGH WITHOUT TEARING THE CANAPY & BRACKETS OFF THE VEHICLE ! THE REST IS COMMON SENSE HOPEFULLY LIKE A CHICKEN 🐔 LOOKING UP AT THE RAIN DROPS & DROWNING LETS SAY ! I ALSO LIKE HOW THEY DID THE BACK TOO COVERS WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE COOKING ETC ! IF THE SPACES ARE THAT ANNOYING GET SOME MATERIAL & MAGNETS , ETC & FIGURE IT OUT FROM THERE ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏
Nice awning… I hope that you can keep it out of the trees. l know trees can be an issue for you at times . 😂 On another note, the content has been great and diverse so keep it up … please keep it coming and don’t try to split it up into two separate channels that are just advertisements for a separate private subscription-based web page. we have enough of those in our lives.
Yeah, that's absolutely a real issue I need to keep in mind now (the trees I mean, not the channel splitting, LOL, though not to worry, I won't be doing anything like that 😄)
Well done your are getting that truck all fixed up with new gear and taking your time with good job now for some light under the awning will be next ??😊
This has moved up to the top of my list. The rear tailgate coverage plus the upcoming larger storage bag. The Australian 270 awning models I have been looking at all have a big roomy storage bag. To me, 100% of idea is to just make this stuff super easy to set up and put away. Also you mentioned the weight at like 40 lbs? Most of the awnings I have been looking at run 60 - 70 lbs. They need more mounting brackets, hard to install.
Just order this. It is similar to others but Kai and his direct involvement and superior customer service is why I went with this company. US based with an owner that cares, doesn’t get much better in my book! Thanks K.M. and thanks for making this video Donald. Respectfully, Richard M.
I agree, the extra coverage in the rear is much needed, along with the pop up peak. The concerns of the gap are probably concerns of the wind and rain blowing in, not necessarily falling straight down on you.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou!! Finally someone pointed out the tent angle off the back. My Jeep tailgate/cooking area is straight out from the passenger side and needs coverage. I've only found a few that do this. Good Job!!!!
Thanks. Always enjoy your videos. You're an upstanding and honest guy. Maybe a stupid question, but didn't see any pictures with the awning extended and the roof popped up. Are the two compatible, or are there issues with using both at once?
Zero issue. I didn't pop up the camper while filming this mostly to avoid the distracting additional elements, but no issue having both deployed, I wouldn't want an awning on there I couldn't keep set up the entire time I'm at camp. At Expo Mtn West, I left the Reign Outdoor awning deployed the entire weekend, as well as the camper, since that was my lodging. :-) One would just need to pop up the camper before deploying the awning, and stow the awning before packing away the camper, as the awning prevents you from standing on the tailgate and accessing the lift handle & pull-down strap of the camper lid.
Awning aside, can we talk about the camp chair? I'm always on the hunt for a better chair and that one looks like a mechanism I haven't seen. We need the deets!
Coleman Woodsman II camp chair: amzn.to/38ZfcIo I picked up a pair of these used for $20 off Craigslist years ago because they fit better than a standard camp chair in the roof box of the Forester I used to drive. On the plus side, you will not find a chair that is faster to set up or fold up, it's essentially instant. That's my favorite thing about it. Also super easy to stow because it folds flat. But I would read a bunch of reviews before you buy one. It is low and small - for example, you couldn't use it to sit at a standard picnic table at a campground - and probably the worst detail is that the back support leans too far back. I keep using them because, well, I have them, and always have other higher priority issues to tend to, but I am eager for something a little bigger and more comfortable at some point in the future when I have nothing better to work on. 😄
40 pounds for this seems kind of light and that's a good thing. Usually a 270 awning is around the 60 lb mark if I'm not mistaken. But I think this product can get away with it because there's only 83 ft² of coverage. Whereas the Overland Vehicle Systems product is $200 cheaper, weighs more and has 129 ft² of coverage.
"DONT STAND UNDER THE GAP" is fine for your setup but I'll be putting one on a pop up slide in truck camper with a rear door. That gap won't be ideal for that situation but I think I could figure out a way to seal that area. Maybe something as simple as a pool noodle as a gasket.
I like the looks of it. The arm design is similar to the Bush Co awnings. I'm wondering how they made it so much lighter...20 lbs is a fair bit to shave off. If theres no reduction in strength I'll be looking very closely at the Reign.
I think the Reign awning is smaller overall, so there's quite a bit less fabric than the Bush Co, which probably adds up fast, but also the arms themselves are certainly not as long, the rear mounting plate is not as long...really just less materials overall, the whole thing is more compact. I obviously haven't compared them side-by-side but my recollection is the Bush Co hinge assembly is even beefier...the whole thing looks super heavy duty and presumably is stronger than the Reign, but one would hope so, at that price. 😄
@@softroadingthewest Yes, 1500 for a Bush Co 270xt vs 950 for the Reign. Not as big a difference as the OVS or some of the others out there but still hundreds less. Do you know where the Reign is made? Many are from China, a few from South Africa...but is it worth the cost difference for SA made? I'm still unsure where to spend money for the Best Value but I'll admit the Reign is looking like a front runner.
@@utahjohnnymontana3373 The Reign is manufactured in China, as I think are most of them that aren't South African companies. I believe the SA companies all make theirs in SA. They seem to be the gold standard, though obviously at a premium. My goal was to find something at an accessible price that makes sense to my budget-minded audience that still captures as much of the South African design ideas as possible.
@@softroadingthewest I agree about weighing value and functionality. The Reign looks like a good balance. I'll wait to see how you like it in six months and if its still positive they may have sold me an awning. :)
Looks like an FSR clone aka Drifta AU clone - none of which is a bad thing, I have the FSR. Prime difference being the FSR legs only come with the side wall kit where as it seems you get them pre installed on the Reign. Also the FSR bag seems bigger as its impossible to have a zipper fight with the FSR no matter how poorly I roll the canvas. I like that you get the correct hardware with Reign as the FSR ships with hardware intended for tent side tracks ala Bush Company whereas you got legitimate/proper T nuts. Anyway modern supply chain and rebrand bonanzas blow my mind sometimes.
The FSR is one that I didn't get a look at during Expo PNW but yes, looking at their website...it sure looks like the same manufacturer. I had a lot of people recommend the FSR to me so hopefully that's a good sign. I am going to investigate modifying my bag because I really don't want to fight this in every time I use it. 😏
Yes, absolutely, with no problem at all. That would have been a deal-breaker for me as I'm building my kitchen into that side cargo door and the whole idea was to have a covered cooking area that was not at my tailgate. I'm sorry I didn't think to demo that particular detail...it simply works so it didn't even occur to me to point that out. I'm almost done with my kitchen setup and you'll definitely see me cooking out of that cargo door with the awning deployed in the coming months.
About 50". I have close to 36" of the awning projecting out in front of the frontmost awning bracket. The installation instructions for the awning indicate that the three awning mounts should be used, but it's simply not an option on my camper (and my camper is extra small because of the 5' bed on my truck). Presumably Topo Toppers has built their brackets with this in mind (they are extremely sturdy, made of stainless steel not aluminum). So far so good, though obviously if at all possible, it would be advisable to have a third mounting point at the front of the awning.
Well, I'm not kidding about people wringing their hands about the gap...there were several comments along those lines on my 270 video from Expo and there are a couple of them here on this video even though I specifically addressed it. I'm not concerned, it's virtually a non-issue. 😄
Well I haven't been physically next to one to compare, but following a few other comments here, I went and looked at the FSR website and wow, it sure looks like the same thing. Someone pointed out that the FSR doesn't come with legs unless you also get the wall kit. I'll have to take a closer look at the FSR next time the opportunity presents.
I am still using the same inexpensive fridge I received to review three years ago, it just keeps working and working. 😄 Complete video: ruclips.net/video/9wb6VDbn55s/видео.html
Question... do you feel the awning mounts on the Topo Topper are strong enough? It looks like their L-shaped brackets are fastened with only 4 bolts each through the aluminum siding. You're not worried it could rip out?
No, not worried in the least. Topo's campers are not constructed of thin aluminum sheeting over a skeleton framework. The walls are 1/8" aluminum, with bends creating structural integrity. I imagine the bolts holding the awning onto the brackets would shear before the bracket would rip through that wall, or perhaps more likely, the aluminum channel on the back of the awning would give way. In any case, that would take some serious force, like hitting a thick, immobile branch at full speed, but that is an immensely unlikely scenario. When I'm driving overgrown trails, I'm crawling through at a snail's pace; the branches that emerge into the roadway are generally relatively thin new-ish growth; when there are sturdier branches that have perhaps drooped into the roadway during winter and can't just be eased through, well, I either simply dodge them (because I'm moving at a snail's pace in that scenario), cut them away, or abandon the trail and backtrack. Or if you were thinking more about strong winds with the awning deployed, the awning itself would unquestionably disintegrate before it could ever possibly rip that wall apart. Of course when it's dangerously windy, I keep the awning stowed anyway. :-)
When I've tried rolling, too much fabric builds up in one spot. I've found it takes a little strategic distribution to get as much material and especially the velcro-lined edges moved towards the rear as possible, since a straight roll-up just gets too fat in front. 🙂
Donald, now that you've had the Reign awning for a few months have you found anything you dislike about it and would you purchase it over another brand? New subscriber.
The only thing I've disliked about it is the fact that outer cover is a little too small, which can make it a bit of a struggle to stow away. However Reign has since made a few changes to their design including making the outer cover a little roomier and a few other improvements. As it happens, I will be testing the new version very very soon and will be releasing a video about it hopefully in the next week or two. For me, outer cover aside, it has otherwise completely checked all my boxes for what I was after in a 270° at an accessible price. It's been an absolute game-changer in both sunny summer weather and wet winter weather to have this sheltered space over my camp. Stay tuned as I'll be looking at the new version very soon.
With all the other ones you looked at - would you have purchase this one had they not sent it to you for testing? It's honestly starting to give me a headache with all the different options and the various configurations. I almost (well I did) buy a FSR but their last batch had all kinds of problems and my money was refunded...
I agree, with so many options out there, it's NOT an easy product to decide upon. Following everything I looked at during Expo PNW, I was leaning towards purchasing the Yakima (before I knew about the Reign). The Yakima and the Reign are very very similar, and at the same price, so the Reign would have become a contender. From my recollection of the Yakima, their fabric was quite a bit lighter weight - you could see light through it - whereas the fabric on the Reign feels sturdier and is both waterproof and fire-resistant (that's really difficult to perceive though without seeing each of them in person). But yes, right around a thousand dollars was what I was hoping to spend and the Reign checks all the boxes I was after. Now that I've used the Reign, I would buy it again at $950 provided the bag gets enlarged...that's the only issue I've been able to find in my (admittedly still limited) experience with it. I will continue to share how it goes as I get more opportunities to use it. If you don't mind, I'm very curious to hear about what went wrong with your FSR. In the comments on my 270 video, numerous people recommended it. At a similar price to the FSR, there is also the Ostrich Wing Jr which is a South African awning I was already considering before Expo PNW. I was really hoping to get eyes on one but they weren't exhibiting there. But if I were to throw more money at it, I probably would have veered towards the Ostrich Wing Jr over the FSR.
@@softroadingthewest - Thanks for the thorough reply very much appreciated! On the FSR, I had bought one from Super Pacific with my camper. They were backed ordered forever and they came in like the week before I was supposed to head to Portland for my install. Sacha called me a few days before to say he wasn’t going to sell me one and refund my money because the night before at a SP event they had one fell apart right after they installed in. He said when they called FSR they said the were defective and to send all 20 (or so) back to them. On top of that my local overland place, AV Overland Supply (Lancaster, CA) said he had one of his customer’s FSR’s break at the bracket. It seems like that might be why they are out of stock at FSR with no estimated restock. Super Pacific USED to recommend the FSR, had videos about it, and had it on their store. So far for awnings I’ve been using an AquaQuest tarp that has been working okay except that I have to deploy poles and guy lines so it’s not as simple as an attached solution. Oh I’m also concerned about the ability to park in my garage if I installed an awning - right now I have probably 1.5” of clearance with the garage door and opening. Thanks again Donald, much appreciated!
How long ago was that? @@dustyroaddestinations Was it when they first came out? or recent? Or just a bad batch? They just came back on their site and I think its like 30% off so it's cheaper than the Reign one in the video. I was originally going to go with FSR but then Shady Overlander just release at Overland Expo Mountain West, so I got the discounted pre-order which was cheaper than the full price of FSR's awning and they offered free shipping. HOWEVER, I just filed a Dispute on PayPal with them because they have not contacted me in over 4 weeks and they didn't ship me the awning and their phone number is fake. So hopefully I get my money back and I was going to get the FSR 270.
Are you still planning on having your kitchen on the driver's side? It's going to be interesting to see how you deal with cooking there with rain dripping down between awning and camper, and channeled by the swing up door right down into where you are trying to cook. And maybe into the inside of your camper.
Yes, kitchen is largely done now, at the driver side cargo door of the camper. As I mentioned in the video, any rain drips onto the side of the camper or at worst, the rail of the truck bed, and not where I am actually cooking. When the awning is deployed and the carry bag is sort of stuffed back behind the mounting bar, the bag actually helps cover that space. I'm sure I'll have an opportunity to show all this once the wet season returns here in western Oregon. 😄
no perfect awning, if it's a full coverage than is paint to put away. I got a roofnest, I like but not perfect, no full coverage at 90 deg and its not a true 90 deg.
Reign Outdoor made some changes & improvements to their awning following this video and I have now tested the new version out as well:
ruclips.net/video/mj7iic2JBUU/видео.html
Put my Darche 180 awning up on the rim of Owyhee Canyon on a very calm late afternoon ( no wind) and was kicking back enjoying the view....the awning was all LASHED DOWN to the ground with all tie downs and I thought it was good to go....until what sounded like a freight train coming out in the middle of nowhere 50 miles from pavement and all of sudden this huge freak wind blast came thru and bam 30 SECONDS LATER my 180 awning was standing straight up like a huge sailfish! It ripped all the stakes out of the ground and bent all 3 heavy duty steel mounting brackets 90 degrees in an instant. I got it folded up but lost the use of my awning for the rest of the trip and rebuilt it when I got home 5 weeks later. Hi Donald....good luck with the awning lol! Beware of canyon rims!
This looks exactly like the FSR 270 awning. Has to be the same manufacturer behind the scenes, but this one is $500 cheaper. Completely agree with the squared off tailgate coverage.
Yup, have the FSR and love it. If this is the same thing it's a good deal.
I really like the way they squared off the back side of the awning to cover the whole back of the truck. Why hasn't anybody else thought of that? The overall construction looks beefy and should last a long time under the conditions we seem to put these things through. This one goes on my list of candidates for my own awning. Thanks, Donald!
Lucie! It was good to see you. Don't be a stranger. 🙂
Donald, I love your dying and reuse style. Your Reviews of products mean something.
Between you and Slim Potatoehead in Canada, I have got many ideas.
Thanks for this review.
Great awning. Always seems that a little more room is needed. Nice to hear they are redesigning the cover. Great coverage. Thanks for sharing.
I’m buying it. I’ve been looking for a budget option since PNW Expo. THX for sharing.
Excellent description, as usual. I can see why retailers want you to demonstrate their products. Interesting comment about the shortened rear coverage of some awnings. I probably wouldn't have noticed that until too late.
I like the back portion where it squares up, I'm not sure if the OVS does that
I still miss your Forester, but the truck you've built up takes the cake. This is so cool to see come along, it looks perfect for you. Nobody could have done it better.
This looks like a good option. I have the Eezi Awn 270 canopy on my Pro4X. It's been mostly OK. I'm on my second one because the first Eezi Awn was destroyed by a rouge wind gust in Thermopolis Wyoming - pulled the spikes out of the ground. I've upgraded the spikes from 8 inch to 12 inch heavy duty steel spikes. The longer spikes made a positive difference. I look forward to seeing more of your experiences with the Reign Outdoor canopy.
Nice piece of kit! Love the squared off wrap around section too.
Great demo Donald. Really appreciate it. Nice awning also
It's funny that you showed the awning being stowed on the beach as I was thinking that this would be fantastic for the beach for day trips or camping.
Really happy to see your setup progress. Happy trails!
Looks like a great product. I’m not in the market yet, as I have an arb awning and I’m trying to use it, but I do like the tailgate coverage! I’ll be watching to see how it works out for you.
Looks like a decent awning. A plus for you is they reached out to you which should mean you got it for free or for a very little cost which is always good.
You are the man when it comes to outdoors.
Bag size is a tough call for the manufacturer. Too small, and it's a bear to put away. Too big, and it's an annoying noise maker going down the road.
Excellent review as always Donald. Hope it works out.
Same with tent bags. I watched/heard my dad cuss up a storm with every tent he had putting it away, I thought it was normal. Every tent I've ever bought fits right back in. I think it's an exercise in patience, and paying attention to how it was folded from the factory.
If someone is concerned about the gap, they can slice up a pool noodle and shove that up there. They repel water and form to fit. Problem solved.
Looks like a great awing. Still too much for my taste. Cost nearly half of what my overlanding vehicles cost. Thanks for the review! George.
Good to see Lucie again :)
Looks like a great awning. Though awnings are used for in-climate weather, awnings provide protection from the sun too. In the case of protection from the sun, the gap is not even an issue. I use mine more for protection from the sun than for rain. The useful area they create in the rain scenario, for me, out-weighs the gap allowing small amounts of rain through. I purchased the wall kit for my OVS and enjoy having the ability to completely enclose the useful area.
Like all the components of your camper, hope you keep that truck for awhile.😊
Historically, most of my life I've done 10-year cycles with my vehicles. (the Forester broke the pattern when that lady ran a red light and totaled it, heh). If my pattern holds, I'll have the Frontier until 2031. 😄 I really love this truck especially now with the camper on it, and there's no other type of rig that tempts me...this is perfect for how I like to explore and camp.
Still driving my 2007 frontier, OE brakes, just tuned up at 100,000 miles.
HI DONALD 👋
WITH THE LITTLE BIT OF THE GAP BETWEEN THE TRUCK & CANAPY MIGHT BE A GOOD THING IT LET' S THE WIND / BREEZE PASS THROUGH WITHOUT TEARING THE CANAPY & BRACKETS OFF THE VEHICLE ! THE REST IS COMMON SENSE HOPEFULLY LIKE A CHICKEN 🐔 LOOKING UP AT THE RAIN DROPS & DROWNING LETS SAY ! I ALSO LIKE HOW THEY DID THE BACK TOO COVERS WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE COOKING ETC !
IF THE SPACES ARE THAT ANNOYING GET SOME MATERIAL & MAGNETS , ETC & FIGURE IT OUT FROM THERE ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏
Great video, sweet setup! I'm moving this one to the top of my list when it comes time to buy one.
CVT and FSR both have that same shape. It's far superior. Great choice!
Nice awning… I hope that you can keep it out of the trees. l know trees can be an issue for you at times . 😂 On another note, the content has been great and diverse so keep it up … please keep it coming and don’t try to split it up into two separate channels that are just advertisements for a separate private subscription-based web page. we have enough of those in our lives.
Yeah, that's absolutely a real issue I need to keep in mind now (the trees I mean, not the channel splitting, LOL, though not to worry, I won't be doing anything like that 😄)
I’ve struggled with floppy fabric as well. Got stuck in an oversized cloak for 2 days once.
Hate when that happens...
Well done your are getting that truck all fixed up with new gear and taking your time with good job now for some light under the awning will be next ??😊
Great video, will have to research the hinge mechanism for its durability and servicing. Thanks
All parts are fully interchangeable, so if something gets damaged it is easy to replace
Donald another great video & good score on the awning 🤙🏼
This has moved up to the top of my list. The rear tailgate coverage plus the upcoming larger storage bag. The Australian 270 awning models I have been looking at all have a big roomy storage bag. To me, 100% of idea is to just make this stuff super easy to set up and put away. Also you mentioned the weight at like 40 lbs? Most of the awnings I have been looking at run 60 - 70 lbs.
They need more mounting brackets, hard to install.
Thank you for the video. I will keep this in mind. 😎👍
Just order this. It is similar to others but Kai and his direct involvement and superior customer service is why I went with this company. US based with an owner that cares, doesn’t get much better in my book! Thanks K.M. and thanks for making this video Donald. Respectfully, Richard M.
What an awesome addition!!! 👌
Looks great. Nice review and walk around.
I agree, the extra coverage in the rear is much needed, along with the pop up peak. The concerns of the gap are probably concerns of the wind and rain blowing in, not necessarily falling straight down on you.
Looks good buddy, so much coverage
This looks pretty slick! It will be interesting to see how this holds up down the road.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou!! Finally someone pointed out the tent angle off the back. My Jeep tailgate/cooking area is straight out from the passenger side and needs coverage. I've only found a few that do this. Good Job!!!!
Good video. I’m searching for a decent awning and looks like this it. Good reference as my Topo Topper will be ready for install next week!
Thanks. Always enjoy your videos. You're an upstanding and honest guy. Maybe a stupid question, but didn't see any pictures with the awning extended and the roof popped up. Are the two compatible, or are there issues with using both at once?
Zero issue. I didn't pop up the camper while filming this mostly to avoid the distracting additional elements, but no issue having both deployed, I wouldn't want an awning on there I couldn't keep set up the entire time I'm at camp. At Expo Mtn West, I left the Reign Outdoor awning deployed the entire weekend, as well as the camper, since that was my lodging. :-) One would just need to pop up the camper before deploying the awning, and stow the awning before packing away the camper, as the awning prevents you from standing on the tailgate and accessing the lift handle & pull-down strap of the camper lid.
@@softroadingthewest great. Thanks for taking the time to clarify this 👍. Great to see companies reaching out to you - you deserve it. 🤛
Awning aside, can we talk about the camp chair? I'm always on the hunt for a better chair and that one looks like a mechanism I haven't seen. We need the deets!
Coleman Woodsman II camp chair:
amzn.to/38ZfcIo
I picked up a pair of these used for $20 off Craigslist years ago because they fit better than a standard camp chair in the roof box of the Forester I used to drive. On the plus side, you will not find a chair that is faster to set up or fold up, it's essentially instant. That's my favorite thing about it. Also super easy to stow because it folds flat. But I would read a bunch of reviews before you buy one. It is low and small - for example, you couldn't use it to sit at a standard picnic table at a campground - and probably the worst detail is that the back support leans too far back. I keep using them because, well, I have them, and always have other higher priority issues to tend to, but I am eager for something a little bigger and more comfortable at some point in the future when I have nothing better to work on. 😄
Reign could make the cover larger only where the most fabric is which is apparently where zipping it is the challenge…
40 pounds for this seems kind of light and that's a good thing. Usually a 270 awning is around the 60 lb mark if I'm not mistaken. But I think this product can get away with it because there's only 83 ft² of coverage. Whereas the Overland Vehicle Systems product is $200 cheaper, weighs more and has 129 ft² of coverage.
"DONT STAND UNDER THE GAP" is fine for your setup but I'll be putting one on a pop up slide in truck camper with a rear door. That gap won't be ideal for that situation but I think I could figure out a way to seal that area. Maybe something as simple as a pool noodle as a gasket.
I like the looks of it. The arm design is similar to the Bush Co awnings. I'm wondering how they made it so much lighter...20 lbs is a fair bit to shave off. If theres no reduction in strength I'll be looking very closely at the Reign.
I think the Reign awning is smaller overall, so there's quite a bit less fabric than the Bush Co, which probably adds up fast, but also the arms themselves are certainly not as long, the rear mounting plate is not as long...really just less materials overall, the whole thing is more compact. I obviously haven't compared them side-by-side but my recollection is the Bush Co hinge assembly is even beefier...the whole thing looks super heavy duty and presumably is stronger than the Reign, but one would hope so, at that price. 😄
@@softroadingthewest Yes, 1500 for a Bush Co 270xt vs 950 for the Reign. Not as big a difference as the OVS or some of the others out there but still hundreds less.
Do you know where the Reign is made? Many are from China, a few from South Africa...but is it worth the cost difference for SA made? I'm still unsure where to spend money for the Best Value but
I'll admit the Reign is looking like a front runner.
@@utahjohnnymontana3373 The Reign is manufactured in China, as I think are most of them that aren't South African companies. I believe the SA companies all make theirs in SA. They seem to be the gold standard, though obviously at a premium. My goal was to find something at an accessible price that makes sense to my budget-minded audience that still captures as much of the South African design ideas as possible.
@@softroadingthewest I agree about weighing value and functionality. The Reign looks like a good balance. I'll wait to see how you like it in six months and if its still positive they may have sold me an awning. :)
Extra shade for your naps
Looks like an FSR clone aka Drifta AU clone - none of which is a bad thing, I have the FSR. Prime difference being the FSR legs only come with the side wall kit where as it seems you get them pre installed on the Reign. Also the FSR bag seems bigger as its impossible to have a zipper fight with the FSR no matter how poorly I roll the canvas. I like that you get the correct hardware with Reign as the FSR ships with hardware intended for tent side tracks ala Bush Company whereas you got legitimate/proper T nuts. Anyway modern supply chain and rebrand bonanzas blow my mind sometimes.
The FSR is one that I didn't get a look at during Expo PNW but yes, looking at their website...it sure looks like the same manufacturer. I had a lot of people recommend the FSR to me so hopefully that's a good sign. I am going to investigate modifying my bag because I really don't want to fight this in every time I use it. 😏
Can you use the side door of the topo topper while awaning is deployed???? ???????
Yes, absolutely, with no problem at all. That would have been a deal-breaker for me as I'm building my kitchen into that side cargo door and the whole idea was to have a covered cooking area that was not at my tailgate. I'm sorry I didn't think to demo that particular detail...it simply works so it didn't even occur to me to point that out. I'm almost done with my kitchen setup and you'll definitely see me cooking out of that cargo door with the awning deployed in the coming months.
@@softroadingthewest I haven't ousted my awankng brackets yet or decided on awaning ..may be different for 6' bed
What is the centerline to centerline distance between your awning mounting brackets on the camper?
About 50". I have close to 36" of the awning projecting out in front of the frontmost awning bracket. The installation instructions for the awning indicate that the three awning mounts should be used, but it's simply not an option on my camper (and my camper is extra small because of the 5' bed on my truck). Presumably Topo Toppers has built their brackets with this in mind (they are extremely sturdy, made of stainless steel not aluminum). So far so good, though obviously if at all possible, it would be advisable to have a third mounting point at the front of the awning.
@@softroadingthewest Appreciate the great info! 🙏
“Something that really appealed to me was…” it was free😂
Exxactly what I'm looking for to allow me to open and close the back door of my Isuzu Bighorn.
Need to see if they import to the UK?
Nice awning with good coverage. Opening the topper doors fills that gap. I hope you are kidding about that gap?
Well, I'm not kidding about people wringing their hands about the gap...there were several comments along those lines on my 270 video from Expo and there are a couple of them here on this video even though I specifically addressed it. I'm not concerned, it's virtually a non-issue. 😄
Wow. Agree, It is a Non Issue.!
I like everything about it but the coverage off the side of the vehicle would not be enough for me outside of that it’s very nice for the price.
Thanks so much for your comment! We do have an XL version in the works that will be about 25% larger
🍻
Donald, have you had a chance to compare your new awning to the Free spirit 270? They look similar but maybe there's some differences?
Well I haven't been physically next to one to compare, but following a few other comments here, I went and looked at the FSR website and wow, it sure looks like the same thing. Someone pointed out that the FSR doesn't come with legs unless you also get the wall kit. I'll have to take a closer look at the FSR next time the opportunity presents.
Do, they have a 2 bedroom CONDO VERSION.. 😂😂😂
👍👍
Off topic question: What refrigerator are you using? Thanks
I am still using the same inexpensive fridge I received to review three years ago, it just keeps working and working. 😄
Complete video: ruclips.net/video/9wb6VDbn55s/видео.html
Question... do you feel the awning mounts on the Topo Topper are strong enough? It looks like their L-shaped brackets are fastened with only 4 bolts each through the aluminum siding. You're not worried it could rip out?
No, not worried in the least. Topo's campers are not constructed of thin aluminum sheeting over a skeleton framework. The walls are 1/8" aluminum, with bends creating structural integrity. I imagine the bolts holding the awning onto the brackets would shear before the bracket would rip through that wall, or perhaps more likely, the aluminum channel on the back of the awning would give way. In any case, that would take some serious force, like hitting a thick, immobile branch at full speed, but that is an immensely unlikely scenario. When I'm driving overgrown trails, I'm crawling through at a snail's pace; the branches that emerge into the roadway are generally relatively thin new-ish growth; when there are sturdier branches that have perhaps drooped into the roadway during winter and can't just be eased through, well, I either simply dodge them (because I'm moving at a snail's pace in that scenario), cut them away, or abandon the trail and backtrack. Or if you were thinking more about strong winds with the awning deployed, the awning itself would unquestionably disintegrate before it could ever possibly rip that wall apart. Of course when it's dangerously windy, I keep the awning stowed anyway. :-)
We will work on your floppy fabric handling skills 😂
Training spurred on by a snarling German shephard? No thank you 🤣
Looks like it would be easier to roll it up Into the cover
When I've tried rolling, too much fabric builds up in one spot. I've found it takes a little strategic distribution to get as much material and especially the velcro-lined edges moved towards the rear as possible, since a straight roll-up just gets too fat in front. 🙂
Donald, now that you've had the Reign awning for a few months have you found anything you dislike about it and would you purchase it over another brand? New subscriber.
The only thing I've disliked about it is the fact that outer cover is a little too small, which can make it a bit of a struggle to stow away. However Reign has since made a few changes to their design including making the outer cover a little roomier and a few other improvements. As it happens, I will be testing the new version very very soon and will be releasing a video about it hopefully in the next week or two.
For me, outer cover aside, it has otherwise completely checked all my boxes for what I was after in a 270° at an accessible price. It's been an absolute game-changer in both sunny summer weather and wet winter weather to have this sheltered space over my camp. Stay tuned as I'll be looking at the new version very soon.
@@softroadingthewest Excellent! Standing by for an update before buying. Thanks for the reply.
With all the other ones you looked at - would you have purchase this one had they not sent it to you for testing? It's honestly starting to give me a headache with all the different options and the various configurations. I almost (well I did) buy a FSR but their last batch had all kinds of problems and my money was refunded...
I agree, with so many options out there, it's NOT an easy product to decide upon.
Following everything I looked at during Expo PNW, I was leaning towards purchasing the Yakima (before I knew about the Reign). The Yakima and the Reign are very very similar, and at the same price, so the Reign would have become a contender. From my recollection of the Yakima, their fabric was quite a bit lighter weight - you could see light through it - whereas the fabric on the Reign feels sturdier and is both waterproof and fire-resistant (that's really difficult to perceive though without seeing each of them in person). But yes, right around a thousand dollars was what I was hoping to spend and the Reign checks all the boxes I was after. Now that I've used the Reign, I would buy it again at $950 provided the bag gets enlarged...that's the only issue I've been able to find in my (admittedly still limited) experience with it. I will continue to share how it goes as I get more opportunities to use it.
If you don't mind, I'm very curious to hear about what went wrong with your FSR. In the comments on my 270 video, numerous people recommended it. At a similar price to the FSR, there is also the Ostrich Wing Jr which is a South African awning I was already considering before Expo PNW. I was really hoping to get eyes on one but they weren't exhibiting there. But if I were to throw more money at it, I probably would have veered towards the Ostrich Wing Jr over the FSR.
@@softroadingthewest - Thanks for the thorough reply very much appreciated!
On the FSR, I had bought one from Super Pacific with my camper. They were backed ordered forever and they came in like the week before I was supposed to head to Portland for my install. Sacha called me a few days before to say he wasn’t going to sell me one and refund my money because the night before at a SP event they had one fell apart right after they installed in. He said when they called FSR they said the were defective and to send all 20 (or so) back to them. On top of that my local overland place, AV Overland Supply (Lancaster, CA) said he had one of his customer’s FSR’s break at the bracket. It seems like that might be why they are out of stock at FSR with no estimated restock. Super Pacific USED to recommend the FSR, had videos about it, and had it on their store.
So far for awnings I’ve been using an AquaQuest tarp that has been working okay except that I have to deploy poles and guy lines so it’s not as simple as an attached solution.
Oh I’m also concerned about the ability to park in my garage if I installed an awning - right now I have probably 1.5” of clearance with the garage door and opening.
Thanks again Donald, much appreciated!
How long ago was that? @@dustyroaddestinations
Was it when they first came out? or recent? Or just a bad batch? They just came back on their site and I think its like 30% off so it's cheaper than the Reign one in the video. I was originally going to go with FSR but then Shady Overlander just release at Overland Expo Mountain West, so I got the discounted pre-order which was cheaper than the full price of FSR's awning and they offered free shipping. HOWEVER, I just filed a Dispute on PayPal with them because they have not contacted me in over 4 weeks and they didn't ship me the awning and their phone number is fake. So hopefully I get my money back and I was going to get the FSR 270.
Are you still planning on having your kitchen on the driver's side? It's going to be interesting to see how you deal with cooking there with rain dripping down between awning and camper, and channeled by the swing up door right down into where you are trying to cook. And maybe into the inside of your camper.
Yes, kitchen is largely done now, at the driver side cargo door of the camper. As I mentioned in the video, any rain drips onto the side of the camper or at worst, the rail of the truck bed, and not where I am actually cooking. When the awning is deployed and the carry bag is sort of stuffed back behind the mounting bar, the bag actually helps cover that space. I'm sure I'll have an opportunity to show all this once the wet season returns here in western Oregon. 😄
I've been looking for a 427° awning.
Not a problem. There is of course a $5 upcharge per degree beyond 270, but I think it would be well worth the extra $785.
Mind the gap!
T
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T
(tent bag)
no perfect awning, if it's a full coverage than is paint to put away. I got a roofnest, I like but not perfect, no full coverage at 90 deg and its not a true 90 deg.