Words by Peter Storck
There are endless options when it comes to choosing an awning for off-road camping adventures. After using a multitude of different styles and designs over the years, I have a list in my head of what exactly it is I want, but I haven’t found anything that has come close to checking off all my “prerequisite boxes.”
What I wanted in my perfect awning was efficient coverage over a large area, a simple procedure to set up and take-down, a light weight design with durability, and available optional add-ons with protection from the elements – all at a reasonable price.
Then, last year, when I was attending the BC Overland Rally near Squamish, BC, I came upon Edmonton, AB-based Off Grid Trailers (OTG). Duane, the president of OTG and his crew were sitting under a massive, robust awning that wasn’t supported buy any poles or guy lines. It was just mounted to the roof rack on a Pando 2.0 off-road adventure trailer. Upon a closer look, I was impressed with its beefy construction and slick design. It does come equipped with poles and guy lines, but in light wind or rain and when you’re briefly stopped somewhere, it’s stable enough not to use them.
23Zero
Deployment of 23Zero’s Peregrine 270awning couldn’t be easier and it took only a minute to set up solo.
Learning it was a Peregrine 270 Awning from 23Zero, I did some quick research and found out it’s available with optional walls to increase its footprint to an impressive 279 sq ft. Both the walls and awning are composed of a hard-wearing 280 gsm rip stop polycotton canvas with LST 100 UV-resistant light fabric, which provides maximum shade and cooler comfort.
It also houses aluminum box extrusion rafters featuring cast alloy hinges, and brass washers with case hardened pins to ensure structural integrity. An additional and extended forward-facing front rafter offers more shelter over the front and rear doors depending on application. At 23 kg (51 lb), the Peregrine 270 isn’t the lightest on the market, but it’s also not the heaviest, especially considering its large coverage area and robust build.
When it comes to mounting it to your vehicle or trailer, it’s quite simple with the adjustable “L” brackets, which can be attached in multiple configurations. Measuring 213 cm (84 in) during travel, the Peregrine 270 is suitable for a variety of mounting locations, and it’s always best to choose a reliable mounting surface to ensure optimal sturdiness and support.
23Zero
The awning can be mounted to your vehicle or trailer in multiple configurations.
Deployment of the awning couldn’t be easier. From first-hand experience, it took me only about a minute to set up solo. Just unzip the cover and flip it up, then swing out the support arms, lock them in place, and you’re set. Should the weather take a turn for the worse or you’re not sure what kind of conditions to expect (and the poles are already attached to the awning arms), all you need to do is undo a couple of the Velcro straps, drop the arms into place, extend them to the desired height, and then add the heavy-duty guy lines as required.
When setting up in the rain, the guy lines can be used to create a valley in the awning for easy draining to prevent pooling of water. 23ZERO also recommends using the provided guy lines at all times as unexpected wind gusts can cause damage to the awning or your vehicle.
Taking down the awning is also quite simple and can be done with one person in under two minutes. Simply unlock the arms, fold them back into the housing, roll up the hanging material, flip the cover over the housing, zip it up, and you’re ready to roll.
Off Grid Trailers is the Canadian distributor for 23ZERO and stocks most of their products at their warehouse in Edmonton. This includes other awnings as well as roof top tents and other accessories. Check them out at 23zerocanada.com.