If you are looking for a bit of extra protection from the elements and privacy, a great option for expanding the versatility of your camping setup is to add some walls to your 4X4 awning.
On it’s own, the vehicle-mounted awning is a great product. I am using a Howling Moon 2.5 metre Safari Awn, and love the amount of shelter you get out of such a short setup time.
I recently picked up a Wall Set to go with the awning from Howling Moon, and have been interested to see how it would go. It’s made from 400gsm ripstop canvas, is comprised of three walls and comes with three big zippable windows and a door.
Being in three peices makes the wall set modular: you can use one or two of you choice, instead of the whole three. It all comes in its own sturdy canvas duffle bag, which weighs only eight kilograms all up. It doesn’t take up much space, but gives you that extra flexibility when it comes to battling the elements.
All set up, the walls peg in fairly securely, but would flap around a little bit when the wind picks right up.
For my first attempt, it took me roughly three minutes to get each wall set up and pegged down, or ten minutes in total. The side walls clip straight onto the horizontal pole, and front wall slides into the awning’s aluminium extrusion very easily. The walls then connect via YKK zipping.
The material of the walls is a thick, 400gsm ripstop polycotton blend. Close inspection showed a lot of double-stitching along the ends and seams, no cheap materials were used in the making of these walls.
Plenty of big windows allow the walls to open right up for bit light and a breeze, if you are so inclined.
No walls on the back means rain and water would get in, and that is exacerbated by the way my awning is mounted, and the fact that the tray makes for a big void. If this was mounted on a ute with a canopy, or a traditional large wagon, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Of course, having no wall on the back allows the car to be easily and completely accessible.
So, whilst not being completely indefatigable to the elements, the Howling Moon Wall set for their awnings is a good addition to keep in the car. It will keep you dry and protected in anything but the most arduous of camping conditions, and give you a bit of privacy when needed. The ability to quickly throw up a wall to stop a stiff breeze coming through is quite valuable in my opinion, along with many other scenarios.
The Howling Moon Awning Wall Set costs $564.00, and we used it with Howling Moon’s 2.5 Metre Safari Awn ($370). For more information, go to www.howlingmoon.com.au or call 1300 135 011.
