Alu-cab Shadow Awn 270 Awning Impressions (on a Toyota Land Cruiser with Eezi-Awn K9 Load Bars)

I've made my first welds to adapt the well-built Alu-cab Shadow Awn awning to my well-loved Eezi-Awn K9 load bars. I have hesitations to keep this setup because the awning is so beefy, and the alternative solutions have either been too flimsy or have other design/use issues.

[@Karl7219]

One of the arms on my Alu-Cab shadow awning broke on a recent holiday. It bent in the wind right through where the brand name has been water jet cut in the arm. They have created a weak point by doing this. I put a claim through under the structural warranty side of things, but it was denied… Needless to say, I’ll be removing the awning from my rack and won’t be spending anymore money on Alu-Cab in the future.

[@thelandcruiserproject]

I suspected that'd create a weak point. It's a shame they didn't stand behind their name...literally.

[@Karl7219]

@@thelandcruiserproject Yeah, I thought they’d at least give me a replacement arm, but they want me to buy one :( I’d consider paying for one if it doesn’t have their logo cut through it!

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Until you said you were 6’ 9 I was confused as to why the Land Cruiser looked so low.

[@thelandcruiserproject]

AHC on LO 😂 I have a habit of making big things look small.

[@robinson4513]

the height is not an issue its the car and maybe raising the mounting bracket will help

[@thelandcruiserproject]

Something adjustable might be best, but the lower the better while driving, I'd say.

[@Br1anuk]

You could mount LED lights on the bottom of your brackets to light up your camp area under the awning.

[@thelandcruiserproject]

Ooh! That's a good idea!

[@mambobond]

If you want to know why I don’t have an awning on either of my trucks….. The fact that even with a reasonable lift I can see clear over the top of them, means it is going to be a pain in the a….. forehead!

[@thelandcruiserproject]

Tell me about it. Where were you several months ago when I stated this journey?

[@xbpbat21x]

I ordered this awning with my teardrop...hope to get it after Christmas.

[@thelandcruiserproject]

What kind of teardrop? I think you'll love the awning. It's perfect for a trailer like you're doing or a full size pickup.

[@xbpbat21x]

@@thelandcruiserproject I ordered a TK47 from overkill...also got the wall kit. Walls velcro in to make a nice little room complete with windows and a door. I'm very excited!

[@94Greenbean]

Interesting to see the lack of clearance for our hatch glass to open with so many large awnings!

[@thelandcruiserproject]

I think it's the downside of using the last mounting spot toward the rear.

[@94Greenbean]

Sorry to hear about that ratchet man, If memory serves me correct it was a nice branded one too, like a Matco or MAC? I hate when that happens. Good luck finding it and keep up the good work man. I have my load bars on and ARB ready to go to the beach thanks to your concept of the Rhino Rack feet and K-9 load bars. Thanks again bro!

[@thelandcruiserproject]

I'm glad it worked out for you!. I ended up finding it! It was one of my first ratcheting wrenches so nothing name brand or fancy, but still! Glad to have it back.

[@at1970]

You should compare the shadow vs the ez-awn. Why did you ditch the 270?

[@thelandcruiserproject]

Yeah, the Manta 270 is already long gone. It's got a bar right across the square portion of the awning that will cause it to collect water with no way to get it out. It's because of the design and that part I didn't care for.

[@DuanDao]

your thoroughness leads me to think you're in engineering?

[@thelandcruiserproject]

Bingo!