ARB 2500 Awning - Review After 2.5 Years of Use

The ARB 2500 Awning has been a valuable piece of overland vehicle gear for our travel through Central America and beyond. In this review we consider the pros and cons of the awning design and some tips to overcome its weak points.
To see other reviews and shop ARB awnings click here:
amzn.to/3TZ1ZXP
Please join us on our adventure by subscribing to our channel, and support our project on Patreon: / thetravelingtogetherjo...
Become a patron and we will pick-up a big bag of trash in your honor.
Our website has an interactive Map of our route: www.thetravelingtogetherjournal.com
Social Media is FUN!:
Instagram: @the_traveling_together_journal
Facebook: thetravelingtogetherjournal/
Here is a list of products we use and love. Each Amazon link is an affiliate link. Once you go to Amazon if you purchase the item or not, anything you do purchase within that buying session we will receive a small commission. The commission we receive goes towards the production costs of this content. Thank you for supporting this content.
Best Dog Bed Ever: amzn.to/2vqlfR3
Best 12volt Fan: amzn.to/2y0LiSQ
Our Solar set-up:
Renogy Solar Panels: amzn.to/2uJmQ2e
Renogy Charge Controller: amzn.to/2vSrwYT
Tracer Meter: amzn.to/2vmz44D
Battries: amzn.to/2fvJ3ie
Camp Kitchen & MORE!:
Camp Stove: amzn.to/2vpYkFc
Hose: amzn.to/2vlVnaj
11lb propane bottle: amzn.to/2vquzEy
Camp table: amzn.to/2fviWIp
Camp Chairs: amzn.to/2fuE95m
Nesting Pots & Pans: amzn.to/2vq3GAm
Cast Iron Skillet: amzn.to/2wx8tAf
Dutch Oven: amzn.to/2vql3kR
Coffee Maker: amzn.to/2wLPDEW
Stainless Steel Insulated Cups: amzn.to/2uJhG6v
Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle: amzn.to/2wxvwLo
Collapsible Bowl: amzn.to/2fv5GU0
Collapsible Colander/Steamer basket: amzn.to/2hNrZVN
Most amazing Stainless Steel leak-proof nesting food containers: amzn.to/2hOcRaM
Life Saver Water Purifier Jerry Can: amzn.to/2hNbetU
Shower/Dishes Hose for Jerry Can: amzn.to/2hNzXyb
Charcoal Filters for Jerry Can: amzn.to/2vIukHl
Camera Equipment: We have purchased some of these things along our journey and you will be getting better film quality as the show progresses through Central America
Canon s95: amzn.to/2vmATOU (used throughout Mexico episodes)
GoPro Hero 4 Silver: amzn.to/2wxmgqk
Evo GoPro Gimbal: amzn.to/2vmFrF7
Ram Mount for dash recording: amzn.to/2usDsAg
Ram Claw: amzn.to/2fvnH4M
Ram Mounts are great because you can mix and match them to fit your needs for GoPro or a regular camera.
Canon G7X Mark II: amzn.to/2hNooHn ( I love this camera, used after Cancun Mexico)
Sony A600 with Telephoto lens: amzn.to/2usFwrR (used in episodes starting in Costa Rica) (This is an older model but still a fantastic camera. For less than $1000 you get a great camera and great telephoto lens)
Mavic Pro Drone: amzn.to/2vIpGZZ
Things we wish we had more of:
Best sunscreen for water sports/surfing: amzn.to/2vmiTUF
Heavy duty bug spray: amzn.to/2vpJH50
Music:
Light The Torch by: Silent Partner

[@JubasJourney]

Nice review, thanks for the tip of lowering one leg of the awning during a rainstorm.

[@belizeguy]

A fine review. ARB should be proud!!

[@ExpeditionNomadicAdventures]

You sold me. Thanks!👍🏾😊👌🏾😎✌️🏾

[@perfectlylonely]

Matt, loved the opening.

[@waz3925]

We’re now building out a van, and considering awnings. Look what video I stumble across, high quality content as always guys! Thanks!

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@offtrackfamily]

Thanks for the review. We may be looking into an awning and this review is what I was looking for

[@prime8nate]

There was no yawning in this review of an awning.

[@MrTmax74]

Nice review thank you

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ttv__btw__yt4835]

Thanks now getting now for my bed

[@cwr8618]

few years late here, but stoked to see another T100 steeez!!! We have the SR5 4x. and she's still going strong. Is/was your rig 4x? Noticed you taking it through some heavy stuff. Also, heading to CR in a few weeks for my forth trip there, but first with my new fam (lady + 2kids). Heading to Guanacaste to surf/check out some property, so any recommendations for some expat type friendly setups near the beach is definitely welcome. Cheers from San Diego!

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Cool. Yeah, its a 4x. If you've been to Costa Rica, then you know the drill. Below the high tide line is public property, so lots of awesome camping opportunities if you get away from the densely populated areas. Just make sure its not a protected turtle beach (they have a lot of them) before driving onto the sand.

[@lukasb8408]

Hey nice rig! I just got the ARB awning for my T100, is yours 4x4? Your travels sound like an awesome time! Is that camper top custom?

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

Thanks. It is a 4x4 T100 and the camper is home-built. Enjoy your T100 and ARB awning! It's a good combo 👍

[@cwr8618]

Second the questions and stoked to hear about other T100s on the road

[@steedsful]

Hey how far apart of the legs to attach to your canopy? Just curious if there was any info(that you recall) for how lost it could be ? I'm going to order one but I know on my car, my roof rack rails are maybe 2'-2.5' wide. so I'm wondering if that would be wide enough for this model

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

I think 2.5 feet is narrower than ARB recommends. They make a model that is 6.5 feet wide instead of 8 feet. That would probably be more appropriate for your rack. If the rack is mounted well to the car, you could probably extend the rack as another option.

[@SanDiegoCAUSA]

livestream soon? any topic, no topic

[@erichughes9098]

😎🌮👍

[@dannyleeingram5042]

Thank you for the video of your awning! Verbose videos leave me yawning.

[@ARVIthereyet]

For me it is the second year and velcro straps are more or less useless. If there is a small wind, they are already loose.

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

That's a bummer to hear. I wonder if they changed the material they were using.

[@choosefreedom6989]

Did you guys need a health certificate for your dog going back into the states?

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

technically you need to have paperwork showing that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. I've never been asked for any paper work for any dog after entering the United States around 10 times with dogs.

[@skypark4948]

Absolutely not recommended ARB!!! High price, Bad Quality & Service I've used it 3 times now and it leaks.

[@TheTravelingTogetherJournal]

That's disappointing to hear. Ours is still functional and pretty waterproof... except for the holes from a dustup we had in Guatemala, but I wouldn't expect any awning to hold up to the barrage we received that night.

[@mwilliamshs]

Based on the superlative title I would expect either a comparison or at least that you've used other awnings as well. No mention of either in the video. Click bait or oversight?

[@cwr8618]

option c, you're a dummy