Camping Essentials: ARB Awning Enclosed Room

Your contributions make these videos happen! www.nickcarverphoto.com/contr...
And check out my online course all about light metering for film photography: www.nickcarverphoto.com/metering
Read my ARB Awning review at: www.nickcarverphotography.com/...
The ARB Enclosed Room (a.k.a. Awning Room with Floor) is the perfect way to set up a kitchen at camp. With its 2 large mesh windows and spacious interior, you'll find an easy-to-set-up respite from the bugs and wind. The room also features 2 vents at the top to let the heat out, 2 access ports for an extension cord or propane hose, and a large zip-open panel for access to your car door.
The enclosed room featured in this video is for the ARB 2000 Awning, which measures about 6.5-feet wide. With the awning extended all the way out, that gives the enclosed room an interior size of about 6-foot by 7-foot. Height depends on how tall your truck is and how high the awning is mounted on it.
Although ARB doesn't explicitly recommend it for use as a tent, I found it to be the perfect sleeping quarters when I go solo camping. I wouldn't recommend using it as a tent in extremely inclement weather as the awning may not be strong enough to resist the extra weight and surface area in strong winds. But for relatively calm conditions and I'm sure even some steady rain, this product would hold up great.
If you have an ARB awning, this enclosed room may be the perfect camping essential to add to your list.
My ARB awning is mounted to a Gobi Stealth Roof Rack using modified Rhino Rack 31103 awning mounts. The awning does not come with mounting brackets, but it does include mounting screws, stakes, and guy wires.
Check out these products:
- ARB Enclosed Room for 2000 Awning: store.arbusa.com/ARB-TOURING-A...
- ARB 2000 Awning: store.arbusa.com/ARB-Awning-20...
- ARB 1250 Awning: store.arbusa.com/ARB-Awning-12...
- ARB 2500 Awning: store.arbusa.com/ARB-Awning-25...
- Rhino Rack 31103 Awning Mounts: www.carid.com/rhino-rack/foxwi...
- Gobi Stealth Roof Rack: www.gobiracks.com/racks_detail...
This video was not sponsored or endorsed by ARB 4x4 Accessories or any other company.
Nick Carver Photography Main: www.nickcarverphotography.com/
Online Photography Courses: www.nickcarverphotography.com/...
Orange County Photography Classes: www.nickcarverphotography.com/...

[@shannonrafferty8994]

Thanks!! Perfect Rig by the way. Looks like another thing I need to by for my '99 4Runner once I get down to the Southwest.

[@BelloBudo007]

Thanks for making the review. I just visited my local ARB shop yesterday and they didn't have one erected, so this was really good to watch. The idea of travelling light, with reasonably quick and easy set-up and pack-up has huge appeal to me.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Happy to help. Thanks for watching.

[@Chrisb8s]

That is so cool! I saw this in another of your videos and I am glad you gave a little review of it.

[@Lee-tw8vl]

Thank you for doing a short, to the point video! More people should learn from this. Thanks again!

[@0937685054]

This makes so much more sense than anything i have ever seen...... Cause you are out in the wilderness, bugs are going to be an issue, especially if you are traveling with young ones.

[@PiotrTobiaszKozowski]

Thx for awning review. Got today 2500 version for my 110 Defender. Enclosed room is next on my shopping list.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Piotr Kozłowski Nice! That's a sick ride you got there.

[@johnsonbar5022]

You did s great presentation. You sold us. We have a Ford Explorer and THIS IS EXACTLY what we've been looking for, Thanks a bunch.

[@themastercarpenter]

You did a good job on your video; edited well and no babbling:) hard to find on KZbin these days:)

[@01hondascott]

now that's a handy rig, great review, thanks my friend

[@nickcarverphoto]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@insonh21]

hey Nick, i commented on your video a while back about cooking inside, well i'm happy to tell you that after building my own awning and room made of tarps, i deep sixed it in favor of the ARB awning and enclosed room to use on my teardrop trailer and i cant wait till it shows up. thanks for the video a new ARB awning and enclosed room customer

[@nickcarverphoto]

Nice! I thought about doing the homemade route, too. Glad I went with the ARB instead. Enjoy it!

[@tadghb]

What type of teardrop do you have Big,Ern?

[@phobnoxious8061]

that was a really good review. Very helpful

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jenohogan9254]

That's. A really great idea.

[@workinprogress5821]

Great video

[@PepeDeezNutz]

Slick nick

[@SorenBarahona]

Good Info , Thanks

[@oneredstarproduction]

I have been looking at accessories for a 1999 4 runner limited 4x4 that I don't even own yet, lol. waiting for the right deal. I must say your rig is making me extremely jealous

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thanks! Yeah this generation of 4Runner is awesome.

[@oneredstarproduction]

Nick Carver yeah, I'm super pumped to get one, the price to mileage is insane. luckily they run forever and a day.

[@nickcarverphoto]

+oneredstarproduction yeah exactly. That's why they hold their value so damn well!

[@pickitup1]

I got this to sleep in after watching your review on KZbin it was the most horrible night I ever had outdoors from the walls flopping around to the stupid metal zippers jingling in the wind. I really wanted to like it but it’s getting returned.

[@da324]

If that's the most horrible night you've "ever" had outdoors, then, you're lucky!

[@devincutting3198]

Nick this was a cool video showing the setup of the extra room - how do you think this would compare to something like a 270 degree FoxWing awning (with walls attached) I’m asking because my fiancé and I just purchased Oregon Trail’Rs off-road TerraDrop Alpha. We’ve been looking into outfitting it with a rooftop tent (using the actual trailer interior for travel storage for sleep stuff and such) and an awning for setting up our base camp. Overall, thanks for the setup video, it looks super simple to get established and makes a great addition to any campsite!

[@iowareddneck]

That would be great on my excursion

[@danielhanney3326]

Looks the perfect Awning for Wild Camping..but would it stand up to the heavy winds here in the UK?..and where exactly does the awning fit onto the 4x4 room? ..would it fit on my old Mercedes ML270?..thanks.

[@toddtube924]

Great vid, can you tell me what awning room model number this is? I like the older style like this but all the leftover ones you can still find online show a 2500x2100 size which appears to mean they are 8 feet long by 6 feet extended which seems odd.

[@mora850]

Nice

[@CurtStyler]

Hey Nick. Thanks for the review. I'm curious if you have had this up in any wind or rain? From the looks of the video everything is pretty dry where you are, but just curious. I'm looking at either a setup like this or a Tepui tent and just trying to see if this would hold up in weather.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Hey Curt. Haven't used it in strong winds or rain yet. I think it would be just fine in the rain, but I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable in persistent strong winds. It's far from aerodynamic and some of the mounting points between the truck, awning, and vertical poles don't seem up to the task. I was about to get a Tepui recently but opted for a Kodiak Canvas ground tent instead. Those things are crazy strong.

[@rocklobster4094]

Thanks. Just ordered the 2500 version. But what knife are you carrying in a cross-draw no less?

[@leethao9711]

Awesome

[@R2Catap]

Can you make a video of your install? I have a cargo basket on my 4Runner and wondering how you installed your awning to your roof rack.

[@wgsmcw2012]

Pretty cool tent! Think it would work,with my Jeep.

[@nickcarverphoto]

I see these on jeeps all the time. Should work great.

[@jeffj9418]

Great video on this and on the awning itself! Pretty convinced (after seeing these) that I will add the awning and room to my Jeep! How has the use been since the video? Any input on camping in it? And how is that floor holding up?

[@nickcarverphoto]

+Jeff J Thanks! I haven't had a chance to use it much since I did the video (avoiding the summer heat in the desert), so I can't comment yet on its durability, but judging by the material, I think it will hold up well on surfaces that aren't too rocky.

[@TheXJthatCould]

awesome, I have the Arb 2000 awning for 168 I think the enclosed room will be a good buy even though I'm already rocking a tepui rooftop tent

[@nickcarverphoto]

+TheXJthatCould Aw man I'm itching for a Tepui rooftop tent. How do you like it?

[@TheXJthatCould]

+Nick Carver love it, I was lucky enough to go to a 4wheel parts and see it on a trailer,I asked about it and It was the managers he ended up selling it to me with the annex for 950.awesome quality, sat out in the weather under a tarp for a year on my trailer and still like brand new

[@nickcarverphoto]

+TheXJthatCould nice! Yeah they look pretty tough.

[@tonycarrillojr5051]

I was trying to find this awning room and the link you provided says that the page could not be found. The room ARB has on their site is different. Could it be discontinued?

[@inurbinurb292]

ARB awning comment. Have been using a 2.5 x 2.5 in Aust for 3 years. generally ok but problem is if you use the ARB drop down delux awning room you will find that the awning room ( 8kg )tends to bend the horizontal swing out arms. We told an ARB shop about this problem whilst traveling interstate about the issue and asked to speak to a technical ARB person. Unfortunately the sales staff at the Glossy showroom said NO NO No way the poles bend ( despite have two bent poles of ours in their hands. Reluctantly they replaced them and when it a happened again we approached ARB in another state whilst on the road traveling with some very convivial feedback and got the same result excuses excuses excusesexcept this time they said 'stiff luck buddy' and no replacement so we bought more poles from them. So we just STOPPED using the Drop down delux awning room and eventually put it into storage at the back of our garage and we continued to use the awning but guess what NO PROBLEMS WITH THE POLES SINCE WE STOPPED USING THE AWNING ROOM.. it is clearly apparent that the weight of the drop down awning is just a bit too much for the awning . We are about to travel again in late 2020 and may try to use the awning tent again and have now purchased two vertical poles to place under he awning arms about a metre out from the vehicle to support the swing out arms . Over the last three years we have purchased thousands of dollars of gear from ARB. inc fridges, underbody protection plates compressors, awnings, drop down awning tent rooms, recovery gear etc etc SUMMARY general quality of ARB gear ok price point is expensive but generally ok BUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WILLINGNESS TO TAKE A BIT OF CONVIVIAL FEEDBACK FORM AN ESTABLISHED CLIENT ABSOLUTELY LOUSY.

[@Jason-rs6co]

another top aussie product

[@ponderingnugget]

Thanks for posting this video! I am looking at purchasing the ARB 2000. Can you share any pointers about mounting the awning? I can't find much information about it, distance between supports, that sort of thing.

[@donbryson7536]

Do you have to purchase the awning separately?

[@ponderingnugget]

@@donbryson7536 The awning and the room are sold separately.

[@trumpafarian7129]

I really like the look of this and the size. Would fit my vehicle well too. However, i think I want something that I don't have to pack up every time I leave camp.

[@jefftunnell1964]

sure be nice to have zippers for windows inside. If heavy rain comes in i would like to zip closed without fumbling around in the rain..

[@jasont7200]

So this guy is midge proof as well? Thanks for the videos Nick!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Not 100% sure, but I believe so. Looks to be noseeum netting to me, which should stop those too.

[@dexng4278]

how did your awning floor hold-up? didn't your cot and kitchen table puncture the floor?

[@j-s-m-photographymc5317]

Good Stuff , but I guess there’s not much rain where you are unlike the U.K. , when I go off camping (off course with my cameras) I use a Carp Fishing Bivvie for a few reasons 1, the hydrostatic head on the inner is 20.000 and on the outer 20,000 there built to be bashed in high winds snow and rain the stacks are like screws once pinned down it’s not going anywhere. There designed like a pram hood the poles are welded to the tent bivvie so no threading the the poles into the tent but what comes with all these features unfortunately is weight but there not designed to be carried there designed to be unpacked from your car or put on a trolly. But I can honestly say fantastic for a base camp. When in the mountains I use MSR tents or Terra Nova Southern Star as they weigh nothing. The vehicle roof tents look rather cool. My Solution will be a camper van sprinter or VW crafter 4x4 with roof rack and ladder so I can get on the roof set up my camera tripod roof etc. camping and photography is fantastic love it.

[@jmsuitter5]

Wish they made one for there smallest awning

[@The-Bladeslinger]

Excellent review! is there enough ventilation to cook inside? will 2 cots fit ? Thanks

[@nickcarverphoto]

2 cots will fit, but very tightly and you'd probably have to climb over one to get to the door. Yes, with the window flaps open, definitely enough ventilation.

[@The-Bladeslinger]

+Nick Carver excellent thank you!

[@robertpersely1722]

Nice video, thanks for posting. Is it possible to zip open and close the windows from the inside?

[@nickcarverphoto]

Unfortunately they do not. One of my only complaints.

[@kalebstout7673]

Do you think this would work with the Tuff Stuff awning?

[@oceantraderco]

Great video. ARB should compensate you for this. Their online info does not come close!

[@nickcarverphoto]

O Trader thanks! Yeah that's largely why I made the video. I couldn't find much when I was shopping for this stuff.

[@Afrikaislife]

I agree. I've searched everywhere to find information on the room, always shots of the outside. Thank you for thinking inside the box.

[@skyviewfpv5282]

Nice Video Nick! I ordered the awning 2000. How tall are the side walls of the tent so I know how high to mount awning? It will be mounted to an off road camp trailer, I will have to make custom mounts for it. Thank you, Barry

[@nickcarverphoto]

Barry Rich thanks Barry! Check out the comment thread on this video from Chris Roosendahl. Those guys have better answers than me on that topic.

[@RobbSimmonscom]

Saw your footage in a FB ad by a company called Journeer

[@nickcarverphoto]

Yeah they ripped my footage without consent. I’ve reported them to Facebook, Instagram, and KZbin, but nothing is really being done about it.

[@Chickennss]

What do you use for your mat outside the door?

[@Impulset0]

How well do these do in the wind/rain? Why don't they recommend sleeping in it?

[@danielsmith5351]

I see a big problem. I camp regularly and you dont want to go outside to roll up or close the window covers. That should be able to do from the inside

[@heukkkomm7371]

Does the awning room has floor? Im looking for an awning room without floor

[@vinnyha5793]

Oh yeah.... i need it really bad....

[@wayneallen2683]

hey folks I have a teardrop trailer, but I am desperately looking for a roof rack and a awning with sides for my teardrop, does anyone know any websites or company’s where I can get them?..... roof rack size has to be 50 x50” inches, height(due to roof window)5”inches, I’ve emailed a few American company’s but they don’t deliver to Scotland please help guys!!

[@ndenisi]

Hi Nick where can I buy this? Is there a web site?

[@nartmot]

Hi Nick, Is it possible to set it up such that the fabric does not flap against the paint of your vehicle? Perhaps by staking it a little further away from the vehicle?

[@nickcarverphoto]

I don't believe that would be possible unless the awning itself was mounted pretty far off to the side of the vehicle.

[@nartmot]

@@nickcarverphoto Thanks. Liked and subscribed.

[@kaiviti2013]

Is this tent for higher SUV vehicles only ? Will it fit alright on a Subaru Forester ?

[@nickcarverphoto]

kaiviti2013 the walls would be very baggy I think on a car that short.

[@chevyvantravel9735]

is that water proof by any chance?

[@sallycharlson]

Solve my problem of not being able to have a rooftop tent for my GLK 250.

[@rojadoja]

Does anyone have the link for the enclosed room for the 2000? I can only find it for the 2500.

[@nickcarverphoto]

There's a link in the description to ARB's site for the 2000 enclosed room, but I had to special order mine from 4 Wheel Parts.

[@rojadoja]

+Nick Carver very cool man thank you. Great video

[@jonny_mazerati9410]

That ending was so corny like an old man from the 50s 🤣🤣

[@theskidmo7625]

Where did you get that hatch door ladder?!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Oscar S. it's made by Gobi Racks.

[@theskidmo7625]

Nick Carver thanks!

[@dankuettel5063]

Pillow and sleeping bag in the back of that 4Runner does the same job

[@nickcarverphoto]

I guess for sleeping. But not for standing up/cooking/changing clothes, etc away from the bugs and elements. But I have since sold this enclosed room and instead opt for a custom-built sleeping platform in the 4runner. Has its upsides and downsides.

[@ramenthenoodle_]

Nick Carver please do a video on the platform!

[@gibbethoskins8621]

wouldn't that flat roof sag in the middle when it rains??

[@nickcarverphoto]

I think if you put more pitch on it, it would run off sufficiently, but I'm not certain.

[@Eskiodoe]

Is this room/tent waterproof?

[@nickcarverphoto]

27bronxzoo yeah waterproof like the fabric on most tents.

[@kingsgirl1182]

What are the item numbers?

[@adamaustin3373]

noticed you had to duck inside. how tall are you and is there a limit on how tall your vehicle can be?..due to walls of tent might now reach ground on taller vehicles etc...

[@nickcarverphoto]

Adam Austin hey man. Sorry for not getting back to you on this. I see you got your answer from Chris above. Let me know if you have any other questions about it.

[@rexhamer9281]

Ia this made in China I would hate to see it in a wind storm and how do you stop the water pooling up on the roof

[@chrisr4686]

It says that the awning should be mounted at 83" at its highest point. Has anyone mounted it a little higher and used the room with it? My trucks rack might put the awning at about 86"-87"

[@nickcarverphoto]

Chris Roosendahl based on mine mounted at around 74", I'd say the walls would probably be a little short to the ground. Not horribly though.

[@adamaustin3373]

Nick Carver So if his truck is 86"..he can't use the extra room because it wouldn't reach the ground to be staked down??

[@chrisr4686]

Ive been doing some more research on this, ARB states a range of 74" to 83". The top of my camper shell is 84" Im making my own rook rack and will mount the awning as low as possible while still being able to open the rear doors. I found someone on expo portal running it at 84" and he says its fine. If your vehicle is taller it will just pull up on the floor a little on the vehicle side. I just ordered mine and well see how it goes.

[@adamaustin3373]

Chris Roosendahl please post reply on here about how it turns out! What vehicle are you mounting on and what size lift?

[@chrisr4686]

Will do. Its on a F350 6" lift 37's

[@GhosTigre]

To be called a professional, does one need some kind of certified document (license) or a certain amount of good quality work?

[@nickcarverphoto]

Cristian Paredes They need to do it professionally. That is, make their living from it.

[@KerenWang]

Cristian Paredes Yes! You need to have at least 20 000 in camera equipment ;)

[@nickcarverphoto]

+Keren Wang haha

[@Radnally]

Napier makes a tent that attaches to truck, suv , wagon etc...about $320.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Radnally I'll have to check that one out.

[@ejm922]

what about animals/reptiles??

[@jerryhofstra6894]

Links don't work

[@arkos55]

Vertical walls are terrible in high wind and rain. Looks fine for calm buggy conditions, but pretty useless on a nasty night.

[@humptywaspushed3562]

Hope you picked up your crap Ali tent peg my friend, save going through someones tyre

[@kodiward7730]

Uh ARB your so nice but not in my wallet.

[@nickcarverphoto]

killboy 633 ha! Yeah I hear that.

[@willitsguy]

Nick Carver, I hope you picked up the bent tent stake you tossed. That’s the sort of thing that easily ends up puncturing a tire. Dummy.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Of course I did.

[@pooryapercini4194]

do you also have guns with you too !?

[@TheKMXer]

You just lost the advantages of the open view afforded by the awning.