Gear Review: Alu-Cab Shadow Awning

Tim reviews the Alu-Cab Shadow Awning.
Links below!
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Awning: ok4wd.com/alu-cab-shadow-awning
Roof Rack: www.frontrunneroutfitters.com...
Stratchet Straps: www.frontrunneroutfitters.com...
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[@davidmcguire2664]

Hey, man. Best review I’ve seen of this awning yet. Appreciate the honesty. I, too, am only really considering this awning and your review has helped a lot.

[@DirtSunrise]

Cheers David!!

[@shawndunfee2566]

I have watched this video about 5 times in the past few months trying to get ready for an overloading trip to california. Great information, thank you. The funny part of this story is tonight I was talking to my ol college buddy from Ohio that was telling me his friend Tim reviewed this awning on youtube and I should check it out! It turns out your the reason my Wife and I ended up at Keer Lake about 5 years ago in Colorado. Thank you for that tip. Safe Travels

[@DirtSunrise]

That is so awesome. What a small world!! 😆👍😁

[@robbies4x4adventures]

Thanks that has helped me make up my mind.

[@isbalcio]

Nice! Thanks for the review. I really like the no poles necessary element to this so definitely something to think about for my cruiser. I've been looking at the ARB awnings. Of course I like the more expensive awning more!

[@DirtSunrise]

Thanks, glad you liked it! ARB is a solid company that stands behind everything they make... but no poles sure is nice too! Haha

[@freedomrider266]

Ian, some have reported that ARB awnings leak in tropical rains (I agree with DirtSunrise that ARB is a very solid company with a good rep, but just keep in mind)....Most serious off roaders usually choose between Alu-Cab, Bundutech or Ostrich....Supa Peg is another (Australian company) that is new, but highly regarded...Go with what suits you the best.

[@where2nextadventures95]

Nice setup!

[@DirtSunrise]

Thanks Jim!

[@davidluster9510]

Awsome rig. I have one of these coming from adventure ready. How is it holding up?

[@asherdog9248]

What did the added weight and wind resistance do to your miles per gallon?

[@WeAreNotHomeToday]

That is an awesome awning and I am planning on getting one. My only concern after watching your video and seeing close up pictures is.... those laser cutouts they have right in the center of the poles. Doesnt that make the Aluminum weaker? I am just worried it would bend/break if there is a strong gust of wind.

[@DirtSunrise]

Thanks for the comment. I watched ASPW's video and although I think his comment has some merit I was there that day (Overland Expo) and the wind was pretty strong. I wouldn't have left the awning up in that wind, even if I'd had the leg down and guidewires out. Awnings are like sails and if the wind gets under them I think something has to give. I also tend to put mine away if I walk away if I leave the truck for any reason.

[@roverjenzz]

Would be nice to hear your verdict now after some more months. I am seriously thinking about putting one on our Discovery 1, but my main question is how you deal with light rain with some wind?

[@DirtSunrise]

When we cut our roof off and went to the poptop we got rid of the Alucab. Partly because the poptop already had an awning mounted and partly because the top is fairly thin Aluminum. We really prefer the Alucab, but our Hannibal weighs 1/3 what the Alucab does. We miss the coverage and ease of opening. Incidentally we ran into a family yesterday in a Defender 110 headed to Ushuaia with an Alucab and they are still loving theirs. 👍

[@DirtSunrise]

When we cut our roof off and went to the poptop we got rid of the Alucab. Partly because the poptop already had an awning mounted and partly because the top is fairly thin Aluminum. We really prefer the Alucab, but our Hannibal weighs 1/3 what the Alucab does. We miss the coverage and ease of opening. Incidentally we ran into a family yesterday in a Defender 110 headed to Ushuaia with an Alucab and they are still loving theirs. 👍

[@DirtSunrise]

On the light wind and rain, no worries. It can handle it ,but one thing we didn't do is walk off or go on a hike with it deployed since strong winds could come up.

[@roverjenzz]

Just saw your other videos and your instagram channel. We've been travelling Europe and northern africa an the 90s with the Disco, and now after an 18 year break, we want to start camping trips again. And from experience, light wind and drizzle makes you want a side enclosure. Looks like we need to part with the money and get the obscenely priced Alu-Cab sidewalls...

[@racehosspromotions]

What about your back hatch hitting it when you open the hatch? I have a 4Runner and think it might hit the awning. But then I have a roll down window to access fridge etc.

[@DirtSunrise]

On my truck it hits, but on a buddies 80 it doesn't. I put a hard rubber 3m backed pad on the bar it contacts to keep it from hurting the truck. It actually seems to give the awning a bit more tension so I'm telling myself it's a good thing. Reason it hits on mine is that I put on extra long gas struts years ago so it's more out of the way when open and I also flipped my Frontrunner rack upside down to keep it as low as possible.

[@metalfingersfilm]

Did you ever get the awning?

[@tammybattistessa7346]

Considering purchasing this awning, but heard it is quite noisy while driving. What is your opinion?

[@DirtSunrise]

I didn't think it was noisy, but I did also add the roof rack at the same time so its hard to tell what noise was one vs the other.

[@creative_partner]

How hard was it to attach the mounting brackets for the Frontrunner? They seem odd, in that they bolts are inside the tracks vs. the bolts in the tracks. Thanks!

[@DirtSunrise]

It wasn't too hard, but definitely a 2 person job. A friend of ours had 4 people and said it was even easier. We used a piece of wood to prop it up while we drilled the holes. (It's not a light awning!) It's a bit of an odd mount since some of the mount uses the track mounting system and some require you to drill through your nice Frontrunner rack. On the plus side, at least it's nice and secure feeling.

[@creative_partner]

Hmm, do you happen to have any pictures of how the brackets attach to the rack? I had originally mounted the awning to my Alu-Cab RTT, but decided to go in a different direction with the tent.

[@DirtSunrise]

This pic isn't ours, but shows the rear pretty good. The 2 through bolts are shown and then the others use the track. static1.squarespace.com/static/553b43ace4b0553f49787a91/5715e22bc6fc084899f55402/57d42bfc6b8f5b7fd8f7cd07/1473522706600/Alu-Cab+270+Grad-Markise+Shadow+Awn+-+Halterung+Front+Runner-Dachtr%C3%A4ger+003.JPG?format=1500w

[@creative_partner]

Awesome thanks. Mind if I ask one last question? I have a G550, that requires gutter mounts. The mounts are at about 15-20 degree angle going from the gutter up to the Frontrunner rack. I'm worried that the bracket may not push the awning out far enough from the gutter mount legs. It looks like your LC requires gutter mounts also, and they also seem to be leaning in at a small angle up to the rack. How much clearance did you end up having?

[@at1970]

Had it in the rain yet? Wondering how it sheds rain. Thanks

[@DirtSunrise]

Does great in the rain. There is a little arm that folds up and tightens the material and directs the rain away which was a thoughtful touch.

[@xbpbat21x]

Think you'll get the wall kit?

[@DirtSunrise]

We considered it, but carrying the walls on our South America trip would have eaten up a lot of space so we never did.

[@jeffandmonicayaeger9731]

Nice video. Can I request a name change to the channel? I'm thinking FüBar with Hübar

[@DirtSunrise]

oh great, now you tell me after we made a logo!