Thank you! A year in now and we still love every aspect of it! Haven't changed anything on the structure, just simple things like better shower curtains etc.

We looked at many brands and though we don't have experience in use with other brands, we certainly do not regret going ARB. Love it. And it's durability living on top of the truck for as long as it has in harsh Colorado weather, is impressive. Check out @Equip_Travel on instagram for more updated photos/videos.

Thank You!

Great Idea. Something I would have totally upgraded to if I was living in the North East. Out here in southwest Colorado and the surrounding areas we weekend too, it's become less a problem. Before our trip to the PNW next summer, we definitely will do such.

Thank you!

We have adapted to the hightop now. We have gotten use to using the truck in ways we wouldn't be able to with a low top. No going back from here now.

@@durangodez9632 hope to see you guys up at lake George some day

@@tomballard4794 love Lake George! We are from Saratoga but out in Colorado now. We are already looking into a summer trip to NY and the ADKs will not be left out!

ARB Touring 6ft. Bought it at a local dealer! Absolutely love it. Even though it could be removed for winter, I leave it up there year round. Its held out perfectly fine. I use Raft cleaner and 303 on it since it's the same material.

That Awning is an ARB Touring awning. It was close to $400 I remember. It's the 6ft wide by 8ft long. In our opinion, it is well worth the money. It has lived on the top of our truck through over a year of Colorado harsh sun and winter and it's still in great condition. In terms of getting one, it has to be purchased through a dealer, ARB does not do direct. 4x4parts/com has them, but you can go on ARB/com and do the "find a dealer" to try and spot the local shop near you.

The roof rack is a yakima and the manufacturing built the tracks, and the local dealer did the install. The awning is drilled into the topper it's self and that too was done by the dealer. I was a really quality job he did.

Thanks!

There’s definitely ups and downs for sure. Being able to stand up or cook inside is another thing we would like to do. It’s certainly not a full size sprinter, but on the up side, the 4x4 is awesome for ski season. As for kayaking, we are rafters and have removed the Thule box and shower to pop an inflated raft up there, the awning stays just fine. The Thule brand specifically has the best patens for easily removing the boxes. This is not to say it’s not a pain sometimes, everything is a trade off though. As for removing the inside of the camper, this is actually the easiest part. Check out our other video on truck camper build and you will see how this whole thing comes out and stacks nearly in 5 minutes

Hello! Thank you. Awning: Brand- ARB Touring Model: 6ftx8ft Canvas Awning with a PVC cover. Buy- ARB Touring does not do direct sales. However, their site does have a "dealer locator" and all dealers ship. Shop Local If you Can! Here is a reliable link otherwise. www.4wheelparts.com/p/arb-awning-with-light-sleeve-6-5-x-8-2-814409/_/R-BHWQ-814409 The Link above for the awning is our exact model except with the addition of a "Light Sleeve". This was not an option when we bought ours and I wish it was. The cost does not seem to be different from what we paid without. Heres a random link to the exact Yakima Swing Mount: www.outlandusa.com/p/yakima-backswing?campaign_id=958186731&adgroup=56081834788&matchtype=&device=c&devicemodel=&placement=&adposition=&gclid=CjwKCAiAi_D_BRApEiwASslbJxK7wzWMQuIfEq1K6zV28_UrdIQp_90DfMQ9vse15ej8bXOwUCAcTRoCZq8QAvD_BwE One thing to note on the swing mount, they also do sell one with the bike rack permanently attached. I don't suggest this one. What the swing "hitch" allows, is for you to attach anything you want to it. For the winter, we typically have a platform in there much like a PakMule, and the bike rack is out. This versatility is great. Check out @Equip_Travel on instagram for more updated photos/videos.

We have recently heard from someone that this awning can be a 1 person job. Apparently, ARB actually has videos showing how. From My experience, it seems like it would be a difficult, but no more so than any other awning. Given ARBs products, perhaps easier than other awnings.

It’s surprisingly comfier than it looks. But also, not a place you’d want to hang for more than a couple hours, that’s for sure.

I have always concerned about it, but no, I haven’t caught one. Actually, the awning it’s self does not stick out much more than the side walls of the bed. It sticks out less than the mirrors do. Though the height, is definitely where it adds more risk. We do a lot of off roading, but out here in Colorado, it’s not over hanging trees, it’s over handing stone walls we need to keep an eye out for. Still, it’s not a major concern and we have done just fine so far,

I though it would too. But, turns out, the regular truck bed is such a sail, the topper and box helped the MPG. and the awning just didn't change anything.

We bought the topper after buying the truck. So literally everything other than the truck without the topper is part of this build. All in all we are around $3500 in. That includes everything right down to the stoves and blankets. Looking back, we do wonder if buying an old pop up slide in and restoring would have been more useful for the cash (especially with winter camping at the ski mountains) but this sure has been an awesome journey.

Why sad....? Just wondering...

NY has some beautiful parts and surrounding states, but we are stoked to be based in southwest Colorado now!

We actually haven’t tried this method yet. The awning in the casing blocks the horizontal bars. So the awning would need to move in order to get those bars out, and the awning would need to stabilize on something while we are getting the horizontal bars out. Then, when expanding the bars, there is no stopper for the length of the awning. So without the awning already out, it can be very tough getting the exact length on each horizontal bar. In other words, they will extent well beyond the length of the awning if the awning isn’t there to stop them. So this does sound like a more difficult job for two, let alone one. The bars are not at a durability where I would trust rolling the awning out over them, in which case, this method would be a no brainer. Though I do think the down bars are a must for any weight at all. Either way, I am tempted to try this method you’re talking about. I’m curious if ARB said this was the proper way.

@@durangodez9632 Yes, watch ARB's vidios. Just trying to help.