Best Car Awning setup for Indian SUVs - Jimny, Thar, Isuzu, Hilux, Gurkha, ScorpioN

Looking for a reliable car awning tent for your camping adventures in India?
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of car awnings, the features that actually matter, and the options currently available in the Indian market to help you make a better decision.

The best car awning setups for Indian cars involve selecting a durable, weather-resistant, and easy-to-use model, such as a side awning, 180 degree awning or a 270 degree awning which are available in India from brands like RoofDen Overland, which manufacture them in-house for camping in Indian conditions. These car awnings are a game changer for camping in the hot Indian climate and can be easily mounted on any SUV such as Jimny, Thar, Isuzu, Hilux, Gurkha, Fortuner, Gypsy, ScorpioN, and some models can be even mounted on smaller cars.

 

What you need beforehand ?

Below requirements can be taken care of by your awning provider, they are as follows:

1. 1.      👉🏼 Check compatibility: Make sure the type of awning mounting and the brackets are compatible with your SUV's roof rack or crossbars (if present).

2.       👉🏼Consider vehicle size: Roofden Overland offers custom vehicle-specific size variants to ensure a perfect fit. Check with them to get a car awning tent tailored to your specific vehicle’s size.

3.       👉🏼Mounting solution: A roof rack OR crossbars/ roof rails, often aftermarket ones - are needed to mount an awning on your car roof. These involve No modification or drilling to the vehicle.

 👉🏼Your awning provider (Roofden Overland) can help you with the right solutions you need for your specific vehicle.

 

How to install the awning on your car ?

Installation of both crossbars/roof rack and the Awning can be done in the following ways:

1.👉🏼 By the roof rack / awning provider themselves if you purchased locally.

2.👉🏼 Do a DIY install of the awning, using provided instructions and on-call help from Roofden Overland (your awning vendor). Most of our customers install their awnings themselves using simple tools as it is designed to be easily-to-install and user-friendly!

3.👉🏼 Visit any local car garage/mechanic or roof carrier shop, they will be able to help you with the installation.

 

Your Awning should have these key features :

 👉🏼Durability

Choose a model with a strong steel or aluminum frame that is powder-coated to resist rust and wear, especially in humid or coastal areas.

 👉🏼Weather Resistance

The canvas should be UV and water-resistant, made from materials like ripstop polycotton (e.g., 300GSM) with PU coating and heat-sealed seams to withstand sun and rain.

 👉🏼Mounting

Ensure the awning can be easily mounted on the existing or a newly installed roof rack or crossbars of your SUV.

 👉🏼Ease of Use

A "quick setup" design that can be deployed and packed down in seconds is ideal for spontaneous stops. Some awning models are completely self-supporting, meaning they don't require additional poles to be set up.

 👉🏼Coverage

Depends on the model you choose. A side awning provides about 50 sqft of coverage, while a 270 degree awning provides even more coverage, extending over to the rear end of the vehicle to offer a large shaded area, which is beneficial for cooking or relaxing. We shall discuss about the different types of awning options below.

 

Types of car awnings in the market :

⭐ Side Awning

This is a pull-out type awning and the most popular type of car awning, also a great choice for smaller SUVs.

✅ Installation: These come with universal L shaped mounting brackets and can be DIY installed easily using simple tools like a wrench - on your existing crossbars or roof rack. You can refer the installation instructions that comes with your awning.

✅ Coverage: Around 50 to 60 sqft of coverage depending on the awning size.

✅ Setup time: Side awnings can be extended in less than a minute by a single person, providing quick privacy and weather protection.

✅ Weight: 10-12kg. Side awnings are the lightest and have a slim profile, which make them suitable for smaller cars as well.

✅ Accessories: Side awnings can be fitted with utilitarian accessories like walls, awning room tent, mesh room tent, and more.

✅ Where to buy: In India, Car Side Awnings, Wall kits & related accessories can be availed from Indian manufacturers like RoofDen Overland. They can provide an awning of the size suitable for your specific vehicle, or even provide customized options at a competitive price point. Visit www.roofdenoverland.com or the below product link to buy.

🔗 Product Link 👉🏼 https://roofdenoverland.com/product/bobcat-car-side-awning-canopy

 

 

⭐ Freestanding 270 degree awning

These provide a full wrap-around shade and are growing in demand among Indian car campers.
💡Pro tip: 270 awnings that have a frame structure fully made of aluminium poles and require vertical support poles should be avoided, as they tend to break or bend easily with winds.
Steel frame freestanding 270 awnings are the most reliable and ever strong in the harshest weather conditions.

✅ Installation: The setup can often be a simple DIY install that can be done with minimal tools, often just requiring a screwdriver or a wrench.

✅ Coverage: Covers the side as well as the back of your vehicle where your camp kitchen setup would be located.

✅ Setup time: 10-15 seconds. 270 degree awnings are super quick to deploy and pack down.

✅ Weight: 25-30kg. Freestanding 270 degree awnings are made strong of powder coated steel and can thus be heavier.

✅ Accessories: 270 awnings can be fitted with utilitarian accessories like wall kits with doors and windows, room tents, and more.

✅ Where to buy: Indian brands like RoofDen Overland manufacture 270 awnings and other car camping awnings and tents specifically for the local climate and road conditions, at a competitive price point. Visit www.roofdenoverland.com or the below product link to buy.

🔗 Product Link 👉🏼 https://roofdenoverland.com/product/grizzly-freestanding-270-awning

⭐ Freestanding 180 degree awning:

180 degree awnings provide more coverage than side awnings, and are a great choice for vehicles that cannot be fitted with a 270 degree awning due to the rear tailgate that opens upwards, or a good choice for pickup trucks that donot have a bed rack / rollbar.

✅ Installation: Easy DIY install that can be done with minimal tools.

✅ Coverage: Covers the side of your vehicle with two triangular pieces extending from each side, increasing the coverage area.

✅ Setup time: 10-15 seconds. 180 degree awnings are super quick to deploy and pack down.

✅ Weight: 18-20kg. They are self supporting, made of a strong powder coated steel frame.

✅ Accessories: 180 degree awnings can be fitted with useful accessories like wall kits with doors and windows, room tents, and more.

✅ Where to buy: Indian brands like RoofDen Overland are the only ones in the market to manufacture 180 degree awnings, at a competitive price point. Visit www.roofdenoverland.com or the below product link to buy.

🔗 Product Link 👉🏼 https://roofdenoverland.com/shop

 

🔧 What awning size to choose ?

Below is a pro-guide from Roofden Overland for vehicle specific awning size recommendations.

Vehicle	Recommended Size
Jimny	6x8 ft
Thar	6x8 (or 7x8 ft for Roxx)
Gurkha	7x8 ft (or 8x8ft for 5door)
Fortuner	7x8 ft
Scorpio-N	7x8ft

🏕️ Final thoughts

Add an awning, and your camping vehicle becomes twice as practical. Whether it’s a quick chai break, a lazy day outdoors, or even a cozy night’s sleep, an awning turns your vehicle into a comfortable and functional base camp.

Looking for a durable, Indian-made car awning? Check out RoofDen Overland — built for real Indian roads and weather.
Shop online 👉🏼 www.roofdenoverland.com
OR Click here to Call/Whatsapp us 👉🏼 96071-14053

Thank you for reading & Happy Camping! 🚙🏕️
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