TINY AWNINGS! The Batwing - Moon Shade comparison on a Promaster City custom van build.
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- čas přidán 19. 03. 2022
- We were excited to include the Rhino Batwing on our Mini Me Promaster City custom van build. The reality of it all had us looking for a product better suited to our needs. And we found it!
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You are a genius indeed. Love your channel
Options!
You've gotta love options.....
And if you love options, then, obviously, you've gotta love Humble Road... ❤️...
As always, fabulous, George - or as we say back in the old country, fabulous George 😊.....
Yes the moon thingy magigy yes 👌 👍 ❤
Uhhhh beautiful breath taking
The body mount is great for camping in AZ rocky and windy areas where you can't drive a stake for guide ropes.
Good point! I'm thinking about modifying the beefy suction cups the come with the kit. They would be perfect!
Add an extension to the front diagonal rod (lengthening it) and attach to front tire or fender.
Also might be helpful if Moon Shade had a ?6”? extension flap with magnets that would attach to roof to to help with rainwater drainage above doors
This is by far the best demonstration of the Moonshade set up. The camera angle is perfect!
Moonshine rocks as well
That's the best description of the Moonshade awning that I have seen. Thank you, George.
The Moonshade is a great option. We've had ours for a few years now and love it. One option not mentioned is that it can be used away from the vehicle via the horizontal pole included.
Highly recommend it for anyone and especially for the Mini-mes.
Excellent George! Great options, nicely done and pleasant presentation👍......
Knurled knobs. 😎👍
The batwing awning ROCKS!!
The Vagabond van is still my favorite build that you've done to date. I love the layout and the many amazing details. It's perfect for a full-time single or couple. Well done!
LOVE the moon shade on the mini me!🚐♥️👍🏼👏🏼🙌🏼
Loving the Moon Shade.
Thanks for the video. I have been collecting videos and reviews on the moon shade because I think it make the most senses for my van.
The Moonshade sounds pretty good. I love the extendable reach on the 8020 roof- rack, which reminds me of a video I saw the other day from a guy in AU who had incorporated a slide out laundry line on his roof rack. It wasn't 8020 construction, but a couple of sticks (broomsticks? lol) in the tubing of the rack that pulled out, figure of 8 cord wrapped around firmly - and instant clothes line for wet towels n so forth. Something more to add into the upcoming build on the new crafter!
once again wealth of knowledge and info given... must watch again to get what I missed and again to make sure I got it all..... :)
Thank you for the review of the Moonshade. Your telescoping 80/20 mount is fabulous. Do you describe the details of how to build it in another video?
Great free video. Thank you. 😉😂😉😉😄😂😉😄😋😉😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😋😙😄😋😙😄😙😋😄😉😂😃😃😉😁😉😃😁😁😃😉😉😃😁😉😃😂😉😂😃😉😋😃😙😋😄😉😃
Wow that’s awesome!
76,000+ 👌 Kudos 2 U, George. I recall the days of creeping towards a 1,000! Now look 👀 @ U! 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
Really nice awning setup, I appreciate the review and getting more excited about the MiniMe
More to come!
My wife and I was previously looking(wishing) at getting one of larger high top vans. But, since my wife's passing from COVID this last Thanksgiving, I'm now thinking if I still wish to travel, then a Mini Me might be a better option.
Sorry to hear of your wife’s passing!
So sorry to hear of your wife's passing. Dale, email me to discuss:
georgemauro@humbleroad.tv
Thanks to continue sharing your honest opinion on various products and tools you are trying or using as part of your van builds. Great video editing at the end, nicely done. I am a big fan of trying things out as early as possible and your cardboard prototypes are the perfect way for clients not to be surprised when going from just simple drawing to the real thing. I wish you all the success you deserve.
Thank you very much, Mario!
Very cool. The Moon Shade is a great product.
Bonus for photographers, invert it and it can act as a giant bounce light!
Re: knurled knob - consider a spring assisted pin (pulls in towards rack) and two holes? It would allow a true closed and open position, where a knurled knob might loosen with vibration.
I like your pin idea! I just might explore that! I'll give you a wink in the video! 😊
i like it with the option to have the legs angled off the van!!! great idea!!! i was thinking of that when you first showed how the legs stood freestanding. when you said they were telescoping, i thought, why not angle them from off the side of the van then?'
Very nice, It’s like you’re working magic on that Mini-me!
Nice demo on the moonshade. Great alternative
Very smart! I learned the value of a knurled knob! 😊 Thanks for sharing your work with us! (Jane in SC)
There is a carabiner at the front corners that clip to the legs for extra support in wind
AWESOME!
Glad you think so!
In a word, COOL!
I don't want a permanently mounted awning on my van. I bought the Moon Shade and I plan on putting some eyebolts on my Flatline Van Co. rack so I can mount the Moon Shade either way (7 foot or 9 foot side against the van). One thing I like about the Moon Shade is the way the pole supports the material so rain will run off. It didn't look like rain would run off the Bat Wing very well. Of course, the Moon Shade will have to be staked down or wind will catch it, which would be bad. I'll have to do a video of how it works on a High Roof, Long Wheelbase Ford Transit.
Great choice on the moon shade.
I think it's the best option for my van as well.
All ways a thumbs up 👍
Brilliant! Moon shade is a great product especially when weight is a concern. Know several that adapt it to many different vehicles, even stationary non vehicles.
I bought. Moonshade for my Ambo conversion. I plan to put permanent mounts on the back and the passenger side of the Ambo. I’ll use the 7’ orientation on the back and will have the option of either orientation on the side of the Ambo. It’s a great product, so easy to set up. Thanks for an informative video.
Maybe you can run the poles down to the wheel rims so you can still open the front door.
I'm thinking I'll fashion a mount using the beefy magnets included with the kit!
Love the telescopic awning mount George. We just uploaded our OVS 180 awning video with the 3D printed endcaps. I agree it's heavy (especially for what's factory) but luckily our ultra rail solar panel mounts have held strong 8000+ miles with it sandwiched underneath. Oh! About mounting the poles to the vehicle, I can easily see a simple 3D printed cup for the pole feet to sit in. Thanks for sharing sir!
The Moon Shade comes with a beefy set of suction cups. I will modify those to act as the body feet. Non-permanent- perfect!
Nice product research. And you seem to make the set up really fast and effortless.
I like it!
The Moon Shade looks like a nice option. Too bad Moon Shade doesn't offer a 9 X 9 awning. IMHO a 9x 9 Moon Shade would offer a nicely covered space.
Good Morning George
Always Enjoy Your Videos
I like The Options with The Moon Shade Awning !! Thanks
Good morning!
Another excellent lesson professor!
Glad you liked it
Nice!!
The body mount is great for camping in AZ rocky and windy areas where you can't drive a stake for guide ropes.
I can’t wait to see the inside of the Mini Me!
UGH! we have been busy designing the panels for the best aesthetic. If you notice other Promaster City builds, they ignore most of the difficult contours.
Body mounted posts would be great. You can still move the minime (a bit, and slow) with the awning mounted.
I have the moonshade & I’ve been using it. I like it.
ty
I just finished the moonshade portion of your presentation. Damned options galore which I had not explored, until now. (grrr…)
--
I use the suction cups for now.
Thanks George
Fantastic info, looking closely at the moon shade for my full size 250. My panels overhang the side rails by quite a bit so I'm limited on the height of a side mount awning
Would have been cool if you had a telescoping 80/20 going width if the vehicle to support the moonshade without the need for the feet. Haven’t seen anyone do it but would make it a lot easier to use in general and more so on uneven ground.
A great idea, but the mechanism would have to be rather heavy in order to hold that cantilevered weight. Consider the size of the awning mechanism for a full size van.
bat wing covers an area I'd not use. love 💞 the moon🌙 shade. love 💞 the versatility.
Take it from a former camper: MUCH PREFER poles attached to van vs in the ground. They're easily walked into.
I'm a big fan of the batwing awnings for a truck camper, maybe a larger van, but I agree that the Moon Shade is a far better option for a compact van.
Moon shade is definitely the better choice for this van.
Agreed.
I am a big fan of body mounted awnings. Makes setup and awning integrity independent of ground surface and makes setup easier and quicker without having to deal with stakes and guy lines. Just make sure there is some sort of positive capture of the pole ends (like a retaining pin) against the body so the wind can't lift the poles out of the mounts.
Exactly.
Did you manage to find a way George?
“And I’m 6’ 2”…..alright, I’m NOT 6’ 2”. THAT was funny.
Love it!!!! I like this better than the Fiama
the body mounts are a must if you have dogs. tie outs get wraped around ground poles....also with higher breezes it is much stronger. great awning.
I would design and install a dedicated mount point for the leash to attach. Weight is the deciding factor.
The batwing awning would work well on a slide-in truck camper. I like the still shots at the end. Your vans are finished out beautifully.
Thanks 👍
Wow your ideas are awesome! I wonder if they're affordable for the average !?!! Lol. You're brilliant 🙂
Thank you! 😊
Humble Road drinking game: Take a shot every time George says "Knurled Knob". 🥃 😁
Moonshade makes suction cup attachments to install the bottom of the awning poles to the side of the van, just as you showed in the last setup.
Yes! There is a pair of beefy suction cups included in the kit. I will modify those for the body feet.
I like the Moonshade. It's just like a dome tent. Good option for that vehicle. Low weight.
If i lived in the US I'd order a mini me 👍
Maybe use the van to cinch down the guy lines at those points?
I didn't see them on yours, but some Moonshade support poles have (galvanized?) clips at the top ends.... apparently they hold the moonshade material in place to stop it flying loose from the top of the support pole....
Yes, they are there!
How foolish of Rhino Batwing folks not to work with you on color and mods. Super short-sighted. This is not the Australian outback and everything does not need to be Military Green in color. White or silver would be a much better choice for hot desert climes or the urban landscape where the Mini Me will shine. A silver foil lining is a much better choice for a Batwing or any awning. Plus they could develop a much lighter version of the batwing for small vans, just like the Moonshade awning.
Great job on all the research and mounting aspects you tested it on. We benefit from the product research greatly.
I think the Batwing awning is a great concept that should be produced in a lighter framework, not so heavy with steel but perhaps aluminum or fiberglass. George, you are pushing the boundaries of van accessory design, and sparking so many ideas. I love it! Thanks for another great video. Have a happy Sunday! I admire your work ethic, posting these early on a Sunday morning. You really love to work, don't you?
The Moon Shade has more possibilities as I sit here pondering...
Moonshade can go on the back end of van as well.
George I also think the moon shade will shed water more effectively than the batwing.
Agreed
Bringing the legs back to the van eliminate the need for the stakes and ropes.
Moon shade is just what I'm looking for, thanx. I was wondering, in your builds, what's the difference weight wise and cost for using 8020 vs wood cabinetry?
I have been thinking more and more about using these moon shades for our build. I'm just trying to figure out how to hook it to the rack on a High roof transit without using a ladder. We used one of these on our Honda Element that had a pop top on it and it was great. When it was raining I would remove the poles and stake it down on the end and it was a great rain shelter. Need to just figure the mounts out.
Can you share how to make the telescoping 8020 rail? I can see where this may come in handy in other places.
Body mounts offer another option when you can't stake it down....such as tailgating.
Hi ,
I love the moonshade awning… where can i buy one for my van?
Regards,
Ian
Install a turbocharger on MMe - Problem solved. That way you can also put a deck on top as well with side rails❗❗❗ Bammmm.
I have considered the Moon on my new build. Still on the fence whether I need an awning.
If you're on the fence about needing an awning, then the Moon Shade is perfect. It stores like a camping chair, out of sight, until you need it.
Most people enter and exit their vans from the side door, its important to have awning coverage there! 🤯
Agreed, Manny!
sod the van .. i'm getting a moon-shade to throw in the back of my Daily car ( VW golf/rabbit )
I imagine that suction cup mounting would require a dust free mounting surface to attach securely. I’m curious how wind and rain resistance either awning is. I find it necessary to hang side “curtains” from the our awning, when the sun is an an angle. Can either awning support the added weight? Thanks George
The moon shade is a light duty awning. It is not meant for you to take refuge from a storm. Not sure any awning should be expected to handle wind and rain.
You can get a 270 awning without sticks which you just have to swing out - I don't want to assemble several sticks every day
I'm familiar with one. It's very heavy. Not a contender for the Promaster City!
Shade
The first one seemed better and easier to use
What are your thoughts about using the Moonshade on an Ascent?
A bit more struggle since you are mounting beyond arms length.
What series do you use for roof racks?
Depends on the van and load.
Is it possible to use the moon shade with a Subaru Crosstrek and similar vehicles/SUVS?
Yes
Maybe you can run the support poles to the wheel rims somehow so you can still open the front door
I'm thinking about fashioning a mount using the beefy magnets included with the kit.
Excellent idea, the wheels are strong and sturdy. This maybe better because the side of the van metal is easily damaged being weak and bendable. I believe it is a good point, because if the wind ever picks up before you take it down, the wheel support will not be damaged.
Where can I find the adjustable rails for my city van?
We made them in-house.
I’m near Austin Texas. Where can I get this roof rack installed?
Custom roof rack we made here in the Humble Road studio.
Just had a Fiamma F45s 400 installed on my rig. The awning, shipped from FL to OH, close to $1700. Two tanks of diesel to order and pick up, local install for only $150. Weighd 27 kilos + the weight of the 3 adapter brackets to mount to low profile, double loop Aluniness rack. How does the Moonshade $$ compare? Quite favorably I'd think, eh?
I'm looking at a F45s 400 as well - several options to get it shipped to Tx for less than $1400. The moon shade is $390 shipped to Tx. IMO - it's overpriced for what it is, but whatever - there's not a lot of competition for this type of portable awning. I like the idea of not having an awning permanently mounted but I don't like the idea of storing it inside and then hassling with setup and tear down.
Bat awning does not cover enough of the side in my opinion?
Correct.
does the vechicle have any ratings for roof mountings?
154lbs total. In addition to the weight limits, I am concerned with the wind forces at speed. I think the Batwing is perfect for the off-road environment. Highways? Not so much.
@@HumbleRoad Wind force at speed can be a substantial load. Deflector possible to reduce that load? No clue on mount points or ways to reinforce mount-points on that van.
Detailed options
I hope you don’t use that storage compartment for a heating element . People can just heat water but storage is critical in such a tiny space
With the body mount perhaps one guide line should be enough. Less work, more play. I like what I see.
Noted!
I would spend more time on the side of the vehicle!
Not Copernicus…
Yes da Vinci
The obvious problem with the Batwing, from what I can see, is how it would perform in snow or rain. It looks like it wouldn't shed either rain or snow. How would it perform with several pounds of snow or water on it?
I don't think any awning would perform with several pounds of snow on it!
I couldn'a did it betta muself.
drives me crazy my only 4x4 van choice is Mercedes $$$. These pro masters , fords and chevy's could easily include 4x4.
What about wind?
I break wind once in a while, but I don’t see it as a problem.
OOPs . . . some additional insights George , , , IMHO this "MOON thing" is ONLY Ideal under IDEAL Weather Conditions -- It appears way to light and flimsy to serve ant Real Functionality In The "Real World Scenario," but I suppose IF you ONLY travel to Places with Perfect Windless 24 hour periods . . . the PERFECT ! Ha ha. . . . again I "mean you no harm" . . . humor(less) sarcasm ? Stay Safe George . . .
So , in the rain, about half the tarps' rain water is draining down towards the van roof edge and dripping, running down the sidewall of the truck. The door entrances are still in the water off the roof edge. Seems as tho you really haven't field tested this setup, but it is pretty obvious to me that there is a flaw that is not being highlighted in this video.
No, I have not field tested these awnings and make no claims with regard to their effectiveness in the rain. I can say, that if you keep the slider closed, you should have no issues.
@@HumbleRoad I'm a manufacturer, so I am trained to seek out the negatives in everything in order to be successful. Rain dripping in where you don't want it is a bummer, I had to do some extra engineering on my homemade awning to stop that run off issue. Just saying
Xxxx