Hitch mounted umbrella - here's a good option

[hemiarch]

this is a great alternative solution to the OP! I also found that triple wide umbrella in my quest for something cheaper, happy to see that it works. my only worry is the storage issues that both solutions creates.

before i found this thread, I was looking into rack-less awning solutions as well. so far ive gotten two of these:

https://a.co/d/09ca0ukd

I already have these that need more purpose than the one time that I bought them for:

https://a.co/d/080zNv3I

I just need a good tarp. im hoping that this will allow for a ton of different configs, and then a much smaller storage footprint. once I get it, ill post another (new) thread with pics.

Yeah. Pretty good idea from our resident legal mind. I have to say.

Sponsored

 

[Eka]

before i found this thread, I was looking into rack-less awning solutions as well. so far ive gotten two of these:

https://a.co/d/09ca0ukd

That flag pole suction cup mount looks like a cheaper version of the 4.5" camera suction cups I have. A low cost bent metal body and clamp replaces the machined aluminum block with it's multiple mounting points and rotary table. The pump looks the same.

I use suction cups made for camera use like this one because I have them for photography. The large threaded holes are standard 3/8" and the smaller threaded holes are 1/4". Those sizes have been used in photography for over a century. The smallest holes are for Ari mount locking pins to prevent twisting. For holding the horizontal rod I mentioned, I used an electrical conduit clamp held to one of the 1/4" threaded mounting points.

My antenna testing rig uses the suction cups. With one 4.5" or 6" suction cup, using a 15mm rod clamp, I attach a 4' long 15 mm diameter carbon fiber mast with a foot long antenna on the end. That stays in place fine at 75 MPH. I also have a short length of tether cable with loops on both ends in case the suction cup releases in use. It's connected to one of the other mount points with it's own bolt. It may take a few of tether cables to reach a spot in the car to secure it to.

Keep the suction cup surface clean, and clean where you mount it. When not in use I keep the protective cover on to protect the suction cup surface. Any damage to it can easily stop it from working. For cleaning I use cheap non sterile gauze pads with isopropyl alcohol I keep in a spray bottle for cleaning the car camera lens areas. Yeah, I buy them both by the case and use them for other uses too.

The suction cup pump may get into a state where it stops letting out the air it is pumping. You will push it in, and it is very hard to push in. It then pushes hard back against your finger as you release. When moisture gets in, the pump plunger rubber part expands and makes too good of a seal. Air is supposed to blow past it by the plunger and out of the chamber. It's back edge is where the real seal is done to pull the air out of the suction cup when the spring expands and pushes the plunger out. So on that forward edge I use a nail clippers to make a small bevel for the air to more easily push past when the pump is pushed in. The pump body is somewhat fragile. Clamping it too hard could bend it and damage pumping action. Air enters the pump via the little tube in the side. There is a flapper valve to keep it from exiting there when you push the plunger in. I've never had one of those flapper valves fail. On a new suction cup I did find a very fine hair between that little tube and the rubber hole it sticks into on the back of the suction cup. That allowed enough air past to cause the suction cup to release in under an hour. Cleaned it out of there and it holds for over 48 hours.

 

[hemiarch]

What do we think of this? I mean, particularly the 12ft version I believe you could cover the entire bed with.
https://solioutdoors.com/products/soli-air-canopy?variant=49359585542423

 

[koolio]

What do we think of this? I mean, particularly the 12ft version I believe you could cover the entire bed with.
https://solioutdoors.com/products/soli-air-canopy?variant=49359585542423

That looks really cool…could be a great alternative to an Ez up for my motorcycle track days…

 

[EWELON]

What do we think of this? I mean, particularly the 12ft version I believe you could cover the entire bed with.
https://solioutdoors.com/products/soli-air-canopy?variant=49359585542423

I like it because you can drive away once its setup. only one configuration, but much easier to set up than my suction cup idea.

whose going to be the guinea pig to see if it will fit over our truck??? (my finger was on my nose while typing)

 

[hemiarch]

I like it because you can drive away once its setup. only one configuration, but much easier to set up than my suction cup idea.

whose going to be the guinea pig to see if it will fit over our truck??? (my finger was on my nose while typing)

Probably me. Seriously considering it. Only reason I haven’t is that I already bought a bunch of shit this month and while there isn’t a cap per say, I’d say there is an annoyance threshold as far as my wife is concerned…
Worth the “not memorial day” pricing to avoid crossing said threshold.
Are you one of those single finger typers @EWELON ?

 

[SlegMD]

What do we think of this? I mean, particularly the 12ft version I believe you could cover the entire bed with.
https://solioutdoors.com/products/soli-air-canopy?variant=49359585542423

Any mention of clearances under the canopy? Can’t find

 

[EWELON]

Any mention of clearances under the canopy? Can’t find

doesnt it say 7’? if thats correct then it should be just tall enough to cover the bed/tailgate. nice for some shade/rain protection for an outdoor kitchen situation.

 

[SlegMD]

doesnt it say 7’? if thats correct then it should be just tall enough to cover the bed/tailgate. nice for some shade/rain protection for an outdoor kitchen situation.

Was perusing could not find any measurements

 

[hemiarch]

Was perusing could not find any measurements

Me neither but I’m estimating if the top is 12ft as in the larger one it should clear.

 

[EWELON]

I saw this but not sure of the clearances lower in the parabolic arc in this thing and at the edge of our bed, thats why we have to wait for @hemiarch to buy one lol:

 

[hemiarch]

I saw this but not sure of the clearances lower in the parabolic arc in this thing and at the edge of our bed, thats why we have to wait for @hemiarch to buy one lol:

We can math this out. Looks like a fairly standard parabola. So we need to know the distance from the middle of the truck to the end of the tailgate or roof. Half the width of about 2m.
About 100cm
Grok comes up with a height of 219cm. Sounds tall enough to clear no?
It also says the highest point on the Cybertruck is 179cm at medium ride height.
does that sound right?
If so, a Cybertruck should be able to drive under the 12ft arch.

 

[EWELON]

We can math this out. Looks like a fairly standard parabola. So we need to know the distance from the middle of the truck to the end of the tailgate or roof. Half the width of about 2m.
About 100cm

to paraphrase Leonard McCoy : im an ob/gyn not a mathematician!

 

[hemiarch]

to paraphrase Leonard McCoy : im an ob/gyn not a mathematician!

Yeah. An OB/gyn and trauma surgeon doing math together is what you might refer to as a double blind study.

 

[hemiarch]

I saw this but not sure of the clearances lower in the parabolic arc in this thing and at the edge of our bed, thats why we have to wait for @hemiarch to buy one lol:

The height is 8ft not 12 though. Had that wrong. It’s the distance from leg to leg

Sponsored