Installing a Thule Awning on My Truck — and How to Operate It

Howdy folks! An awning is one of those upgrades that doesn't sound exciting until the first hot, sunny afternoon when you've suddenly doubled your living space with a patch of shade right off the side of the truck. In this post I'm putting the Thule awning back on the Tramper, and then walking through exactly how I extend and retract it so it lasts.

A Hard Lesson on a Windy March Day

Full honesty first, because that's how we do it here. One of the risers on my Thule roof rack system — a setup I'd been running since 2015 — let go while I was traveling down the highway on a really windy March day. The frame for my solar panels took extensive damage and the crossbars went with it. The one bit of good luck: I managed to save the awning itself before it was destroyed.

I reached out to Thule's customer support, sent photos and video, and explained what happened. About a week later I heard back. They agreed the wind played a significant role in the failure, but they stood behind their product and got me sorted with new crossbars and risers. Credit where it's due — that's the kind of customer service that keeps you loyal to a brand. The takeaway for the rest of us: respect the wind. Retract your awning before you drive, and don't leave it out in gusty conditions.

How to Extend the Thule Awning

Once the sun's shining and the temperatures climb, here's the routine I use to deploy it:

• Insert the extension tool into the opening at the far left end of the awning and rotate clockwise, rolling it out no more than two feet or so to start.
• Loosen the wing bolt on a support leg, carefully pull the leg out and away from the awning, and gently extend it to the ground, angling it away from the truck. Re-secure the wing bolt.
• Repeat for the second leg. You'll need to slide the legs out away from the truck a couple of times during the process to give the awning adequate support as it extends.
• Finish rolling it out — it should be nice and taut when fully extended. Remove the extension tool and stake it to the ground if needed. You're good to go.

How to Retract It (the part people get wrong)

Putting it away properly is what prevents damage and keeps the legs from swinging loose down the road:

• Angle the support legs in toward the truck. Insert the extension tool near the end of the awning and rotate counterclockwise, repositioning the legs closer to the truck a couple of times as it rolls in.
• Once the awning is within about two feet of the truck, loosen the wing bolt on the first leg and carefully slide it up and into the awning. Make sure the metal foot is angled away from the truck so it slides in behind the plastic middle support.
• Push the leg fully against the awning and secure the wing bolt — again checking that the metal foot is tucked behind the plastic middle support. If it isn't properly secured, the legs can come loose and swing out the next time you extend, potentially hitting you or the truck.
• Repeat for the second leg, then retract the awning fully and remove the extension tool. Now you're ready to hit the road.

Is It Worth It?

For me, this awning came the closest in style and functionality to the standard awnings you'd find on a full-size RV. It's a bit pricey, but it hasn't disappointed me in any way, and it sure earns its keep on those warm sunny days when you want to extend your living space outside the truck.

The Gear in This Build

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article and its video is for entertainment/educational purposes only. By following any advice from this article, video, or any provided links, you do so at your own risk. Please consult with a professional before attempting any construction, plumbing or electrical work.