Superlight 270-Degree Hardshell Awning: Roofnest Litewing Awning Revealed
Less weight on your roof is always a good idea. And if you want a large awning, things can get heavy quickly. Roofnest has the answer in its new hardshell, 270-degree, 30-pound Litewing awning.
Roofnest’s new Litewing awning opens in a 270-degree wing in just 90 seconds. What makes it really special, though, is the company’s heavy use of carbon fiber. Using the composite material and other lighweight materils slashes the weight of the Litewing, keeping the whole package down to just 30 pounds.
Roof-mounted wing-opening awnings can tip the scales at 70 pounds or more. Roofnest CEO Bob Africa said, “We understand not every customer can mount a 70-pound awning on their car. We made Litewing for those campers.”
Carbon Fiber Brings Strength & Light Weight
Using carbon fiber for the Litewing’s radius arms and other hard parts helps cut the weight of the frame when compared to steel or even aluminum arms. The hard parts that aren’t made from the high-tech composite are made from what Roofnest calls “aircraft-grade” aluminum.
At 30 pounds, hoisting this up to the top of your truck or SUV is a lot easier than with a standard awning. It also makes it much easier to remove the awning from your roof racks when you’re not using it. This helps give you more flexibility for rooftop storage or lets you take the racks and crossbars off to reduce wind noise in daily driving.
Possibly the biggest advantage of the low weight, though, is that it allows you to not exceed the roof load rating when also carrying things like rooftop tents, bikes, kayaks, etc.
The material choices lower weight while adding strength and rigidity to the open awning. An aluminum exoskeleton helps protect the awning’s internals, so you’re not sacrificing durability for weight.
The standard-size Litewing gives you up to 70 square feet of awning coverage, and it can unfold in just 90 seconds. The awning is just fine operating freestanding in most weather conditions to save you setup time on site.
Built-In Support Poles
If the weather worsens, the Litewing has built-in support poles. Drop them down and you’re ready for rougher conditions.
For more coverage, the Litewing XL gives you up to 100 square feet of coverage. It’s a bit heavier but still only tips the scales at 40 pounds.
Made With Electric Vehicles in Mind
Roofnest says the awning’s cover makes it one of the most aerodynamic awnings in the segment. That’s no accident: The company announced earlier this year that the next generation of Roofnest products would be optimized for electric vehicles, where aerodynamics plays a big role in how much range you get.
“Weight and wind resistance are driving factors for EV owners. Litewing awning offers campers broad sun and rain protection without sacrificing efficiency, making it an ideal choice for EVs,” said Roofnest Director of Engineering Turner Sessions.
The fabric part of the awning is 210-denier nylon with a black UV coating. That thickness balances the need for strength and waterproof capability with staying on target and keeping the awning’s weight as low as possible.
The Litewing can be mounted to factory crossbars and aftermarket racks and platforms. That includes all Roofnest tents that have the brand’s double exterior accessory channels to give you extra flexibility when you’re camping.
Roofnest is offering the Litewing awning for $1,295 or the XL size for $100 more. Both sizes are offered in driver and passenger-side mounting configurations. Shipping is expected to start in late October, but pre-orders are open now.
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