Choose the 2 m awning if you want less weight on your rack and a smaller reach, and the 2.5 m if you want more shade and have the rack and vehicle for it. By our estimate the 2.5 m covers about 56 percent more ground than the 2 m, and it weighs 5 kg more (27 kg against 22 kg).
Both RIGDUP 270° awnings are the same design, so this comes down to size, weight and what your vehicle can carry. This guide does the shade maths, compares the two in a table and covers wind.
Which Size 270 Awning Should You Choose, 2 m or 2.5 m?
Pick the 2 m if weight, rack load or a short vehicle is your concern, and the 2.5 m if shade for a group is the priority. The 2 m 270 awning weighs 22 kg. The 2.5 m weighs 27 kg. The design is otherwise the same.
| 270° Awning 2M | 270° Awning 2.5M | |
|---|---|---|
| Radius | 2 m | 2.5 m |
| Weight | 22 kg | 27 kg |
| Shade angle | 270° | 270° |
| Estimated shade area | about 9.4 m² | about 14.7 m² |
| Freestanding | Yes | Yes |
| Setup | About 2 minutes | About 2 minutes |
| Mounting side | Left (passenger) | Left (passenger) |
| Frame | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Canvas | 280gsm ripstop, PU3000mm | 280gsm ripstop, PU3000mm |
| Lights | 3 LED lights | 3 LED lights |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
The shade areas are our estimate, not a measurement. The next section shows the working. Count your people: about 9.4 m² for two, about 14.7 m² for a family.
How Much Shade Does a 2 m or 2.5 m 270 Awning Give?
About 9.4 m² for the 2 m and about 14.7 m² for the 2.5 m, as a rough estimate. We get there by treating the canopy as a 270 degree slice of a circle, which is three quarters of a full circle.
The working: area of a circle is pi x radius x radius, and 270 out of 360 degrees is 0.75.
- 2 m: 0.75 x 3.14 x 2 x 2 = about 9.4 m²
- 2.5 m: 0.75 x 3.14 x 2.5 x 2.5 = about 14.7 m²
The difference is 5.3 m², or about 56 percent more shade from the larger size (2.5 x 2.5 divided by 2 x 2 is 1.5625).
Treat these as a guide: the real canopy edge and the vehicle's position change the usable area. The shade also moves with the sun, so the patch you actually sit in is smaller than the full area.
To picture it, 9.4 m² is a space of about 3 m x 3 m, and 14.7 m² is closer to 3.8 m x 3.8 m. That is for comparison only, because the real shape is curved.
Will a 270 Awning Fit Your Vehicle?
It fits if your rack is rated for the weight and the mounting points suit the awning. The radius also tells you how far the canopy reaches out from the mounting corner, so a 2.5 m awning reaches 50 cm further than a 2 m one, which matters in tight camp spots.
Check these before you choose a size:
- Side. Both RIGDUP awnings mount on the left (passenger) side. Think about which side you will camp on.
- Rack rating. Add the awning weight to everything else on your roof. Find your vehicle and rack ratings in the owner's manual or on the rack maker's page. Our guide to roof rack weight limits shows the sum.
- Brackets. Check your mounting points before you buy, and read our 270 awning bracket guide for what to look at.
- Shorter vehicles. On a small 4WD, a 2 m radius reaches 50 cm less than a 2.5 m, which helps in tight camp spots.
- Roof top tent too. If a tent is already on the roof, you need the awning, tent and rack to stay under the lower rating.
Check your own vehicle, rack and mounting points before you buy. Call the workshop on 0455 166 273 if you are unsure.
Is the Extra 5 kg Worth It?
It is if you often host a group and your rack has the spare capacity. 5 kg sounds small, but it sits on the roof, so it counts toward your rack and roof load.
Think about it this way:
- Two people and a camp kitchen: the 2 m gives you a smaller patch to work with.
- A family or a group around a table: the 2.5 m gives you more room.
- Rack close to its limit: the 2 m saves you 5 kg, which may matter more than the extra shade.
Neither size changes the setup time, which is about 2 minutes for both.
How Do You Handle Wind With a 270 Awning?
Use the legs and guy ropes whenever there is wind, and whenever you leave the awning alone. Both RIGDUP awnings are freestanding, but use the legs and guy ropes in wind.
Size matters here. Wind force grows with the area it hits, and the 2.5 m has about 56 percent more area than the 2 m. A bigger canopy is more like a bigger sail, so it asks for more care, not less.
- Put the legs down and peg the guy ropes if you can feel a breeze.
- Pack the awning away before a storm or if the wind is strong and steady.
- Use the legs and guy ropes if you leave it up while you are away from camp.
- Park so the vehicle blocks the wind where you can.
Treat any breeze as time for legs and ropes. Our guide to the free standing 270 awning covers the full routine.
FAQs
How big is a 2 m 270 awning?
The canopy has a 2 m radius from its mounting corner. By our estimate, that is about 9.4 m² of shade. It weighs 22 kg.
Is a 2.5 m awning too big for a small 4WD?
It can be, mostly for weight and reach. Check your rack and roof ratings, and think about how much space you have around your campsite.
Do both sizes mount on the same side?
Yes. Both mount on the left (passenger) side.
Does the larger awning take longer to set up?
No. Both are up in about 2 minutes.
Can I leave the legs off in wind?
Use the legs and guy ropes in any wind. Both awnings are freestanding, but wind is when the legs and ropes matter.
Which Awning Should You Buy?
If you want the lighter option, see the RIGDUP 270° Awning 2M. If you want more shade, see the RIGDUP 270° Awning 2.5M, or browse the RIGDUP awnings page.
