Branches on the trail

Not sure if this is the proper thread in the Forum, but here goes.....

For those that have an awning attached to your 4Runner, does anyone have issues with branches getting caught in between the awning and the 4Runner itself? If you are on a trail that has a lot of over-hanging branches, I get it that the limb risers will mitigate the branches and limbs from smacking the hood or windshield, but what about those limbs that have now been pushed up towards the top of the windshield and potentially getting caught between the awning and Runner itself? If it does happen, what are the potential hazards of some damage being done to the awning, rack, brackets, etc? Or are the chances of that happening pretty slim? I've had a couple issues where a branch has caught up there, but was small enough to just snap off. Curious if there are some modifications that could be installed that would minimize it? (ie a plate or something that would deflect a limb/branch?)

 

Sounds like a million-dollar idea. Go make a bunch of money.

 

welcome

 

If the branch is thick enough it can cause damage yes. If your region has trails with overhanging branches, don't mount stuff on the roof or buy/fabricate a deflector. Many folks run a deflector just to reduce wind noise.

 

Welcome from Arizona!
I haven't a problem yet,but I have thought about the potential.

 

I don't have an awning or know anything much about them, but the amateur fabricator in me thinks I could make a guard of some sort....

 

This is all part of setting your rig up for trail use. I call it the process of improving your 4runner’s terrodynamics.

There are two main approaches to making your rig flow through trees and terrain as smoothly as possible. Either observe what gets messed up and decide what changes are necessary. Or conversely, imagine what will get messed up on the trails you drive and outfit your 4runner accordingly.

Imagining is cheaper, but you’ll use both approaches. Either way, you’ll need to do something and revise along the way. Pick the wrong branch or tree with the wrong angle or bump, and things could get torn up pretty bad.

You’ll quickly find out there isn’t a pre-made solution for everything. And when there are, they are too expensive, don’t work, or both. Solutions don’t have to be pretty or look “overlandy”’…they just need to work. I think figuring out all these details is a fun part of the hobby, and can even encourage the learning of new skills.

 

Never had an issue with any branches that are small enough to flex out of the way as you pass. Larger diameter branches that would gouge the steel obviously would similarly fuck up an A pillar, rack, awning, as they are shoved higher up the vehicle as you drive through them. They already make a solution for those, it's a saw....

 

Welcome.

 

I've only known one person who had one of those. He hated it because it killed his highway MPG. Personally, I can't imagine what it would help with, aside from a little shade when the sun is high in the sky. I certainly wouldn't have one on a trail ride.

I'm thinking of the wrong thing. I thought OP was referring to the hard plastic item that some people put at the top of their windshield. Acts like a scoop as far as the wind is concerned. My bad.

 

some awnings come with a hard case instead of a soft one. If I did a lot of trails with branches that have potential to tear up the awning cover, I would get one of these.




Personally I have the soft cover since in AZ we dont have a lot of tight trails with trees (rather we have desert bushes that are lower and softer. Gives you pinstripes but not much more). Also, I only put the awning on when I go camping, which usually involves fairly wide trails

 

sorry for the big picture, not sure how to make it smaller?