Freespirit 270 Awning V2: 80.7 Sq Ft of Shade Around the Tacoma's Corner

Most awnings give you shade on one side and a quiet reminder that your tailgate is out in the sun. Freespirit Recreation's 270 Awning V2 goes after that problem by bending the shade around the corner of the vehicle.

Tacoma Lifestyle published an overview of the V2, and the headline number is 80.7 square feet of coverage along the side and around the rear. The rear section is squared off, which keeps the canopy running toward the tailgate. According to the overview, that layout suits cooking off the truck bed and getting at your gear.

No poles, one-minute setup

The awning uses rigid arms, so the canopy holds itself up without ground poles in normal conditions. Freespirit says it opens in under a minute. That's a short window, roughly the time it takes to decide which camp chair is yours.

Wind and walls change the plan. Guy lines and stakes come in the box, and the maker recommends them when it's breezy or when awning walls are installed.

What changed from the original 270

The V2 gets a few specific updates over the first-generation awning:

• Redesigned swing hinges for added support.
• An improved canvas cover that better protects the mechanism from things like low branches. Anyone who's threaded a rig down a tight trail knows branches have opinions.
• A Keder rail in the backplate, a slotted track that lets you swap accessories. You can switch between the included gear grid, support pole bag and small accessory bag, or add compatible awning walls.

Fabric and lighting

The canopy is 600D Oxford Ripstop with a waterproof coating. Ripstop is a fabric woven to resist tears spreading, and the 600D figure is a denier rating, a measure of thread thickness.

The main arms carry dual-color LED lighting that's dimmable and runs on USB power. You'll need a compatible battery bank, and the release notes it's sold separately. So the dinner-table glow is included, but the juice is your job.

Fit, size and weight

The awning comes in driver-side and passenger-side versions. It works with FSR Evolution and Aspen rooftop tents through the FSR bracket system, and universal brackets are included for other setups.

Packed, it measures about 90.5 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches, which is a bit over seven and a half feet long. It weighs about 43 pounds. The source doesn't list a price, so check with Freespirit or a retailer for that.

Who should look at it

If your camp routine centers on the tailgate, with a stove on the bed, a cooler within reach and gear you keep digging through, a wrap-around layout is worth a look. Side-only awnings leave that corner exposed. This one is built to cover it.

Rooftop tent owners running FSR Evolution or Aspen tents get a direct bracket path. Everyone else should confirm the universal brackets suit their rack. Also plan for the extra length and 43 pounds on the vehicle, and for a battery bank if you want the lights.

Shade is nice. Shade that follows you to the tailgate is the kind that gets people to linger over a second cup.

Source: Tacoma Lifestyle. Photo by Dave Mellon on Unsplash.