Kelty Sideroads Awning

I was looking for a cold(er) weather fully enclosed galley shelter after our last trek. Our tarp setup can drop a side or two to cut wind, but nothing that will retain any heat from a small portable propane or white gas heater and make cooking and eating less of an endurance test like this shelter hopefully will. The Backroads is the ticket. Thanks all.

The Backroads is on sale now through through the 20th at REI for $148. The Sideroads is $108.

Backroads and Sideroads have an identical footprint. With the sides rolled up the Backroads is a Sideroad, but looks like it can offer decent cold weather protection, as well the privacy for personal hygiene that the Sideroads can't. It can even make the CI sidetent somewhat redundant, with the exception of the "dressing room" aspect. Worth the experiment at that price

Lots of crappy how-to setup vids out there. This is a comprehensive and thumbs-up written review: Kelty Backroads Shelter Review - Man Makes Fire if you're still on the fence.

 

Even better deal on Moosejaw: https://www.moosejaw.com/product/kelty-backroads-shelter_10554567

 

Thanks for that clarification on the sizes. The Backroads looks very good! It seems like a good compromise of the various things we need at the rear hatch… converting for different weather conditions seems awesome.

Maybe not quite the same square footage as the venerable REI Alcove, but tucked sidewalls seem much better than rigging the separate Alcove walls, and looks to be durable. Maybe not as quick and easy as a Sportbrella, but way more coverage.

We are carrying way too many awnings, but there could be a Backroads added to the herd. What to thin out…?

 

I'm only quoting a single article, and couldn't find the actual specs on Kelty's website. I'm hopeful that the fit is tight for the sidewalls, and overall not terribly prone to the Mary Poppins Effect. Also hoping that closing the hatch won't make too much of a difference in that regard. I suspect with the sidewalls down it may not grab wind like a Sideroads would and be more likely to stay put.

The fact that the back can be raised on poles like Sweeney did in his pic, is attractive for those times when keeping the heat in and the wind off is not a concern. It outshines any other fully enclosed "Hatchback Tent" set-up that I've seen. The fact that it could be attached to the side door and replace the CI tent is a bonus in versatility. Only gripe might be no carbon fibre. But at this price you can't have everything and you certainly can't have those. Possibly an aftermarket purchase: Contact - Ruta Locura if the fibreglass gets damaged. Never had a Kelty and am unaware of their customer service. REI I know is good, but not sure how they would stand behind this.

It'll be a week or two before I can pick it up in Buffalo. And maybe even longer to test-fit it. By then, if I do, I may be giving it a review as a 4-season shelter and commenting on how it handles snow loads.

I hate to ditch what we have as well, but the compactness and marginally better weight of the Backroads provides some small justification. Plus its cold weather attributes.

 

Almost all postings or marketing is aimed at hatchbacks and truck caps.

However, these might give people a better, but very brief, concept of what a Backroads would look like attached to the galley of a TD:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NXOvnXqIHGE

This Little Guy put the poles at the front. Lots of apparent ways to set this up for a custom fit that's not going to blow away on you:

View attachment upload_2023-11-17_2-57-20.jpeg

 

Ordering… that youtube link made it easy to visualize.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NXOvnXqIHGE

We don’t have a side tent, but did buy the awning room for our ARB 8’ awning on the passenger side. LOVE the awning. The awning room is meh, or worse. Just a hassle all around for not very good results. But it is big!

That one will get thinned out, I think. Too big to ship economically, but anyone in the PNW who is interested give me a shout!

 

Glad it helped. Unfortunately I saw the vid after I ordered. Not that it would have changed my mind.

I'm not sure about my video posting skills, but I could do a good photo-essay on it and how it works with the CI, when it gets here. Unless you beat me to it.

I'm gonna feel really bad if it works as good or better than the CI as side entrance shelter and I'm ditching that one too.

 

Ordered!
REI shoppers: Final price $138.69 shipped. A 25% discount for members through 11/20.

 

My free shipping of the Backroads ended up being $148 total, and after the coupon code that they have right on the product page. Not sure how Seth squeezed an extra $10 out of them unless he has a better membership than I do. Maybe being a Left Coaster they get preferential treatment.

 

Yes - Backroads.

$138 was the price on the product page after logging in.

It may be the sales tax - Oregon has no sales tax!

 

Another reason to "Go West". I got hit with N.Y. tax.

But we are splitting hairs here. Even if we could find anything comparable in quality and function, it would likely cost twice as much.

 

Those of you who have gotten this and set it up, is it easily moved from one location to another? Assuming you haven’t staked it out yet.

 

L&K: Speaking from in-experience, I would imagine that it goes up pretty quickly, and can be adjusted in (back) height, or moved to the CI's side door (or even the TV hatch) just as easily. How you secure it to the trailer (whether by the straps provided (to the fenders or wheel rims) or by using adjustable poles at the front (like the Little Guy did above) would dictate some of its portability.

rjupnorth and Sweeney would likely have explored most attachment and set-up options with their Sideroads version on a couple trips and could offer their 2c. The Backroads, with the sides down and staked out would add only a tiny bit of extra effort.

I think that once it's together it would be a breeze positioning it. Especially with 2 people; it is a decent-sized sail. Assembling it quickly in a wind or downpour might also require some practice, from some of the semi-hilarious head-scratching videos I've seen. Some sort of set-up (as discussed above in the thread) which could safely secure the back end on pavement or non-stake-able ground would need to be considered as well.

 

I’m camping at Salt Springs in the Ocala National Forest and setup my new Kelty Backwoods Shelter for the first time. I must say I’m very impressed. The poles are heavy duty for a side awning. Setup was easy; I just put it up on the side of our 560 and secured it to the frame on the other side with the provided straps. I took my Slim Shady off the top rack and ordered another Kelty Backwoods Shelter. The picture below shows the side panels rolled up. The side panels almost provide complete privacy when unrolled.

 

Did you mean Kelty Backroads Shelter?
Can't find Backwoods shelter.

 

That’s a photo of the Backroads Van and Terri posted!

I only have one setup under my belt, but so far:

• It’s a little awkward for one person to set up the first time because it’s kind of big when it’s on the ground. Lots of walking around it…
• Moving it is easy once untied & stakes pulled.
• There were two of us for the takedown, and it only took a minute - super fast compared to setup.

I’m sure a solo setup will be straightforward with a little practice if it isn’t windy. Two people make quick work of it.

Based on one driveway setup the Backroads looks to be a winner for our use, soon to be heated by a Mr. Heater Big Buddy for shoulder-season nights before retiring to the cabin. At least that’s the plan!

 

I set ours up in the backyard. I was impressed with the quality and the versatility. It looks like it will be great for a side tent and as a galley tent.