As a kid growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 1970s and 1980s, there was only one vehicle that made my heart flutter faster than Magnum, P.I.’s red Ferrari 308 GTS, and that was the Land Rover Series 2 or 3 (and later the Defender). There were generally three types of Landys back in the day: the agricultural/everyday Landy, the military Landy used by the police and SADF (South African Defense Force), and the overland Landy. The overland Land Rovers were easy to spot as they almost always had an Eezi-Awn rooftop tent and awning bolted to their bulky, overbuilt roof racks. My first rooftop tent was a secondhand but well-maintained Eezi-Awn RTT, and I will never forget the smell of that canvas tent as it sat in the crisp Western Cape breeze, freshly installed on my Land Rover Series 3 R6 (with its Chevrolet 4.1-liter straight six engine). My family took on their first overland adventures together in the early 2000s, and those comfortable nights and cool mornings in the Eezi-Awn RTT set us on course to become the world travelers we are today.
Land Rover + Eezi-Awn = a match made in African heaven. South Africa has consistently produced the best canvas in the world, and Eezi-Awn has been serving the international overland community since 1984. Yes, an incredible 41 years. We reached out to the Eezi-Awn team in South Africa, and they kindly agreed to answer a few choice questions about the company’s past, products, and future.
What is Eezi-Awn’s origin story?
Jack Stuhler, the founder of Eezi Awn, began his journey with a scholarship in mechanical drafting, where he spent five years honing his skills. However, he soon transitioned into the commercial sector, working in mail order under the guidance of his father-in-law. Despite his corporate career, Jack’s love for the outdoors never faded. If you want the full story from the horse’s mouth, have a listen to his interview on the Overland Journal podcast here.
Over the course of 25 years, he indulged in various outdoor activities, from water polo, fishing, and sailing in the summer to falconry and family safaris during the winter. His travels took him across Southern Africa in the early 1970s, exploring Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa first in his beloved Land Rover Series 1 and then his Series 2 LWB. To enhance his overlanding experience, Jack began crafting his own modifications, including a steel roof rack, a bull bar, and other custom accessories. What started as a personal project soon evolved into a business venture, leading him to leave the commercial world behind and establish Eezi-Awn.
With his expertise in mechanical drafting, Jack set out to design innovative, custom aluminum extrusions, making it challenging for competitors to replicate his work. Being the adventurous person that Jack was and wanting to put Eezi-Awn’s products to the test, in 1996, he set off from Johannesburg on a yearlong expedition to John o’ Groats in Scotland. Returning to South Africa for a few years, he set off again in 2004, this time for two years. Shipping his vehicle to Buenos Aires, he drove south to Ushuaia and from there to Alaska, ending up in Texas.
What was the first product that Eezi-Awn designed and sold?
One of Jack’s initial designs was an aluminum roof rack, engineered with modular extrusions and bolted assembly for easy disassembly and compact shipping. This set the foundation for Eezi-Awn’s commitment to high-quality, practical designs.
What makes Eezi-Awn unique in terms of materials and design, considering that the product was initially designed by South Africans for South Africans?
From the very beginning, Eezi-Awn has prioritized originality, durability, and superior craftsmanship. Rather than imitating competitors, the company has focused on setting industry standards. Rigorous testing ensures their products can withstand extreme conditions, and they refuse to use inferior materials.
Take me through Eezi-Awn’s manufacturing process
Eezi-Awn’s manufacturing process remains a closely guarded secret, but what is certain is that all products are proudly made in South Africa, ensuring top-tier craftsmanship and quality control—all under one roof.
What makes South African canvas so demonstrably superior?
When Eezi-Awn sought the right canvas for their designs thirty years ago, they conducted a simple yet effective test. They placed a fabric sample over an empty bucket, allowing some of the material to hang inside. After securing it with pegs, they filled it with water and left it overnight.
By morning, any seepage indicated a failure. Over the years, South African manufacturers refined their canvas to meet Eezi-Awn’s rigorous standards, making it the perfect material for durable rooftop tents.
What modifications did Eezi-Awn make to their products to make them stand out from the rest?
While Eezi-Awn never claimed to invent the rooftop tent, they introduced key innovations tailored to Africa’s harsh climate. These enhancements included:
- Enlarged ventilation openings with fly mesh and privacy panels to ensure airflow and weather protection;
- A robust flysheet over the doors, supported by spring steel rods for added coverage;
- A newly established international rooftop tent size: 4 feet 6 inches wide by 8 feet long when opened;
- Added aluminum mounting extrusions to the roof tents;
- Redesigned the hinge mechanism that most roof tents use today;
- Designed an aluminum extruded sliding ladder. This revolutionized the way roof tents open and close.
These advancements set a new benchmark in the industry and have since been widely imitated by manufacturers worldwide, particularly in China.
The company has grown a lot in the past few years. What are some challenges you’ve had to overcome along the way? And tell us about the birth of the K9 roof rack?
As Eezi-Awn grew, Jack’s son, Jess, joined the company in 1989 after completing his education and military service. Bringing fresh energy and hands-on expertise, he quickly immersed himself in manufacturing. His first significant project was assembling aluminium-encased canvas awnings.
An avid outdoorsman, Jess spent his free time exploring the bush on his motorbike. However, a severe accident—colliding with a hidden tree stump and breaking his leg in three places—forced him into a long recovery. During this time, he conceived the idea for a revolutionary new roof rack. Unlike previous bolted designs, the K9 Expedition Roof Rack would be constructed entirely of welded aluminum extrusions.
The K9 Rack soon proved its mettle thanks to Expedition Portal’s own Scott Brady and Greg Miller when it was installed on the Expeditions 7 Land Cruisers, which set out from the USA on a mission to circumnavigate the globe. One of the vehicles, fitted with K9 load bars, was even transported via Russian Antonov aircraft to Antarctica. The K9 Rack excelled across seven continents, enduring some of the most extreme conditions on the planet. To complement the K9 Rack, together they developed a range of accessories, including spades, high-lift jack adapters, water and jerry can holders, under-rack slides, and lightweight tables.
Jack Stuhler first established Eezi-Awn and traveled extensively worldwide, and Jess has now taken over the reins; what products would they recommend for first-time overlanders?
For newcomers to overlanding, Eezi-Awn suggests starting with the essentials: a rooftop tent, an awning, and, if possible, a compressor-powered 12-volt fridge. Additional gear can be added over time, but Jack and Jess caution against unnecessary weight and items you never use. It’s always a good idea to start with the items you really think you might require. Then, go on a small first trip close by to test the waters.
This is a more measured approach than buying what you think you may need by listening to other people and purchasing unnecessary items. The setup that works for one person may not be ideal for you.
What are Eezi-Awn’s most popular products?
Eezi-Awn manufactures a diverse range of overlanding equipment, catering to markets worldwide.
Product preferences vary by region—for instance, soft-shell tents are favored in Europe, while hard-shell models are popular in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. Despite regional variations, Eezi-Awn products maintain a strong global presence.
Are there any exciting new products in the works you can tell me about?
Looking ahead to 2025, Eezi-Awn is preparing to launch a few exciting new innovative products. If you want to join these fantastic new products, please follow us on all our social media platforms.
Eezi Awn products are available through Equipt Expedition Outfitters in the USA.
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