DIY Fitting Side and Rear Awnings to Roofrack

[MudRunnerTD]

Hi Guys,

I have fitted a pair of pull out awnings to my roofrack. I have gone a 2.4m long side awning and a 1.2m long rear awning. I chose ARB for both and got a good deal on the pair from the 4WD Show.

I like the rear awning for making lunch in the sun or the snow or rain. Works great. also have used it to provide shade to the fridge when parked up for a long time at camp too.

Here is a bit of a photo bomb.

So firstly, i fitted these to the rack before i fitted the rack to the roof. so it was a little easier but here it is

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110379.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110380.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110381.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110382.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110383.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110384.jpg

So you can see the back bone of the awning is a double slotted aluminium track.

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110385.jpg

This makes it pretty basic to be honest!

Good instructions in the book.

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110386.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110387.jpg

regardless of the brackets this is fundamentally how they mount! Simple and infinitely adjustable!

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110388.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110389.jpg

The mounting holes are 50mm spacing.

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110391.jpg

Overall the awning is about 95 to 100mm high when packed up. I then held a socket set at the top of the rack and measured down from there as i wanted the awning to be flush with the top of the top rail of the rack. THis was an error in hindsight and if i fitted it again i would have dropped it down 50mm or so to allow you to use the top rail of the rack to tie down to. Drives me nuts that i cant put a hook on the top rail on that side. VERY IMPORTANT!!

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110392.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110393.jpg

Measure, mark and drill.

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110394.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110395.jpg

The back corner

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110396.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110397.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110398.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110399.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110400.jpg

[MudRunnerTD]

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110401.jpg

Here the back one is fitted. I fitted it with the over hang to the passenger side as there is a side awning too.

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110402.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110403.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110404.jpg

Now for the side awing.

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110405.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110406.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110407.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110408.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110409.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110410.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110411.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110412.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110413.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110414.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110415.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110416.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110417.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110418.jpg

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/PC110419.jpg

Easy As!! Very Very happy with my setup!

http://nissanpatrol.com.au/images/GU%20IV/ARB%20Awnings/IMG_1173.jpg

[deanfurley]

Thanks for the guide, mate, i'll hook into mine, this after noon i think. well depending of the weather.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Overall the awning is about 95 to 100mm high when packed up. I then held a socket set at the top of the rack and measured down from there as i wanted the awning to be flush with the top of the top rail of the rack. THis was an error in hindsight and if i fitted it again i would have dropped it down 50mm or so to allow you to use the top rail of the rack to tie down to. Drives me nuts that i cant put a hook on the top rail on that side. VERY IMPORTANT!!


Can't drill a hole into the top rail at various points and put in ss eye bolts or u bolts?

I suppose in doing that though you run the chance that water gets into the rail and starts rusting on the inside.

[megatexture]

Mate that's a simple fix, I've cut trailer leaf bushes I had laying around as a spacer to make the awning sit vertical rather than following the angle of the rack and that should give you enough spacing to put rope/ strap or a hook on the rail.

[MudRunnerTD]

Mate that's a simple fix, I've cut trailer leaf bushes I had laying around as a spacer to make the awning sit vertical rather than following the angle of the rack and that should give you enough spacing to put rope/ strap or a hook on the rail.

Thanks mate, i have actually got about 20mm and can work with that but 40mm would have been much easier to live with. I can get a hook on it but i cant pass the hook through that gap. i can tie off from it but its a bit of a pain. I have learned to live with it though. when i travel my Oztent goes on the other side and its not a drama.

If i was going to do it again though i would certainly drop the whole thing down at least 10mm to 20mm lower than the top of the top rail.

[megatexture]

No worries, just one of those annoying little things that's too much effort to change lol.
I had to do it to mine as when the awning was folded out it was pointing in the air to much and the legs couldn't reach the ground lol

[MudRunnerTD]

No worries, just one of those annoying little things that's too much effort to change lol.
I had to do it to mine as when the awning was folded out it was pointing in the air to much and the legs couldn't reach the ground lol

WOW! Really! thats Odd! I can drop mine right down so heavy rain will flow off without any trouble at all.

You are right, its one of those things i will live with probably. Just the first time i went to tie to it i smacked myself in the head for not foreseeing that!! Was a DOH!!! moment!!

[megatexture]

It all good now I took the swing out arms off and drilled out the holes to elongate them so I have a big range of movement now and in heavy rain I'll be in the bloody car lol

[HuskyInAuz]

I'd like to know where you were sitting around out of the sun today, crikey it's cold and windy from a Southerly here in Jervis Bay! I think your south of us .. ;)

[bindi]

Great thread thanks and good pics too, appreciated.
Is your roof rack an aluminium one? I am just looking at a few on fleabay now and wondered how you rate them??
Like you I am thinking of going the ARB way for the awning and sides.

cheers
Mark

[MudRunnerTD]

Great thread thanks and good pics too, appreciated.
Is your roof rack an aluminium one? I am just looking at a few on fleabay now and wondered how you rate them??
Like you I am thinking of going the ARB way for the awning and sides.

cheers
Mark

Yes it's an eBay full length 4 feet a side Aluminium rack. Had it about 5 years and am very very pleased with it. I leave it on full time and load it well for long distance touring without hesitation. I do t walk on it but certainly will climb up on top of it but avoid walking down the middle. A little respect for it being Aluminium for the Winn.

No hesitation, would buy again.

[bindi]

cheers mate, just checking your other posts on this..........looks great and think i'll get one the same. :)

[skiman]

Brilliant write up, thanks heaps mate

[Hodge]

Awesome write up Darren. Would like to add, the following if you don't mind. Was over at Mudskis, few days ago. He wanted to see how my awning sits, as he was concerned his one sits pointing slightly upwards due to the nature of the roof racks bracket. Mine sits perfectly straight. I used these brackets. This also eliminated drilling through your roof rack.

http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/shade/awnings/foxwing-arb-and-tjm-bracket-kit_31103

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58103&stc=1http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58104&stc=1

[skiman]

Very interesting. Wonder if these would interfere with the mesh on the barrier floor. Hodge, do you have the same rack as Darren? If so, can you post pics of what the brackets look like on your barrier please mate?

[Hodge]

Very interesting. Wonder if these would interfere with the mesh on the barrier floor. Hodge, do you have the same rack as Darren? If so, can you post pics of what the brackets look like on your barrier please mate?

I have a full ARB rack with mesh and the mesh does not interfere with the bolts. Here is a quick photo of mine.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58105&stc=1

[lucus30]

Awesome write up Darren. Would like to add, the following if you don't mind. Was over at Mudskis, few days ago. He wanted to see how my awning sits, as he was concerned his one sits pointing slightly upwards due to the nature of the roof racks bracket. Mine sits perfectly straight. I used these brackets. This also eliminated drilling through your roof rack.

http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products/shade/awnings/foxwing-arb-and-tjm-bracket-kit_31103

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58103&stc=1http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58104&stc=1
Mine sits a fair bit upwards. I don't think it will be a problem though I've only ever used it in light drizzle not torrential rain. I think the rain would just run towards the car

[skiman]

I finally got my ARB Touring Awning this afternoon with a Rhino Rack Foxwing Bracket Kit for ARB. Was all set to put it on and couldnt figure out why the supplied U Bolts wouldnt fit over my lower tubing.

Got the calipers out, and they wont fit because THE DAMN OCAM INDUSTRIES ROOF RACK USES 32MM TUBING! Bang Head And the bracket kits only work with 28mm tubing. Massive massive facepalm. Had one day to set this up before going camping on Friday and it's not gonna happen.

Then considered sandwiching the bracket between the foot plate and the roof rack tray.. only to find that the bracket holes are the wrong width. FML

Back to the drawing board. Will see if i can knock up an L bracket at work tomorrow and find some 32mm U bolts from a hardware place. ARB can have their $90 bracket kit back.

Oh, i forgot to mention, the bracket kit holes for the awning mount are too far apart. They're designed for a Foxwing awning.

[MudRunnerTD]

I finally got my ARB Touring Awning this afternoon with a Rhino Rack Foxwing Bracket Kit for ARB. Was all set to put it on and couldnt figure out why the supplied U Bolts wouldnt fit over my lower tubing.

Got the calipers out, and they wont fit because THE DAMN OCAM INDUSTRIES ROOF RACK USES 32MM TUBING! Bang Head And the bracket kits only work with 28mm tubing. Massive massive facepalm. Had one day to set this up before going camping on Friday and it's not gonna happen.

Then considered sandwiching the bracket between the foot plate and the roof rack tray.. only to find that the bracket holes are the wrong width. FML

Back to the drawing board. Will see if i can knock up an L bracket at work tomorrow and find some 32mm U bolts from a hardware place. ARB can have their $90 bracket kit back.

Oh, i forgot to mention, the bracket kit holes for the awning mount are too far apart. They're designed for a Foxwing awning.

Interesting that the ARB rack is 28mm and the Ebay one is 32mm. Assuming tube wall thickness is comparable that makes the Ebay rack a better rack at half the price!!!

[Bloodyaussie]

I found this little problem out a few years ago... i was not fitting an awning but a high lift jack and shovel holder..

I will never have onw of those Chinese racks again... stupidly heavy and not strong at all.

[MudRunnerTD]

My. Chinese full length Aluminium Rack is the Bomb!! Would never buy an expensive over priced one again. Would never fit a steel rack either. 60 kgs in the empty rack is nuts. My Chinese Ali rack at 23kgs has handled everything I can throw at it in the last 4 years.

[skiman]

Interesting that the ARB rack is 28mm and the Ebay one is 32mm. Assuming tube wall thickness is comparable that makes the Ebay rack a better rack at half the price!!!

If tube thickness is your deciding factor, then yes. Build quality (welding, paint/coating, screw holes, thread tapping etc) and mounting hardware may not compare so well to an ARB product. As you say though, at more than half the price, I'm happy to work with it :) Aside from the unique tube thickness and requirement for bespoke brackets, I'm very happy with my ebay rack - which incidentally, is made here in Australia afaik.

Ill contact OCAM Industries today and let them know. Surely I can't be the first to want to fit an ARB awning to a bracket.

[Bloodyaussie]

I went with neither.. I have ended up with a tradesmans rack and unlike a lot of those racks it mounts the length of the channel.

It is very light and made from steel... i was after one for ages and liked the tradie rack as it is open ended.

Plus mine is Australian made...bwa ha ha ha !!!!!!!

[mudski]

My. Chinese full length Aluminium Rack is the Bomb!! Would never buy an expensive over priced one again. Would never fit a steel rack either. 60 kgs in the empty rack is nuts. My Chinese Ali rack at 23kgs has handled everything I can throw at it in the last 4 years.

Yeah my Tigers ally rack is good for the price. I rarely put anything heavy on it so alloy I wanted. Except for when we go camping and go to cut firewood, it all ends up on the rack. It has a few bends in it because I just throw the wood up there but its holding out good.
As for the awnings. I just bolted mine up, not using the ARB bracket. The upper bolts are longer than the lower bolts so I could have the awning sitting vertical instead of pointing upwards with the contours of the rack. Worked a treat.

[threedogs]

Mine is sitting on the ground at home GGRRrrr.
after much swearing you cant weld it so unsure what steel it is,
all I did was cut the back out and weld in a roller, the light bar will fit under the front
and the awning will bolt to the side, No idea what I'll put up there to go camping.
For the price happy as OH its a 3/4 chinese I think

@ MR Did you make up a triangle piece of canvas/tarp to fill in the void??

[threedogs]

I have a full ARB rack with mesh and the mesh does not interfere with the bolts. Here is a quick photo of mine.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58105&stc=1

Do you find its mounted too high allowing the bad weather in<Maybe flip the brackets?

Might use these brackets on my 3/4 then I can bolt closer to the ends for better support
thanks Eric

[Winnie]

I'm thinking about doing away with the roof rack and using gutter mounts for the light bar at the top of the windscreen. I don't use the awning much any more now.

[Bloodyaussie]

I have had an awning for years and never ever used it until last weekend and it was perfect....... for shooting.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/166.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/167.jpg

[Winnie]

I use mine when I swag it, which I am doing less and less of now. But it's a lifesaver when I do.

[gaddy]

Mandatory for me , but I use it every couple a weeks , ahh life in the sunshine state :)58829

[skiman]

Here's the solution a mate at work came up with - stainless steel cable clamps! :D Worked a treat and was able to have the awning sitting just over the doors, which also provides some weather protection.

58953

I drilled a hole 50mm up from the lower hole, which gives you 2 mounting options (as the top hole is also 50mm up from the middle)

58954

58955

[DSzuke]

Here's the solution a mate at work came up with - stainless steel cable clamps! :D Worked a treat and was able to have the awning sitting just over the doors, which also provides some weather protection.

58953

I drilled a hole 50mm up from the lower hole, which gives you 2 mounting options (as the top hole is also 50mm up from the middle)

58954

58955


This is gold! I went out and got the ARB kit for my FoxWing and found the same problem with the u-bolts being for a 28mm tube :( I just kicked myself because I knew I should have measured first. :(

Do you think the worm drives will hold a FW ok? (I cant see why not)

[skiman]

I reckon so, but you may want to consider an additional bracket to support the extra weight. I was really hanging off the screws and as you can see, they're so tight that the bottom of the hose clamp has flattened against the bottom of the bracket.

One other thing I didnt mention, make sure you use the tube at the end for the rear bracket. I used one that was a couple from the end (for some silly reason, probably rushing the job) and the overhang on the awning exceeds the maximum recommended 700mm (mine is 740mm). So ill move mine toward the rear. Foxwing may have a different maximum overhang.

[DSzuke]

Thanks skiman. I expect there is a lot of weight on that back hinge that pivots out so mounting it at the back makes sense.

Yesterday, before I saw this thread I had actually sandwiched the plates in between the mounting points. Someone had mentioned that earlier. I found it was possible as the round hole in the awning mount can line up. I then spaced the remaining 3 bolts up 4mm to compensate. I'll grab some pics before I pull it out.

I'm not entirely happy with this fix for a few reasons but the main one is that 4mm difference makes the squeeze into the garage even worse! (it is that tight!)

Thanks again skiman... its amazing how this thread popped up just at the right time!

[skiman]

Glad to be able to give back for a change mate.

I considered sandwiching the bracket but I think I would have still needed to open up the hole spacing on the brackets (more work), and then the rack would be slightly tilted up on the bracket side. Untidy for my ocd lol

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[DSzuke]

Glad to be able to give back for a change mate.

I considered sandwiching the bracket but I think I would have still needed to open up the hole spacing on the brackets (more work), and then the rack would be slightly tilted up on the bracket side. Untidy for my ocd lol

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

yes... I hear you! I have a bit of OCD too! Im not into star-signs and stuff but apparently it is a virgo trait!

[threedogs]

@ MR do you think you get enough weather protection being so high up.
Want to fit my awning but dont want it that high, might make a bracket
similar to the above posts, and get the awnining down abit not too low
as to have the rain run back to the patrol though. Maybe some Bunnings
garden edging may help.

EDIT, Had a bit of a think as I only have a 3/4 roof rack mounted to the rear of the Patrol.
so now I'll make a piece of rhs and bolt that to the roof rack then weld some tabs on that
to better support the length of the awning

[MudRunnerTD]

Nah mate it's a good height. You just drop the front poles down when the weather gets wild OR turn the car around and sit on the protected side of the car!

[threedogs]

Nah mate it's a good height. You just drop the front poles down when the weather gets wild OR turn the car around and sit on the protected side of the car!

I hear you,,,, you dont go away to get wet,
might sound bulky but Ive used a piece of 50x 25 rhs.
Im using this because my awning is 2.5mtrs and I only have a 3/4 roof rack
so thats a lot of awning unsupported. Plan is to drill 3 x 1/2" holes in the rhs
Then fit a rubber grommet to each side, using 5/16th gutter bolts the round
heads will squash the grommet making it water proof.
Then I'm welding on three tabs for better stabillity that go down past the awning extrusion,
this way I can fit one of the leds I have. Feed up with strip leds.[funny story]
When its all welded and flap disc ed Ill take it to be powder coated
black to further protect it. Cold as a frog here atm so doing it in stages.
Just held it up against the roof rack there is a bit of overhang so this support is required.
other wise if I catch the front of the awning on a tree it'll ffold back very easily.

[jackweathers223]

What kind of fabric are you using on your awning? There are good quality ones like on rv patio awning fabric that are very durable.