DIY Fitting Side and Rear Awnings to Roofrack

[gaddy]

Mandatory for me , but I use it every couple a weeks , ahh life in the sunshine state 1434081018821.jpg

[skiman]

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

nYhXQa9.jpg

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)

Is8PVES.jpg

UMC5v07.jpg

[DSzuke]

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

nYhXQa9.jpg

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)

Is8PVES.jpg

UMC5v07.jpg

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

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[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

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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.