Anyone mount ARB 2500 Awning to stock roof rack?

[nakman]

So my rack receivers were obviously designed to bolt up to Gamiviti racks. They have a 3" hole spacing.. technically yes one could drill 2 holes into any surface 3" apart and mount them. One could also get a 3" U-bolt and wrap those around anything, like a factory cross bar, Yakima/Thule cross bar, extrusion, probably anything. My opinion is if you rigged these to a factory rack, the awning would be too far inside the roof. It would also be sloped down towards you, and you may hit the door with it. Perhaps there's a way to shim it? I don't know have never actually tried these on a factory system. Here's a picture of how they mount (believe this is an Alu Cab awning):

 

[Ramathorn15]

I temporarily mounted mine yo the stock rack using the L brackets. Obviously having a real rack to mount to is better, but I was 100% comfortable with it on the stock. The stock rack is a lot stronger than many think. I hung my entire body weight ~150 lbs on the awning and it bent the L brackets while not coming close to bending the rack.

 

[RET2]

Is is possible to get a pic and source on L bracket? Thx

 

[RND1]

So my rack receivers were obviously designed to bolt up to Gamiviti racks. They have a 3" hole spacing.. technically yes one could drill 2 holes into any surface 3" apart and mount them. One could also get a 3" U-bolt and wrap those around anything, like a factory cross bar, Yakima/Thule cross bar, extrusion, probably anything. My opinion is if you rigged these to a factory rack, the awning would be too far inside the roof. It would also be sloped down towards you, and you may hit the door with it. Perhaps there's a way to shim it? I don't know have never actually tried these on a factory system. Here's a picture of how they mount (believe this is an Alu Cab awning):

View attachment 1471147

That's a great looking solution. What is the total length of each mount? I'm thinking if I mount them into the factory rails from the top, it would give me enough height and distance outside the roof to clear the doors and not sag? I'd probably do a triple mount to be safe.

 

[spaber05]

@RND1 - any luck getting this buttoned up? I really like the look of the Gamviti's (@nakman) mounts but can't get a close enough look at how they work and the way they might bolt to factory cross bars (low res./far away pics on the site).

I just started looking into options like this and realize that proper bracketing for OEM cross rails is tough to come by. My concern would be having the tent sit A) too high and B) not far enough out off the roof. Would be interested to see what your end result turned out to be.

 

[RND1]

@RND1 - any luck getting this buttoned up? I really like the look of the Gamviti's (@nakman) mounts but can't get a close enough look at how they work and the way they might bolt to factory cross bars (low res./far away pics on the site).

I just started looking into options like this and realize that proper bracketing for OEM cross rails is tough to come by. My concern would be having the tent sit A) too high and B) not far enough out off the roof. Would be interested to see what your end result turned out to be.

Yes, turns out the factory roof rails have a T slot in them. So, I bought some 5/8" T Slot bolts online and installed them in the rail and bolted them to an L bracket (made for Rhino Rack). Then simply mounted the awning to the L brackets. It sits high enough and I didn't have any problems with it being so close to the rail. I'll get some better pics up, but here's a pic on our way to HIH7. Survived the 5000 mile trek out to CO and back with no issues.

 

[Luke111]

I have a Foxwing and a Sunseeker mounted on a Rhino Rack using the Rhino Rack Awning Bracket. They are extremely stout and should work if you drill through the factory cross bar. You can also flip them over which will give you a lower or higher mounting height. They make a few different variations.
I just googled Foxwing awning brackets

 

[Luke111]

Few more

 

[spaber05]

Edit: double post

 

[spaber05]

Yes, turns out the factory roof rails have a T slot in them. So, I bought some 5/8" T Slot bolts online and installed them in the rail and bolted them to an L bracket (made for Rhino Rack). Then simply mounted the awning to the L brackets. It sits high enough and I didn't have any problems with it being so close to the rail. I'll get some better pics up, but here's a pic on our way to HIH7. Survived the 5000 mile trek out to CO and back with no issues.

That sounds great, would definitely like to see some close up pics. I know I can find some universal brackets that would likely work, but I'm trying to find something that doesn't alter OEM equip too much and will be easily removable. Yours looks like it sits perfectly and if it made it out to HIH, it can make it to VT!

 

[spaber05]

@Luke111 - I really like the look of those first brackets with the slight step up, they look like they would contour to the attachment point for the crossbars at the roof rails really well.

 

[RND1]

I bought my ARB awning from a MUD member and he gave me the Rhino Rack mounts for free. So given that I had them, I wanted to use them. I don't know if Rhino Rack sells the mounts separately from their fox wing or awning kit.

The mounts were beefy enough with a metal backing so I was comfortable mounting them to the rail and having them support the load of the awning (some of the awning load is carried by the rail). Ideally, these would be mounted with 2 bolts, but I decided not to use the cross bars as I didn't want to drill through them and they do not appear to be as strong as the side rails. I mounted the Rhino Rack mounts as wide as possible and the cross bars are just inside them (to carry my Thule box).

Anyways, here's some more detailed pics:

 

[RND1]

Having trouble posting images - will try again in a bit.







@spaber05 - hope you can see these pics, my image host is still acting up so this is the best I can get you right now.

 

[spaber05]

Looks like only one picture is showing up (2nd from top in first post), but that does give me a much better idea of how it works. I really like how it is mounted underneath the rail and glad to hear it still holds strong being that it is mounted perpendicular to how it would be on a crossbar.

 

[Luke111]

Tonight I removed both awnings and Rhino Rack awning mounts from my 80 and installed a Foxwing and a Sun Seeker on the factory rack...
Pretty straight forward..drilled two holes through the factory crossbar and bolted on the rhino rack awning mounts.... here’s the problem the Sunseeker fits fine but the Foxwing actually hits the factory roof rail in the front and you cannot get the lower bolts on

 

[Luke111]

Looks like only one picture is showing up (2nd from top in first post), but that does give me a much better idea of how it works. I really like how it is mounted underneath the rail and glad to hear it still holds strong being that it is mounted perpendicular to how it would be on a crossbar.

It’s not mounted underneath but it is perpendicular and works great...the bottom bolt is the t-bolt
The end coupler of the factory cross bars that I drilled are aluminum and pretty stout but be careful there are 2 bolts underneath that attach the actual crossbar to that end coupler (Excuse my editing skills but you get the point)
To get the Foxwing mounted properly I’m ordering the bracket the appears to step up which should give me the clearance until I replace the rack

 

[spaber05]

All very helpful info guys, I think this'll be on the list for next camping season (for now, it's on to our regularly scheduled skiing!)

 

[blatant]

For those with yakima or other style cross bars. I've got these in the link below from @AimCOtaco . Not sure if he's still making them but they are very stout and may allow for another option.

Mounting Awning/Racks to Yakima bars

 

[OKC Cruiser]

Having trouble posting images - will try again in a bit.







@spaber05 - hope you can see these pics, my image host is still acting up so this is the best I can get you right now.

Is this the same Rhino Rack mount: Foxwing Thule and Yakima Bracket Kit - #31105 | Rhino-Rack

Looking to mount an ARB awning on my stock LX470 rack and this looks like a great solution!

 

[TXLX100]

I haven't tried yet, but I think the Rago Fab awning mount for 4runner will work for 100 series stock rack. Works fine on my 4runner and it's the same style side rail.