Anyone mount ARB 2500 Awning to stock roof rack?

[TheLCProject]

The plate - Just finished test mounting my Ironman with a really simple bracket. Only thing I could find local was a 4 x 12 1/4 piece of steel that was at Menards and they only had 1 left. I just cut it in half and put holes at 1 inch(attach to side rails) and then holes at 3 inches and 5 inches to fit the Ironman rails. I need to cleanup the edges a bit and paint it but I'm really pleased with how solid it is and how simple it was to do. 45 minutes in the garage with a Sawzall and a drill. Only mistake I made was putting the holes too close together that mount on the factory rails. The quick release nuts were to close and ran into each other. Had to drill a third hole to seperate them a bit farther. The height is perfect. Can open doors fully and I'm 6'3"and can easily walk underneath.

The awning - Really like the awning. Set up and put away really easily and quickly. The led lights are nice and have an attached dimmer. You can also slide it back and forth to adjust where it is. Cover seems really high quality. Overall really happy for the price which included shipping.

Very similar to what I did. I used aluminum plate and modified uni-strut studs for inside the channel.

 

[chudly]

such a simple solution. i love it! but i need the clearance at least for now. Rago seems like the way to go or the method @Tanner H used.

What are you using on the awning side? I can't really tell. Is it just long T bolts that go into a plate? Do you have a close up photo?

 

[RET2]

such a simple solution. i love it! but i need the clearance at least for now. Rago seems like the way to go or the method @Tanner H used.

What are you using on the awning side? I can't really tell. Is it just long T bolts that go into a plate? Do you have a close up photo?

With ARB awning you can just put a M8 hex head bolt in the channel.

 

[TheLCProject]

such a simple solution. i love it! but i need the clearance at least for now. Rago seems like the way to go or the method @Tanner H used.

What are you using on the awning side? I can't really tell. Is it just long T bolts that go into a plate? Do you have a close up photo?

Same with the Rhino Rack stuff. They have t-bolts (I think they're mostly standard between ARB and others) that go in the channels and poke through the plate I made.

 

[rrc swb]

These are pretty good.

Amazon product ASIN B00UFJR2MK
Some ebay sellers will have them for dirt cheap.

 

[Tanner H]

I dont have a photo of it, but I went to the hardware store and found longer bolts with nylock nuts and washers. so essecially the back/frame of the awning is pressed up against the oem roof rail. really simple setup but it works.

such a simple solution. i love it! but i need the clearance at least for now. Rago seems like the way to go or the method @Tanner H used.

What are you using on the awning side? I can't really tell. Is it just long T bolts that go into a plate? Do you have a close up photo?

 

[boca1]

Quality. You get the LED lighting and a 2.5x2.5 meter awning similar to ARB’s 2500 at a great discount. I’m very impressed with the overall quality of the mounting back, the cover, the awning material, the poles, and everything.

You saw my post on IG, but for the sake of everyone here, I’ll post some pics. Mounting was the most difficult thing because of my decision to stay stock for my rack (for now). So, I’m using Gamiviti‘s multibracket. Works very well.

We’re headed out to the trail and will be doing camping tomorrow, so it’s only been mounted in my garage and then on the LX and driveway tested, but I’m confident.

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is that the 2.5m awning mounted to the shorter lx470 roof rack, any issue in the wind?

 

[GunninIt]

is that the 2.5m awning mounted to the shorter lx470 roof rack, any issue in the wind?

Yes, it's the 2.5m awning. I don't know about "shorter" as far as the roof rack goes, as I have nothing to compare it to, but I've had no problems cruising freeways and highways at 70+, hitting trails, then cruising freeways and highways again at the same speed. Never any noise, vibrations, or any problems.

 

[boca1]

Good to hear, that is what I have on my LX, it is not quite as long as the land cruiser rack which had three supports

 

[GunninIt]

Good to hear, that is what I have on my LX, it is not quite as long as the land cruiser rack which had three supports

Yeah, I see what you're saying. Gamiviti recommends that you push their multi-brackets out as far as you can for stabilization purposes. This especially makes sense for the larger 2.5m awning. It's what I did when I got mine set up.

 

[Greenbean]

You mean the one that’s silver and goes underneath the rail? That’s part of Gamiviti’s mounting kit. Relieves strain on the screws/bolts/system that’s in the channel. It’s just extra insurance. But these awnings aren’t lightweight.

So could you brace it even more with another stainless looking brace for the other side?

What am I missing, why not have one per side or two per bracket.

I’m leaning the direction if it’ll mount up a 270 awning, but the verdict isn’t in if the factory rails would handle that. Also thinking of ways to help with the “twisting” force on the side rail when more weight is pulling down on it.

I‘ve been super pleased with the Rago brackets.

 

[GunninIt]

So could you brace it even more with another stainless looking brace for the other side?

What am I missing, why not have one per side or two per bracket.

I’m leaning the direction if it’ll mount up a 270 awning, but the verdict isn’t in if the factory rails would handle that. Also thinking of ways to help with the “twisting” force on the side rail when more weight is pulling down on it.

I‘ve been super pleased with the Rago brackets.

Ask @nakman / Gamiviti about the single bracket.

All I can say is that their system is so strong that I’ve never worried about my awning.

 

[mmbirtcher]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was ready to buy, then saw they were $200 and opted to try the home made route. Will use that as my fall back option.

I got ‘em for about $79 for a pair and use on my 2500 ARB awning on an LX without issue.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Very similar to what I did. I used aluminum plate and modified uni-strut studs for inside the channel.

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Installed mine is a very similar fashion. Thanks everyone for sharing your ideas. I ended up using quick mount brackets from the Ironman.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Installed mine is a very similar fashion. Thanks everyone for sharing your ideas. I ended up using quick mount brackets from the Ironman.

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those are slick... much play?

@ncavi10

 

[ClassyJalopy]

those are slick... much play?

@ncavi10

There is virtually no play in the quick release ones themselves. The 1/4" aluminum stock has slight flex in it and the factory rack has a tiny bit flex too. But overall pretty solid.

 

[Teagan]

It's so awesome how a rectangular aluminum plate with a few holes drilled into it is the best solution and also one of the cheapest!

With the money I saved on fancy brackets I can buy the side wall to go with my awning!

 

[RET2]

It's so awesome how a rectangular aluminum plate with a few holes drilled into it is the best solution and also one of the cheapest!

With the money I saved on fancy brackets I can buy the side wall to go with my awning!

It's like the Twilight Zone, down the rabbit hole you go. Enjoy!!

 

[justjun]

I recently bought an ARB 2500 awning and turned to this thread for some great info on mounting it. After evaluating each option, I decided to go with a similar but different route. Hopefully this helps someone else:

I mounted the awning to my Yakima Load Warrior basket by drilling 3/8" holes through the bottom of the frame. With a combination of bolts, lock nuts, washers, and a heavy duty bracket; this was mounted for less than $20.

To connect the awning to the bracket, I took standard 1/4" hex bolts and ground down two sides with an angle grinder till they slid into the awning mounts.

Let me know if you have any questions, advise, or general feedback. Thanks!

Brackets - $4.99 each
Part number 813401
ARB Brackets from 4WheelParts in Denver. Also available online.

ARB Awning Bracket - 813401

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Hi. I recently also bought an ARB 2500 for my '97 LC and got the angled brackets as well to connect to my existing roof basket...how many brackets did you end up using to support the awning? Will two brackets be enough to support the weight? Thanks.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Hi. I recently also bought an ARB 2500 for my '97 LC and got the angled brackets as well to connect to my existing roof basket...how many brackets did you end up using to support the awning? Will two brackets be enough to support the weight? Thanks.

Two were plenty enough for me over a trip of 2800 miles!