Awning mounting idea

[Blackwater]

Quick question/idea I wanted to run by some of you MUD folks.

Long story short, I have the opportunity to get a fox wing awning for a great price. I have wanted one for a while now so I would love to pick it up.

Problem is I currently have no roof rack, and with a little one on the way funds are pretty tight.

My idea was to get a ARB fit kit for a rack, and only mount one side. Then try to fab up a way to mount the awning directly to the fit kit.

Anyone ever done something like this? Would it look completely silly? My wife and I will get great use out of the awning camping so I'm really more about function over form at this point.

Anyone have pics of the ARB fit kits/ or the kit installed?

Any ideas?? Thanks in advance

 

[sleeoffroad]

You would be better of buying a 2 bar loadbar system from Rhino with mounting feet designed for the 100.. Then just mount the awning to that. All designed to work together.

 

[ckkone]

^ What Christo said...

Or you might be able to rig something with a set of Gamiviti towers..

http://www.gamiviti.com/html/products_roofrackparts.html#anchor_100towers

 

[Blackwater]

^ What Christo said...

Or you might be able to rig something with a set of Gamiviti towers..

http://www.gamiviti.com/html/products_roofrackparts.html#anchor_100towers

Those gamiviti towers look almost like a better solution than an arb set. Thanks ckkone!

I agree a full rack would be a better option. That will come in time. As explained in the OP but that unfortunately is not a option right now.

Maybe I will be the first one to do this in a 100...??

Bump....

 

[nakman]

You can certainly try it, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it without a cross bar. The towers would likely be up for it, but it would put too much side load on those 2 screws going into the roof, IMO.

My suggestion is do some type of cross bar and put a tower on the other side. Even a piece of wood would work, but better yet how about an aluminum extrusion like this: Amazon.com: 80/20 10 SERIES 1010 1" X 1" T-SLOTTED EXTRUSION x 48": Industrial & Scientific

4 towers, a couple extrusions, drill 4 holes and 4 nuts & bolts later you've got a rack that would support an awning, haul a kayak, or carry a couple 2x4's home from the Depot. you wouldn't want to dance on it, but it'd get the job done. hth.



edit: I made a whole rack out of that stuff once, for about $150 in material costs (not including towers). The 1" extrusions flex a little but without a direct load they did just fine.

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

I will be installing my Camping Lab awning maybe later today and will post up some pics..

 

[sleeoffroad]

By the time you do all the mixing and matching, you can buy the Rhino Stuff.

I think the 2 bar system for the 100 is about the same price as the 80, approx $350