Bush 180 XT Max on a Gobi?

[nor_cal_cyclist]

Anyone install a Bush Co 180 awning on a Gobi stealth rack? Curious if the mesh floor on the Gobi is strong enough to support the brackets supplied by Bush Co, or possibly the awning mounted to the Gobi brackets (got a set of 3 I picked up on Craighslist) ? I tried to email the Bush Co last week with no response, so I figured I'd reach out to the knowledge base on MUD.

 

[kcjaz]

Anyone install a Bush Co 180 awning on a Gobi stealth rack? Curious if the mesh floor on the Gobi is strong enough to support the brackets supplied by Bush Co, or possibly the awning mounted to the Gobi brackets (got a set of 3 I picked up on Craighslist) ? I tried to email the Bush Co last week with no response, so I figured I'd reach out to the knowledge base on MUD.

I can’t speak to the Gobi rack part specifically but I do have a 270 XT Max. The BushCo awnings are heavy and designed to be free standing and brackets need to be installed on the roof rack load bars. I’ve only seen pictures of a Gobi rack but I would not think the mesh part alone would be adequate to support the awning.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

I can’t speak to the Gobi rack part specifically but I do have a 270 XT Max. The BushCo awnings are heavy and designed to be free standing and brackets need to be installed on the roof rack load bars. I’ve only seen pictures of a Gobi rack but I would not think the mesh part alone would be adequate to support the awning.

Kinda wonder if the Gobi brackets that attach to the outter tube steel will work (pict below) - guess it depends on how the holes line up. Gobi does say their brackets will work with the eezi-awnings, which per the website weighs about the same as the Bush.

 

[kcjaz]

Kinda wonder if the Gobi brackets that attach to the outter tube steel will work (pict below) - guess it depends on how the holes line up. Gobi does say their brackets will work with the eezi-awnings, which per the website weighs about the same as the Bush.

View attachment 3960517

The BushCo instructions specifically said “load bar” and not to just attach the awning to the side of the rack. The large BushCo “L” brackets extend onto the rack load bars about 12”. This provides a lot of moment resistance to uplift from wind and a lot of support for weight of the free standing arms. Maybe the Gobi tubular sides are stiff enough for the service but that bracket (IMO) doesn’t look like it would be adequate. I think you would at least need some custom brackets.

Here is mine on a Dissent rack. I want to adjust mine to lower is a bit and have it partially supported by the side of the rack. I’ve currently got 3 brackets and I will go to 4 when I fab new brackets.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

The BushCo instructions specifically said “load bar” and not to just attach the awning to the side of the rack. The large BushCo “L” brackets extend onto the rack load bars about 12”. This provides a lot of moment resistance to uplift from wind and a lot of support for weight of the free standing arms. Maybe the Gobi tubular sides are stiff enough for the service but that bracket (IMO) doesn’t look like it would be adequate. I think you would at least need some custom brackets.

Here is mine on a Dissent rack. I want to adjust mine to lower is a bit and have it partially supported by the side of the rack. I’ve currently got 3 brackets and I will go to 4 when I fab new brackets.
View attachment 3960529
View attachment 3960530

Bush references "load bars" in the instructions - assume round would work with a u-shaped threaded attachment to hook the load bars?

 

[kcjaz]

Bush references "load bars" in the instructions - assume round would work with a u-shaped threaded attachment to hook the load bars?

Yes. My Dissent load bars are flat “C” channel members. If your load bars are round, U-bolts would work. The point is to distribute the loads associated with the awning to more than just the side of the rack.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

Yes. My Dissent load bars are flat “C” channel members. If your load bars are round, U-bolts would work. The point is to distribute the loads associated with the awning to more than just the side of the rack.

Do you think your aluminum c-channel load bars are more flexible than a set of round yakima style bars? Curious about the number of bars I'll actually need (have 2 currently on my rack).

 

[kcjaz]

Do you think your aluminum c-channel load bars are more flexible than a set of round yakima style bars? Curious about the number of bars I'll actually need (have 2 currently on my rack).

I would think a C-channel would be stiffer than a tube but it depends on the dimensions. You could use a moment of inertia calculator (many free online) and do the math. Even then though, you don’t really know the load your designing for.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

Actually a licensed engineer, but haven't seen a Dissent rack in person - if it's the same strength/flexibility as a Front Runner, no comparison with a round bar. Thanks...