Mounting ARB awning to Yakima bars

[fireball]

In typical fashion I waits until the last minute and bought an ARB awning off amazon. It arrives tomorrow and we leave Wednesday for a trip to Vermont.

I tried a search but couldn't find anything...any ideas how easy it'll be to mount the awning to my Yakima cross bars? Any special parts needed or can I patch something together from lowes?

Thanks in advance for any help.

One last question....any preference as to which side is better to mount the awning?

 

[Yulli]

You should give ARB a call and ask. They're pretty helpful and I bet they could answer a lot more quickly than waiting for a response here. (425) 264 1391

Or shoot them an email. I emailed them once and they got right back to me.

 

[Smksignals]

I would mount on the RHS. Opposite side of traffic when parked.

 

[fireball]

Rubicon,

What a novel idea to call the manufacturer! More times than not, folks like us on enthusiast message boards have more experience and better ideas then whomever answers the tech-support hotline.

That being said, I just got off the phone with them, and they suggested simple aluminum L brackets that would bolt to my bars and then attach to the awning.
This would be simple and easy, the problem is I'd be attaching a flat piece of steel to a round Yakima bar.

Can anyone with this awning comment on how secure of a mounting you need?
After a quick search and at the few pictures I could find on here, it looks like two mounting points are sufficient.

Thanks again!

 

[Yulli]

Rubicon,

What a novel idea to call the manufacturer! More times than not, folks like us on enthusiast message boards have more experience and better ideas then whomever answers the tech-support hotline.

That being said, I just got off the phone with them, and they suggested simple aluminum L brackets that would bolt to my bars and then attach to the awning.
This would be simple and easy, the problem is I'd be attaching a flat piece of steel to a round Yakima bar.

Can anyone with this awning comment on how secure of a mounting you need?
After a quick search and at the few pictures I could find on here, it looks like two mounting points are sufficient.

Thanks again!

Don't forget though, the tech guys are just as enthusiastic as us guys on a message board. I only suggested them because they've been very helpful before when I asked them for some advice on one of their products.

As for your project, I'd make sure you have a good firm mount point. I know a buddy of mine has the ARB awning mounted to the side of his roof rack but has some kind of clamp set up.

 

[ratkin]

Look for conduit hangers at Lowe's or Home Depot. I would use more than two, but should work to connect flat brackets to round Yakima bars if you get the correct size.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[fireball]

Thanks for the tip on the conduit brackets. I got 2 per cross bar and a 3" L-bracket that mounts to the 2 conduit hangers and then 2 bolts into the awning.

It passed the driveway test and a 40 mile highway and town trip this evening. Seems pretty secure but would love a 3rd mount point in the middle. Heading up to VT tomorrow so will get to put it to use.

 

[ratkin]

Glad my crazy idea got you on your trip! Let us know how it holds up!

 

[xplrn42]

You should be ok with two brackets, I've got a 2500 ARB awning on my FJ with only two brackets and it's been fine. I've driven up the Columbia Gorge several times at 70 mph and 20 mph head/side/tail winds and have never noticed the awning up there. I'm thinking of installing another bracket...just as a safety measure..
Your gonna love the awning, best thing ever!

 

[enzo]

Check out Labrak. I had a set of their brackets for awhile and they were top notch. Good customer service as well.

 

[spikemd]

What size is your ARB awning? I am looking at getting one myself. Thanks.

Any picks from your trip?

 

[BentBomber]

Old thread, but there is in fact a better way to mount your awning to your Yakima/Thule bars. The Bomber Products Awn-Lock. www.bomberproducts.com

 

[Themightygoose]

$200?!?

Old thread, but there is in fact a better way to mount your awning to your Yakima/Thule bars. The Bomber Products Awn-Lock. www.bomberproducts.com

$200 for a mounting bracket is absurd!

 

[TwinStick]

Pricey, yes, but not for what it is really. Cut & machined & powder coated peace of mind. Kinda like the "right tool for the job makes ALL the difference", sorta thing. Awning from $171-$650 SECURELY mounted, is worth the price IMHO.

 

[BPD53]

Look for conduit hangers at Lowe's or Home Depot. I would use more than two, but should work to connect flat brackets to round Yakima bars if you get the correct size.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

Conduit hangers for sure. The roof rack I built is attached to my topper's Yakima bars with conduit hangers and they have worked great. I load firewood on my rack all the time and have traveled thousands of miles over every type of terrain WV/KY can dish out with no issues.