How I mounted a side awning using only the OEM side rails

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Well no one else seems to have done this so after my Tigerz11 awning arrived yesterday (2m*2.5m) I designed up a series of brackets to hold it in place. This included using the 2 brackets that come with the awning (the black brackets in the pics) as well as some extra bolts and brackets from Bunnings.
After obtaining what I needed this is how I installed it (sorry, no progress pics but you get the idea from the final pics)
I removed the rear plastic cover from the passenger side rail (don't use the front cover, you can't slide down the bolt heads here).
I slid 4 bolt heads down the channel of the rails, 2 at either end. I used M10 25mm bolts here. If they had 20mm length I would of used those but that's the shortest Bunnings had. My right angle brackets attach to these bolts.

Next the bracket construction:
I used a right angle bracket (http://www.bunnings.com.au/dunnings-...acket_p1076684) first, then placed the Tigerz11 bracket on top of that, then sandwiched that with a flat bracket (http://www.bunnings.com.au/dunnings-...plate_p1076812). I used 2 M10 bolts and nuts to hold it together (I was going to use a spring washer as well but the size I got was too small and they had no metric sized washers there, 3/4" was close but just too small). If I'd used M8 bolts I may have got 4 in but the holes in the brackets were M10 so used M10 bolts. On the 2 remaining holes I used some spare M6 bolts with lock nuts I had laying around.

I then attached the bracket to the bolts I had run down the channel and tightened them up. Solid as a mountain goat

I then mounted the awning on next using the M8 bolts and lock nuts that come with it. I made the awning brackets point upwards rather then downwards as it didn't clear the doors otherwise.
Here's the pics of the finished product.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ideviewfar.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ne-topview.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...iew-height.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...insideview.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...-frontview.jpg

I then had a thought, I wonder if my MaxTrax will fit on top so I tried. I can hold them down with some rope If I like. If I bought the longer brackets on top the end holes would of lined up with the holes in the side of the Maxtrax. Ah well. Next week maybe.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...g/Maxtrax1.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...g/Maxtrax2.jpg

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I am worried you are going to get some serious vibration with that arrangement and probably fatigue in the bracket when it is bent. Keep a close eye on it.

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

It won't be mounted there all the time. Just when we go away or for day trips.

[2impulsiv Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 2impulsiv]

Looks good!

I'll be interested to see how it goes on our first trip. Could be a winner idea for a common issue!

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

First trip will be a day trip on the 28th to Ormeau. We'll see.

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

I added the spring washers to the bolts along the rail and installed longer steal brackets on the top to attach the MaxTrax to this morning and last night. Now to just get some MaxTrax mounting pins and I'm set with my own unique awning rails and MaxTrax carrier.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

First trip will be a day trip on the 28th to Ormeau. We'll see.

Thought it was gated off? Trip report when done please?

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Not last time I went which was around Feb.

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

I mounted 2 Maxtrax mounting pins to it now. All done. I'll just tie down the other side using a short strap to the rail underneath.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...xtraxpins1.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...xtraxpins2.jpg
With MaxTrax on top
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ithmaxtrax.jpg

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Nice work billz0r, I did something similiar except in north-south configuration for my maxtrax.

I also used the track inside the factory rail but used two bolts and some flat bar 'to be sure' 'to be sure':



The maxtrax sit across both bars and are yet to fall off!

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Nice, I like the dodgy shovel holder. How is that arial mounted and how did you get the cable up to the roof?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Nice work Micheal.

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Nice, I like the dodgy shovel holder. How is that arial mounted and how did you get the cable up to the roof?

The aerial is mounted the same way but with SS self tappers screwed into a small flat bar inside the track.
The co-ax simply runs up drivers side of windscreen, in the channel, under the trim and comes out at the front foot.


(the shovel holder is actually a 50mm fence post cut down and bolted into the track - yeah a cheap-ass fix but its worked great for years!)

thanks mjrandom.