Stock roof rail mount for a straight out type of awning. Not looking for a 270 Style.

[Joe Dirt]

Hello any thoughts of what you folks are using to mount a simple type ARB awning that pulls straight out. I'm not looking for the 270 Style or anything fairly complicated.

I am having problems looking at various manufacturers to how these are being mounted onto the factory roof rail.
I'm not an Overland expeditioner and I don't need the extra complexity of having a full-blown roof rack. What are you folks using? Thanks in advance

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[Undefeatable]

I am looking for the same exact solution for a awning on the stock roof rails/cross bars. I really want to have an awning but don't want to buy a roof rack just to mount one.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I am looking for the same exact solution for a awning on the stock roof rails/cross bars. I really want to have an awning but don't want to buy a roof rack just to mount one.

I'm pretty sure we will not have to put on a full-blown Expedition roof rack just to mount an awning. I'm looking at the ARB straight awning and also the Roam brand. I am also checking out this website for specific mounting options gzila.com.

 

[4Runn3r]

I ordered some t-nuts from a Yakima roof rack kit from etrailer since I couldn’t find any hardware for the oem rack.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...UIcTB5n0wmIs7oyQwblh0_BoIq6xgtghoCj_IQAvD_BwE

They worked out nicely with the 90 degree mounting brackets that came with the Roam awning.

Had to add two more nuts to get the brackets high enough to clear the plastic end caps.

I wish I had better pics but these were from a few months ago.

 

[EL616]

Had to add two more nuts to get the brackets high enough to clear the plastic end caps.

I hate the OEM crossbars for this exact reason -- those stupid plastic feet take up usable space and make it harder to reach and load things from the side when your mounts have to be several inches toward the inside of the roof. I bought my ORP without the ARB roof rack or OEM rails: if anyone's planning on using crossbars regularly, I highly recommend going with a third party option like Thule/Yakima/Rhino Rack. My 53" Thule bars are the perfect width, still look good without being excessively wide and allow for mounting accessories all the way to the ends without having to reach over the plastic bits.

 

[4Runn3r]

I need to correct my op. Now that I remember correctly, The Yakima t-bolts were what I used to mount the Pelican Vault Box not the awning. Awning hardware was a little more difficult. I bought 3/8-16x2 bolts, angle ground off half the head height, added a washer that also needed to be trimmed to fit into the oem roof rack channel. That is where I added extra nuts to allow for the plastic end caps.

I really only wanted to keep the oem rack because I’ve done the whole overlanding rack set up on my old Colorado zr2 and wanted to keep the 4Runner more stock but still have room for cargo up top. This set up has been working well for what I do with it now but would definitely recommend a third party rack for anyone loading a roof top tent or heavier weighted gear up there. I had the Prinsu rack on my truck and loved it’s versatility.

 

[danimaldaisy]

I’m looking for something that doesn’t attach to the crossbars. I have the crossbars set at each corner for a removable rack. I’d like to use the two innermost points. To mount. I’ll post if I eventually find something

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yeah I will have to agree the Factory crossbars crap and I don't really understand the engineering concept to have a crossbar that has an arch in it.

I believe they are wind tunnel tested and got better aerodynamics, but it is total crap if you want to mount something flat; even a ladder is hard.
And I cannot see the aerodynamic benefit of anything being mounted on the roof with a angle to it. Maybe I'm missing something but it sure is hard to put 2x4s or anything that is flat without it sliding around.

I do have a pair of Thule Evo crossbars that are perfectly flat and mount to the roof rail.
I will use those to mount the awning.

I am glad I saved them from my 5th gen.

 

[6G4R]

I need to correct my op. Now that I remember correctly, The Yakima t-bolts were what I used to mount the Pelican Vault Box not the awning. Awning hardware was a little more difficult. I bought 3/8-16x2 bolts, angle ground off half the head height, added a washer that also needed to be trimmed to fit into the oem roof rack channel. That is where I added extra nuts to allow for the plastic end caps.

I really only wanted to keep the oem rack because I’ve done the whole overlanding rack set up on my old Colorado zr2 and wanted to keep the 4Runner more stock but still have room for cargo up top. This set up has been working well for what I do with it now but would definitely recommend a third party rack for anyone loading a roof top tent or heavier weighted gear up there. I had the Prinsu rack on my truck and loved it’s versatility.

Did you have to drill through the crossbars to get the bolts through to attach the mounts or am I missing something?

 

[4Runn3r]

Did you have to drill through the crossbars to get the bolts through to attach the mounts or am I missing something?

No drilling through the crossbars. The hex head bolt along with a washer (I had to trim the washers to fit - making them more oval shaped) fit into the t-channel. I kept the rubber gasket in place. It’s a tight fit, but it works. Bolt length will be subjective to your application but 2” long works for my awning brackets.

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