Awning mount directly to '16 Trail OEM Roof Rails?

[4Runner 4eva]

Patiently waiting for my TEP to come in and searched but couldn't find anything...

Anyone have success mounting either an ARB 1250 or Ironman 2M awning directly to the stock Trail rack/rails? I've seen tons of pics attached to Gobi/Yakima/"your brand here" aftermarket racks but nothing with the original rack. I realize the length of the stock rack might be short, hence the matching short length awning but believe there's enough distance between the front and back.

I tried contacting Fourtreks and no replies...


TIA... for the help on the subject...and instigating me on spending money for mods on a vehicle I don't even have yet!
HID lights- check!
LED fogs - check!
Canvasback cargo covers - check!
FN F(x) wheels on order - check!
KO2s ready at All Weather Tire - check!

 

[e60ral]

I'm interested in strategies people have used for this

 

[1engineer]

I'm interested in strategies people have used for this

My strategy is using a 10X10 EZ Up awning that I strap to the rack and use whenever I get where I am going every now and then. Never understood mounting an awning unless you are on a permanent camping trip like Jacob lol. THEN you need one attached! Unless people are doing it for looks....

Best part about not having one attached is being able to move it around the truck to the back where it's usually needed most.

 

[Titanpat57]

You could do it...the problem is the OEM rails are inherently too short, and too far to the back of the truck. If you put some sort of backer material (i.e..aluminum 1"x 2" channel or tube) that would add some rigidity to the back of the awning, and prevent the front, unsupported part, from whipping around, either while driving or unfolded.

Then you'd have to overcome the fact the rails themselves are a different size then the feet that hold them....not impossible, but would take some planning.

 

[cjacob316]

My strategy is using a 10X10 EZ Up awning that I strap to the rack and use whenever I get where I am going every now and then. Never understood mounting an awning unless you are on a permanent camping trip like Jacob lol. THEN you need one attached! Unless people are doing it for looks....

Best part about not having one attached is being able to move it around the truck to the back where it's usually needed most.

That's why they have the batwing awning

 

[-dustin]

well sum*****. put me into the camp that didn't realize how cheap EZ-Ups were. which is odd given that i've used them for events for the past 10yrs.

just kidding. the ones we use push $600.

 

[e60ral]

You could do it...the problem is the OEM rails are inherently too short, and too far to the back of the truck. If you put some sort of backer material (i.e..aluminum 1"x 2" channel or tube) that would add some rigidity to the back of the awning, and prevent the front, unsupported part, from whipping around, either while driving or unfolded.

Then you'd have to overcome the fact the rails themselves are a different size then the feet that hold them....not impossible, but would take some planning.

My thought was aluminum c-channel mounted to the factory rail with L brackets and T-bolts

The reason I want an awning vs an EZ-up is for Blue Ridge Parkway trips where a park ranger may tell me no camping if I setup an EZ-up at an overlook but if I'm pulled over with an awning sitting in my chair that's probably fine.

(also tailgating, don't want wind or drunks bumping the ez-up into the rig)

 

[4Runner 4eva]

My thought was aluminum c-channel mounted to the factory rail with L brackets and T-bolts

The reason I want an awning vs an EZ-up is for Blue Ridge Parkway trips where a park ranger may tell me no camping if I setup an EZ-up at an overlook but if I'm pulled over with an awning sitting in my chair that's probably fine.

(also tailgating, don't want wind or drunks bumping the ez-up into the rig)

Holy Crap! That's the same reason I am looking for a "semi attached" solution - our annual trek on the Blue Ridge traveling with the greyhounds!

There's a lot of stops along the way and I would like to be able to conveniently pop up some shade - including some of the truck/food stops along the way down.

I'm thinking it's going to have to be a smaller c-channel [for the length of the silver rail] that's facing "up" like a U inside a bigger c-channel [goes over that rail and the end caps and faces down] which will extend forward more. An under and over sandwich for decent rigidity....Unless the large single c-channel securely attaches alone.

 

[Brookey_813]

I have this as a solution somewhere on this site, but I have no idea who posted it now. This seems like the best idea as to mount these awnings onto the stock rails. If somebody knows whose post this is, thank them. I will try to attempt this method in a month as I get my Foxwing tomorrow :faint:

 

[Rbreezy]

I have this as a solution somewhere on this site, but I have no idea who posted it now. This seems like the best idea as to mount these awnings onto the stock rails. If somebody knows whose post this is, thank them. I will try to attempt this method in a month as I get my Foxwing tomorrow :faint:View attachment 246281

I have mines mounted in a similar way. Works great with my ARB awning.

 

[Brookey_813]

I have mines mounted in a similar way. Works great with my ARB awning.

Do you have close-up photos on the mounting hardware and what sort of clearence you have for your doors to open? It looks pretty close to your doors.

 

[clweathers]

I have mine done on factory rails, for now. I bought 2 super strut z-brackets and had 2 mounting plates made up. Been super sturdy so far.

grasslands by Chris Weathers, on Flickr

Untitled by Chris Weathers, on Flickr

 

[Albacore]

The advantage for me is that it is one less thing to pack. When I camp with my truck I can load up everything I can think of. However, with my T4R I am more limited on space and what I can bring with me. An awning mounted to the rail is more convenient than an EZ-Up strapped to the rack.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[Nixid]

I have this as a solution somewhere on this site, but I have no idea who posted it now. This seems like the best idea as to mount these awnings onto the stock rails. If somebody knows whose post this is, thank them. I will try to attempt this method in a month as I get my Foxwing tomorrow :faint:View attachment 246281

Found the picture a few places(yopu can Google the photo)
https://www.amazon.com/ARB-814301-Brown-4-Awning/dp/B007RYAP2A

and #8 referred to it too http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...4th-gen-stock-roof-rack-install-hardware.html

 

[Maadcaap]

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[STX4Runner]

What bolts is everyone using that slide into the stock rack channel, and how do you get them in there without an opening at one end of the channel?

 

[Maadcaap]

What bolts is everyone using that slide into the stock rack channel, and how do you get them in there without an opening at one end of the channel?

T slot bolts.. they fit into the rail and turn them 90° and tighten
https://www.mcmaster.com/#5537t271/=1b1izsd

 

[STX4Runner]

T slot bolts.. they fit into the rail and turn them 90° and tighten
https://www.mcmaster.com/#5537t271/=1b1izsd

Thanks

 

[Kenstaroni]

I made it work on my Tacoma using Yakima quick mounts (kind of like a clamp) and made some L brackets with metal from lowes. It worked fine. I would say if you are going down this road and maybe an RTT in the future, save up for an aftermarket rack and you'll be alot happier in the long run. You'll probably spend 75 bucks, maybe close to 100 to do it the way I did, put that towards a rack if you can wait a bit.

 

[PJs Runner]

Stock rail awning mounts

Rago makes mounts
https://www.ragofabrication.com/collections/toyota/products/4runner-canopy-mounts-stainless-steel
Personally, I used the U-bolt and L bracket method, works fine.