Before We Begin
This blog explains and demonstrates how to mount our awnings to a Rhino Platform rack. There are many different types and brands of roof racks, so we have chosen Rhino as it is the most popular brand and others will be close enough to allow you to adapt the technique to your particular product.
If you have a Rhino Rack you can consider it a step by step manual, otherwise, it is at least a guide for you. Overtime, we will upload more blogs for different platform brands and vehicles, so be sure to look out for those.
Collect Your Tools
As well as the awning and mounting kit pieces, these are the tools we used to complete this job:
- Tape measure
- 6mm allen key
- 8mm allen key
Preparing the Rear Mounting Brackets
Slide your four black unistrut nuts into the 4 ends of your platform rack. The nuts should be placed in with the flat face down.
Then mount the platform adapter brackets to the provided rear mounting rail approximately 200mm from either end using 4 silver channel nuts. Tighten these until they are fingertight (they should still be able to slide back and forth on your rail).
Mounting the Rail and Bracket
Bring the brackets and rail behind the back of your platform and position it to be connected. Using the black channel nuts and allen head cap screw (M8x20mm), bolt the rail in place.
From here, tighten the other screws in place when you are happy with their positioning.
To finish off the rear attachments, slide the turn-knobs on the underside of each end and place the sliding hook on the opposite side to the awning’s eventual placement.
Mounting the Front Hook
Across the long side of the platform rack where your awning will be mounted, measure 1650mm from the rear mounting rail and mark that point. Using another 2 channel nuts, fasten the hook rod so the near side sits at the measured position.
Finally - Put on the Awning!
Slide your awning into the rail at the rear, lift up the front of the awning and bring it to sit on the front rod. Use the elasticated front strap to fasten the awning and tighten all the turn-knobs.
And that is the entire process!
We hope this has been helpful to you. If you would like to see the correlating video to go with this tutorial you can find it on our CleverShade YouTube channel.
