Can an awning be fitted to Prorack Whisper Bars?
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:06
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Member - Kevin S (QLD)
I have Prorack whisper bars on my vehicle. I chose them because they are quiet as I leave them on all the time. But I want to fit an awning, so my question is, simply, is it feasible to fit an awning using L brackets.
I have drilled a
test hole through the plastic fitting at the end of the whisper bar and have encountered metal (it looks like aluminium castings) that make it very difficult to drill a hole straight through. The castings throw the drill off line.
I would appreciate any helpful comments. Contributors may hold comments telling me that I am stupid. I think I have worked that out for myself.
Thanks, Kevin.
Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:08
Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:08
It's an AWNING I want to fit, of course. Note the comments about stupid. It's not my morning!
Kevin
AnswerID:
523088
Follow Up By: ModSquad - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:59
Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:59
We have fixed it for you Kevin
Regards
The ModSquad
FollowupID:
804396
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 11:07
Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 11:07
Thank you. ExplorOz on the ball again!
FollowupID:
804397
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:37
Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:37
You need to buy some M6 T-bolts that slot into the rack. I assume your L-brackets for the awning are the ones that take M6.
To do that you flip down the side plastic, undo the small hex about 10 turns then push down on the small black dot and the plastic end slides off. Then grab hold of the rubber filler in the slot and lift up.
The Tbolts can be bought from a roofrackshop or on Ebay:
One example here
AnswerID:
523090
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:55
Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 10:55
Thank you Phil G. That is an easier answer than I expected. I'll
check with a rack
shop first. Not a good time of the year to be buying things that you really want quickly on eBay.
Cheers,
Kevin
FollowupID:
804393
Follow Up By: kev.h - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 19:44
Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 19:44
The brackets on my awning were a bit light so I made my own from 4mm stainless and made the t-slot bolt bases about 70 mm long with two bolts 50mm apart similar to the one in Phil G's reply but with two bolts, hope this helps
Kev
FollowupID:
804421
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 20:04
Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 20:04
Thanks Kev. The supplied brackets are 4 mm SS so I won't change them but will use 3 bolts on each. I bought the awning and insect screens on eBay new for less than $300 for the lot and am quite impressed with quality and workmanship.
Kevin
FollowupID:
804423
Reply By: Penchy - Monday, Dec 16, 2013 at 12:57
Monday, Dec 16, 2013 at 12:57
Use a pin punch to mark the centre point for your hole. The drill bit wont wander from this point.
AnswerID:
523165
Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 21:14
Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 21:14
For those who are interested, after shopping around I found a multiple purpose kit put out by Rhino which contains two types of bolts, wing nuts and washers. The larger headed bolt is designed to slide into the track in top of the rubber strip. You don't even need to unscrew the end fitting on the of the Whisper Bar. That makes it extremely easy to take off.
The kit cost me $24 at Roof Racks Galore at Kedron but Auto
Barn also stock them.
Once again thank you all for your help.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and safe holidays.
Kevin
AnswerID:
523408