270 Awning on Adventure Rack Systems BakPak Rack

[Snuggly Ranger]

A couple months ago I decided to add a 270 degree awning. I have the Adventure Rack Systems (ARS) BakPak bed rack system with the entire over cab frame and their “mod-rack stealth” lo profile platform. I decided to install the Overland Vehicle Systems (OVS) HD Nomadic 270 Degree Awning. This is a giant awning! The BakPak frame is lower than the roof rack so I was hesitant to do this expensive install knowing that I would have to raise the rear mounts somehow. After doing some research I found the below YouTube link and it inspired me to take a chance. The main difference is that the BakPak system is a two-inch tubing and not flat bar like video. I did have the ARS low profile cross beams installed with a flat surface, but the ends are also curved, which throws off the flat mounting surface where it attaches to the 2” BakPak tubing.

In order to keep everything flat, I ordered some 1” x 2” aluminum bars to lift the OVS mount above the rounded ends on the cross bars where they attach to the 2” tubing. I choose aluminum because it was easy to cut/drill. I then made the higher mounting position with C Channeling. I used 1/2” thick instead of 1” thick C Channeling like the video and it has been fine. This was also cheaper. The only issue with the thinner C Channeling was that I had to drill out the center holes to make them wider for the bolts. The center holes did not line up with both bolts when attaching to the awning so I had to drill a hole for one of the bolts to line everything up. I made two of these mounts (one for each cross bar) on the BakPak rack.

For the third mount on the roof, I extend the mount arm with C Channeling to reach the awning. To attach the mount to the awning, I inverted the OVS mount to face down and added extra C Channeling facing down instead of up like the other two. Here I used ¼” x 3” aluminum bars to lift the mount over the tubing. I put one aluminum bar on top and one underneath the platform because I felt like the platform aluminum was too thin to support this mount. On the top of the ARS platform the mounting holes have raised edges, so I just drilled out the top aluminum bar to keep it flat. I could have just made the center holes the same size and put the bolts through the existing holes and probably should have. The bolts I had were smaller though, so I wanted the holes to be the same size. These two aluminum bars made the mounting to the platform solid.

This has held up very well over the last couple months and it is solid. By raising the mounts I do not have to duck (I am 5’9”) and the rear doors open freely. I am really happy with this set up and love the awning. It is really easy to open/close, which makes me use it more. I hope this write up helps anyone like me who was hesitant to attempt this install. Here are links to the parts and a couple photos.

Inspirational video that gave me the idea. This is not me.




¼” x 3” thin aluminum spacers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C69DCRLD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


1” x 2” aluminum bar spacers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KHB5X7L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


26" C Channel Steel (26 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D1X3KMSV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

ARS JT Parts

https://adventureracksystems.com/jt-gladiator-adventure-rack-systems.html



OVS HD Nomadic 270 Degree Awning - Passenger Side - Dark Gray Awning With Black Cover

https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/Nomadic-Awning-270-Passenger-Side---Dark-Gray-w/Black-Cover

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[mpsoldier]

That is a really nice set up. I wonder if the Adventure Rack System awning standoff mounts can be used in that setup. I suspect they would need some longer reach. I have the overcab and backpack rack on my Mojave also, attached to the overcab rack with 4 standoff mounts. They can definitely be heavy (why I went with 4).

On a side note, I really wish ARS would showcase their overcab and Backpack racks in combination with other attachments, (bike haulers, baskets, etc.) just to get people comfortable with the idea of buying that rack. I just had a guy walk up to me in Friday to ask me about it and where I bought it.

 

[Snuggly Ranger]

Thank you. The ARS rack system is still my favorite design when it comes to style, but it can be difficult to figure out attachments. It took me a while to finally figure out the layout I wanted with everything. I am really happy with the way it all turned out.

Unfortunately, the ARS awning standoff mounts would not work for me. I believe these were intended for awnings attached to the roof rack and not the BakPak. They may have attached, but I would have had to fabricate something to raise them. I was also hesitant to get them because they would not attach to the low-profile cross bar ends that I have due to the cross-bar ends being at an angle and the awning mounts are perpendicular. I would be concerned that the awning would rotate due to weight if the awning mounts are only attached by the clamp to the 2" tubing. If you can attach them to cross bars it would prevent the rotation. The newer BakPak cross-bars have the perpendicular ends so they would prevent the rotation. I also didn't want to pay for three of the ARS mounts because they aren't cheap.

When I was going through this process I was in communication with ARS customer service. I can honestly say that I have never worked with a company with better customer service!

These photos may make what I was trying to explain a little clearer than mud.

 

[mpsoldier]

I agree with your comment about customer service from ARS and, by extension, Metal Cloak. Everything I've encountered an issue or needed something explained, they have always called back or emailed right away.

My goal one day is to get one of their lifts for my Mojave, I want the best for my ride. Unfortunately, it might be a couple years before I'm able to swing for that expense. Or, I could win a small lottery and cut that timeframe down. Fingers crossed!

 

[Minty JL]

I have the smaller OVS 270 awing, works great out on the beach or on the trail. It only goes the length of the bed and does not overlap onto the cab

 

[Snuggly Ranger]

Nice rig and thank you for your service!
The smaller awning is a great option, but I wanted the full awning. Your awning would probably be easier on the ARS BakPak rack, but it would still need to be raised.

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