55" CVT Awning Installed on OEM Roof Rack

Here are a few photos of CVT's 55" awning on my double cab Tacoma. It was a rainy day today, so I had time to install it. It's clamped to the crossbars with stainless steel 2 1/2" gear clamps. I made a simple bracket so that it can also be installed with the cross bars aligned with the vehicle. You might be able to use 2" clamps, the bars are oval and kind of wide so I used 2 1/2" clamps just to be sure. The awning is pretty securely fastened and you can rock the vehicle with it if you try to move it.

ARB was my other option, although theirs is only 49". 55" is about the length of the double cab so it fits with no overhang. Its easy to take off and put on, so I won't leave it there unless I'm going to be using it again right away. Front Runner told me that they will be selling a 55" as well, but they didn't have them when I ordered from CVT. The awning is great, and CVT offered great service and shipping all the way to Ontario. Great company and high value products.

Haha, all you guys in the south can imagine what life is like up here in the north country today with cool rainy weather, in case you think I look like I'm overdressed for April!!

 

Looks good! & good looking dog too, what breed?

 

Haha, she's Tess, an old border collie that was a rescue dog from last December. She's had a tough time with life so she's just happy to be alive and enjoy the day!!

 

You made the brackets for the awning? And do the cross bars need to be out and now stowed away to use this? I would like to get an awning but have the Oem rack and looking to mount it like that or somehow like that

 

Yeah, I just used the brackets that came with it and some 2 1/2" SS gear clamps. It makes a bit of wind noise at 120km/hr on the big roads, but its super easy to remove. The OEM rack is great, because when its in the stowed position it makes no wind noise.

 

I love my Oem rack, how did you make the brackets?

 

They came with the CVT awning. Simple. They work well.

 

Oh right on, where did you buy the awning from? This would be amazing to have in Utah heat

 

Yeah its CVT - Cascadia vehicle tents. Great product. Works in Canada's summer heat too!

 

How's the awning and rack holding up? I was thinking of installing a 80" awning on factory bars...

 

It works great - this is Year 2 for it. I'm looking forward to the summer sun and using it after a long icy winter here in Central Ontario. Haha. The 55" length is pretty minimal, and longer would be better functionally, for sure. The problem is that it overhangs the cab by quote a bit. It looks ok when you have a truck cap to mount it on, but I need an open box so I stuck with the 55" size. I pretty well leave it on all summer except when I need access to a parking garage in the big city or unless I have to make a long trip on big highways at high speeds. It does create some wind noise so unless I need it where I'm going I take it off when I drive fast. I like as much peace and quiet as possible when I have to drive more than an hour.

 

Nice thanks for the update. Any noticeable signs of wear on the rack? I most likely would only put the awning on when I needed it.

 

No it's a great product and will last forever.

 

Cool beans. Thanks

 

I'm really glad you posted this. It's good to see the measurements up close.

 

Just what I was looking for! Do they sell side walls? Might as well look at the CVT page...thanks!