I've been considering this setup. My only concern is the fixed mounting points. It would be nice if you wanted to remove the cross bars, but I don't believe that is possible. I also wonder how the ARE CX with extra crossbars would be. That would distribute the weight pretty well.It's only money..... I responded earlier but maybe pictures tell the story a little better. I researched this topic to death and finally went with an ARE CX HD canopy. It's got an internal ally frame that connects directly through the canopy roof to two HD cross bars; no weight on the canopy itself, doors all open unrestricted. Just very expensive. I wasn't sure how big an RTT I was going to go with and I have sea kayaks; I figured going with a system designed for 550lbs dynamic on pavement would work. Looks good too!
It's interesting to read that some folk have actually determined the load ratings of canopies rather than just copy what they see on Google pictures and overload. I called all the big canopy suppliers and all were very vague about loading. I don't like vague.
Anyhow, I recommend the ARE HD. The internal ally extrusions have double T slots both sides so lots of spots for attachments, running cables, whatever. The beefy cross bars up top have T slots top and bottom; I've used the top ones to mount a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform and the bottom right to mount my ARB awning.
It's only money..... I responded earlier but maybe pictures tell the story a little better. I researched this topic to death and finally went with an ARE CX HD canopy. It's got an internal ally frame that connects directly through the canopy roof to two HD cross bars; no weight on the canopy itself, doors all open unrestricted. Just very expensive. I wasn't sure how big an RTT I was going to go with and I have sea kayaks; I figured going with a system designed for 550lbs dynamic on pavement would work. Looks good too!
It's interesting to read that some folk have actually determined the load ratings of canopies rather than just copy what they see on Google pictures and overload. I called all the big canopy suppliers and all were very vague about loading. I don't like vague.
Anyhow, I recommend the ARE HD. The internal ally extrusions have double T slots both sides so lots of spots for attachments, running cables, whatever. The beefy cross bars up top have T slots top and bottom; I've used the top ones to mount a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform and the bottom right to mount my ARB awning.