Awning without a roof rack?

[precision powder]

Does anyone have any ideas for this? I do not have a rack for my 2 door JK and I don't see myself getting one in the near future. What options do I have for a side mounted awning that does not include any drilling or permanent changes to the jeep? For what it's worth I have a hard top.

The only real ideas I had was suction cups or magnets with metal on the inside.

 

[swduncan]

Find a couple of mag antenna mounts, and attach them to the awning. You'll need to make the connections adjustable to account for roof curvature.

 

[tarditi]

How about some sort of strap system - like you would have on a kayak rack for a car with no roof rack.

Easiest thing, really, is just rig up a tarp... the outer ends can be adjustable poles with guy lines staked down.

 

[JackW]

Bus depot has a neat suction cup mounting system for awnings - would work great with my Kelty carport awning.

http://www.busdepot.com/b9013

 

[bluehash]

Does anyone have any ideas for this? I do not have a rack for my 2 door JK and I don't see myself getting one in the near future. What options do I have for a side mounted awning that does not include any drilling or permanent changes to the jeep? For what it's worth I have a hard top.

The only real ideas I had was suction cups or magnets with metal on the inside.

Hopefully some tips in the below thread. I had asked the same question
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/116256-Awning-without-roofrack

 

[grogie]

I'm headed to Utah soon and I bought one of these Smittybuilt awnings that attaches to the spare on my Jeep TJ. It comes in a small bag and should provide enough shade. We'll see. I also did not want to put a roof rack on my Jeep.

 

[precision powder]

Find a couple of mag antenna mounts, and attach them to the awning. You'll need to make the connections adjustable to account for roof curvature.

I thought about these, but the more I thought about it the more I realized it is not that practical having a plastic roof. I would have to carry metal plates with me which would be a bit of a pain to set up. My roof is flat, no curves like a metal roof.

How about some sort of strap system - like you would have on a kayak rack for a car with no roof rack.

Easiest thing, really, is just rig up a tarp... the outer ends can be adjustable poles with guy lines staked down.

There are no good places to put straps on the back, only the front doors would give me a decent mounting location.

Bus depot has a neat suction cup mounting system for awnings - would work great with my Kelty carport awning.

http://www.busdepot.com/b9013

I will have to look into these a bit more. I wonder if they would create sufficient suction on my textured roof.

Hopefully some tips in the below thread. I had asked the same question
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/116256-Awning-without-roofrack

I will need to look into this.

I'm headed to Utah soon and I bought one of these Smittybuilt awnings that attaches to the spare on my Jeep TJ. It comes in a small bag and should provide enough shade. We'll see. I also did not want to put a roof rack on my Jeep.

I did consider this option but I would rather go out the side than out the back. An awning out the side gives me more useable square footage and I don't like the idea of unhooking it every time I want to get into the back.

 

[AA1PR]

I have velcro loops I added into my DIY version that attach around my factory rack off the side

it all rolls up & goes into my thule overhead when not needed

 

[precision powder]

I have velcro loops I added into my DIY version that attach around my factory rack off the side

it all rolls up & goes into my thule overhead when not needed

I do not have a factory rack. It is a plain flat fiberglass top.

 

[mhiscox]

Perhaps something could be done with the threaded version of the Seasucker mount:

https://www.seasucker.com/product-category/vacuum-mounts/

The attachment is a 1/4-20 thread, which may or may not be good enough for your project.

And they're not cheap. But I have one that's several years old, and it still grips like crazy.

 

[evaliquette]

I've been working on a bolt on concept for my JKU. I can't stand having a hard top in summer either. I don't have a rack. It would be side mounted and lightweight. More to come if I can get my act together

 

[precision powder]

Perhaps something could be done with the threaded version of the Seasucker mount:

https://www.seasucker.com/product-category/vacuum-mounts/

The attachment is a 1/4-20 thread, which may or may not be good enough for your project.

And they're not cheap. But I have one that's several years old, and it still grips like crazy.

Something like this has been on my radar, I used to use them doing rig shots on cars. They are very strong and 2 will hold a 20 foot boom with a camera on the end. I am just not positive they will hold on the roof since it is not smooth.

I've been working on a bolt on concept for my JKU. I can't stand having a hard top in summer either. I don't have a rack. It would be side mounted and lightweight. More to come if I can get my act together

I have the hard top on all year long since I do not own a soft top. I am interested in what you have planned as long is it requires no permanent mods