Luna ARB Awning to Thule Rack Install

 Writing a quick note for those in the Intech Luna Community!  We recently did an install of a 2500mm ARB awning with light on our Luna and love it!

Our mount was on the dealer installed Thule Roof Rack with square bars.  In speaking with the dealer, he said we could drill the rack (it's square steel) with no significant loss of strength.  Due to the MaxxFan and short nature of the existing bars, we don't often load freight on top. 

Supplies Needed:


Essentially, our rack is perpendicular to the side of the Luna.  After consulting with the dealer (assuming so mega hardware mods were needed), he said, "why don't you just drill your bars?"  So that is what we did. Then we needed to decide if we wanted to hang it in the lower position and allow for racking boats and toys on top (Image 1) or did we want to mount it inside the tower (Image 2).  We elected for Option 2 to ensure that the majority of the weight was on the tower and attachment point and to avoid a gap in coverage over the door.

Roof rack prior to install.

Image 1

Image 2

Deciding on Option 2, we adjusted the bars to have minimal overhand on the awning install side.  This was to make sure the end of the bars didn't contact the awning and to maximize bar length on the opposite side. 

Install side with bar completely collapsed to opposite side.

Opposite side view.


Drill for bracket into the bars (shown with bracket loosely installed on ARB awning.)

Once the bars are adjusted, set the bracket inside of the plastic housing that holds the bars tight (dealer explicitly said to stay out of this), mark your holds and drill through top and bottom of the bar. After doing this on both sides, then loosely install the brackets on the ARB awning so that they slide up and down the track.  Have a friend hold the awning up while you install the bolt and washer on top and the washer and locking nut on the bottom.  

ARB brackets install with nuts that slide into tracks on the back of the awning.

Installed awning with bolts.

Top view.

Note that you need to use the flexibility in the bracket system to mount the ARB as high as possible in the bracket to ensure the zipper will clear the tower mount.

Side view of the installation. 



Hope this helps!  Happy Camping Friends!



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