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Thread: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

  1. #1

    Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    Along with the table I was thinking about crafting a canopy that mounts to my Yakima roof rack. I like the idea and cool factor of the Shadyboy but will not spend $300 on it.


    I'm thinking something that can be set up quickly and can offer shade and rain protection. Simply a tarp does this so I'm thinking that will be the canopy material. I don't want it to be very large so a very high quality tarp in small size isn't too expensive.

    Like the table I'm playing with the idea of using PVC. I think I may try to make something like the sport shade.


    Nothing will be retractable. Just a tarp with PVC at the far edge, guy wires and some way to attach it to the vehicle. For attachment to the pvc I was thinking these.


    I have a Yakima Steelhead on the driver and passenger sides of the 4runner. The tray has a groove in the bottom that will accept a carriage bolt. I was thinking maybe 3-4 bolts to hold the tarp. I have a grommet kit so I would put the holes where they need to be and use wing nuts to hold the tarp to the tray. The guy wires would tension the whole thing and keep it up.

    I'm not sure how I am going to keep rain water from accumulating on top of the tarp. I'd like it to slope away from the vehicle but still be able to open the door while the canopy is out.

    At the end of the day the whole thing would roll up and fit inside a little stuff sack and be put inside the vehicle.

    Any thoughts. Anyone ever make something like this for more than one use. I've seen many a bungee corded tarp thing but I was thinking of something just a little different.

    I have another idea using star nuts (go inside bike steerer tubes) inside the Yakima bars to mount the frame. The tarp would them be secured to that.

  2. #2

    Re: Vehivle Mounted Canopy

    how about fiberglass rods like you find in a tent? you can get the poles seperate, sew in some pockets for it to slide through.
    2005 Lexus LX470 - Stock for now...

    1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 + a bunch of goodies. Lifted, Locked, Illuminated and Armored. Winner,"Best Offroad Truck" - 2010 Pismo Jamboree. It's been upside down and still drives me to work.

  3. #3

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    Quote Originally Posted by Seanz0rz
    how about fiberglass rods like you find in a tent? you can get the poles seperate, sew in some pockets for it to slide through.
    I have some a lot of tent poles and access to many more. I tried using them before when I did this for my truck and ran into problems. For one I don't sew and for 2 they poles weren't stiff enough to support my structure. I have some driving to do for work tomorrow so I'll brain storm.

  4. #4

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    You are making this WAY to difficult!!!!! The sports shade really is retractable and easily attaches to your luggage rack. Watch the video at www.instantshadeawning.com

  5. #5

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    Here are a couple other mounting options that I found on ih8mud:

    http://www.rochfordsupply.com/produc...SubCatId_E_433

    I think these slide into the above item:

    http://www.rochfordsupply.com/produc..._ProdID_E_3517

    http://www.perfectfit.com/154247/pro...il-Insert.html

    Several more options here:

    http://www.csctextiles.com/jef_04awn-01.htm

    Those peices that slide into the rail get sewed into whatever fabric you want to use.
    -Daniel2000 4Runner Sport | V6 | 5spd | 4x4 | Leather | 265/75-16 BFG AT/KO | OBA | BudBuilt front skid

    1990 4Runner SR5 | V6 | Auto | 2wd | 3.90 rear | Cobra CB | 265/65r17 Bridgestone Duelers H/Ts | '08 Tacoma 5 spoke rims | Has an 11:1 crawl ratio! SOLD

  6. #6

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    Quote Originally Posted by 4x4mike
    Nothing will be retractable. Just a tarp with PVC at the far edge, guy wires and some way to attach it to the vehicle. For attachment to the pvc I was thinking these.
    Those "snaps" look like pcv pipe with a section cut out lengthwise . . . good idea, but make them yourself with PVC the same size as the pole your using and cut out 1/8-1/4 circumference.
    Keith '88 4runner SR5 Garage Thread

  7. #7

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    Quote Originally Posted by DHC6twinotter
    Here are a couple other mounting options that I found on ih8mud:

    http://www.rochfordsupply.com/produc...SubCatId_E_433

    I think these slide into the above item:

    http://www.rochfordsupply.com/produc..._ProdID_E_3517

    http://www.perfectfit.com/154247/pro...il-Insert.html

    Several more options here:

    http://www.csctextiles.com/jef_04awn-01.htm

    Those peices that slide into the rail get sewed into whatever fabric you want to use.
    I know what those items are but I think using something like that would make this too complex. I'm looking for something thst I can attach to my existing factory rails or my Yakima rack. A simple frame, frame is a stretch I'm thinking pole that will run front to back of the vehicle, that I can lay a tarp over. I started thinking about this again today but just need to allocate some time and funds to the project.

  8. #8

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    mike,

    did you listen/watch the video on the sportshade.com site? oh lord, that was the worst jamaican voice ever done by a white man!

    good luck on whatever you build. ill be checking in your thread periodically.


  9. #9

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    im watching this one too. between a sun shade and sleeping in the back of the runner...this would be the ultimate camping set up! keep the updates coming!

  10. #10

    Re: Roof Rack Mounted Canopy

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob98SR5
    mike,

    did you listen/watch the video on the sportshade.com site? oh lord, that was the worst jamaican voice ever done by a white man!

    good luck on whatever you build. ill be checking in your thread periodically.

    I haven't listened to the video. I keep the sound on my work computer turned off. I guess I'll have to check it out.

    Updates, well there aren't any. I think if I have some time I may start tinkering. My wife is due any day, I thought it was go time at 3am this morning, so I'm reluctant to start anything right now. I've been staying close to home and spending less time in the garage.

    I'll tell you what though. If I don't get a call today while at work I'll start this afternoon. It might take a day or 2 to post back though.

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