Awning mount on Sprinter with crossbars

[LarryB]

I'm trying to decide between a Fiamma 45s or 80s awning for my 144" 2017 Sprinter Sportsmobile, or else a Thule Hideaway awning. One consideration is if/how I can mount these on my factory roof rails when I have crossbars for solar panels already mounted to the roof rails.


Does anyone know if one of these three awnings will have an easier install for that kind of situation with roof crossbasrs installed? Can it be done at all? I'm searching around for mounting instructions etc. but quickly get confused. Thanks for any advice.


Larry

[1der]

Assuming this is not a pop top?

[LarryB]

That is correct, it is the high top Sprinter.

[1der]

thxs. If you can post a picture of your cross bar setup, that would be helpful.

The F80 is a horizontal mounting orientation which, I am guessing, means it would have to go above your crossbars and at the very outer end of the bars. This puts the awning up very high. If your cross bars are high enough then the awning mounts pictured could be used to mount the F80 below the bars. Are you considering the Eagle Model?

The F45 and Hideaway mounting is to vertical bracket/wall. How would you see mounting this to clear the slider door? Above the bars?

[LarryB]

I believe both Fiama and Thule make brackets for mounting their awnings on the factory roof rails. The question is of course whether they play nice with crossbars. I did find a web site showing an install of the Thule with solar panel crossbars so I think it would work for me. In a holding pattern now as my (way) better half suggests that the Moonshade we already have is really sufficient and I'm thinking she might be right. I'm not crazy about having an awning hanging off the van when driving anyway.