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Old 06-19-2012, 09:29 AM   #1
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Awning Mount Question - 2 Brackets OK?

Good morning people, recent new owner of an SMB and have been spending an inordinate amount of time surfing this site so far. Tons of great info here and the forum is awesome!

My rig came with a Dometic Catalina 2500 awning that was unmounted now I'm trying to figure it out. The thing feels like it's about 50 pounds, I'm sure it's not that much different than the Fiama.

So is the general consensus that two brackets towards the rear of the body are insufficient for securing the awning? I have the Dometic van bracket kit and the awning goes up there with two brackets but I'm contemplating having a third bracket fabricated that will fit underneath the front passenger door, to better distribute the load. I am not planning on doing anything too crazy in the van but just want to avoid any torquing bending or otherwise shearing of the awning, brackets, body, etc... Here's a pic of the new rig with brackets mounted. Note the bottom of these brackets have the body support similar to Eli's brackets (no bolts into the body). Thanks in advance for any feedback!

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Old 06-26-2012, 10:28 PM   #2
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Re: Awning Mount Question - 2 Brackets OK?

I'd go with at least 3. A close up shot might help.
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Old 06-27-2012, 10:13 AM   #3
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Re: Awning Mount Question - 2 Brackets OK?

Two brackets should be ok, if they are near the outer ends of the awning. Both on one side would be an issue. Eli's brackets only have two, one about 12-18" from either end.

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Old 06-27-2012, 10:28 AM   #4
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Re: Awning Mount Question - 2 Brackets OK?

Overkill never fails! If you plan on any washboard road type driving I would use more than two. But that's just me. I like things that don't break.
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Old 06-27-2012, 12:13 PM   #5
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Re: Awning Mount Question - 2 Brackets OK?

Thanks guys. Yeah after a little more thinking I came to same conclusion and decided to have a local guy fabricate a bracket that can mount underneath the front passenger door, along with re-doing the bike rack that attaches to the rear bumper. It doesn't make much sense to chince on two things that could cause significant damage to my own rig (or others) if they were to come off while on the road at some point. Will post some pics when it's done in the next day or two.
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