Fiamma to Extruded Aluminum Profile ( 80/20 ) - what I did

[E-350]

Hey guys

After my wife was pushing for an awning I took my chances and „explained“ her we‘d need a roof rack. She agreed and that‘s what followed!

I started ordering my Fiamma via 1der/ Ray and knowing there may (!) be some lead time, I started to think about my rack.

25kg/ 50lbs per crossbar, as low as possible, as flexible / versatile as possible,…
—> I decided for extruded aluminum profiles.

I went for 4545 profiles, got 5x 13ft from Grainger and all bolts/ nuts are M8!

Gutter clamps are the 90 degree Smittybilt HDS. 12 in total, 6 crossbars.
I aligned them and only had to shim a single one (all bars are ~2‘ apart), the 4th from the front.

Ray gave me instructions about how high it should sit above the rain gutter, so I decided to put the long side bar on top of the crossbars to achieve the relevant height.

To connect it I used regular connectors, 1x M8 each side.

Seeing the Fiamma brackets I decided to go for an additional M12 in the crossbars. That‘s just what thebinner hole of the 4545 provided.
In general it‘s adding to avoid momentum; not really needed, but hey: 20$ atop of the other 2K…

Ray was a bit concerned about 35‘s + 6“ lift anf the length of the legs, but it‘s easy going: I got 30cm left!

Clearance between the Fiamma and rain gutter is ~2.5“, so easy going.

Here are some pics, let me know when you have more questions.
















(Rear 40 door)


(Gap between 40 and 60 door)


(From the front corner of awning)


(Front awning)

[E-350]

(Height from ground to the knee above the door handle)

[bigriver]

Nice work... you're gonna love that Fiamma.

[doublevan2]

Sorry - what was the tubing and 90 degree parts called from Granger ? I'm thinking of trying to add a small roof rack over my front roof area - located in front of my Yakima roof rack. Any link to the tubing would be great !

[E-350]

Here are the part number for Grainger:




The profile are also available in other sizes. Just depending on how much weight you want to carry.
With ~55kg (+x :-D) of my wife and 1.7m width the 4545 (45mmx45mm) is bending down 1cm. So we can sit on the roof.

I used so called hammer nuts for the 10mm slot width the 4545 has, I took M8 nuts and bolts for everything:
Profiles to gutter clamps, for the angles, to attach my shovel via quick fists, for the hi jack lift,…

Alternative to the nut would be a slot bolt: so you‘d have the bolt sticking out and add a nut from the top.

Generally you can also check tnutz. They also have extruded profiles and accessories. Just ordered more of the corner brackets and end caps as they‘re currently discounted.

Hope that helps!

[bhamBaker]

Love the use of the metric tape measure!

[martinli]

@E-350 I'm currently building it similar to you.
Did you secure the awning through the Fiamma brackets fromm the lower side where you already have some wholes? Or did you drill though the case like Ray does with the Z brackets?

[1der]

Originally Posted by martinli

@E-350 I'm currently building it similar to you.
Did you secure the awning through the Fiamma brackets fromm the lower side where you already have some wholes? Or did you drill though the case like Ray does with the Z brackets?

E-350 used the mounting brackets that come with the Fiamma awning. The two holes in the bottom of the bracket are used with small screws that secure the bracket and awning together.

[martinli]

@1der yes Ray I know that. I also use this brackets together with with heavy L brackets. My question is whether he drilled through the awning casing as you usually do or just just that small M5 screws.

My feeling is that M5 srews should do their job as well.

[1der]

Ah, no worries.

He just used the M5 screws, no through bolting. Of note is the bracket placement towards the outer ends of the case. The arm mechanisms preclude any through drilling in those areas.