a few years ago, I quickly needed a roof rack for the tent, so I welded some thick alu bars together and bolted alu 60x30mm profiles on it + some plywood (which has to be replaced with something permanent). It looks like a bodge job but it's very strong and not too heavy. I only had to buy the profiles and I'm still very happy with my 100 euro roofrack.
It will make a good base for the awning and the suggestion from GOK to store the poles inside the beams of the awning got me thinking. The load bars are the ideal spot to store the poles of the awning. thanks GOK!
some pictures :
the load bars will look better when I put some black satin epoxy on them
plywood is not very waterresistant. will be replaced, suggestions welcome !
the profiles are big enough to slide some poles in.
test fitted the awning together with the rtt
I was quite happy with the test and started fabricating the supports. I still have a small stock of 80x10mm flat alu bar.
cutting with the festool plunge saw is a breeze.
Welding with up to 200 amps is very HOT! the shiny alu works like a mirror and reflected a lot of heat towards my hand, so I had to put on an extra glove on top of the other.