I've had one of these for over a year now and used in extensively on 4 wheel overlanding trips. The awning is pretty good except that it is a bit fragile. Rhino designed it to sacrifice the plastic hinge pivots to save the light weight polls and awning material in wind. The problem is that these plastic hinges break very easily. A gust of wind can lift the awning and the hinges snap. I suppose they had to compromise someplace between strength, weight and durability. The finges are not too expensive (about $15 for a pair) and fairly easy to replace but this last weekend for the 4th or 5th trip where an errant gust of wind lifted the awning to a point where one or more hinges broke, even though I try to be pretty carful when deploying or stowing the awning. I've finally decided it's just not worth all the trouble and have taken it off my Jeep.
I tried to set mine up on the beach this weekend and a gust of wind snapped a hinge. Bloody terrible design now I know why they come with 2 spare hinges. Why they don’t make them out of aluminium is beyond me. Brand new car scratched from a shit design. From now on it will be a 2 person job to set it up and we will peg each leg down as we open it up.
That's what I want to know too! Think about getting something like this. Could be a great item for camping in the back of the truck. I want to see the cap door open.
Can this be mounted to the bottom of the vortex bars? I have a tent that has rails flush with the bottom and the bolts from the awning brackets press into the shell of the tent.
Hello. There is a slot on the underside of the bar that is similar to the top slot. This mounting method is untested so proceed with caution and check the clearances with the mounts prior to any excursion. Thanks!
Hello. This is the bracket that is included with the awning, referred to as the Pioneer Awning Bracket and referenced in the manual as R: assets.rhinorack.com/Instructions/Accessories/33100-33200-BATWING.pdf
With a team of two people that are familiar with the mounting hardware for the awning. It can be as quick as 10-15 minutes, if everything is in the necessary positions
The tracks on the JetStream are similar to the Rhino-Rack aero bars so the hardware should mount to it. The track isn't as deep as the Rhino bar, so you might have to source shorter bolts if there is interference with the JetStream in-fill or if the bolt bottoms out.
Sadly that's a bit bigger of a question than I could answer. I would suggest reaching out to one of our many locations. There are a lot of variables on campers that can make outfitting racks tricky! Should be a way to make it work though!
Can the awning be partially deployed? Say you didnt want to fully open it around to the rear cargo area...could it just be used like a single awning over the drivers side?
Due to how the batwing deploys it looks like it would need to be anchored in the fully extended position to be secured properly. There are single sided awnings you can add extensions to. We offer a lot of various options that can be special ordered through our stores, if you are having a tough time finding what you seek online. www.rackattack.com/stores/
It will depend on the bars. Rhino does make adapters for Thule's Square and Yakima's round bar options. Otherwise should slide into the T-Channel. Rhino has this note for their Batwings. Fits all Rhino-Rack and Thule roof racks with specific fitting kits. Always best to inquire/confirm before ordering. Hope that helps!
Depends on how high you are talking. Many awnings are manufactured and tested to withstand a steady wind of 20 mph, not gusts. "If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Watching Paul turn a wrench/knobs for 5 minutes would make for interesting viewing I agree!!! Almost every set up awning wise is different in my experience but vast majority are just plates/brackets, bolts and nuts/knobs. Almost every vehicle requires a unique set up so we try to focus on how it works more then how it installs, to avoid any misinformation. If you have install questions contacting one of our stores is would I would recommend. www.rackattack.com/stores/
🛒 Order Rhino-Rack Batwing Awning with FREE delivery: www.rackattack.com/awnings-shade/rhino-batwing-awning/
I've had one of these for over a year now and used in extensively on 4 wheel overlanding trips. The awning is pretty good except that it is a bit fragile. Rhino designed it to sacrifice the plastic hinge pivots to save the light weight polls and awning material in wind. The problem is that these plastic hinges break very easily. A gust of wind can lift the awning and the hinges snap. I suppose they had to compromise someplace between strength, weight and durability. The finges are not too expensive (about $15 for a pair) and fairly easy to replace but this last weekend for the 4th or 5th trip where an errant gust of wind lifted the awning to a point where one or more hinges broke, even though I try to be pretty carful when deploying or stowing the awning. I've finally decided it's just not worth all the trouble and have taken it off my Jeep.
I tried to set mine up on the beach this weekend and a gust of wind snapped a hinge. Bloody terrible design now I know why they come with 2 spare hinges. Why they don’t make them out of aluminium is beyond me. Brand new car scratched from a shit design.
From now on it will be a 2 person job to set it up and we will peg each leg down as we open it up.
How does it all work with the rear window open? Does it push up substantially on the awning? Thank you for the great video!
Everyone always leaves that part out for some reason?
That's what I want to know too! Think about getting something like this. Could be a great item for camping in the back of the truck. I want to see the cap door open.
I just put one on my Tundra with a Snugtop Rebel, and the rear window doesn’t touch the canopy at all…
Can this be mounted to the bottom of the vortex bars? I have a tent that has rails flush with the bottom and the bolts from the awning brackets press into the shell of the tent.
Hello. There is a slot on the underside of the bar that is similar to the top slot. This mounting method is untested so proceed with caution and check the clearances with the mounts prior to any excursion. Thanks!
Which bracket is this that mounts to the Vortex bar?
Hello. This is the bracket that is included with the awning, referred to as the Pioneer Awning Bracket and referenced in the manual as R: assets.rhinorack.com/Instructions/Accessories/33100-33200-BATWING.pdf
When time is of the essence, I would just like to know the time frame of how long it takes to put this on a vehicle…??
With a team of two people that are familiar with the mounting hardware for the awning. It can be as quick as 10-15 minutes, if everything is in the necessary positions
I have Yakima Jet stream bars. How can I make this work?
The tracks on the JetStream are similar to the Rhino-Rack aero bars so the hardware should mount to it. The track isn't as deep as the Rhino bar, so you might have to source shorter bolts if there is interference with the JetStream in-fill or if the bolt bottoms out.
Can this be adapted to fit 11foot cx1 hi I'd camper
Sadly that's a bit bigger of a question than I could answer. I would suggest reaching out to one of our many locations. There are a lot of variables on campers that can make outfitting racks tricky! Should be a way to make it work though!
How much does this awning weigh?
According to Rhino-Rack's fit guide this awning comes in at a cool 47 lbs.
Can the awning be partially deployed? Say you didnt want to fully open it around to the rear cargo area...could it just be used like a single awning over the drivers side?
Due to how the batwing deploys it looks like it would need to be anchored in the fully extended position to be secured properly. There are single sided awnings you can add extensions to. We offer a lot of various options that can be special ordered through our stores, if you are having a tough time finding what you seek online.
www.rackattack.com/stores/
Can this fit a Thule Rack?
It will depend on the bars. Rhino does make adapters for Thule's Square and Yakima's round bar options. Otherwise should slide into the T-Channel. Rhino has this note for their Batwings.
Fits all Rhino-Rack and Thule roof racks with specific fitting kits.
Always best to inquire/confirm before ordering.
Hope that helps!
For that price should handle some high winds.
Depends on how high you are talking.
Many awnings are manufactured and tested to withstand a steady wind of 20 mph, not gusts.
"If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
I wanted to see you attach it to the roof rack. Not watch a video of it already installed
Watching Paul turn a wrench/knobs for 5 minutes would make for interesting viewing I agree!!! Almost every set up awning wise is different in my experience but vast majority are just plates/brackets, bolts and nuts/knobs. Almost every vehicle requires a unique set up so we try to focus on how it works more then how it installs, to avoid any misinformation. If you have install questions contacting one of our stores is would I would recommend.
www.rackattack.com/stores/