How to Install an Awning on a Custom Roof Rack – Van Conversion Awning Mounting Guide
Description:
Looking to add an awning to your van but working with a custom roof rack? Whether you're in the planning phase of your van conversion or upgrading your existing rig, this video walks you through how to mount an awning on a custom roof rack safely, securely, and without breaking the bank.
Installing an awning can transform your van experience—providing shade, shelter, and comfort no matter where you park. But if your roof rack isn’t a standard model, figuring out how to mount the awning can be tricky. We created this guide to show you step-by-step how to properly align, drill, and secure an awning to a non-standard or DIY roof rack setup, using hardware and techniques that will keep everything stable on and off-road.
✅ Whether you’re installing a 270-degree wraparound awning, a pull-out side awning, or a rear-mounted shade, we’ve got you covered.
In this video, we cover:
How to choose an awning that fits your van layout and rack design
Tools and hardware needed to mount an awning to a custom roof rack
Methods for aligning and supporting the awning during installation
Tips for working with steel, aluminum, or modular rack systems
How to drill into and reinforce your roof rack without weakening it
Using brackets, bolts, spacers, and anti-vibration hardware
How to keep your awning tight, level, and rattle-free over time
Weatherproofing and rust prevention for long-term durability
Mistakes to avoid when mounting an awning to a non-standard setup
Whether you're working with a homemade roof rack, a modular aluminum system, or a custom-welded frame, this video helps you get it right the first time. We share the tools, techniques, and tips you need to install your awning like a pro, even if you're doing it solo.
Perfect for:
DIY van builders and first-time converters
Off-grid vanlifers adding outdoor living space
Adventure van upfitters and professional designers
Overlanders using roof racks for modular gear setups
Anyone mounting an awning on Sprinter, Promaster, Transit, or other van models
From choosing the right brackets to tightening your bolts in the right sequence, this video is a complete guide to awning installation on a custom roof rack—designed to save you time, prevent costly mistakes, and ensure your awning holds strong through wind, rain, and rough roads.
We’ve installed and tested multiple awning types in various climates and terrains, so you’re getting real-world knowledge backed by hands-on experience.
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Every Van Conversion starts with the dream of van life on the road. New adventures when the journey is as much of the fun as the destination. We close our eyes and see sunny days on the road, in mountains or in the desert maybe beside a lake. No matter if we see a Mercedes Sprinter Van, a Dodge Ram Promaster Van or a Transit van – we all dream. Being able to get out of the van and be out of the sun is important. So most van conversion designs include an awning. There are a number of ways to get an awning. You can bungee cord a tarp to the side of your van like this … https://www.campervan-hq.com/collections/tarp-awnings or you can get a fancy remote control electric van awning like this https://www.campervan-hq.com/products/dometic-9500-case-awning-for-vans-8 and everything in between. In every van conversion the DIY builder will bring some skills to the table. It would be wise to really focus on using those skills to save as much money as you can – because there will be parts of the build where quality will diminish with the amount you spend. Awnings are one of those places. Thule https://www.thule.com/en-ca/awnings Dometic https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoor/rv-and-van/rv-awnings Coleman https://colemanpopupparts.com/collections/awning and Fiamma https://www.fiammausa.com/ all make awnings. Our research told us that the Fiamma product was considered the best. They are also the most expensive. But having built the Van Of Action roof clips and roof rack https://youtu.be/vaktvBhjgBo we have less than $ 300.00 invested in our rack system. And so we are comfortable spending a bit more to get a good quality awning. In this video we share the design and thought process to installing an awning on a high roof van.