Thread: D2 + Rhino Heavy Duty bars & legs

Hi Kev.

I've just done a bodgy job and fitted a Black Widow awning to mine, using two of the Rhino RL280 legs. I did not fit four legs and the Rhino rails / rack themselves as I don't need them - my Disco already has a set of Rola rails on it. Unfortunately, to fit the awning to the Rola rails, it would have sat too high and too far in over the roof, so I have fitted the two Rhino legs and made up adaptors to connect them to the existing Rola rails - the awning is then mounted to the side of the Rhino legs to position it similarly to what you are describing. To do this, I have used a couple of right angled "L" shaped brackets which bolt into the "channel" at the top of the Rhino legs where the Rhino rail would normally sit - these brackets hang down the side of the Rhino legs and the awning is then bolted to the brackets.

I've just been out into the shed - the height from the base of the gutter to the top of the RL280 leg is 290mm. I don't have any Rhino rails to measure, but from the width of the "channel" in the top of the Rhino legs, I assume that the rails are 40mm square - so the overall height of the leg and rail to the top of the rail would be 330mm.

This more than clears the original LR roof rails at the front, and in my case with the Rola system, the top of the Rhino leg is almost at exactly the same height as the top of my rear Rola rail, so bracing across between the Rhino and the Rola was achieved simply with a length of flat bar at the rear of the vehicle, whereas to brace to the front Rola rail (which clips in between the two original LR rails), I had to make a brace which dropped down a bit.

I just took a couple of photos on the phone - the Mrs has my small camera with her in Tassie - hope these will give you some idea of the relative height. From my observations though, and assuming that you have nothing on the rear part of your roof like mine does, I would say that the RL210 legs with profile trimmed for the rear side roofline would give you the clearance you need if you were just mounting a straight side awning as I have done, but not sure if it would be high enough for a Foxwing to allow enough height to clear the rear door. At a guess, I'd say that the height of my awning would be just about spot on for a Foxwing.

Rear Rhino Leg braced across to the rear Rola rail.


Front Rhino Leg braced to front Rola rail & original LR rail.


Side view from front.


Side view showing height at rear.


Hope this helps. Be keen to see a pic or two of how it turns out with the Foxwing fitted.

Cheers ........... BM

Hey BM. Thanks for that! That 280 leg + bar might be ok, though the 210 would be better.

The way you've mounted you awning is exactly how I want the batwing mounted. NOT on top of the bar like the batwing is usually advertised.

I've just been downstairs, unpacked the batwing, and the rail it's all assembled to is 175mm high, the centre of each mounting channel is 37.5mm in from top & bottom. 100mm between mounting channels.

See the attached .pdf for the brackets I'm using. Shows the 2x methods and how the batwing sits in relation (prefer option B ... 210 legs (220?) + bar makes about 260, and the batwing frame is 175, and sits almost level with the top of the bars ... will 210 legs clear the roof rails ? Hhmmm ....

Thanks! I'll post up some pic's when I get it sorted.
Kev..

Just went out and had another look and took a quick measure. Pretty confident that the 210 legs will still clear the original LR rails.

Also, have a look at

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...oof-rails.html

and

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...-racks-d2.html

There's a fair few examples and pics in these threads, many of which are using the 210 legs. I noticed that some posts have mentioned 10mm spacers and longer bolts when using the 210 legs - might be worth following up on.

Cheers .......... BM

Thanks again BM ! Yep, checked those threads, and noticed mention of 10mm spacers if necessary, but nowhere did I find an overall height (legs & bar 210/280)

If you look at the pdf I posted (option B ), as long as the 210 legs + bar allow the batwing to sit high enough so when it's opened out it clears the back door when it's opened (it angles upwards slightly when opened I think), then I'm in business.

It's about a 1Hr trip to the nearest Rhino dealer

Kev..

Originally Posted by Fluids

It's about a 1Hr trip to the nearest Rhino dealer

And there's a pretty good chance that they won't have the legs in stock when you get there.

Not all of them stock this size legs, as it seems not too many vehicles use them. Opposite Lock in Kalgoorlie carry a fair range of Rhino gear, but still had to order up the 280 legs for me.

It's getting dark here now - but if you haven't found the info that you need by tomorrow, I'll put my awning up and take a couple of pics. At least from that, we will be able to see the height that the awning sits at when mounted close to the top of the 280 legs, and estimate if this height clears the top of the back door and by how much. If it's close, then I'd be wary dropping down to 210 legs. And that's assuming that the Foxwing sits at the same height at the rear of the vehicle as it does on the side - I've only ever seen one on web-sites and in magazines.

The other thing that's probably not going to impress you will be the cost of the Rhino gear. Just the two legs cost me $120 - I was looking for the gold plating when I picked them up from the shop.

Yeah I figured that! ... hence my measure & numbers game, then I'll order online. It'd be nice to get it right first time.

I'm getting close. Went and ran the tape all over the D2, and the driveway heights, D2 back door, rails to ground ... 101 D2 dimensions ...

I still need the vertical 210 & 280 actual heights, bottom of leg mount to top of HD bar.

Option B in the pdf gives me about 140mm from the top batwing mounting channel to the underside of the batwing, the top of the batwing frame being just a smidge above the HD bar.

Problem here is looking like the awning will be too low < 1800mm with 210 legs at the passengers door side ... I can flip the mounts (option A) , but the batwing will then sit ~140mm above the HD bar rails ... the 280 legs with the batwing mounted as per Option B would be less overall height, but higher bars ... AND more headroom under the awning. I think that even with the 210 legs the back door will fit under, just, and the batwing's 4 arms are highest across the back (top arm) and loose height in 3 steps as you swing around to the passengers door ... OK to sit under, but maybe just not quiet enough to stand ... it's 4x bars stacked verticaly ontop of one another when folded ... when unfoled, the top bar is across the top of the back door. It's the highest bar.

As for the price, it's good gear, lasts, and does the job, then I can live with the asking price ... or buy some used HD bars, and buy new legs as needed. I was working on two bars, but it could end up being 3x

Thanks for the help mate ! Lets see if anyone else is kind enough to run a tape over their 210 &/or 280 bars for me

Kev..

Originally Posted by BMKal

And there's a pretty good chance that they won't have the legs in stock when you get there.

Not all of them stock this size legs, as it seems not too many vehicles use them. Opposite Lock in Kalgoorlie carry a fair range of Rhino gear, but still had to order up the 280 legs for me.

It's getting dark here now - but if you haven't found the info that you need by tomorrow, I'll put my awning up and take a couple of pics. At least from that, we will be able to see the height that the awning sits at when mounted close to the top of the 280 legs, and estimate if this height clears the top of the back door and by how much. If it's close, then I'd be wary dropping down to 210 legs. And that's assuming that the Foxwing sits at the same height at the rear of the vehicle as it does on the side - I've only ever seen one on web-sites and in magazines.

The other thing that's probably not going to impress you will be the cost of the Rhino gear. Just the two legs cost me $120 - I was looking for the gold plating when I picked them up from the shop.

Hi Kev,
280 leg-- 340mm to the top of 40mm bar -- 280 +40 = 330 but the variables add 10mm.
Steve

Thanks Steve !

Mucho appreciated

210 measurement anyone ?

Kev..