Gutter Mounts for ARB Awning: GoWesty vs. NorthWesty vs. RMW/VC?

[TopaTopa]

First off-- AutoAnything is having a 22% off Labor Day Sale. >Edit: 23% plus FREE SHIP!

So while I'm in no hurry (..other project priorities looming), I thought I might seize the opportunity to pick up an ARB awning for my oh so sweet '90 Westy.

I've chased a few threads, mostly older, so I thought I'd just go ahead and inquire of the community-- which NO DRILL **gutter mount** is deemed best? Is there a clear frontrunner? The NW is stainless and only $70 (but shown as out of stock and they were closed when I called them after the noon hour today, Friday).

Also read something about needing to drill the GoWesty bracket (the bracket proper, not the van), seriously? Or have they addressed this..?

Your opinion is welcome here

Thanks for the help and looking for a little grace on the thread redundancy ..

[Kirsche Wasserboxer]

I can't say which one is best, as I've only ever used the ones from North Westy. They had to make a set for me when I called them, as they had none in stock, but it was a quick turnaround, as I'm local to their shop and could pick them up in person. They work great, and require no drilling.

Thanks for the heads up about the sale at Autoanything. It is actually 23% off with free shipping. I just ordered the deluxe awning room for my awning!
_________________
1990 Westfalia Vanagon
2.1 Wasserboxer

[figborg]

Thanks for the heads up, both of you.

I'm interested in this set of brackets from North Westy as I don't have roof racks and I don't want to drill my van. I wonder if they would be willing to make two sets if you are interested. I'm in no rush.

I will order the ARB awning. I have to make up my mind between the 6 footer and the 8 footer, probably will go with 6'.

BTW, the ARB Mesh Multi Mat looks awesome too.
_________________
-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374

[TopaTopa]

[IdahoDoug]

Sitting under my ARB awning now. I suggest getting the larger. 6 feet would not really be much shade. Dunno.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[1988M5]

Thanks TopaTopa for the push, I did the same and bought their "Deluxe Awning Room" to complement my 8x8 ARB foot awning. I didn't realize the floor was included, actually integrated, no brainer just buy it at $177.09 with CA tax and free shipping.

Brian

PS I have a 91 Tin Top and use the Go Westy mounts, no holes needed to drill unless you elect to drill and pop-riv your A and D pillars for more strength, no need in my opinion.

[jimf909]

I bought my ARB brackets from Mule Expedition. I was at their store looking at the GW and NW brackets. They both looked good. I went with the GW brackets. My best recollection is that I liked that the GW brackets accommodate both ARB and Fiama awnings and they were a bit more finished due to the powder coat on the GW brackets and the sharp edges on the NW brackets seemed a bit raw. No drilling needed for the GW brackets.

All of this is subject to my memory so YMMV.

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- Jim

[cmayna]

Using what I believe are go westy brackets on my '90 westy. No drilling needed so far.
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.


Craig

[1988M5]

The drill vs no drill issue with the Gowesty isn't about modifying the bracket, its about modifying the van with drill holes and installing "pop-riv" nuts. It's easily explained on their web site.
http://www.gowesty.com/files/F45VW-T3%20-%20Awning%20Mounting%20Kit%20[Vanagon].pdf
In particular the section on page 2 Fastening Bracket Edge.
Brian

[PDXWesty]

I bought the GW mounts because when I needed them they were the only ones who had them in stock. I chose not to use the riv nuts and drill into the body. Two years and I haven't had any problems. Two mounts on my ARB awning and no issues.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Sodo]

At MogFest I visited with a participant who had an ARB awning on three GoWesty mounts. They were clamped to the gutter, NOT drilled + rivnutted to the body. I asked him if I could yank on it to test how secure it was.

I yanked as hard as I could, and found it to be VERY VERY secure. No movement at all. IMHO there's no question whether (three) GoWesty mounts are sufficient just clamped for any road use. I yanked the (ARB) extension that was forward of the passenger door.

However.... if you drive around in bushes.... where a hanging branch can get caught between the extension and the gutter above the passenger door....that's something to consider. Perhaps a "deflector" could be added to prevent branches from getting into that overhang.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[TopaTopa]

Just another friendly heads-up reminder- Today is the last day of Auto Anything's 23% off + Free Shipping (no min) sale.

I went ahead and ordered the ARB awning (no accessories) (as yet...), ended up saving about 70 bucks plus the freight. The awning seems like a lot of bang-for-your-buck Westy improvement (SHADE!!) for such modest investment.

May be the time for some to consider the screen room as accompaniment (as 1988MS has already done!).

Also- and back to the topic of my OP ... I went ahead and ordered the GoWesty awning mounting brackets (two). From the advice and experience of others, I'm sure I'll be pleased with them. Thanks for the input and thanks jimf909 for the pics. The bracket (and what little I can see of your rig) looks really nice.

[figborg]

I just ordered the 2500 (8' x 8') for $230, free shipping and no tax with the Labor Day and signing up of email promos discounts. I'll get the GW brackets next.
_________________
-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374

[christopherlayton]

[figborg]

I received the GW brackets two weeks ago and the ARB awning came in last evening.

I have my work cut out this weekend!

I will post my feedback.
_________________
-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374

[shagginwagon83]

So according to Van Cafe/RMW 's awning bracket listing-

[cmayna]

I'm using Fiamma F45 gutter mounts with my ARB awning. Totally awesomeness.
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.


Craig

[shagginwagon83]

[nepawesty]

I have a set from Northwesty. They will not work with old style (I have a 1980) gutters. Had to use go westy.

[cmayna]