[Mcgong177]

Update.
I wanted more usable space on top so I got rid of the SportRack box (which could fit a TON of stuff BTW) and opted for a Rhino Master Fit 440. This box fits perfectly.
I also removed the full railing around the platform and opt'd for just the rear/side railing so I could move the cargo box all the way to the edge of the platform. It overhangs the front of the rack a bit too.

But now I have more space to walk around on the top and load things in the box. I even was able to mount my snowboard rack to the accessory bars after some slight mods to it. This is the setup I had envisioned way back (8 months ago) when I ordered the van and rack.

 

[Mcgong177]

Lol. All the other stuff I need to bring for my kids, 😂.

 

[Mcgong177]

Hoisting it up was a challenge. A friend came over to help of course. We laid moving blankets all over the roof and then placed some boards on top of those so he could stand on them.

Then we laid a large rug over the side of the van for protection.

We placed a large folding table next to the van and we lifted the rack on top of that. The long edge of the rack was sitting on the table while leaning against the side of the van.

Then we placed a smaller folding table on top of the large table and lifted the rack on top of that.

This got the rack high enough to where one of us could get on top of the van and lift the rack up.

The miracle of it all was that you have to measure the cross beams beforehand, to line up with the supports. All our crossbeams lined up perfectly on all 8 supports.

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For the bases, I used Butyl tape, and then covered the bolts with a shot of clear GE silicon.

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Not sure where you are located but I got a full rail kit for the 107x58 that I can sell for super cheap. I decided to go with the partial kit instead as seen in the last photo.

 

[Mcgong177]

glad I found this thread. Looks really good. I have a 148 mid-roof and considering this exact setup. Rhino racks told me they didn’t have a side or front rail kits yet.
Do you know the part numbers of the rail options?

I’m looking at the same ladder too!

I got everything from etrailer. If you are in California I have a full tail kit that I can sell you. If you can’t find it on there let know and I’ll dig it up

 

[Mcgong177]

Posting this since I found ZERO photos of anyone using a Rhino Rack with a Thule Hideaway Awning.
I bought the Thule Awning 10Ft (490010) with Thule Awning TracRac Mounts (490002).
I have some leftover carriage bolts that came with my pioneer rack and used those to attach the awning mounts to the center track on the pioneer rack.
I ended up purchasing 2 sets of Awning mounts just for piece of mind. The thing is rock solid.

 

[Mcgong177]

Forgot to post an update to my Thule Awning.
With the Rhino rack I have (107x58), the awning didn't stick out from the side far enough using the Thule TracRack adaptors. The crank wouldn't go in properly and it was hard to put the awning back in.
So I put in some brackets that allow the awning to sit out further on the site.
I just went to Lowes and bought the black brackets you use for your patio. I doubled them up (used 8 of them total) and it's rock solid still.

 

[Mcgong177]

Thanks for posting your pictures. Nice van! Mine is very similar. I am thinking of putting the 100×62 pioneer platform on it. How has yours been holding up? How is the strength? Any wind noise? How much of a MPG hit did the rack cause? I will be frequently putting 4 to 6 kayaks up there driving on everything from gravel to highways. Thanks

So far it's been holding up really well. No issues with the rack. I go up there all the time (once a week).
As for MPG...I couldn't really say how it has affected it since I put the rack on right after I got my v. But with the Rack, cargo box and awning, I get about 15-16 on the highway and 12-13 on the streets. I only use premium gas and I drive pretty conservatively.

 

[Mcgong177]

Link to brackets you used from Lowes?

Here are the brackets I used. I had to cut off the stub at the end where the Awning mount sits so the bracket is flush with the mount. I used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, it was pretty easy to do.

I have 4 mounts for my 10ft awning. I used two brackets for each mount (total of 8).
I painted the end that I cut with black paint.
I bought some stainless bolts, washers and lock nuts to attach the awning mount to the bracket.
I used some leftover rhino mounting hardware to attach the brackets to the Rhino rack.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-11-25-in-x-3-in-x-0-101-in-Black-Flat-Brace/1002709060

I extend the awning out about 2-3 feet all the time, without dropping the legs, and it works fine.