This applies to those FL2 that DONT have the factory (or factory style) roof rails bolted into the pre determined fixing points on the roof.

I recently bought a set of Pre Alpina T trac roof bars for my FL2 (non pano roof)

https://www.micksgarage.com/d/roof-racks-a...oof-rails-

so far they are proving good quality for the price, and reasonably quiet.

I wanted to fit an awning on the side for going away camping or just chilled days out in the dales or peaks so started looking at options and have purchased 2 of these in M6 size

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M6-M8-M10-M12-M...%7Ciid%3A1

Ive removed the plastic threaded plug from each of the rear fixing points on the roof and these ring nuts screw straight into the slots. It can be reverted back to standard with no damage as there is no modifications required to anything.

Ive then bought some telescopic poles and a cheap tarp/groundsheet again off ebay and can attached the tarp to the car at the rear ring bolt and the front roof bar (I may fit ring bolts to the front fixing points in the future)

so (fingers crossed as ive yet to put it all together) I now have a complete side awning set sup that weighs next to nothing and cost under £25

Pics to follow once ive trialled it all together as im still waiting for the tarp to come all the way from China.

I made a custom bracket to mount my awning on the Land Rover rail.

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I did want an ARB type awning that could bolt onto the roof bars/rack/rails but as I don't use it anywhere near as much as you for trips out I couldn't really justify the costs involved.

Mine will end up being the roof bars with either roof box or bike carriers and the awning kit is small enough to fit under the seats if needed.

The boot is taken up by the dog, which although he is only a medium size springer spaniel he does get bored on long journeys and I don't him chewing threw baggage or anything.

Just a tip to anyone removing the trim to bolt anything down to the runners.
Always run a 'thread chaser' bolt down the threads.
This cleans the threads out and prevents bolts tightening up (and snapping) before fully tightened.

 FL2 now gone and have a couple of items left for sale:-

Brodit active iPhone holder + Brodit dash clip,
Bluetooth Music Streaming Module.

the ring bolts ive linked to are only screwed in hand tight, and definitely not overtightened as they will only be required to hold a light tarp in my case. I trial fitted some M6 bolts loosely prior to buying the ring bolts as well which chased out the threads.

If I was planning on lashing anything heavy down or securing something solid into the threads I would take necessary precautions so as not to damage anything long term.

Lightwater wrote:

I made a custom bracket to mount my awning on the Land Rover rail.

I hope you don't have the 2.5 metre length (along the car) awning. The maximum length along the car for an awning is about 2.0 metres as you need to mount the awning within X amount from each end. You can't push the awning any further to the rear or you will not be able to open the boot. So a 2.5 metre awning will stick too far forward for mounting. Attach a baby tarp off the side of the awning with 2 extra poles if you need more shade, that's what we do.

All the awnings have the same extrusion at the back but the ARB extrusion is heavier than others makes. I also like the plastic joins on the top of the 2 poles, a bit of flexibility.

I would use the same rails again, my only mistake was to get the copies & not the originals but I did get 4 original cross bars.

I would also replace the self tapper in the middle support, it is a joke. A bit of packing of the brackets into the ends of the extrusions is required. With these modifications the roof rails are far more solid.

If you decide to mount the awning the same way I will post all the dimensions. There are a few issues to be aware of so you don't bug_er things up & save time.

I buy all parts from UK & did got the roof racks when we had a good exchange rate. Whatever you do, do it properly, cutting corners will only be more expensive in the long run.

More info here:
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic31435.html?highlight=roof+rack Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Thanks for the reply Lightwater.

I did get the 2.5 as the guy said "that should fit" - I only purchased it yesterday so I shall go back there and exchange it for the 2m one. Thanks for that.

Yeah, I'm happy to pay more and have it done right and last longer - no plans of getting rid of her anytime soon, the complete opposite actually. Only recently purchased it and it's completely bog standard - so I'm slowly working my way through upgrading and customising it.

If you'd be happy to post the information then that would be much appreciated! Thank you.

It's raining here, when I get a chance Ill get some more information for you. There is an issue with the bracket but a photo will be clearer.

I used 3 x 50 mm anodised aluminium flat bar (sold locally). M4 316 stainless Allen bolts with Nyloc nuts, 6 per bracket. All holes are tapped as well. To get into the tight spaces I use Stahlwille spanners as they are much thinner. You have to allow for the curve in the roof rail, I had to put a 3mm packer on the bracket as I slightly misjudged the clearance required. The bracket can't go right at the end of the extrusion as the brackets go into the extrusion. You can't put the cross bar on the rail where the bracket sits.

My first & fourth cross bars don't sit fully on the extrusion which they should, they are about a quarter off the end, but I needed this distance to fit everything on the roof. The roof rails are not actually that long.

Beware of the plastic cover plates coming off, fasten them down properly, this I believe is one of the issues with getting the cheaper rails, then cost more in the long run. When I bought the replacement cover set (originals) they are a bit different to the copies. The other issue is the paint comes off a bit on the copy rails & cross brace as I believe they have skimped on primer.

 Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Excellent - thank you so much for that!

A few years ago I had a Vauxhall Signum. It had a novel (and excellent) method of attaching a roof rack.

It had flush fixings let into the roof either side and exposed by lifting small flap in the roof trim. The roof bar brackets then clamped onto to these with a pair of integral pincers and a lockable over the centre clamp.

Very neat, very quick, and very secure. I think something similar should be incorporated on all SUVs and similar 'Activity' cars.

PS I have still got the bars hanging on the wall of my garage, waiting for this brilliant idea to become the norm. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

The rear bracket with 3mm spacer, also 3 x 50 aluminium. Looking forward, the awning extrusion was a touch close to the rail so I added the spacer. The separate bolt in the awning slot is for an additional 3 x 20 stainless bracket to a bolt onto the fuel tank holder roof rack cross bar to stiffen up the awning mounting for corrugated roads. Maybe a bit overkill but I wasn't sure how good the two aluminium brackets would be.

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Excellent! thank you for all that information and tips. Seeing my uncle tonight to go through all you have given. Again, much appreciated!Ill post the final results when it’s all done.