Installed the KickAss brand awning on my 2023 320s Boondock

TourDeForth
TourDeForth Member Posts: 128
in Modifications & Upgrades
I looked at the bonnet style awnings that slide into the Keder rail and decided that just wasn’t for me. I prefer a simple traditional style awning. So I purchased this awning from KickAss Products USA. https://kickassproducts.com/products/kickass-2-0m-x-2-5m-heavy-duty-awning-with-led-light-strip It’s 6.5 x 8 feet and uses built in poles with a couple tent stakes. I like the way it looks and the ease of setting up. It has a LED light strip that plugs into USB as a bonus. It was tricky to install on the Keder rail but came out real well.
2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
John, Northern California
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Comments

  • Yoshi_TAB
    Yoshi_TAB Member Posts: 566
    Hi,

    Could you provide a few details and/or photos of how you attached it.  TY
    2025 360 CS 
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
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  • TourDeForth
    TourDeForth Member Posts: 128

    I attached it to the Keder rail and also used double sided tape. It’s on there pretty solid. 

    First, I took the awning completely apart, which was very easy, a couple bolts and two screws. (But I left the black weather cover on due to rivets.) Once I decided where I was going to mount it (high enough to let the LED strip hang down without touching the porch light.) I put two layers of double sided tape on the awning bracket between the Keder rails. I used a level and stuck it on. There is a little less than a 1/4 inch gap between the awning bracket and the wall which is why I used a double layer of tape. The tape is strong and the awning bracket is light aluminum.

    Second, (the tricky part) I eyeballed where to drill four holes to reach the Keder rail slots (two on each side.) Then I slid two Keder rail stoppers on each side,  up under the awning, using a plastic rod to slide them in place and screw the bolts in. I applied blue loctite (but still plan to check them periodically.) I reassembled the awning. I also ran a bead of silicon clear caulking across the top of the awning bracket and trailer wall to keep water from pooling on the double sided tape and running down the wall of the trailer. 

    The parts I used were from Amazon and Lowes. I ordered these Keder rail stoppers from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3WRRCN1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title and some double sided tape from Lowes Scotch-Mount Extreme Double-Sided Mounting Tapes 1-in x 5-ft Double-Sided Tape 

    Would I do it again? Absolutely, but a lesson learned: eyeballing where to drill the holes was a dumb idea on my part. I missed by an 1/8 of inch on two of the holes so there is a bit of scarring hidden under there, doh! I would have been better off making a template out of wood or plastic in the shape of the awning bracket and then mounting that first to draw the kedar rail slot on to it so I could precisely drill the holes. Oh well, next time!

    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • Yoshi_TAB
    Yoshi_TAB Member Posts: 566
    Tks.. I like it a lot .  Great mod.  One follow on, was the purpose of the 2 sided tape to hold the bracket in place while you found the location of the keder  rail bolts, or does it also provide holding power. I think it’s just to find the location of the keder rail bolts..but wanted to double check.    How many keder rail bolts secure it in place ? We use a walker tent and 10 x 10 , but that looks so easy for overnight stops which we do a lot of in getting to our destinations.     TY
    2025 360 CS 
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
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  • SLJ
    SLJ Member Posts: 644
    edited September 2024
    I agree, most Keder rail awnings take too much time to set up, however I found the small awnings don't give enough shade or protection in the rain so I went with a Moonshade XL. Sits just over the top so there's no chance of a leak on the door side and just ties to the front and rear handles. The door can stay open. Quick easy set up and a lot of shade/rain protection 9'x12'.

    2021 T@B 320 S Boondock
    2025 KZ Sportsmen 130RD
    2025 Ford Ranger
    The Finger Lakes of New York
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  • TourDeForth
    TourDeForth Member Posts: 128
    A little of both, I didn’t want to just rely on four little M4 size bolts to hold it on there. For day to day street use it would be fine, but for going down a trail I wanted the extra security of the double sided tape. Probably overkill because that tape sure is strong enough, and with the four screws it is on there very secure. I can setup the awning in under 5 minutes, probably two minutes if I wanted to time myself. I just wanted something simple that I can easily setup by myself. And since it was so easy to disassemble the awning, I can replace any or all of it when it wears out.
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • Yoshi_TAB
    Yoshi_TAB Member Posts: 566
    @TourDeForth

    Just curious….were there other brands you looked at or considered that might attach to the keder rail?  Or was the removable bracket the attraction on this brand?  This concept intrigues me.
    2025 360 CS 
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
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  • TourDeForth
    TourDeForth Member Posts: 128
    I just picked one. I liked the tan color for the shade from the KickAss product line. I might add a rail on the other side for their outdoor shower awning. Maybe the Yakima Road Shower tank too. Also, the 6.5 foot width of the awning seems to be about right, I didn’t want to go any longer to reduce the protrusion out each end. But I could have chosen any brand to do the same mod, I think. They all seem to be fairly similar. 
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • bubbazanetti
    bubbazanetti Member Posts: 38
    This looks great to me. 
    One question. If you bolt the aluminum base plate of the awning to the Keder rail, it would not be flush with the side of the trailer. How and where did you use the double sided tape to attach additional support? 
    Kootenays, British Columbia
    2015 Little Guy T@b, TV - 15 Toyota Highlander

    "Good friends beware! the only life we knows Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, the Caravan of life is moving by, Quick! to your places in the passing show.” 
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  • bubbazanetti
    bubbazanetti Member Posts: 38

    I should have added that my trailer is older and the Keder rail is nearly 3/4 of an inch. 
    Kootenays, British Columbia
    2015 Little Guy T@b, TV - 15 Toyota Highlander

    "Good friends beware! the only life we knows Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, the Caravan of life is moving by, Quick! to your places in the passing show.” 
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  • TourDeForth
    TourDeForth Member Posts: 128
    With the awning flush to the Keder rail on my 2023 320s the gap is just under 1/4 inch. The double sided tape was about 1/8 inch thick. So I stacked two layers of double sided tape between the back side of the aluminum awning and the azdel wall of the trailer. I cut the length of the tape to fit between where the awning touches the Keder rail.

    If I had been faced with a 3/4 inch gap like you describe then instead of stacking the tape I would have used a 1/2 inch piece of wood or other material and used that as a spacer with double sided tape on each side of the spacer.
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • bubbazanetti
    bubbazanetti Member Posts: 38
    Thanks. After I sat and thought it through, I came to the same conclusion. I picked up a 5/8th 2 x 14 inch aluminium bar, bolt that to the rear of the awning plate and put the 3m double sided tape on double. That will give the desired contact. The surface area will be sufficient to hold over 75lbs from what I’ve read. The Keder rail, will add stability and a few more lbs of support. 

    This will work out well for us.  


    Kootenays, British Columbia
    2015 Little Guy T@b, TV - 15 Toyota Highlander

    "Good friends beware! the only life we knows Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, the Caravan of life is moving by, Quick! to your places in the passing show.” 
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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,527
    @TourDeForth any updates or comments about the usability of this mod after 6 months?
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • TourDeForth
    TourDeForth Member Posts: 128
    It’s working just fine. Stays dry when stowed. Sets up in minutes. Some places I can’t drive a stake to secure them. As long as it’s not windy, no problem. I’m looking for some kind of weight to secure the legs without stakes.
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,527
    Thank you very much.
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,061
    @TourDeForth - 2.5 gallon water jugs make a nice counter weight for the canopy legs.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • bubbazanetti
    bubbazanetti Member Posts: 38
    My install is happening this week
    Kootenays, British Columbia
    2015 Little Guy T@b, TV - 15 Toyota Highlander

    "Good friends beware! the only life we knows Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, the Caravan of life is moving by, Quick! to your places in the passing show.” 
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  • BrianR
    BrianR Member Posts: 31
    I really like the flat style of the awning but we usually need more coverage here out east in Canada! :) I had an ARB style awning on my VW van that was fantastic! 

    My Kedar Rail style awning was made from a sunbrella type fabric at a local shop. The key part for ease of set up is the bead material on the awning. I found a kevlar bead that slides into the rail from one end by one person. I usually use 4 poles which means the guy lines can get a bit busy. It has been in use for 5 summers now and I am really happy with it. Stores in a big kayak dry bag. Set up time is solo, maybe 10 minutes. (including beer)





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  • TourDeForth
    TourDeForth Member Posts: 128
    That's a lot of coverage, more than most keder rail canopies that I had looked at before deciding on a straight awning. If I had seen that one I may have made a different decision.

    For more coverage I have added an additional 6.5x6.5 foot black mesh fly that has a keder rail bead. The KickAss awning has a keder rail on the end of the awning that I can add the fly to and stake out at an angle to extend the shade coverage and adds privacy by blocking direct sunlight into my trailer as the sun moves. I've bought a 6.5 foot keder rail for attaching to the left or right side of my awning with velcro straps to move the fly around to provide shade depending on how I've parked the trailer. Sometimes I don't have a choice for the orientation to the sun. 
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • BrianR
    BrianR Member Posts: 31
    That's what I loved about the ARB, all the attachments along with it. Mine is custom made by my buddy who owns a canvas shop. He does a lot of boat covers and such. When the front end is dropped down it gives great privacy on the that end as well. In a perfect world we would design some mesh panels to make it a screen room as well! lol
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  • bubbazanetti
    bubbazanetti Member Posts: 38
    Got my Vevor 6’6” x 8’6” awning installed. 

    Used a 10 x 2 inch aluminium block, countersunk two M8 stainless bolts, 3m HMB doubled sided tape and let it cure 72 hours. Drilled holes through the awning backing plate as well as M4 bolts to threaded aluminum round stock that fit the keder rail to function as a second and third attachment point. Bolted it all up and voila, fold away awning! 



    Kootenays, British Columbia
    2015 Little Guy T@b, TV - 15 Toyota Highlander

    "Good friends beware! the only life we knows Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, the Caravan of life is moving by, Quick! to your places in the passing show.” 
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  • bubbazanetti
    bubbazanetti Member Posts: 38
    Thanks to TourdeForth for the inspiration! 
    Kootenays, British Columbia
    2015 Little Guy T@b, TV - 15 Toyota Highlander

    "Good friends beware! the only life we knows Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, the Caravan of life is moving by, Quick! to your places in the passing show.” 
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  • TourDeForth
    TourDeForth Member Posts: 128
    @bubbazanetti that looks great! Your bracket idea came out very professional looking. I enjoy having my awning attached to the outside of my trailer. I never have to worry that I forgot to pack my awning. And it looks good too!
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 2016 Toyota Tundra 1794 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • bubbazanetti
    bubbazanetti Member Posts: 38


    Heading out for our first trip of the year. Big change in the TV from the 07 Ridgeline … 
    Kootenays, British Columbia
    2015 Little Guy T@b, TV - 15 Toyota Highlander

    "Good friends beware! the only life we knows Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, the Caravan of life is moving by, Quick! to your places in the passing show.” 
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