Unboxing

The Nomad Awning is nothing like other awnings you have seen or used before. 
Because of these differences we REQUIRE that you watch this video AND read the instructions before use. 

Awning Unboxing

Review the packing sheet to make sure you have all of the required materials

Adding Rubber to Mounting Plates

  • Attach the adhesive backed rubber strips to your mounting plates.
    • One or two pads can be used per plate depending on width of rack.
    • If you are using one strip place this in the very center.
    • If using two strips the strips will cover the innermost holes.

Adding T-Slot Bolts To Main Extrusion

  • Loosen the bolt on the plastic buckle on the awning extrusion. 
  • Slide the buckle to the side to reveal the access holes.
    • Slide in 2 T-slot bolts onto either side of the buckle.
    • If you want more resistance to wind add 2 more T-slot bolts to the upper rail. In this configuration you will have 4 bolts per mounting plate.

Mounting The Awning

  • Once the T-slot bolts are added to your awning place it onto your rack by laying the awning onto its back.
    • If you have a shorter vehicle now is the time to add the thumb screws to your Top mounting plates.
  • Now place the top mounting plate through the T-slot bolts.
    • To ensure you have the mounting plates facing the right way the threaded thumbstud holes should be on top.
  • Now  rotate the awning as seen in video. The plates should fall right onto your rack with the T-slot bolts on either side.
  • Attach the bottom mounting plates.
    • On the bottom mounting plate you will want the side with the holes closest to the edge facing towards you.
  • Slide the plate onto the T-bolts. Now fully tighten the Tri-nuts.
    • We recommend you first test your awning using the Tri- nuts so you can make fast adjustments. At the end we will discuss the Anti-Theft nuts.
  • With all the nuts fully tightented you may now begin to open your awning. 

Opening the Awning

  • Unlock the awning by twist the locking handle clockwise.
    • To check if awning is unlocked give the fabric reel a spin , it should now be able to move.
  • Unbuckle the strap 
  • Now you will slowly begin pulling back with the buckle strap until the awning is open 3- 6 inches.
    • Near this point you will not be able to open the awning any further.
  • Now push in the locking pin. This is located at  the bottom of the right arm near the pivot. Once this is pushed in you can continue pulling back and open the awning.
  • Your awning is now fully open and will work in this state, but we recommend twisting the locking handle 180* counter clockwise to the locked position and rolling the reel tube back 1 click to add tension into the awning.
    • We recommend this because if the awning is in the unlocked state when fully open rain will not run off the back or front and instead will roll off to the sides. Also if there is any wind it will catch the loose awning fabric and start unrolling more of it. 

Tie Down Lines

  •  The Tie down lines are wrapped around a wooden dowel to allow quick use and convient storage. 
  • To use the tie down lines unlock the plastic cam and pull out the free end of Paracord.
  • Now while holding the plastic cam toss the dowel and the wrapped paracord. This will quickly unwrap the cord getting it ready for use.
  • Now take the free end of the tie down line and feed it through the hole located at the edge of the endbar. 
  • You can now run the paracord through either your tire, ground stake or heavy anchor.
    • If you are using a stake we recommend you use an Orange Screw, we have found that a straight stake can be wiggled out over time if they are in loose soil.
  • Now run the paracord though The cam lock, there is an arrow indicating the direction you should feed the cord through.
  • Tigthen the paracord so it is applying a constant downward tension to the awning and lock the cam lock closed.
    • Tie off any loose dangling cord.
  • Once you are finished using the tie downs make sure to re-wrap them around the dowels and feed the cord back through the cam. It is not fun to have a awning that opens in seconds and tie downs that take minutes to untangle.

Anti-Theft Nuts

  • Once you have set up your awning using the tri-nuts and have gotten it in a location you like you can now use these for added security. 
  • Take off two of the tri-nuts for each of the clamping plates and add one of the washers provided then a Square anti-theft nut after it. 
  • Do these one at a time you will need to use the 5th spare anti-theft nut and a wrench to fully tighten these down. 
  • See image below.
    • To remove these nuts you will need use the spare anti-theft nut again, without it a wrench will just slip off. 

How to use the Awning, Written Steps

Opening the Awning:

  1. Set the locking handle on the left end of the awning to the open position, this is done by spinning the handle inwards (right tighty). This releases the one way ratchet controlling the fabric reel.
  2. Undo the strap buckle and begin pulling the awning open.
  3. The awning will start to open at an angle, the locking button on the lower telescoping arm (found on the bottom of the arm near the pivot) is preventing it from opening. Push this button in while pulling the awning open to release the lock.
  4. Continue pulling the awning open until the locking button on each telescoping arm snaps into place.
  5. If wind or heavy rain is present, turning the locking handle into the lock position (unwind the handle at least 90 degrees) allows the ratchet system to engage. This prevents the fabric from unrolling farther, improving performance in the wind and preventing water pooling. The ratchet operates in one direction, so manually rotating the fabric reel in a few clicks will pull the fabric tighter if desired.

Closing the Awning:

  1. Ensure the locking handle is in the open position. (While fabric will still retract with the ratchet engaged, it may create too much drag to fully close *and makes quite a noise*).
  2. With one hand pulling the awning closed, use the other to push each locking button in until they release.
  3. Slowly allow the awning to wind itself up. Attempt to keep the awning centered as it closes, if it gets off centered too much fabric will build up on one side which can jam up. If this occurs, pull the awning open slightly and then reattempt, pushing slightly away from the side where the bunch up occurred.
  4. Once closed, ensure the endbar has properly slotted into the space between the two telescoping arms. It is not unusual for it to droop slightly on one side, requiring a little help to line up and fully close.
  5. Snap the buckle closed and turn the locking handle into the locked position.

Tensioning:

The Nomad Awning features an adjustable tension spring system. To add additional tension follow the below directions.

  1. Turn the locking handle into the locked position This creates space for the spring tensioning system to unlock and turn. 
  2. To add tension to the spring system use the included tensioning tool, or a ⅝” socket on the hex head protruding from the right end upright. 
  3. Simply turn the tool righty tighty. The spring adjustment hex will move slightly inward and then begin spinning freely. Do not let go of your tool or the system could begin unraveling uncontrollably. 
  4. Once a satisfactory number of turns to the right have been completed, allow the tool to slowly unwind. You should feel the adjustment hex start to move outward as it spins to the left and then stop moving. Only once the adjustment hex stops moving on its own should you release and remove the tensioning tool. 
  5. Turn the locking handle back into the open position and give the awning a tug to observe the new level of tension.