KEEPING COOL...YAKIMA SLIMSHADY AWNING Install 2020 TOYOTA TACOMA

[@erivera891]

This vid was the most helpful for my son and I as we installed our new SlimShady by a wide marign. Thank you!

[@kaypan1970]

I just got the yakima easy-off awning bracket (basically the same as mounting brackets of slimshady) for my thule bars. and I like the fact that yakima manufactures accessories that are usually compatible with other brands unlike some other brands manufacturer stuffs can only be used with their own products. Yakima is definitely a good brand from this perspective. thanks for the clear instructions! cheers

[@AdventureBuilt]

Thank you very much. I’m glad I could help out. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jdswanda19]

It took me 40 minutes. I was in the middle of the desert, alone. Not the easiest when you are only 5' tall FYI. I couldnt figure out how to make the 'twist' connection hold. Whew had to call a friend. lol Happy now that it is out and shading my van. Thanks!

[@MrPwor]

Good video, I kinda laughed a bit when you were struggling to figure out how to get the clamp into the channel. I loved how you showed it in detail once you figured it out, I imagine other people got stuck by that. You don’t really need to measure if you don’t want to, I put it on the vehicle and slid it to the desired position then tightened the bolts

[@JessDDavis]

Thanks so much for making this video - incredibly helpful!!! 🎉

[@DrJohn493]

Just bought the 8' model for an FJ Cruiser and this video saved me a lot of cussing, especially about the bolt installation. Did have to buy two additional adjustable length cross bars for the top rails of the factory installed roof rack to make it all work. Next up, installing the Yakima 7G Road Shower on the opposite side of the FJC.

[@AdventureBuilt]

That is very cool. No I didn’t have to get any other cross bars. I got my bars long to be able to mount the awning. I have the Road Shower also but not a fan. Crazy noisy on top the rack. I had it on the prinsu over the drivers side and it just clunked all over the place.

[@joevolk2881]

I have my 8' Slim Shady and 7 gallon Road Shower getting ready to install on my 1993 VW Eurovan.

[@jayulreich1462]

Wow! Thank you so much for making this video! I just installed mine, but I didnt pay attention to the bracket sliding in in step one! I thought it was in there but I just checked, its not! Super helpful man, you rock!

[@AdventureBuilt]

Hey thanks a lot man. That really does mean a lot to me!!!!

[@jayulreich1462]

@@AdventureBuilt I just put the Slim Shady on my 2010 Forester and its awesome. I just got into overlanding/car camping. Perfect stuff for the desert. Im near Austin, TX.

[@meganosborne7372]

Thanks for this install vid! Step 1 got tricky with the bolts not lining up with clamp. There’s always one thing off with Yakima installs, thanks for figuring it for me, so I didn’t have to dig!

[@AdventureBuilt]

Wow that is awesome. You are so very welcome!!! Hope the rest went smooth.

[@tedfoulkes6907]

Just subscribed. Great video, thanks for making it! Just added CoreBar racks on my trucks. I currently have a CVT awning, but will likely sell it for the SlimShady. The ease of setup is awesome, and it's lighter than my current one.

[@AdventureBuilt]

Awesome. Thx so much.

[@1776REIGNS]

Fantastic video! Excellent explanations and examples!
Buying one for my Tacoma soon.
Thank you.

[@AdventureBuilt]

Awesome. Thanks.

[@user-cl2es9iu1j]

I like it! I also want one now...Appreciate this video! Hello from Tulsa

[@AdventureBuilt]

Thanks man. Ordering it and throw it on. Easy as that!

[@MrOffshore]

Great video, detailed and clear! Thanks for posting.

[@AdventureBuilt]

Awesome. Thank you very much!!

[@hmstjohn6236]

You make the best detailed install videos, and I thank you for that. Will the Yakima clamps fit around the crossbars of a Prinsu rack? Thank you.

[@AdventureBuilt]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. I think that the clamps will fit on the prinsu cross bars. You just have to make sure you have enough clearance to tighten down the clamps.

[@arunakalu]

Good job explaining all. Thank You.

[@AdventureBuilt]

Thank you very much!!!

[@michaelhirschbuhl1823]

Great vid!

[@kammynx]

The embarrassing test of opening this before seeing this video lol. I’m glad I saw this tho.

[@bradymac7516]

Don't Taunt me !! LOL 🤣

[@waxifari5528]

Where has the goddamn algorithm been hiding your channel?!?! Great content. Catching up now lol. PS: Always comforting when the manufacturers instructions totally shit the bed in step 1 hahah.

[@AdventureBuilt]

Hahaha that is what I have been saying all along. Stupid algorithm. I’m glad you are liking the channel. Did you watch any of the videos from Moab?

[@waxifari5528]

@@AdventureBuilt yes Moab is timely info for me - on my family camp short list. Thanks again, great channel.

[@daveg8212]

Three questions:
1. Any issue with clearance between the back end of the awning and the rear camper shell hatch door?
2. Why not move the entire awning more midline, up against the rack tower, for better support?
3. Could you, theoretically, INVERT the awning clamps to lower the overall awning height, and to reduce the gap between the awning and the top of the camper shell? (short person solution)
Thanks!

[@motoace2007]

is this the 4.5 foot width? It appears to be wider than that? Thanks

[@rowdyrobbyrider4226]

Nice rig! Appreciate the informative videos. Do you ever have any issues with the mounts? The metal bracket seems to start sliding out of the plastic clamp every time I do some rough off roading. Tightened everything as much as possible and it still happens. Might go with L brackets, really like the ability to take it off easily though.

[@P2MediaLA]

Since you're installing the awning on the outer edge of the cross bars, are you afraid people can just try to pull it really hard off of the bars? Or some ways to steal it?

[@AdventureBuilt]

They pull as hard as they want and they won’t budge. It’s a solid mound.

[@BillEvjen]

What is the size of this awning you are showing? Is it the 6.5' one or the 8' one?

[@AdventureBuilt]

6.5’

[@erwintugade]

is that the 8 ft. awning? Thanks. I like your videos

[@AdventureBuilt]

Thank you very much. I believe it is. I no longer have it unfortunately. It was a great awning.

[@Mr-tc7ec]

Thanks for the video

[@AdventureBuilt]

Thank you for watching!!!

[@abuck2844]

Looking good. Any issues with the roof top tent on your Yakima bars or the truck cap weight wise?

[@AdventureBuilt]

I am actually have some bowing in my protop shell from the weight of the tent for some reason. I’m not impressed with the shell and am researching other options.

[@spiff73]

hi, do you think i can attach the awning from the bottom of the crossbars? basically flipping the mounting hardware upside down..

[@AdventureBuilt]

I definitely think you can. However the awning will be very low. You may have to play with it. It would be easy to swap.

[@spiff73]

@@AdventureBuilt thank you!

[@strangefellow77]

@@AdventureBuilt I just installed an 8' slim shady on a Tundra with a tall ARE cap and Yakima Crossbars, and inverted the mounts so it would hang lower when mounted and be easier to reach. It works, my only concern is over time will the weight pull down on the mounts and open them up? Maybe I can supplement with some hoseclamps or something.

[@AdventureBuilt]

@@strangefellow77 I would have to see a picture of how the awning is mounted but I think the way you are describing it is solid. Should sag.

[@positivedeltaq4459]

How well do you think the storage cover will hold up in the AZ? I live in AZ as well and I'm always concerned about the material breaking down over time to UV exposure.

[@AdventureBuilt]

They are actually holding up amazingly. Been on the truck nonstop for over a year now and the tent cover looks almost new.

[@patricksweeney7258]

Looks awesome. Which bed cap do you have?

[@AdventureBuilt]

I have the protop but I don’t like it. It is bowing from the weight on top.

[@tony7044]

Do you think the yakima clamps would work on standard (Inno) square bars?

[@AdventureBuilt]

I don’t think so. You might look into Thule clamps. They have a square bar.

[@briancook4763]

Thanks for video!
Any idea if you could mount it (without modding) parallel to a crossbar?
Wanting to buy the 4.5ft one and have it over my tailgate vs a side.

[@wanderingviolet9761]

Nice product review. I am 5'2" so I'm wondering how high your awning is, and how tall you are. Being shorter means maneuvering around with a stepstool and likely some awkwardness in the setup n take down process. Would appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

[@AdventureBuilt]

I’m 5’10 and can easily reach it obviously. My wife is 5’6” and she can also reach it easily. The awning height will also depend on how high your vehicle is. Hope this helps.

[@gusdigdo]

cool man, thanks GBU

[@trucon782]

Now that you’ve had it for a bit. How do you like the size? I have a tacoma double cab long bed and question if the 6.5 would be enough or if the 8 ft would make more sense.

[@AdventureBuilt]

I like the size and I definitely wouldn’t do the 8’. The 6.5’ is actually pretty long on the bed. That is just me though. I like the awning but would like to go with a 270 degree awning one of these days.

[@trucon782]

@@AdventureBuilt good to know. Thanks for the feedback.

[@johnphan9104]

Yakima created a key for security. It seems anyone can take it with a wrench. Am I wrong?

[@AdventureBuilt]

It is lockable and much stronger than it looks. You could remove it but you would destroy the clamps in the process.

[@dho5414]

Would this awning fit on the OEM Tacoma roof racks? The website is telling me it’s not compatible

[@AdventureBuilt]

If you have crossbars on the rack I don’t see why it wouldn’t. They can clamp into almost any bar.

[@ChiefOmp20]

Would a awning work with the stock roof rack on the Tacoma?

[@AdventureBuilt]

My gut is telling me yes it would work because the clamps are pretty universal but I’m not 💯 sure.

[@ChiefOmp20]

@@AdventureBuilt saw a install video with the guy using oem Tacoma roof rack👍🏽

[@wdnpushpole]

Can you angle it down instead of it being flat straight out?

[@AdventureBuilt]

The mounting system that comes with the Yakima doesn’t really allow for Nike adjustment but I’m sure if you are inclined you could rig something up.

[@frenchiechanel64]

Can I use this on a 2013 Honda Fit

[@AdventureBuilt]

I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to. They are super light weight.

[@ChickenBeans8002]

Does this awning have a lock feature to prevent theft?

[@AdventureBuilt]

It does. There is a key lock feature. I do t remember if it is stock or optional. I want to say it’s stock.

[@TerryManitoba]

6 months in - Are you happy with the awning - or do you wished for bigger or one that is easier to set up?

[@AdventureBuilt]

I love the simplicity of the awning but I do wish it was bigger. You can’t beat the coverage of the 270 awning. But the price sucks.

[@TerryManitoba]

@@AdventureBuilt For me it is more the elevated weight penalty. In the end, it is only
$1k more - not that much in the big scheme of things if you can afford a new Rig!

[@landonpayne1451]

Rig is a beaut. Is that 5 or 6 foot bed

[@AdventureBuilt]

Thank you very much. It is a 5’ bed. I like the 6’ bed but longer is longer on the trail. Trying to stay compact.

[@trueraider94]

What is the key holes for on the brackets? Does that allow you to lock it to the roof rack?

[@AdventureBuilt]

It sure does. You can buy a lock set off the website and they slide right in. I ended up buying the biggest lock set box they have to have 1 key for all my Yakima swag!!!

[@joevolk2881]

@@AdventureBuilt I am thinking about mounting my 8' Slim Shady on the overhang (8" or so) beyond my towers. I am a little nervous about theft even with the SKS locks on the mounts. Any thoughts on this?

[@AdventureBuilt]

@@joevolk2881 I have never worries about the awning coming lose while Overlanding when it’s locked on. It would be really hard for someone to steal it. Not impossible but highly unlikely. Just my opinion.

[@joevolk2881]

@@AdventureBuilt thanks

[@joevolk2881]

@@AdventureBuilt I also have a right side-opening space case on my roof that I will move more toward center to allow entry into the Space Case without being blocked by the Slim Shady.

[@MikeNizzle]

Awesome there was a video of a lady setting hers up thats so cringey and she ends up breaking it lol

[@davetoal4629]

Batwing rules