If you own an ARB awning and an ARB BASE Rack, you already have a premium foundation for your 4WD touring setup.
But what happens when you want to remove that awning quickly? Or when you want to get your awning off the vehicle for your everyday commute—without spending your afternoon undoing bolts?
That is where RacksBrax comes in.
The RacksBrax XD Hitch and XD Side Twist Bracket for the ARB BASE Rack create a purpose-designed quick-release solution for compatible ARB awning applications, combining fast awning removal with a clever way to reduce the height of the mounting hardware once the awning is off the vehicle.
And importantly, this isn’t a generic bracket solution. The RacksBrax XD Side Twist is specifically engineered for the ARB BASE Rack and is used with the RacksBrax XD Hitch.
ARB Awnings Meet RacksBrax Quick Release
ARB offers a range of awnings—from easy pull-out models to large wing-style awnings—plus several mounting options, including brackets designed specifically for the ARB BASE Rack. ARB also recognises that different roof-rack and vehicle configurations require different mounting solutions.
RacksBrax takes that concept a step further.
Rather than permanently bolting your ARB awning to the vehicle, the XD Hitch creates a quick-release awning interface between the awning and the mounting brackets.
Once installed, the awning can be released quickly, without having to remove the mounting hardware every time you want to take your awning off the vehicle to return it to everyday use.
The XD Hitch: The Foundation of the System
The RacksBrax XD Hitch is the foundation of the quick-release awning system for ARB awnings, including ARB's larger 180° and 270° awning applications. When paired with the RacksBrax XD Side Twist Bracket for ARB BASE Rack, it provides ARB owners with a purpose-designed way to quickly load and remove their awning without repeatedly undoing cumbersome mounting hardware. The ARB-specific Side Twist bracket must be used with the RacksBrax XD Hitch and is designed specifically for the ARB BASE Rack.
For ARB BASE Rack owners, the combination is particularly compelling. The XD Side Twist remains attached to the vehicle when the awning is removed, allowing the user to simply release the awning and then rotate the bracket into its stowed position. This reduces the required headroom above the roof rack from approximately 146 mm when deployed to just 50 mm when stowed.
Or if you don’t have the ARB BASE rack, just use the RacksBrax XD Hitch with your existing brackets for wing-style awnings with mounting-point spacings between 100 and 120 mm.
Need the awning? Fit it.
Finished touring? Release it.
Awning off the vehicle? Twist the bracket and get your headroom back.
Get Your Headroom Back
This is where the XD Side Twist Bracket for the ARB BASE Rack really works for you.
Once you’ve removed the awning using the RacksBrax XD quick release awning hitch, you don’t have to leave the mounting brackets standing vertically above the roof rack.
The Side Twist bracket allows you to rotate the bracket into a stowed position.
Deployed Position
146 mm
Headroom required above roof rack
Stowed Position
50 mm
Reduced headroom requirement
That’s a substantial difference.
It can make the difference between a vehicle comfortably fitting into a garage or car park without having to remember that the awning brackets are still standing proud on the roof.
For anyone using a 4WD as a daily drive, that is a major practical advantage.
Remove the awning. Twist the bracket. Get your headroom back.
No Tools for the Awning Removal
One of the biggest benefits of the RacksBrax system is convenience. The XD Side Twist Bracket for the ARB BASE Rack is designed around no-tool operation for the quick-release and stowage functions.
That means your awning doesn’t have to be treated as a permanent part of the vehicle.
Need it for a weekend away?
Fit it.
Back from the trip?
Remove it.
Low-clearance car park?
Take it off.
Store safely in garage?
Release & wall-mount.
The whole concept is about making a large awning more usable rather than having to leave it attached simply because removing it is inconvenient.
No Rust Where It Matters
The RacksBrax XD Hitch is manufactured using UV-stabilised glass-reinforced nylon.
The material has been engineered for strength, durability and outdoor use, making it particularly well suited to a product that spends its life exposed to the elements. RacksBrax also uses stainless-steel fasteners throughout the XD Hitch system.
The result is a mounting system designed with harsh outdoor environments in mind.
No rust. No unnecessary corrosion concerns. Just engineered materials designed for 4WD use.
Precision Engineering Matters
A quick-release system has to achieve two things at once:
- It needs to be easy to release when you want the awning off the vehicle.
- It needs to provide a properly engineered connection while you’re driving.
That’s why engineering is central to the RacksBrax XD Hitch. It’s about geometry, load paths, materials, tolerances and repeatable mechanical engagement.
Designed Around Your ARB Setup
ARB itself recommends checking the mounting arrangement, bracket positioning, vehicle clearance and overhang when installing an awning. That same attention to detail should be applied when fitting a RacksBrax system.
The correct number of XD Hitches and Side Twist brackets needs to match the applicable awning configuration and RacksBrax recommendations. RacksBrax states that the number of Side Twist brackets must equal the number of XD Hitches recommended for the accessory.
And, as always, the system must remain within the applicable load limits of the hitch, bracket, roof rack and vehicle.
The Complete Solution for ARB BASE Rack Owners
For the ARB BASE Rack owner, the RacksBrax system offers a compelling combination:
ARB BASE Rack + RacksBrax XD Side Twist + RacksBrax XD Hitch + Compatible ARB Awning
The result is a setup that provides:
- Quick-release awning removal
- No-tool operation
- Purpose-designed compatibility with ARB BASE Rack
- 180° and 270° awning compatibility
- 20 kg per XD Hitch load point
- Precision engineering
- FEA and physical load testing
- UV-stabilised glass-reinforced nylon XD Hitch components
- No rust on the hitch body
- Stainless-steel fasteners
- No-rattle design
- Built-in locking
RacksBrax and ARB Awnings | Quick Release HD & XD Hitch
If you own an ARB awning and an ARB BASE Rack, you already have a premium foundation for your 4WD touring setup.
But what happens when you want to remove that awning quickly? Or when you want to get your awning off the vehicle for your everyday commute—without spending your afternoon undoing bolts?
That is where RacksBrax comes in.
The RacksBrax XD Hitch and XD Side Twist Bracket for the ARB BASE Rack create a purpose-designed quick-release solution for compatible ARB awning applications, combining fast awning removal with a clever way to reduce the height of the mounting hardware once the awning is off the vehicle.
And importantly, this isn’t a generic bracket solution. The RacksBrax XD Side Twist is specifically engineered for the ARB BASE Rack and is used with the RacksBrax XD Hitch.
ARB Awnings Meet RacksBrax Quick Release
ARB offers a range of awnings—from easy pull-out models to large wing-style awnings—plus several mounting options, including brackets designed specifically for the ARB BASE Rack. ARB also recognises that different roof-rack and vehicle configurations require different mounting solutions.
RacksBrax takes that concept a step further.
Rather than permanently bolting your ARB awning to the vehicle, the XD Hitch creates a quick-release awning interface between the awning and the mounting brackets.
Once installed, the awning can be released quickly, without having to remove the mounting hardware every time you want to take your awning off the vehicle to return it to everyday use.
The XD Hitch: The Foundation of the System
The RacksBrax XD Hitch is the foundation of the quick-release awning system for ARB awnings, including ARB's larger 180° and 270° awning applications. When paired with the RacksBrax XD Side Twist Bracket for ARB BASE Rack, it provides ARB owners with a purpose-designed way to quickly load and remove their awning without repeatedly undoing cumbersome mounting hardware. The ARB-specific Side Twist bracket must be used with the RacksBrax XD Hitch and is designed specifically for the ARB BASE Rack.
For ARB BASE Rack owners, the combination is particularly compelling. The XD Side Twist remains attached to the vehicle when the awning is removed, allowing the user to simply release the awning and then rotate the bracket into its stowed position. This reduces the required headroom above the roof rack from approximately 146 mm when deployed to just 50 mm when stowed.
Or if you don’t have the ARB BASE rack, just use the RacksBrax XD Hitch with your existing brackets for wing-style awnings with mounting-point spacings between 100 and 120 mm.
Need the awning? Fit it.
Finished touring? Release it.
Awning off the vehicle? Twist the bracket and get your headroom back.
Get Your Headroom Back
This is where the XD Side Twist Bracket for the ARB BASE Rack really works for you.
Once you’ve removed the awning using the RacksBrax XD quick release awning hitch, you don’t have to leave the mounting brackets standing vertically above the roof rack.
The Side Twist bracket allows you to rotate the bracket into a stowed position.
That’s a substantial difference.
It can make the difference between a vehicle comfortably fitting into a garage or car park without having to remember that the awning brackets are still standing proud on the roof.
For anyone using a 4WD as a daily drive, that is a major practical advantage.
Remove the awning. Twist the bracket. Get your headroom back.
No Tools for the Awning Removal
One of the biggest benefits of the RacksBrax system is convenience. The XD Side Twist Bracket for the ARB BASE Rack is designed around no-tool operation for the quick-release and stowage functions.
That means your awning doesn’t have to be treated as a permanent part of the vehicle.
Need it for a weekend away?
Fit it.
Back from the trip?
Remove it.
Low-clearance car park?
Take it off.
Store safely in garage?
Release & wall-mount.
The whole concept is about making a large awning more usable rather than having to leave it attached simply because removing it is inconvenient.
No Rust Where It Matters
The RacksBrax XD Hitch is manufactured using UV-stabilised glass-reinforced nylon.
The material has been engineered for strength, durability and outdoor use, making it particularly well suited to a product that spends its life exposed to the elements. RacksBrax also uses stainless-steel fasteners throughout the XD Hitch system.
The result is a mounting system designed with harsh outdoor environments in mind.
No rust. No unnecessary corrosion concerns. Just engineered materials designed for 4WD use.
Precision Engineering Matters
A quick-release system has to achieve two things at once:
That’s why engineering is central to the RacksBrax XD Hitch. It’s about geometry, load paths, materials, tolerances and repeatable mechanical engagement.
Designed Around Your ARB Setup
ARB itself recommends checking the mounting arrangement, bracket positioning, vehicle clearance and overhang when installing an awning. That same attention to detail should be applied when fitting a RacksBrax system.
The correct number of XD Hitches and Side Twist brackets needs to match the applicable awning configuration and RacksBrax recommendations. RacksBrax states that the number of Side Twist brackets must equal the number of XD Hitches recommended for the accessory.
And, as always, the system must remain within the applicable load limits of the hitch, bracket, roof rack and vehicle.
The Complete Solution for ARB BASE Rack Owners
For the ARB BASE Rack owner, the RacksBrax system offers a compelling combination:
The result is a setup that provides:
Not sure which quick release awning hitch fits your awning brand?
Tell us what awning you've got and we'll do the rest →Have questions? Contact us at sales@racksbrax.com