Crosswing Basket Mount Kit vs. Crosswing Vertical Bracket: Which Mounting Solution Is Right for You?

Quick Answer

If you have a roof rack or crossbars, the crosswing-basket-mounting-kit-e510da766c5607d8a3cd3a60-505935">Crosswing Basket Mount Kit is the straightforward choice. If you need to mount to a vertical surface like a camper side or utility rack, the Crosswing Vertical Bracket offers the flexibility you need. Choose based on where your mounting points are and how you plan to rotate the awning between vehicles.

When you're ready to add a Crosswing awning to your rig, the mounting hardware can make or break the experience. Two popular options are the Crosswing Basket Mount Kit and the Crosswing Vertical Bracket. Both are designed to secure your awning, but they serve different mounting scenarios and come with distinct trade-offs.

In this comparison, we'll break down the key differences, help you match the right mount to your vehicle and camping style, and give you practical guidance for a secure setup.

Key Differences Between the Basket Mount Kit and Vertical Bracket

The Crosswing Basket Mount Kit is designed for horizontal surfaces, like the crossbars on a roof rack or a flat platform. It uses a clamp-style mechanism that grips the crossbar, making it a popular choice for truck beds and rooftop setups. Installation is straightforward, and it's a solid option if you have a standard roof rack.

The Crosswing Vertical Bracket, on the other hand, mounts to vertical surfaces using T-slots or bolts. This makes it ideal for the side of a platform-style rack, a camper, or a utility truck with vertical bars. It also pairs with Talon Mounts to clamp onto vertical bars, giving you more flexibility in where you can attach the awning.

The main trade-off is surface orientation: horizontal for the Basket Mount Kit, vertical for the Vertical Bracket. Your vehicle's existing mounting points will largely determine which one you need. If you're not sure, measure your rack or camper to see what surfaces are available.

Vehicle Compatibility and Rotation

One of the biggest considerations is whether you plan to move the awning between vehicles. The Crosswing Vertical Bracket is designed with this in mind. You can order an additional pair of Talon Mounts and use the Vertical Bracket to quickly switch the awning between vehicles that have vertical bars, such as a utility truck and a camper.

The Basket Mount Kit is more permanent once installed on your crossbars. If you need to move it, you'll have to unbolt it from the crossbars, which is doable but not as quick as swapping with Talon Mounts. If you have a single vehicle, this isn't an issue, but if you share gear between vehicles, the Vertical Bracket offers more flexibility.

Setup and Installation Considerations

Both mounting options require basic tools and a bit of time, but the process differs. The Basket Mount Kit clamps onto crossbars, so you need to ensure the crossbar diameter matches the clamp. The Vertical Bracket uses T-slots or bolts, so you'll need to match the bolt pattern to your rack or camper.

For the Vertical Bracket, the T-slot option is great for platform racks that have integrated slots, while the bolt option works for surfaces where you can drill or use existing holes. If you're not comfortable drilling, the Basket Mount Kit might be simpler because it doesn't require any permanent modification to your vehicle.

Trade-offs at a Glance

• Mounting Surface: Basket Mount Kit is for horizontal crossbars; Vertical Bracket is for vertical surfaces like camper sides or utility racks. Check your rack or camper to see which surface you have.
• Vehicle Rotation: Vertical Bracket allows quick rotation between vehicles with additional Talon Mounts; Basket Mount Kit is more permanent. If you share gear between vehicles, the Vertical Bracket offers more flexibility.
• Installation Complexity: Basket Mount Kit clamps onto crossbars; Vertical Bracket requires T-slot or bolt mounting, which may involve drilling. If you prefer no-drill installation, the Basket Mount Kit is simpler.

Product Facts

• Crosswing Vertical Bracket: Mount the Crosswing to any vertical surface including the side of platform-style racks, campers, and more with T-slot systems or bolts. This means you can attach your awning to a wide range of vertical surfaces, not just crossbars, giving you more placement options.
• Crosswing Vertical Bracket: Combine the Vertical Bracket with your Crosswing’s included Talon Mounts to clamp to racks with vertical bars such as utility trucks. This allows you to use the awning on vehicles with vertical bars, like utility trucks, without needing a flat crossbar surface.
• Crosswing Vertical Bracket: Rotate between vehicles by ordering an additional pair of Talon Mounts with the Vertical Bracket. If you own multiple vehicles, you can move the awning easily without buying a second full mounting kit.

Which Mount Should You Choose?

Best For

• The Crosswing Basket Mount Kit if you have a standard roof rack or crossbars and want a simple clamp-on installation.
• The Crosswing Vertical Bracket if you have a platform-style rack, camper side, or utility truck with vertical bars, and you want the option to rotate the awning between vehicles.

Not For

• The Crosswing Basket Mount Kit is not for vehicles without horizontal crossbars or for those who need to mount to vertical surfaces.
• The Crosswing Vertical Bracket is not for setups where you only have horizontal crossbars and prefer a no-drill clamp-on mount.

Choosing between the Crosswing Basket Mount Kit and the Crosswing Vertical Bracket comes down to your vehicle's mounting points and your need for flexibility. If you have crossbars and want a simple, permanent setup, the Basket Mount Kit is your best bet. If you need to mount to a vertical surface or want to rotate the awning between vehicles, the Vertical Bracket is the way to go. Measure your rack, consider your future plans, and pick the mount that fits your camping lifestyle.