1. Background
4WD touring is a deeply embedded part of Australia’s outdoor culture and continues to grow in popularity worldwide. For many enthusiasts, vehicle setup is central to the experience, with rooftop awnings offering valuable shade and shelter in remote environments. Yet despite their utility, awnings are typically cumbersome to remove, meaning they often remain mounted long after each trip has ended.
Keeping an awning permanently mounted exposes it to unnecessary UV degradation, increases aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption, and reduces vehicle clearance for everyday use, such as entering car parks. What should be a practical accessory can quickly become an ongoing compromise.
Keeping an awning permanently mounted exposes it to unnecessary UV degradation, increases aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption, and reduces vehicle clearance for everyday use, such as entering car parks. What should be a practical accessory can quickly become an ongoing compromise.
2. Challenge
A former client approached CMP Engineers with a compelling idea of how to create a simpler, faster, and more user-friendly way to install and remove rooftop awnings.
The concept had clear market potential, but it required rigorous refinement to become a durable, manufacturable, and commercially viable product. Through the development process, it became evident that plastic injection moulding offered the strongest pathway forward. By combining thoughtful engineering with high-strength polymer design, CMP delivered a solution that reduced manufacturing complexity, controlled cost, and achieved a clean, robust user experience.
The concept had clear market potential, but it required rigorous refinement to become a durable, manufacturable, and commercially viable product. Through the development process, it became evident that plastic injection moulding offered the strongest pathway forward. By combining thoughtful engineering with high-strength polymer design, CMP delivered a solution that reduced manufacturing complexity, controlled cost, and achieved a clean, robust user experience.
3. Solution
The result was the RacksBrax HD Hitch, followed by its larger counterpart, the XD Hitch. Together, these products enable users to install or remove an awning in under 30 seconds. Once removed, the awning can be securely stored on a garage wall using a duplicate wall mount holder set, extending convenience beyond the vehicle itself.
The RacksBrax Hitch was developed using the same disciplined engineering methodology applied across all CMP projects. Years of commercial sales and real-world use have validated the design’s durability, practicality, and performance. For 4WD enthusiasts seeking a more efficient and versatile vehicle setup, it has become a standout addition.
The RacksBrax Hitch was developed using the same disciplined engineering methodology applied across all CMP projects. Years of commercial sales and real-world use have validated the design’s durability, practicality, and performance. For 4WD enthusiasts seeking a more efficient and versatile vehicle setup, it has become a standout addition.
4. Outcomes
This project exemplifies CMP’s broader capability in designing high-performance products for plastic injection moulding. While the process requires upfront investment, it delivers significant value where production volumes justify the tooling cost. For the RacksBrax Hitch range, injection moulding was essential to achieving the right balance of strength, appearance, repeatability, and cost-efficient manufacture at scale.