A big THANK YOU to Fiamma for helping me to resolve the issues I had with the awning on my van.
I opted for one with an electronic gear box, and they sent one super duper one that can be operated using a remote control and not just a fixed switch.
The remote control was intermittent right from the start, and I requested for Young Conversions that carried out the conversion to have a look at it after the end of the van's first season in October 2021.
Together with Fiamma, they diagnosed an electronic component, a switch of some sort, was at fault, and Fiamma would send a replacement as the awning was still under warranty.
The replacement part took ages to arrive, just in time for it to be fitted by Young Conversions before the start of the 2022 season.
The second season (2022) went largely without any issues, however, opening and closing using the remote control was still not 100% effective, so I opened and closed it using the fixed switch instead.
Then one day in late November/early December 2022, I came home and discovered the awning had extended itself, kept extending even though it was jammed against a fence! It was also very windy!
I managed to retract/close it using the fixed switch, had to do it a few times as it was not closing fully due to one arm being slightly out of place. However, I managed in the end.
To my horror, it happened again 2 to 3 weeks later, just extended on its own! And it was very wet and windy!
I managed to retract/close it at first, however, because it was not closing fully as one arm was slightly out of place, I thought I should try and extend it again to rectify the issue.
Bad mistake, as the motor would not stop even when the awning could not extend any further due to being jammed in by a fence. The motor just kept going and going.
Eventually it stopped, and after being rested for a while, I managed to get it going again to retract the awning.
Again, it would not stop after closing the awning and kept going for a while until it decided to stop and I could see smoke coming out. Probably overheated.
Since the awning was closed, to prevent it from extending on its own again, I took the fuse out so that it could not extend at all.
I tried to contact Young Conversions for help and that's when I found out they had gone out of business voluntarily, which I found very sad.
I asked for nextdoor neighbour who is a qualified motor mechanic with his own workshop etc. to help removing the motor kit so that I could open and close the awning by hand mechanically.
I found out I was not given the manual gearbox by Young Conversions, if my awning came with a manual gearbox in the first place. So off I went to ask Fiamma for help, to send me a replacement manual gearbox or let me buy one myself.
I did not know who to contact in UK, so I contacted their head office in Italy.
A very nice person responded they could send me a replacement motor kit and I said no as I had lost confident in that kit with the issues I have had.
So they decided to ask their UK Distributor for help, and they did get in touch after some prompting, after they had returned from the big motorhome and caravan show in NEC.
The UK distributor arranged for a company that converts bigger vehicles for trade shows and motorsports etc. about an hour's drive away, to fit a brand new awning with a manual gear box for me, free of charge!
That's where I went earlier today, and it only took an hour for the work to be carried out, and now I have a brand new awning on my van, woo hoo!
Speaking to the gentleman who carried out the work, he said he would not touch electronic awnings with a barge pole, and he would only fit ones with manual gear boxes. I wonder why!
He would not accept my offer to buy him lunch, and said he would be keeping my old awning for refurbishment with a manual gear box, courtesy of Fiamma. Win win!
So THANK YOU to Stefano in Fiamma, Italy, Stefan at Nova Leisure, their main UK distributor, and Kevin at Ruddock Racehomes for all your help in resolving the issues with my awning which is much appreciated.
I just need to clean the van and get her ready for the first trip over Easter, can't wait!
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
It's makes a refreshing change to hear when someone receives excellent customer support especially when the company concerned takes some accountability for recognising when one of their products is not fit for purpose and decide to replace it free of charge rather than sweep the issue under the carpet. That doesn't often happen nowadays and companies blame the problem on misuse of product or wear and tear and just about any other excuse they can get away with. Great result anyway.
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 24/3/2023
If you think you had problems with the awning, can i advise not to get the 'Privacy Room' to go with it. 'Pain in the ar$e' doesn't come near!
I have the strap down kit already and have no plan to have the privacy room as it is too much hassle to take down in the event I would like to take the van out and about.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: THANK YOU FIAMMA!
via mobile 24/3/2023 at 7:51am
