We are thinking of buying one of these just wondering what people who have one think of them. We want to use it as just a canopy rather than buying the sides to make it into a full awning.
We have used one in the past, and as a quick weekend canopy they are fine. Bugger to get in the awning rail though as it is a very tight fit, but once they are in they are there to stay.
If your van is under warranty it may be worth checking with the manufacture first. We thought the privacy room offering from Fiamma looked brilliant. Ordered one and read an article in one of the club magazines saying be careful about warranty. We checked with the dealer who contacted the manufacturer who said "awning rail is not designed to have things permanently mounted there. We don't approve that it will affect the warranty".
Now had them on two vans now and they always travel on the side of the van with no problems. They are very handy if you do a lot of touring, spending only a few days at a time on any one site. We rarely spend more that a week on a site. Make sure they are well pegged down with guy ropes, I even use an awning strap. We have a front sun blocker which we use quite a bit.
Used one for a season with the sun canopy and two sides. As a sun canopy they are great and had no issue leaving on the awning rail.
Mine is the "pre-zip" design and the sides always flapped and the gaps let in rain so tend to use a porch awning for short trips. Have kept to use as a sun shade on short trips in good weather (just not had any yet!). Doesn't take too long to put on or remove from awning rail.
We had a caravanstore and sunblocker side until recently and sold it. Whilst they are great when up, our previous caravan sustained unexplained damage to side wall in transit, which we are certain was due to the caravanstore. Our dealer even agreed with us, and said they don't recommend you leave them on in transit even though that's what's supposed to happen and why we bought it!! (didn't tell us that when selling it!)
We also found that in even light windy weather it was a liability and was more a worry keeping it up in case it blew over top of van as despite guy ropes and storm straps, the wind gets under them as you'd expect very easily. In fact I was up at 3am one morning to take it down for that reason!
Personally I wouldn't have another one, and have instead gone for a carbon fibre porch which is brilliant and serves what we need it for when sides out. Not as convenient admittedly but there you go.
I must agree with Ben. This awning is a problem in even slightly windy weather. The canopy has a habit of slapping about and I had to modify it with pipe insulation to raise the fabric away from the rafter. It has a lot of good points because I find it easy to put up, although you have to be reasonably fit and strong to erect it.Very easy to take down (unless its windy)and pack away due to the zipped in panels.
I also wouldn't buy another and have returned to my previous light weight one.
I wondered about one of these myself at one stage, but then went off the idea because of the sort of comments we heard - similar to the comments made by benblunt.
Caravanstor? This is the one you roll in and out by hand? Also known as "the boil in the bag" type awning?
I had one for years on my Transit self build motorhome. It was a good thing but the only thing to watch out for is when you run the thing out. Make sure you are holding it with both hands, or better still have some-one to help. I didn't and the awning came down with a rush. It has a large roller in the centre that helps to keep it in shape. This hit me on top of the head and I went down like a sack of spuds
The other thing that can shake you up is when the wind gets under them and they bang on the side of the vehicle. I wondered what the heck was going on the first time it happened to me
I bought a Fiamma Zip Store at the last Birmingham show.
It proved to be hard work rolling back the roof section for one person, it also helps to be over 69 ins tall.
The main problem I had was that three seperate alu. poles failed the first time out.Perhaps I had a Friday afternoon batch. The dealer supplied a full set of poles/rafters as a replcement, these were also faulty.
I returned the whole lot and received a full refund.
I bought this product because they have been around for many years. Sorry to say that it didn't work for me.The dealer was sympathetic and helpful and was quick to refund the purchase in full.
I bought a three metre Omnistor, never had it on the van sold it due to the weight and if travelling it would hang over the door opening, sold it and bought a NR Sun Canopy, a lot lighter, quicker and easier to erect. I lost money on it but live and learn. We have a full Dorema awning but wanted something for short time stays, did want a lightweight nylon porch awning but none are of the height of 215cm.
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Topic: Fiamma Caravanstore
