Fiamma awning

[Willo8660]

I have a Fiamma 45s awning fitted to our new van.
I have never used one of these before and I can see there are a couple of options.
1. The legs peg to the floor.
2. The legs attach to the motor home into brackets that need fixing- I assume drilling.

Does anyone have any views on these awnings and which way is the best to fix?

Thank you

 

[TonyJones]

One of our earlier vans had the little brackets, our present one doesn't.
The only advantage I can see is if you're on hardstanding, where it's not possible to peg into the ground.
I did wonder whether not touching the ground would mean it counted as "parking" not "camping" under French law, but I don't think so.

 

[klyne]

We have a Fiamma on our Bailey but only put the legs on the ground. They are of questionable stability in strong wind anyway and certainly need guy ropes as well as pegging down. A lot of people just put them out to provide shade and put them in again when they go out or go to bed. Others put them up rather like an awning but they flap a bit, at least mine does!!! I did buy a Pro Rafter that stops a lot of the flapping. If you want to see what that looks like in action you could have a look at this blog http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/motorhome_blog.html and just scroll down towards the bottom of the page.

David

 

[gjh]

We only leave our Omnistor out overnight if we know the weather is going to be calm, even though we sometimes have Windblocker Shades in place. I'd rather spend a few minutes doing that than risk wind damage.
We bought two Omnistor supplementary rafter poles, partly to replace the washing line poles that came with the Windblocker Shades and partly for stability. I found that I can fasten the awning fabric to them with Clingon type eyelets and mini bungees to reduce flapping (Omnistor don't do arms which attach to the fabric like the Fiamma Privacy Room ones).
Graham

 

[chirene]

Would not use side of van for awing stays. If the wind picks up the van could get damaged. If using the ground , use guys ropes as well. We also put a strap over the top of awing, and anchor that to ground as well. We usually put the awing away at night, just in case!! It does not take long to wind/unwind up/down
Definately NOT side of van , have seen what can happen!

 

[gjh]

I was told that straps across the awning fabric can lead to friction damage of both awning and straps. Generic straps can be used over the arms but when we looked we found that the price of the Omnistor specific tie down kit was about the same and gives a more secure fastening than generic straps or guy ropes. I believe the same is the case with Fiamma.

Graham

 

[BernieC]

If we use the sun shade at all we use pegs into the ground on each leg and use a Fiamma tie down kit , which eliminates damage to the fabric from friction.

If significant winds are forecast we wind it in.

 

[rayjsj]

We use these on our Omnistore awning, hooked around the support arms and pegged with large pegs into the soft ground at least 3/4 of the way in.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p35959?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=4RpE9wmZ&pcrid=46335358943&gclid=CjwKEAiAo8emBRCX_OqU4qek6y8SJACz

these are cheap to buy and very strong, the awning canvas would rip before these gave way.
Our awning is used as a 'Rain Cover' to the habitation door. ALWAYS peg it down even if the weather is sunny.
And no, i wouldn't use the 'brackets' fitted to the van. Ray