Its a Rip-Off

[Ironduke2018]

I fancied one of those windy out awnings for some time. Thought I'd have a poke about in the storage yard coz I spied another chap whom has his bolted on the side of his Swift Elegance 645. Looks sweet! Phoned up the Fiamma stockist and had a good old conflab, only to be told that these things are primarily designed for Motorhomes and that many modern caravans are simply not strong enough to support the twisting moment of force...etc etc. I was told that if I just go ahead and drill through the side of my swift and bolt it on, chances are that a good blast of wind will crack the corner joint between the side panel and the roof panel ! : argh, dam it!! Anyway, latter on I confirmed all this with Swift and they confirmed all of the above.
So whats going on with my man in the storage yard then?, Has he really blown his life time warranty for the sake of a windy out awning? (Not just because he drilled through the side of his van, but because he's put the entire specialized corner structure in mechanical peril..........wow! :woohoo:

 

[otherclive]

I fancied one of those windy out awnings for some time. Thought I'd have a poke about in the storage yard coz I spied another chap whom has his bolted on the side of his Swift Elegance 645. Looks sweet! Phoned up the Fiamma stockist and had a good old conflab, only to be told that these things are primarily designed for Motorhomes and that many modern caravans are simply not strong enough to support the twisting moment of force...etc etc. I was told that if I just go ahead and drill through the side of my swift and bolt it on, chances are that a good blast of wind will crack the corner joint between the side panel and the roof panel ! : argh, dam it!! Anyway, latter on I confirmed all this with Swift and they confirmed all of the above.
So whats going on with my man in the storage yard then?, Has he really blown his life time warranty for the sake of a windy out awning?

From your explanation and Swifts advice I suspect the answer yo your question is “yes”. But where’s the “rip off” unless you are referring to the behaviour of the awning in a strong wind

 

[Ironduke2018]

Mmm - yup!

 

[Hutch]

Thank for the head up about the awning, I don't like the idea of 10 to 15 kg hanging on the awning rail whilst travelling but it may be bolted on as well.

 

[Thingy]

I have always wondered about those that sit permanently in the awning rail too. A lot of weight to be permanently hanging and of course the increased forces applied by road travel, even on our super smooth roads.

I dont think there is any sort of rip off going on, but I think it should be made very clear in the advertising that they are unsuitable for caravans.

 

[Craigyoung]

A lot of weight to be permanently hanging and of course the increased forces applied by road travel, even on our super smooth roads.

Smooth roads ?!? :blink:
Too early for jokes

 

[Raywood]

I have never thought they were a good idea firstly in that you are putting weight high up and to one side which could cause stability problems and secondly because the caravan was never built to take the weight there. What you say seems to confirm my thoughts.
Given that many motorhomes are built by the caravan builders using the same techniques I do wonder if they are also storing up problems.

 

[RayS]

While I would share the concerns about fitting these or the awning-in-bag version to older caravans, I think they would be ok with the more recent bonded construction types where the roof to side joints are continuous
As for loading, many caravans are off side heavy with fridge, cooker, heater all to that side. The Fiamma caravanstor awning rail version weighs less than 20 kg depending on length and the similar length wind-out just over the 20kg mark. The load is uniformly distributed rather than concentrated which also helps. Most installations of the smaller or medium length units tend to be fitted more or less centrally over the axle so front to back loading is not affeted too much. The awning rail type can be slid to be symetrical in this respect very easily when rolled and stowed.
Now I accept that these units are a compromise and cannot really be compared with a full awning for utility, resistance to wind and snow etc but they do not required the crawling about pegging down etc. which gets increasingly difficult with age and reduced mobility. But a reasonable compromise if used intelligently.