Fiamma / Omnistore type wind out awnings, are they any good in bad weather ?

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sak

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I was toying with the idea of getting a wind out awning but hear conflicting stories about using them when it is windy, can anyone who has used one especially with the front and sides fitted let me know how good or bad they are.
 
we have a Fiamma wind out job , absolutely useless in windy weather in my opinion if it dosn't collapse or disappear over your roof the noise of it flapping around will make you wind it back in, havn't got the sides / front (safari room) that might help calm things down but very expensive for a few sheets of PVC.
 
when they flip over,the damage can be quite expensive, but those who have them know this and use them accordingly. but you can still be caught out !
 
I've never used sides, but when it's out it gets pegged so is OK in mild wild.

The good thing about them is that they can provide a bit of shelter when you need it.

And then when you decide to go inside because it's too windy you can wind it in in about 3 seconds.
 
Fiamma

If it is windy simply dont use it.

If it is breezy make sure it is tied down.
Two ties at each end parallel to the vehicle side and perpendicular.

If it is raining make sure you have a front to back slope so rainwater runs off ( and collect in a bucket for washing up ! )
Use the rafter
 
jagmanx said:
If it is windy simply dont use it.

If it is breezy make sure it is tied down.
Two ties at each end parallel to the vehicle side and perpendicular.

If it is raining make sure you have a front to back slope so rainwater runs off ( and collect in a bucket for washing up ! )
Use the rafter
Click to expand...

Agreed: never had any problems providing appropriate precautions are taken. It's like sailing a boat, - which I know a bit about - and anticipation rules OK!
John

 
without any tie downs the slightest breeze will rattle the awning and keep you awake but with a ratchet tie down they become useable in moderate winds but if the van had not come with one fitted I wouldn't have paid what they cost to have one fitted, money would be better spent on a free standing awning or coleman event shelter type
 
Simple answer is 'no'. If it's windy wind it in, if it doesn't blow away the constant flapping will drive you bonkers. We tie ours down with those screw type pegs that you are supposed to tie your dog to, and a couple of motorbike tie-downs, so it ain't going to blow away, but we still roll it in if it is, or going to be, windy
 
Thanks for the replies, it seems they are more of an expensive sunshade than an awning like a caravan has.
 
a] get a length of aluminium awning rail from a caravan shop
b] buy a cheap tarp,and using spray glue,fold over 50mm of one edge with a length of thin rope in the crease
c ] slide this edge into the rail,and use a couple of battens,with guy ropes, to hold up the corners
about £30
 
Had a Fiamma fitted on my new motorhome which I've only used 3 times in 16 months. Always concerned about the wind and no way would I leave it out overnight, i would be horrified the wind would get up and rip it off.
I like the look of simplyloco's setup but only useful if you are staying in one place, I tend to move on everyday or two so it wouldn't be appropriate for me.
To be honest the Fiamma awning is the biggest waste of money I have spent on the motorhome.
 
Or perhaps.......

n brown said:
a] get a length of aluminium awning rail from a caravan shop
b] buy a cheap tarp,and using spray glue,fold over 50mm of one edge with a length of thin rope in the crease
c ] slide this edge into the rail,and use a couple of battens,with guy ropes, to hold up the corners
about £30
Click to expand...

Or failing that.....you could always the whole hog and knit one :lol-053:

Captain Biggles :plane:
 
We have the Dometic electrical awning. It is expensive but has many advantages as it has no legs, we use it in wild camping situations as we are not putting anything down outside the van we are not setting up camp. The awning can be set up and put away in seconds. We often wind it out just a metre or so to protect the side door from rain or to provide shade in strong sun. The awning comes with a wind detector so that it automatically retracts if the wind picks up but as it is so easy to put away we always do so before we go out and at night.
 
Slightest bit of wind or a gusty sunny day - forget it. As others have said 'wind it in'. Even with it tied down, a good gust will still do a lot of damage.

I saw one years ago at a campsite when I was camping with my kids that flipped over the top. It tore out through the metal work on one side and the flapping metal etc. made a right mess. I'd guess it would have written the van off. :(

I find the best use for mine is when it's raining. I can still sit outside and by having one side a little lower gather the run off into a container (through a filter funnel) and then put it in my water tank. :)
 
we have one our van, useless in my opinion ,if the sun is overhead the shade is where you want it at the side of the van under the canopy, if the sun is anywhere else the shade is several feet from where you want it, we have the windblocker nets that wrap around the perimeter of the canopy and do stop the wind very well, I would never leave the canopy out overnight no matter how well it was anchored to the ground as if it did not blow away in a sudden gale the racket the wind makes in the thing would keep you awake all night, The only plus side for me is that I can still use the barbi in the rain under the canopy,and eat my food inside, we also have an awning dome that slides into the canopy rail and this is OK in use as the canopy is retracted when the awning is in use, but the van is then at Anchor as I see it and I cannot drive away without taking the whole lot down, Yes you have guessed I do not like awnings, BUT SWMBO loves the dam things.hee hee.
 
sak said:
Thanks for the replies, it seems they are more of an expensive sunshade than an awning like a caravan has.
Click to expand...

I've just read my Fiamma awning user instructions and it states the following -
The awning is a sun protector and should be put away in The event of rain or wind.

So yes as you stated an extremely expensive sunshade.
 
Hi
I bought a short Bongo type fiamma and fitted it, it has the double slot on the the front rail so I can use storm straps and my safari room. I modified the safari room to fit the short sunshade. This gives me a 6x8 awning, easy to warm up in bad weather. It is fine in breezy conditions but I wouldn,t use it in heavy wind, I wouldn,t use an awning in those conditions either. So for me there is no difference plus I have a shade which only takes a minute to put up or take down for hot or drizzly weather.
Tompa.
 
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