Fiamma awning (roll out & safari room)
Hello,
I have recently purchased a Fiamma canopy/safari room because I thought it would be easier to put up than a conventional awning/porch and could be used just
as a canopy or a full awning with sides on or a combination of both. But when looking at some of the posts on the internet. People are advising not to use in rain or winds!!! I’m beginning to wonder why I’ve got it has any one got one and could you advise
me on your experiences with it ease of putting up and how it stands up to the weather etc
Comments
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Deleted User User has one and will be along to give some advice im sure....
we had one that came with out first van and it took me too long to erect at my first attempt and was very heavy and had to be stored inside the MH....i sold it directly on ebay for a good price.
the wind out canopy on its own is susceptible to wind and needs strong tie downs and a firm constitution to allow it to remain in place over a windy night.....however, many do this and sleep well, no doubt.....
the full safari room is a much different and stronger construction and can be 'permanent' if tied down securely....
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We have just the canopy and have often thought about getting one or more sides. What has put us off is the strength of the construction. It is great for what it is a sun canopy, or more often something to BBQ under if it is raining. However, leaving it out
in strong winds is not advised, there is just not enough strength in the construction. With just the canopy this is no problem as it takes a few minutes to retract, with the sides on it would take much longer.0 -
Once the full Safari room is erected, with sides and front, it is no different from an ordinary awning, in that the wind cannot get under the canopy and lift it. Not totally invulnerable but then neither are ordinary awning's as fitted to the sides of caravans. Just use good tie down straps at ALL times, especially when the canopy only is deployed. My only reservation is the quite high cost of Fiamma Safari rooms, compared to say a standard awning, even the new inflatable frame ones. We make do with just the wind out canopy, which we always use. (With tie down straps).
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The OP's avatar says caravaner and although the wind out variety can be fitted, more commonly it is the roll up. It was these I was describing as not strong enough for high winds, as I do not think them anywhere near as strongly constructed as the Motorhome
wind out type.0 -
We got caught out in Austria with our Fiamma canopy up in heavy rain and wind, luckily we had strapped it down. We had followed the one side lower than the other and although slightly worried as the water was rushing off one corner and flapping in the wind, it was still in place the next morning, much like an awning would have behaved really.
Obviously if I had known of the incoming weather and been on site I would have quickly rolled it up snug in its zip bag, without straps though I think it would have taken off.
I always use it and the material is strong, quite thick and waterproof, but by its design high winds need caution.
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The Fiamma wind-out on our caravan was very sturdy but I would never leave it unattended on the continent without storm straps. We arrived at a site in southern France one day in fabulous weather to find that there has been a violent storm the night before.
I would say that half the awnings and canopies were damaged and some canopies totally wrecked causing consequential damage to vans and motorhomes.0 -
We have a Westfield (Quest) Rollaway awning, which is very secure. It is more robust than the Fiamma Caravanstore, in my opinion, and although we have to roll it out and in by hand, we have been pleased with it. Many poles and straps which makes it secure,
but I do have a yearning for a roof mounted device which can be rolled out by turning a handle!David
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We have the Fiamma Zip, 3.6m size, now in its 8th season.
When properly and fully erected (all panels zipped in) it stands up to wind and rain fine.
If using the canopy alone, we would roll it up in strong winds.
Rain alone is no problem as long as you set it to shed the water, and use the centre roof rafter.
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Been using a Fiamma Caravanstore Zip 440 for the last seven years all over Europe in all weather conditions including 90kph winds three years ago on the Costa Brava. The trick is to properly peg down the two canopy support poles and to always use the two lightweight string guys irrespective of forecast. We also use storm guys that slot into the canopy rail which helps to make the structure more rigid if winds or heavy rain is scheduled. (Rain runs off the canopy easily if a front leg is dropped on one corner) The 440 comes with an additional support (ground to canopy pole) and we have purchased a second one that if not making it all bomb proof gets fairly close. We rarely use the canopy with the front and sides in - probably just once a year when we take the grandchildren to the New Forest - being October it normally rains heavily and it's handy to have somewhere to store Lego and wellies.
We are great fan's of the roll out concept and specifically the Fiamma Zip. For something close to 30 years we used all manner of conventional awnings mostly Isabella the last two being a Penta and a Magnum porch. Great awnings though they are they come with penalties, weight and the time to erect being just two. We were recently timed in France (unbeknown to us at the time by a Brit thinking of buying one - a Fiamma that is) on how long the canopy took to set up - 4 minutes which included guys and nailing down (screw pegs) the two poles. Storm guys if needed (rarely) just slot into the front rail in seconds. All works rather well. Common sense says you probably wouldn't leave the canopy up if very high winds are forecast but in 7 years we have only once thought perhaps we need to roll it up and that was on the Costa Brava when many awnings and gazbo's got airborne. Our Fiamma didn't but we did have a "moment" or two but no damage to the Fiamma or 'van
Ome "n" Dri
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