Fimma caravan store
We have just ordered a caravan store canopy, what strength of wind do you need to retract it. l have ordered the tie down straps with it and the pegging down plates to give it added protection against windy conditions, also l have read the the end stops in some cases are a little tight in the awning channel of some caravans, we have a Coachman 460 VIP has anyone had any problems with the coachman awning channel, our Isabella Magnum flows through with no trouble. Any views would greatly be appreciated
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the main difference with this type of awning (and the likes of Thule/Omnistore) and a full caravan awning, is that, without sides, there is nothing to take the brunt of the wind other than the single sheet.
even 'light' winds can have you twitching a bit as the material starts to flap...
however, if well tied down, they are pretty robust, but in stiffer breezes, much easier to wind in.
the thing is, if you put out the tie downs, they have to be undone to wind in the awning...however, i wouldnt leave the van without tie downs if there was the slightest chance of 'weather'.....
an unsecured wind out awning can be over the top of the van (horrendous damage) in a gust of wind in seconds.....
they are generally sunshades, or rain covers when not too windy, or the foundation for fitting sides/front of the larger 'safari room' type.
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I left my fiamma up on Skye when it was too windy - unfortunately it has torn along the awning rail bit - so your storm straps are not going to save yours. I would roll it up in winds as they say. And as BB says they are different without sides to them.
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We have one and it takes moments to wind it out and back in. We never leave ours out when leaving the van or overnight however calm the weather. We have seen the damage caused when the wind gets going on unattended canopy's. We rarely even peg the legs down, if they need that it's almost too windy for it to be out. We bought a storm strap which has never been used because it would delay getting away.
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I have a 3.6m zipbag canopy that lives in the awning rail, and it can take a bit of a battering if the legs are pegged and straps are in place. But as said the flapping of the canopy and the attempt of strong gusts to lift it can easily be seen as the legs attempt to lift, your bum twitching will automatically alert you to 'too much'.
In Austria in June it only took seconds from relatively calm to very strong winds and everyone was out in force helping one another to wind/roll their canopies away. Once their own was done it was a case of moving on to their neighbours to hold fast while pegs and straps were removed, could literally see what damage it might have caused.
I certainly would keep a wary eye on the forecast if going out for the day and when pegging the legs give the peg a good angle when knocking in.
But we love it for shade and a little protection from the (mild) elements, especially with the side piece in place.
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l have only bought it for a sun shade and wet drizzlier conditions, ours is just the canopy type without the zip sides, if the weather looks to be rough, we would take the Magnum coal. l was hoping to use it between May and the middle of October. l have seen loads left out in light breezier conditions. not seen the storm straps but they look has though they clip at the top pole that you wind the canopy round. l can see they could be rather dangerous in heavy winds. Only time will tell if we have done the right thing
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Heethers they are great things and I have enjoyed mine a lot - obviously I got over confident on Skye - and thought all would be OK. One other bad experience I had was in very strong winds waiting for the ferries to sail from Ullapool - wind was so strong the whole bag flapped on the caravan ALL night! So if it gets breezy just make sure that side of the van is out of the wind! This was in the Summer months too!
If you are sensible it will be a great asset!
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l have a problem to over come, the caravan store has arrived at my dealers. the van is due in at the dealers this Friday for some minor warranty work. l am not sure if the caravan store will fit inside the van for transportation, l don't want to attach it to the van straight way due to the wife's mother and father staying in the van in 3 weeks time. It would be best to erect the Isabella for them, l don't think the father-in-law could retract the caravan store in windy conditions. The Fimmea l have bought is 310 cm and l am hoping to get it inside the van for transportation, if not will have to attach it and then remove it when l get home. Anyone travelled with it in the van
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Just open a front window and feed it in.
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If the Fiamma length fits along the exterior horiontal part of the awning rail then it will fit in the caravan, as said by 'cy' put it through the front window.
At end of season and from storage my 3.6m comes home with me transported in the car
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We have a 3.6m Zip, now pretty much on its last legs due to old age.
It is the only awning we have, we do have the full sides and front.
Recently, in summer we have used mainly just the canopy, the rest only gets put on in less clement conditions.
We have plates to fit over the feet that take 4 pegs in each, I made them after seeing a fellow in Wales with home made ones, this was before Fiamma started selling them. We also have guylines that can be attached to the legs. We have not bothered with the ones that slot into the roller as they cannot be used if you have the front attached.
It stands up to wind very well with the sides and front in place, and reasonably well with just the canopy, but in strong winds we would roll it it just in case.
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I agree with the comments abouve, particularly if visiting continental Europe. Storms can get up very quickly and I have seen half the canopies and awnings on a site destroyed in no time at all. I believe that tie-down straps should work in everything but extreme weather conditions but somethimes it is easier just to wind in if going out for the day.
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I don't know how old your father is but I am in my 70s and can roll up the Fiamma ok on my own. It helps being a little under 6' tall though but I use the steps at either end.
Hitch I am not sure storm straps could be fitted at the caravan end - which is where mine suffered its tear?
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