Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

Thinking of one for my T5

 
 
 
 
 
 
willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 15.01.2023  ·  #1
Hi all!

It's that time of year where I start thinking about what to get for my campervan! While I had been considering upgrading my little T5 this year, the price of larger vans that are still Van shaped has definitely put me off...who else saw that VW for €134k!!!??? So instead I'm looking at improving the van I have :)

Last year we went around Europe during May and June and were unpleasantly surprised by the massive heatwave. We're going again this year but will go in April and May to hopefully avoid the worst of the heat. However, I was considering getting a fiamma awning added to my van to give some extra shade. I want to get a roll out awning because I don't have a lot of storage space inside the van. I'm not wedded to the Fiamma brand btw so if there are better options, please let me know!

I guess I have a couple of questions that I hope all the knowledgeable Craicers can help me out with!

1. Is it worth while getting an awning that has side walls?
2. What are the best brands?
3. Am I better off waiting until I'm in France or Italy to get one fitted to my van? Prices seem lower on the continent but do these things normally take ages to get done?


eirebus
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: kildare
Posts: 7437
Registered: 10 / 2011
My Motorhome: Dethleffs Advantage
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.3
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 15.01.2023  ·  #2
I've seen some lean too type awnings used on VW type van's, easily erected and light weight like a tent without the walls , might be worth looking at

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SQUAR…581&sr=8-4

Liked by: willthiswork

johnnymac
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: West Co. Limerick
Age: 75
Posts: 217
Registered: 06 / 2014
My Motorhome: Adria 660SP
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.8
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 15.01.2023  ·  #3
I had a 4.5 metre Fiamma awning fitted a few years ago by Vanderlust in Co. Clare and it took around an hour, maybe an hour and a half. Great job and very pleased with it. A good price too. Maybe better to get a price in Ireland first then at least you'd have something to work from.


Ron W
Ron W
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Posts: 197
Registered: 04 / 2021
My Motorhome: Hymer B640 Starline
Base Vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 15.01.2023  ·  #4
You could also look into the option of a drive away awning

Liked by: eirebus

willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 16.01.2023  ·  #5
Quote by Ron W

You could also look into the option of a drive away awning


Do these not take up a lot of space in the van?

Liked by: sprinter

Ron W
Ron W
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Posts: 197
Registered: 04 / 2021
My Motorhome: Hymer B640 Starline
Base Vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 16.01.2023  ·  #6
Quote by willthiswork

Quote by Ron W

You could also look into the option of a drive away awning


Do these not take up a lot of space in the van?


I'd say no more than a three man tent bag.


Ron W
Ron W
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Posts: 197
Registered: 04 / 2021
My Motorhome: Hymer B640 Starline
Base Vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 16.01.2023  ·  #7
Quote by Ron W

Quote by willthiswork

Quote by Ron W

You could also look into the option of a drive away awning


Do these not take up a lot of space in the van?


I'd say no more than a three man tent bag.


Here's a link

https://www.camping-intl.com/p…nex-2023/#


willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 31.01.2023  ·  #8
I ended up ordering one here in Ireland. Just waiting for it to arrive into stock :)

Thanks for all the advice. I realised that my innate laziness would mean I'd never actually put up one of the cheaper options cos they're too finnicky! lol! And we were camping in Allihies last week and realised that an awning will work in the rain as well as when we go to the continent...who knew?!?!

Liked by: Ally, sprinter

willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 14.03.2023  ·  #9
I'm starting to panic a little bit. I ordered a Fiamma awning for my van back in the middle of January. A couple of weeks later I realised I needed an additional bracket and added that to the order. I was told they'd take about 2-3 weeks so I should have had them by the end of February at the latest.

Well here we are, 14th of March and I still don't have my awning. The company I ordered it from told me last week that their supplier has said it is still in transit but they've found a new supplier that should arrive this week. I phoned today because I'm getting nervous seeing as I sail on the 1st of April. They actually told me that other awnings had come in but my one hasn't and it took them til last week to think that maybe that's a bit strange :-/

I really hope it does come this week because I need to get my panel beater to attach it because I'm about as good at DIY as my dog!

Liked by: sprinter

Hymer544
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Derry/Donegal
Age: 52
Posts: 573
Registered: 08 / 2013
My Motorhome: VW Crafter
Base Vehicle: VW Crafter 2.5tdi
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 15.03.2023  ·  #10
willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 21.03.2023  ·  #11
Good news! My awning and brackets have finally arrived at the shop and are being dispatched today! Fingers crossed I will get them tomorrow :)

Bad news! My normal garage doesn't think they'll be able to fit me in. Does anyone have any suggestions of somewhere in Cork that could fit the brackets and awning for me before the 1st of April?!


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7388
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 21.03.2023  ·  #12
Gar99
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Garrettstown
Age: 67
Posts: 32
Registered: 07 / 2020
My Motorhome: Roller team 295P
Base Vehicle: Renault Master dci150
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 23.03.2023  ·  #13
Quote by willthiswork

Good news! My awning and brackets have finally arrived at the shop and are being dispatched today! Fingers crossed I will get them tomorrow :)

Bad news! My normal garage doesn't think they'll be able to fit me in. Does anyone have any suggestions of somewhere in Cork that could fit the brackets and awning for me before the 1st of April?!


Try vehicle repair solutions, they are in Cloyne, give Jason a call @ 0868607289, explain your situation and they may be able to help you. They are always busy but also very helpful to folk in bother.


willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 23.03.2023  ·  #14
Quote by Gar99

Quote by willthiswork

Good news! My awning and brackets have finally arrived at the shop and are being dispatched today! Fingers crossed I will get them tomorrow :)

Bad news! My normal garage doesn't think they'll be able to fit me in. Does anyone have any suggestions of somewhere in Cork that could fit the brackets and awning for me before the 1st of April?!


Try vehicle repair solutions, they are in Cloyne, give Jason a call @ 0868607289, explain your situation and they may be able to help you. They are always busy but also very helpful to folk in bother.


Thanks Gar. Unfortunately they are swamped and can’t fit me in! I think I might have to get it done in France after all!

It’s definitely put me off dealing with the crowd I ordered the awning off in future!


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7388
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 23.03.2023  ·  #15
Abacus Motorhomes in Glasnevin,
Fitted one for my Daughter.

https://happycampers.ie/ work on only VW's

Newline Camper Conversions is a Wexford based company specialising in the conversion

Maynooth Motorhome's.?

Who have you tried?


willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 23.03.2023  ·  #16
I’ve tried mitchelstown campers and the one in Cloyne and a few local panel beaters. I’ll try the happy campers crowd and newline.

I’m hampered by location because I can’t take time off next week but if I can find someone to do it I’ll try and swing something!


willthiswork
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Age: 41
Posts: 82
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: VW T5
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 31.03.2023  ·  #17
So! The day before we leave for France and I finally have my awning thanks to my lovely local panel beater!!

Now I just need for the ferry to actually go ahead and hopefully my dog won’t destroy the van during the crossing now that we no longer have access to a pet friendly cabin!

Sure if everything went to plan I’d have no stories 😂

 


ntg
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Portglenone. Co Antrim
Age: 24
Posts: 3822
Registered: 04 / 2012
My Motorhome: Autotrail
Base Vehicle: Comanche
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 31.03.2023  ·  #18
eirebus
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: kildare
Posts: 7437
Registered: 10 / 2011
My Motorhome: Dethleffs Advantage
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.3
Subject:

Re: Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

 · 
Posted: 01.04.2023  ·  #19
Enjoy your trip 👍

Liked by: willthiswork

Selected quotes for multi-quoting:   0

Registered users in this topic

Currently no registered users in this section

The statistic shows who was online during the last 5 minutes. Updated every 90 seconds.