Fiamma Awnings - How to Rigidise a Box Awning

[@linsaypatterson3182]

We've added the standard tent pole to ours before seeing this video.Great suggestion! We did find the Aussie Traveller didn't clamp that firmly to the awning material & I suggest adding a strip of anti slip mat (for cupboards) to help the grip.

[@lyninglis1074]

Thank goodness. The velcro strap is our answer. Thank you so much

[@Judyfuller112]

thank you for explaining it in simple terms and making it look so easy!

[@rogerpaul6056]

Hooray finally a straight talker with great results

[@loosekid]

Thanks for the advice 🙏🏻

[@julescrown6169]

thank you so much , i’m new to motor homing in the uk , youv cut through all the sales nonsense , still trying to figure out side panels , but great thank you

[@ConceptAdventures]

Glad I could be of help.. I know what it was like when I was trying to sort my awning, hence why I made the video 😃👍

[@Josha05]

Thanks for video. I only just received my. Anti flap kit. The instructions it came with are so poor. I have same awning as you, but on van side I need paddles to sit on shock absorber to fit mine. I have only set the kit up but haven’t installed on my awning as yet. I like the Velcro idea. I was asking seller how do I fit at that end, but you explained with Velcro good, thanks

[@MrBrenden830]

I put mine in with the Fiamma kit for the f80s from Campsmart ,its a big awning but I would have to say the anti flaps are not that impressive. Yes it work but to call in a anti flap is a bit of a stretch. As soon as we got to the situation of a bit of wind not a lot not enough for me to bring the awning without them it would pull out of the anti flap. What I found was the side wall would flex the anti flap and the awning would pop out. So I removed the side wall same issue. So I tightened it up to put more pressure on the awning same issue. One day was hot and ever time I go a little gust it would just do it again. One other issue I found is that if you need to bring in the awning they where just in the way and didn't really offer any real advantage in a low mild breeze . After 4 days camping the only thing they did is help with rain drainage and damage the edge of the awning due to the heat of the Sun softening the Awning and the anti flap failing to hold it again and again and again not matter what I did. Your better off using a front screen and tie down. Overall personally I would waste the money. That's just my opinion. Just a note this awning was fully tied down with a shade screen across the front on springs.

[@ConceptAdventures]

All I can say in reply is that mine is a Aussie Traveller and with the modification I did as shown in the video it withstands substantial wind (at least 25knots)

[@pespi909]

thanks for the video - I do have the same problem, as the fittings that have been sent came without any instructions... did you have to screw the brackets onto the caravan? where is the grashopper fitting sitting on? we also bought a roof rafter - but also don't know how to install that one as you can't drill into the awning box cover...

[@ConceptAdventures]

Yes the two slotted saddles screw into the main awning housing on the van side and the grass hopper fitting sit over the top of the plastic vertical grey extrusions on the outer - that is where I’ve suggested wrapping ‘one wrap Velcro’ around to prevent it lifting off in strong winds

[@ConceptAdventures]

If you’ve got the correct roof rafter it fits to the existing two grey plastic fittings mounted in the centre of the main shell and outer shell - there’s no screwing or fitting of extra brackets required

[@JonKaren]

Can we use aluminium poles (rather than the steel tent poles) - trying to recycle some of our tent gear?

[@ConceptAdventures]

Yep should be fine as long as the clamping lock on the poles are strong so it doesn’t collapse

[@kerryclayton8707]

Great ideas for my Fiamma awning. Can you tell me about the fitting on bottom of tent pole. Did you make it or buy it ?

[@ConceptAdventures]

I had it made by a handy mate who can weld better than me.. Before I had that made I simply drilled a 8mm hole at the bottom of the pole and pegged it down this way which worked fine

[@LaurieAnticaglia]

Hi good tips on the video. We have a Fiamma F45S 3 metre box awing, because of the size there is no room to place the mounting brackets for the awing (because the folding arms of the awning extend all the way to the end of the box awning) and instead we have a set of grasshopper paddle ends which basically just sit on the shock absorber of the awning and only tension hold them in place. Any ideas on how to better secure these in place. Thanks again.

[@ConceptAdventures]

That’s very strange as your awning is exact the same as mine so I’m not sure what to advise

[@LaurieAnticaglia]

@@ConceptAdventures Thanks for your reply. Physically there is no room to place the mounting bracket of the AFK on the awing. Also the paddle grasshopper brackets are what Aussie Traveller recommends on the 3 metre Fiamma F45S awing. If yours is the 3 metre awing is possible to send me a picture of how and where you placed the mounting bracket. Thanks again.

[@ConceptAdventures]

I must apologise as I thought all F45S were 3.5 which mine is - my saddle supports are screwed at each end

[@ConceptAdventures]

I can’t send a still pic via KZbin so if you can send me a PM via our Facebook page I can then send it to you 😃

[@ConceptAdventures]

I noticed you sent me a message this morning and for the life of me I can no longer find it - can you please resend ?

[@sharnewarde1447]

Hi that is exactly what I have set up same van and all how ever 1 end works perfectly but the other doesn't when u slide the grass hopper on to the plastic lip there's not enough material from awning to clamp down. It's like it's to far from edge of awning so when you close the clamps on AFK it doesn't hold any suggestions would be very appreciated been away 4 times and can't get that end to clamp ??? Thanks

[@ConceptAdventures]

Hi there… if I understand what you’re saying, it could be a little like mine…. On one of my ends it’s like the awning vinyl has not. Web cut straight or put in not perfectly square - however yours sounds a bit worse than mine - at least mine clamps pretty much ok…..if I’ve got it right about yours I’d be putting in a warranty claim

[@sharnewarde1447]

Thank you I wondered that see how I go with that

[@davidfenner197]

I thought the same the first time I used the AFK. I found though, I was using an 'outer' piece on the awning frame to slide the Grasshopper onto... wrong one, the proper slide on bit is inside the one I thought it was... if that makes sense. Then perfect.

[@avalynnewilby8150]

The problem is that box awnings are for shade only. Not for rain or wind conditions. Of all the designs, Fiamma is probably the better, but they are really not fit for purpose if your purpose is an all-weather awning. All you need is an AFK and tie down straps. You dont need extra poles and holes. Also Peggy Peg make a foot support which the foot at the bottom of the poles fit into. No need for modification.

[@mckeeje]

That’s my van, almost!

[@victormeldroo]

never use ratchet straps they apply too much force, use only cam buckle or double D ring straps, much safer and many people don't know how to use ratchet straps properly anyway. also if you put a twist in the straps it will stop that annoying buzzing sound when the wind picks up, you know the one that sound like crocodile Dundee making a telephone call.