Fiamma Awning Support Legs

[Pete D.]

Hi funsters, I have recently bought a side panel for my fiamma f45s awning to go along with the front sun blocker I already have. Whilst doing a dry run with the end panel at home a thought occurred to me: When on site and the awning is out with the end panel, sun blocker and tie down straps fitted there must be alot of downward pressure on the support legs and the only things holding all this weight up are the small hand turn bolts that control the extension of the awning legs. I feel that these must be vulnerable points and would like to know if anyone knows of a device available to provide extra support or has done a home mod that works.
I would have thought that a fiamma awning with both end panels and the front panel would have some additional support but I can't see anything on their website or any fiamma outlets.
Thanks in advance. PeteD

 

[busby]

Seem to think Fiamma would have designed them to withstand most applications..Quality products.BUSBY.

 

[Pete D.]

I agree, they are quality but I did have a leg slip down on me once. I do realise of course that it could've been operator error!?

 

[SteveRallye]

Had the same problem last year myself I bought 2 aluminium legs with spikes on the end and drilled two holes near to ends of the front panel bar next to existing legs and slotted the spikes in and it worked a treat. The safari rooms weigh 20 plus kilos and coupled with pressure form wind and storm straps its no wonder the standard legs do no hold. Mine used to slide down without all the extra weight just with the pressure from the storm straps and anchors. I once emailed fiamma re this problem but never recieved a reply.

 

[Pete D.]

Had the same problem last year myself I bought 2 aluminium legs with spikes on the end and drilled two holes near to ends of the front panel bar next to existing legs and slotted the spikes in and it worked a treat. The safari rooms weigh 20 plus kilos and coupled with pressure form wind and storm straps its no wonder the standard legs do no hold. Mine used to slide down without all the extra weight just with the pressure from the storm straps and anchors. I once emailed fiamma re this problem but never recieved a reply.

Thanks for the quick reply, sounds good. Have you got a photo or a sketch that I might copy?

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[Cheshirecat57]

Thanks for the quick reply, sounds good. Have you got a photo or a sketch that I might copy?

Slightly off topic Pete, do you have a tie-down kit?

 

[Odd-no-more]

I've never had a problem but what about drilling a hole through both sections and putting a bolt through, would probably need more than 1 hole to allow for height adjustment.

 

[Reallyretired]

I've never had a problem but what about drilling a hole through both sections and putting a bolt through, would probably need more than 1 hole to allow for height adjustment.

I think that would weaken the legs rather than strengthen them.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I think that would weaken the legs rather than strengthen them.

The quoted problem is not the strength of the leg, but the slippage of the 2 sections. I believe that Fiama would.not sell a privacy room if the awning could not take the weight. The OP was looking for an extra secure support.

 

[Pete D.]

Slightly off topic Pete, do you have a tie-down kit?

I do have a tie down kit. It is the fiamma one that fits into the awning groove and has absorbing springs at the peg end.

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[TheBig1]

Fiamma do additional rafter poles that help. They transfer some of the weight back to the side of the van

 

[PeteH]

The F45 Awnings rely on friction once the Wing Screws have been tightened, to oppose downward "effort". I have never experienced an issue, personally, that could not be put down to "operator" error?.

However, I can see that anyone with (say) arthritis in the hands, might not get the correct tension on the wing screws?. There are products about to assist with that circumstance.

 

[pwilmo]

Yes, I have had this very same problem of the legs slipping down due to exfra weight of a safari room.
The problem being the lock adjuster bolt passing through the aluminium bares the thread in the softer aluminium leg and the height adjustment wont tighten.
Fixed .. while at a motorhome show, pinch a couple of the wooden peg markers and cut to length, while some one holds it at the required height - they are the perfect width to go inside the slide section.

 

[PeteH]

Yes, I have had this very same problem of the legs slipping down due to exfra weight of a safari room.
The problem being the lock adjuster bolt passing through the aluminium bares the thread in the softer aluminium leg and the height adjustment wont tighten.
Fixed .. while at a motorhome show, pinch a couple of the wooden peg markers and cut to length, while some one holds it at the required height - they are the perfect width to go inside the slide section.

View attachment 366324

Your going to be popular with the marshal's!. When all their pegs start disappearing!. Strictly speaking, you need one shorter that the other to assist drainage off the awning roof.?

 

[SteveRallye]

No diagram or drawing I drilled upwards into the bar so effectively you have a double set of legs. I just store them with my extender poles

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[pwilmo]

Yes Peter
Some people - I have heard, often cut up another stake to make an additional spacer to make one end taller, I wonder if the marshals will be inspecting Fiama awning legs from now on !
Oooer- Good job I was speaking hyperthetically.

 

[Pete D.]

No diagram or drawing I drilled upwards into the bar so effectively you have a double set of legs. I just store them with my extender poles

Thanks, when I reread your reply I could see what you meant. Out of interest where did you get the additional poles from?