Omnistor or Fiamma

[SnJ]

Our 2009 Dakota has a 'Sun Awning' (as it's described)
We would like to change it for a waterproof one that has the ability to add on sides.
Is this feasible??? or are they just 'showerproof'??

Before I start trolling the web to try to find something - opinions please...
Cheers
Rusty

 

[poppycamper]

We have Fiamma roll out one. They recommend not to use in rain (I know many people do) BUT if you do they say to lower one corner to allow free drainage of water... Don't see how that possible if you have fixed sides which I believe you can get.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Fiamma are less expensive but as poppycamper states they are by no means fully secure in heavy rain

Are they less expensive than Omnistore for a reason, I dont know, but Thule products in general are great

 

[Rob Turner]

Thule every time!
Rose Awnings at Poole will sort you out.

 

[SnJ]

Cheers guys - As mad as it sounds this isn't about cost. We want a waterproof awning. Trying to fit an add on inflatable etc has become a royal PITA....

Rob Turner - thank you - have just spoken with John & got some really great advice on what we can do

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[PJGWiltshire]

Have a good think about if you use the awning a lot. We had a tag axle and it had a very large awning that when out even in a slight breeze picked up the wind and every time we left the van I did not trust it so always had the awning in and out a few times a day which was a pain. Also we used aires a lot and could not use said awning. Changed the van and had another awning out on. That has turned out to be a waste of £1200 as I then bought a pop up sun awning by Quest which we much very practical when parked up. Many funsters have these and do not use the main awning. We then purchased an air full awning for when we need extra room long term ie winter in Spain costing £700

 

[tonyidle]

I've had more than one of each make. In terms of quality I can see no difference. For me it boils down to best price at the time. Both use waterproof material and sides and front are available for both. If you fit sides and can't lower one end centre beams are available to prevent sag. Don't buy an add-on Privacy / Safari room new - very few people use them so there is always plenty second hand. They're very heavy both to carry and handle.

 

[SnJ]

PJGWiltshire - Cheers - we use the existing awning a lot now - its very worn and has a few of holes in as well.
tonyidle - Thank you. A centre support has been on the list for a while but if we get it sorted/replace it will be a definite purchase. The weight is comparative to the existing Kampa inflatable one we have now.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

We had an inflatable on my last Tourer and we found it became a PITA just like you have found it

In the end flogged It after abot 4 goes ?

 

[Pedders]

I'm not sure if adding sides etc is a good idea. I made this enquiry when I bought my van as I'd never had an awning. I was advised against it because I was told never to leave the awning out whilst not in attendance because of the wind. Don't know how true that is because I have never used one. It would just seem a bit mad to get out the awning and add the extras that go with it, only to take it all down if the wind built up.

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[bobandjanie]

Well we have had both, the awning fabric seemed the the same sort plasticky fabric, our awnings here in Spain are sun shades and when they get wet, we leave them out until dry. ?
Out the two I would say omnistor ? our present one is thule and better made, but saying that we never had any problems with fiamma, when we had a privacy room / safari room we hardly used it, found it easier to slide a awning in the rail for long stays. ?
If you decide fiamma use https://www.johnscross.co.uk/ you get a funster discount. ? Bob

 

[SnJ]

We had an inflatable on my last Tourer and we found it became a PITA just like you have found it

In the end flogged It after abot 4 goes ?

TBH it's more the fact that none of the inflatables fit properly on our MH.
We do use the built in wind out & have met folk who have the sides but not had an opportunity to quiz folk (until now )

 

[Cheshirecat57]

We had an Omnistore on our Adria moho...their choice at factory not ours
TBH when I wound it out, my wifes BP went up worrying about wind,rain etc ?

they are useful for some sun cover, but in rain and wind, not great