Thule Omnistor or Fiamma Awning for PVC

[TM59]

Taking delivery of a Rapido V55 PVC hopefully in the next few weeks. Thinking awnings do funsters have a preference any why. Thule Omnistor or Fiamma?

 

[Lenny HB]

IMO Thule are a lot better quality.

 

[jezport]

IMO Thule are a lot better quality.

Agreed

 

[Nigel Crompton]

I've had two Omnistors, if I have another it'll be a Fiamma.

I find the Oministor's winding handle difficult to release at times, Fiamma's have a much simpler hook and eye arrangement.
Other than that I would recommend Omnistor ...

 

[DavidG58]

I've had two Omnistors, if I have another it'll be a Fiamma.

I find the Oministor's winding handle difficult to release at times, Fiamma's have a much simpler hook and eye arrangement.
Other than that I would recommend Omnistor ...

I thought the same till John Rose of Rose Awnings explained it to me

He also said he had a customer drive back from the south of France with his taped to the side of the MH because he couldn’t get it out

Technique required is, hold pole at angle of about 45 degrees push up slightly then turn , it works every time for me now

We did change ours and stayed with Omnistore
Mainly based on strength of legs, in our opinion

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[Minxy]

Never had Omnistor, just Fiamma, and always found them okay ... if you are 'game' you can easily fit one yourself a lot cheaper than paying a dealer to do it, as well as the awning you just need to buy the mounting kit which has brackets that go over the lugs which are already on the top of the camper.

 

[Paul and Kate]

Unless it came with one I wouldn't bother and buy a quest pop up gazebo.
4 sides if there's just 2 of you.

Edit.
That's if you've got the room to store one.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Unless it came with one I wouldn't bother and buy a quest pop up gazebo.
4 sides if there's just 2 of you.

Edit.
That's if you've got the room to store one.

Nail it to the roof ??

 

[Cheshirecat57]

I'm THULE by the way

 

[bobandjanie]

Our Rapido v53 had a fiamma and our Pilote v600 has a Thule, must admit I never liked the Thule when we first got it, ( even though our very first motorhome had one ) but once you get the hang of the handle its OK, the fiamma has a loop and hook.
Quality is better with Thule. Bob.

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[Garratt]

If you go with a Fiamma F65S, get the folding crank handle rather than the telescopic handle that comes as standard. The telescopic handle is too long to fit under the bed space on the V55. I have only had Fiamma awnings so can’t advise which to choose but fitting the Fiamma with the correct brackets is very straightforward.

 

[Allanm]

The Thule awning on our previous Autosleeper blew over the roof and destroyed itself in an unexpected gust of wind.
Our 21 year old Swift had a perfectly good functioning Fiamma awning but the legs were fiddly to use.
Our new van has a Thule awning, it’s easy to wind out and use.

I suppose I have no preference really. They both work and do what they should.

 

[Lenny HB]

I've had two Omnistors, if I have another it'll be a Fiamma.

I find the Oministor's winding handle difficult to release at times, Fiamma's have a much simpler hook and eye arrangement.
Other than that I would recommend Omnistor ...

If you read the instructions and do it the correct way it's a doddle, they are on a lable on the handle now. Our first one didn't have those instructions and I always found it a pain.

 

[Chris]

Another vote for omnistor here.

I was on a site in Spain about 5 years ago and there was an almighty storm. All the awnings that we’re flapping the next morning were Fiamma. I presumed at the time (but I confess I could be wrong) that the Omnistor storm straps must be better.

 

[Bolti]

If you go with a Fiamma F65S, get the folding crank handle rather than the telescopic handle that comes as standard. The telescopic handle is too long to fit under the bed space on the V55. I have only had Fiamma awnings so can’t advise which to choose but fitting the Fiamma with the correct brackets is very straightforward.

Hubby engineered ours (chopped a lump off and screwed it back together) now it fits neatly under the bed on the side wall V43.

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[Garratt]

Hubby engineered ours (chopped a lump off and screwed it back together) now it fits neatly under the bed on the side wall V43.

I thought about it and decided that it was too much hassle! Highbridge were very good and did a straight swap for me so it was a no-brainer.

 

[SpeedyDux]

If you go with a Fiamma F65S, get the folding crank handle rather than the telescopic handle that comes as standard. The telescopic handle is too long to fit under the bed space on the V55. I have only had Fiamma awnings so can’t advise which to choose but fitting the Fiamma with the correct brackets is very straightforward.

I thought about it and decided that it was too much hassle! Highbridge were very good and did a straight swap for me so it was a no-brainer.

Hubby engineered ours (chopped a lump off and screwed it back together) now it fits neatly under the bed on the side wall V43.

Highbridge supplied us with the long telescopic handle, with the Fiamma clips. No, it doesn't fit easily under the bed of the V43.

The solution was to screw the clips at the top, inside the barn doors. The handle does fit across. The small cable ties were inserted into the sliding grips on the handle to stop them rattling.

Hopey helpy!

 

[Paddywack]

If you do go down the Thule route I have a full set of panels and poles for sale https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/thule-g2-panel-awning.184945/

 

[Bolti]

And mine fitted under the bed.

 

[Nosmo King]

If you go with a Fiamma F65S, get the folding crank handle rather than the telescopic handle that comes as standard. The telescopic handle is too long to fit under the bed space on the V55.

I chopped it down, recrimped the ends. Massive weight saving.

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[Lenny HB]

I chopped it down, recrimped the ends. Massive weight saving.

Blimey, I have have mine at full length & if on a slope have stand on tip toes to wind the awning out.

Leave mine on the garage floor, keep meaning to get some decent clips to mount, no point in using the crap ones that come with they always break.

 

[skylinersi]

Ours is mounted in the 'wardrobe'.....

 

[Wissel]

Having had both before, I'd pick Thule.

I now have a Dometic and very impressed with it. Might be worth a look before purchasing.

 

[busby]

I fitted a fiamma caravanstore,,awning it works well,,BUSBY

 

[Rob Turner]

Thule in my opinion is a far superior product and personality I would never fit a Fiamma.

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[bridgedino]

Taking delivery of a Rapido V55 PVC hopefully in the next few weeks. Thinking awnings do funsters have a preference any why. Thule Omnistor or Fiamma?

Did you chose your awning and which one? Im looking at both for the future. The thule seems to be lighter in weight

 

[bridgedino]

Apologies. Just seen the date from this thread

 

[Guigsy]

Last van had a Fiamma F45s. It worked OK, but it creaked a bit and felt a bit delicate. New van, we asked for a Thule to be thrown in as part of the price and they agreed... then they fitted a Fiamma F65s.

The F65s is more compact than the F45s and seems to be a bit more robust. Legs don't seem like they'll twist off. I'm not unhappy with it. Needs more testing in a breeze though.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Thule every time……..TooLay…. if you are interested in the pronounciation

 

[bridgedino]

Thule every time……..TooLay…. if you are interested in the pronounciation

And ive been saying Thule (thool) like a fool all this time

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