Wind out awnings, Thule vs Fiamma

[pwilmo]

Really the awning that suits you will be as individual as your requirements and usage, some use their awning to attach safari rooms some liked them strapped down to provide alfresco seating areas.

We use ours as an "umbrella" or sun shade, we don't make it permanent because if there is so much wind to flap it about or lift it ..we wind it in.

But definitely a very good comment from an earlier post is ..the better quality, the more weight.

 

[Coolcats]

They are flimsy but lots of people use them (carefully) and like me wouldn't be without them so the question is, which one?

Whilst both are flimsy, Thule look a little more robust, but I guess that’s subjective

 

[pwilmo]

Norwich Motor Home Show

Raining now .. isn't that a surprise, but seating and table dry.

But just to show you the tension bar and mid support rail prevent pooling a rain collection ..
and the old trick of lower at one end for the water to run away

 

[Allybob]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Most seem to favour Thule so if we end up needing a replacement we'll stick with that. Of course we're hoping it only needs a new arm and that'll fix it. As we can't attach the drive away to it any bright ideas for fixing other than throwing guy ropes over the roof?

 

[Ber090]

Just seen this and I will add my own experience. New van in 21 with Thule factory fitted. First time used The rear is about 5 cm out when rewound.Dealer could not correct so contacted Thule. See dealer they say. Loads of correspondence with the Uk General Manager ( sole employee in uk) Brought to a head at Düsseldorf Show( Queue of complaints waiting to see the UK Manager) Told various things to try, and told no engineer in uk. Wouldn’t let me call at Belgian Factory ( Covid he said) but met a another owner who was booked in already)
Eventually agreed to drive to Autosleeper Factory ( 300 mile round trip) to meet him and he would mend. He spent 30 mins bending and banging and said someone must have stepped on it before fitting. Worked correctly twice and has never worked properly since.
I have given up!
Cheers
Bernie

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[Ber090]

Just to mention that Thule say they are not owned by Dometic!

 

[David and Woody]

They are all flimsy not fit for purpose things in my view,

I’ve tried them all not much difference and all noisy. Don’t have one on my current van

 

[CazPaul]

I’ve tried them all not much difference and all noisy. Don’t have one on my current van

We have one only because it was already fitted, wouldn’t otherwise although it’s like anything, do you want a proper heavy good one that weighs more or a lightweight flimsy one.

 

[Viennese]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Most seem to favour Thule so if we end up needing a replacement we'll stick with that. Of course we're hoping it only needs a new arm and that'll fix it. As we can't attach the drive away to it any bright ideas for fixing other than throwing guy ropes over the roof?

My Newish (Jan 23) THule awning was fitte by Rose Awnings n Poole who were brilliant.

 

[dash300]

Would I be right in saying the Fiamma has Aluminium end caps and Thule Plastic?

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[Steve-N]

Had a Fiammia on our last pvc, new one has a Dometic, at first I thought it was flimsy compared to the Fiammia one, but the leg system IMHO is better (once you get used to it) as the clip lever locking is better than the thumb screw type.
Also the Dometic is a smaller profile on the roof so looks better.
ps we always wind in if windy

Would I be right in saying the Fiamma has Aluminium end caps and Thule Plastic?

Our Fiammia FS80 had plastic end caps !!

 

[Clive Beeza]

We may need to replace our wind out. Anyone got any opinions on which is best?

Hi Allbob,
If you want the best (as you asked)
GH is the most robust amd well made option
but obviously not cheap

 

[Allybob]

Hi Allbob,
If you want the best (as you asked)
GH is the most robust amd well made option
but obviously not cheap

Thanks, I don't know anything about GH.

 

[dash300]

Had a Fiammia on our last pvc, new one has a Dometic, at first I thought it was flimsy compared to the Fiammia one, but the leg system IMHO is better (once you get used to it) as the clip lever locking is better than the thumb screw type.
Also the Dometic is a smaller profile on the roof so looks better.
ps we always wind in if windy

Our Fiammia FS80 had plastic end caps !!

They must have changed. I have the F80s fitted late 2022 and it definately has aluminium end caps, not sure about the Thule ones.

 

[Folkranger]

I’m not sure but probably yes, anything that’s sturdier and better made will no doubt be heavier.

Splitting hairs maybe but the Thule cam locks have to be lighter than the Fiamma knurled nobs into welded nuts.

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[Mikeamapola]

Have a Fiamma 65 on Fiat Adria WIN fitted from new 19 years ago. Absolutely no problems. The Ends are still good. Can’t fault it.

 

[Tony50]

I think Thule are a lot better, the Dometic version is not quite as good as the genuine Thule.

I agree, Fiamma I had was I think not so robust as the Thule I have now

 

[pxh38257]

I think Thule are a lot better, the Dometic version is not quite as good as the genuine Thule.

The only problem with Thule is if you need a spare part as they do not have a UK customer service dept. Been trying to get a spare part for a sliding step for over 3 months now and got absolutely nowhere.

 

[Bramidan]

Right, on a general note you are erecting a sail and despite the fact you might have the middle tensioning bar plus the tie downs you are going to struggle with nature.
If it is dead calm and you want shade no problem.
If it’s windy or you suspect gusts no awning is going to cope.
Wind it in folks, if you can’t be bothered it will end up over your motorhome causing damage.

 

[Ducatian]

My Thule Omnistore, is a breeze to deploy and of great quality, but even when using the tie downs, it flaps in anything more than a breeze and reverberates through the whole motorhome. Often forcing me to close it to get a decent nights sleep.

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[dash300]

My Thule Omnistore, is a breeze to deploy and of great quality, but even when using the tie downs, it flaps in anything more than a breeze and reverberates through the whole motorhome. Often forcing me to close it to get a decent nights sleep.

I think wind in overnight is standard advice for all windouts. As you say it's a breeze!

 

[Ducatian]

I think wind in overnight is standard advice for all windouts. As you say it's a breeze!

Didn't know that. Makes sense. Thank you

 

[Simon Select]

Thule all day. Fiamma next, Dometic we chuck in as they are cheap!

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Is it possible to get the fabric on a Thule replaced or self fit? Ours had a rip in it (patched) and was badly stained when we purchased the van.

 

[Allybob]

Is it possible to get the fabric on a Thule replaced or self fit? Ours had a rip in it (patched) and was badly stained when we purchased the van.

We're taking our van to Hill View Awnings next week for them to assess the damage we sustained. We don't know whether our fabric was damaged as well as the arm, but the very helpful lady I spoke to said the fabric could be replaced if necessary. There is a longish lead time for fabric as they don't have it in stock. (BTW we've been using wind outs for around 20 years and always take it in at night and during windy weather. This damage occurred during the process of winding in as the weather was changing. Unfortunately the storm arrived very fast and a gust caught it just after it was unpegged.)

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[Bobbydaisy]

Had all 3 on different vans , currently got the Dometic as it was factory fitted to our new van. After a few uses the end caps move out a bit at the bottom , it’s on a PVC and we use it for attaching our driveway awning , need to push them back on each time now which is disappointing for a new awning . Agree the Thule build was the best , the Fiamma a bit light in comparison. The Dometic is equally as lightweight in build but serves the purpose, we never leave out overnight and always use storm straps regardless. Amazes me the amount of folk that wind them out without the legs down, a disaster in the making .

 

[Gillygrim]

We had a disaster with our Fiamma when the PLASTIC rivet on the leg to front bar broke and caused a domino effect, bending the front bar, the support rafter and the other leg. It was 3 months old and the dealer referred us to Fiamma who absolutely refused any responsibility. The dealer then denied liability after I'd sent 56 photos, at their request. I argued for six months before giving up and buying spare parts to repair it. Our new to us Classic Hymer came with a Thule and even at 23 yrs old it is more robust than the Fiamma.
One question - it came with the leg supports on the side of the van and we used them successfully last year. Are they a better idea than legs on the ground ?

 

[Roby2008]

We had a disaster with our Fiamma when the PLASTIC rivet on the leg to front bar broke and caused a domino effect, bending the front bar, the support rafter and the other leg. It was 3 months old and the dealer referred us to Fiamma who absolutely refused any responsibility. The dealer then denied liability after I'd sent 56 photos, at their request. I argued for six months before giving up and buying spare parts to repair it. Our new to us Classic Hymer came with a Thule and even at 23 yrs old it is more robust than the Fiamma.
One question - it came with the leg supports on the side of the van and we used them successfully last year. Are they a better idea than legs on the ground ?

The leg supports on the van are great if you are on hard standing where you can't put pegs in or you are stopped for lunch and want a little shade, I only ever put the awning half out or so when using the van side supports.

 

[gus-lopez]

Is it possible to get the fabric on a Thule replaced or self fit? Ours had a rip in it (patched) and was badly stained when we purchased the van.

I'm sure Badknee had his fabric replaced and serviced at the factory on his last van

 

[PeterCarole29]

The reason for my question is an issue with our drive away awning. We've had 2 vans previously with Fiamma and had no problems. Our new pvc came with a Thule awning and we've found that attaching the drive away to the slot on the bottom of the Thule fouls the sliding door. Unfortunately we've managed to break an arm on the wind out and may have other damage which could result in having to replace it. We wondered if Fiamma might be a better replacement as it has slots on the front edge to attach the drive away which might lift it clear of the door. We've seen people leave the wind out sticking out a few inches with a drive away attached but not sure if that's a good idea.

It may spoil the look but thats something for you to consider but you could easily use a polimer adhesive and fix an awning rail to the front off your awning

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