Date:         Mon, 22 Mar 2004 13:29:05 -0500
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: 89 Westy - awning purchase
Comments: To: Chuck Reisinger <chuckphoto@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <003601c40fe1$f20ccd40$5628bb3f@earthlink>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Chuck,

        I have a Fiamma F45 (10'). I can offer the following:

        Con:
                - Expensive! Not a good choice if you are on a budget.
                - It *really* needs the support poles to be staked down, it catches a lot
of wind... I'd guess this applies to all awnings, but the complexity of the
mechanism makes the Fiamma more vulnerable. Probably wouldn't take much of
a bend in one the support members to prevent the awning from retracting.
                - The joint holding the legs to the canopy can easily be broken if you
unfold it improperly (BTDT).
                - The parts diagram on the Fiamma website is pretty tough to read, it
seems to be just a scan of a paper exploded view, there's no way to "zoom
in" on small parts. Online "order form" is pretty lame.

        Pro:
                - Vanagon-specific mounting brackets available, no drilling of Van
required, lots of care taken in the design to avoid damaging the paint on
the vehicle. Very easy install, only needed to drill two holes (through the
awning rear plate and brackets, not the van).
                - Easily deployed on a moment's notice for roadside shade, this is what
sold me on the Fiamma, despite the cost.
                - Large enough to give a lot of covered area, bigger is definitely better
when it starts drizzling on your campsite.
                - Center support pole and crank easily fit in long "spice rack" shelf
above the kitchen in the early Westfalia's (mine's an 85, I think they
eliminated this shelf before '89, so you are probably out of luck on this one).
                - The 'coconut' color scheme looks great on my brown camper.
                - Fiamma is quite good about sending out replacement parts (see last
'con', above). Once I entered an online order, they promptly got in touch
by phone to confirm the order, and make sure they were shipping the proper
parts.

YMMV,

Tim