Date:         Tue, 22 Nov 2005 17:54:28 -0800
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Awnings: Fiamma vs. A&E
Comments: To: Dave Vickery <davevickery@hotmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY101-F6A413DDA11F3E67F2397BA0520@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

RE: Awnings
Based on looking just two days ago at the A&E awnings at Camping world (and
other online research) the current Dometic/A&E awnings are in fact Fiamma
awnings relabeled.  Same for the Carefree of Colorado.  Apparently A&E is no
longer making any awnings in the old style like the A&E 2500 or A&E 2000 I
had before I purchased my current Fiamma F45i.
The F35 appears to be of rather flimsey construction, the F45 uses more
metal parts in the joints and hinges.  Plus the F45 is crank-out, MUCH
easier to set up and take down.
I shopped the local stores by phone and when I told them I could get better
prices ordering on the Internet they said "Let me call you back...".  They
called Fiamma and called me back with a better price, including shipping and
local sales tax, than I had been able to find online.  Plus I was buying
through a local dealer and had them install it.  That turned out to be a
real life saver within a month when a sudden rain and hail storm trashed
mine, in part due to faulty installation.
Online go directly to the Fiamma website for information and pricing.  Then
check the various online vendors like Go Westy for their prices.
The Fiamma website has a lot of technical info on it but you have to hunt
for it a little bit.
Good luck