Fiamma F35 Awning

Fiamma awning
Fiamma awning

Our ’92 Starcraft came with a cheap awning. No use going into details about how it worked or what we didn’t like about it. It was the standard crappy awnings most tent trailer manufacturers include with the camper. When we were planning the camper remodel and new awning was high on the list. After a lot of research and Internet surfing we decided to get a Fiamma F35 awning. There were a few things we liked about the Fiamma awning:

  • Fairly light
  • Enclosed in a clamshell aluminum case, instead of the vinyl bags found on most tent trailers
  • Quick and easy to set up
  • Can be set-up in carport mode or attached to the camper body

Specifications:

  • Length: 8’2″
  • Overhang: 7’5″
  • Weight: 19lbs 10oz

fiamma 000Above: Trailer with the old bag awning attached.

fiamma 001Above: Awning removed.

Tent trailers that have an existing bag awning will need to replace the awning rail. Because of the shape of the Fiamma case the standard awning rail will not work! Trust me on this, I learned by experience. You can order the proper awning rail from Fiamma.

fiamma 002Above: Cutting the awning rail to fit.

 

fiamma 004Above: Applying RV sealant tape to the back of the awning rail. The rail will be mounted to the side board of the roof, which will ensure a secure installation.

I decided to leave the old awning rail in place. This was a “just in case” decision. Because the original rail followed the curvature of the roof, I could not install the new rail in that location anyway; the new rail must be absolutely straight.

fiamma 005Above: Installing the rail. Note that the old rail is an inch or so above the new installation.

 

fiamma 006Above: New rail at the end of the camper roof. Notice how the old rail actually overlaps the new one due to the curvature of the roof.

 

fiamma 008 fiamma 009Above: Installation of awning rail completed and the awning assembly is now attached.

 

fiamma 010Above: Each end of the awning case has a red button. Press each button to release the awning latch.

 

fiamma 011Above: Top of awning case opened to remove awning for set-up. Notice that instructions are found on the inside of the awning cover.

 

fiamma 012Above: At the center of the awning is a web strap to easily lift the awning out of the case. Very nice touch and extremely convenient.

 

fiamma 013Above: The awning rolled out of the case. The back edge of the awning material is permanently attached to the case.

 

fiamma 014Above: At each end of the housing there is a fitting to accept the back end of the awning rafter.

fiamma 015Above: At the front edge of the awning is a metal tube, which act as the load bearing header for the awning. The rafter and leg-post are stored inside this header-tube during transport.

 

fiamma 016Above: The rafter and leg-pole pull out of each end of the header with very little effort.

 

fiamma 017Above: The rafter and leg assembly rotate for ease of set-up.

 

fiamma 018Above: The rafter and leg assembly are attached to a pivot and can be rotated and adjusted independently.

 

fiamma 019Above: Bottom of the leg pole. The length of the pole is adjusted with a flip lock cam assembly. It will not slip — unlike the twist lock system our original awning has. Also the foot of the leg has a hole in the center for easy staking in the ground. The leg can also be attached to the body of the camper, which we found to be the most convenient method.

 

fiamma 020Above: Back end of the rafter that attaches to a pin in the awning housing.

 

fiamma 021fiamma 024Above: The foot of the leg placed into the catch on the side of the camper. There is a roll pin at the top of the catch that is pushed down to lock the foot of the leg.

 

fiamma 023Above: Awning set-up complete.

 

fiamma 022fiamma 025Above: Awning leg/pole is a 3 piece telescoping assembly. The bottom section uses a push-pin mechanism to lock it in place. Above this section the flint lock adjusts the height of the pole.

 

fiamma 026Above: Awning material stretched tight. The housing is towards the right side of the picture.

 

fiamma 029Above: Awning material is translucent. Perfect amount of light keeps things cheery during the day.

 

fiamma 027Above: The rafters have button adjustments. You want the rafter to be short enough to slip into the pin in the awning case, and then it is simple to pull the rafter tight.

 

fiamma 028Above: Diffused light through the awning.

 

fiamma 030Above: Legs shown set up in carport mode.

fiamma 031Above: Leg adjusting flip lock assembly (opened)

 

fiamma 032Above: Leg adjusting flip lock assembly (closed)

 

fiamma 033Above: Close-up of the leg pole foot.

 

fiamma 00Above: Accessories — the red strap is a back up for the red button locks. I guess the guy lines are for the extra set of tent stakes. Never used them. We almost always attached the legs to the side of the camper.

 

fiamma 035Above: Looking up at the awning fabric. The front header is on the right side of the picture.

 

Below is the instruction sheet that was included.

fiamma 036

fiamma 037

Dealing with wind

Wind is an awning’s worst enemy (along with an awning that is not pitched correctly to drain water in the rain). For the past 20 years I have been using the Camco Awning Hold Down Strap Kit below.

Camco Awning Hold Down Strap Kit

See the Shademaker Awning page for pictures of the hold down kit in action.

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