Fiamma awning on our Sprinter van: Worth it?

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When we first started the designs for our van we were convinced that a large Fiamma F65 S side awning was absolutely essential for our travels around Australia.
But, two years later, we aren't so sure.
In this video Karl discusses our background rationale for buying and installing a high end attached awning like the Fiamma F65 S.
Karl also goes over the pros and cons of such an awning, why we would reconsider an awning in a future build, and also some alternative options for shade and shelter that are less visible, heavy and expensive.
Video chapters / points of interest:
00:01 - Awning set-up demo
00:45 - Introduction and background of our previous van and awnings
02:13 - Our experience of having a roof mounted, fixed awning
04:50 - How our Fiamma awning is attached to the roof
05:40 - Things to think about if you want to buy an awning for your van
06:13 - Alternatives to a roof-mounted, fixed awning
07:10 - Summary of the pros and cons of a Fiamma awning and alternative options
This is the Fiamma F65 S awning we have attached on our van:
bit.ly/2U8rvaS
And this is the awning adapter kit to suit the Sprinter roof:
ebay.to/2GfaXtP
PS - We only realised after uploading that the audio volume is a little low on this video due to using the shotgun mic instead of the standard lapel mic; sorry about that!
//
What sort of awning / weather protection do you have set up on your van? Leave your comments and/or questions below.
We read and check every comment! Please note, we also moderate comments, so anything offensive is blocked and deleted!
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Thanks for watching!

Опубликовано:

13 апр 2019

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Комментарии : 86

@waserbiker763 3 года назад

Great video. No muss , No fuss. Got me thinking a lot more about which one to go for. Thanks !

@DoNortSleepIn2024 Месяц назад

You just saved me $1,500! Thanks!

@hamsterclamper Год назад

Fantastic, honest review, full of common-sense advice. You have put me off getting one of these expensive awnings. Thanks😀👍

@ComfortablyLost Год назад

Glad it was helpful! For some people these awnings are good value and will be well used - but definitely worth keeping the pros/cons in mind before sinking cash and time into getting one.

@Scrambler85 5 лет назад

This opinion is common on a lot of van conversion videos. Thanks for sharing this

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

Yep. Thanks for watching J.G. !

@Levi_Allen 5 лет назад

That's wild to hear about the use of your awning. Thanks for sharing! Making me second guess my decision

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

Ah, if you have it on the van then it's done. But yeah, we rarely use ours.

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

PS- Damn bro! Your videos have gotten so good since we last checked your channel!

@HueNarcisWorld 3 года назад

Thanks man! I appreciate your thoughts !

@BaliInsiderGuide 5 лет назад

Winning video. Great work!

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

Thank you. Much appreciate. Really must publish some more!

@user-dw4zc9mb2f 10 месяцев назад

Cheers mate, really good points and my mind is changed!

@ComfortablyLost 9 месяцев назад

Glad it helped you!

@Quambi222 5 лет назад

Congrats on a great video! You made a lot of valid points- maybe we won't go the full on awning route after all. Love your idea of the sail tracks along the side of the van too.

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

It really depends on your budget and the size and design of your van. If we had a smaller MWB low roof Sprinter we would not think twice about getting an awning again. But for the high roof LWB Sprinter with all that shaded interior space to sit and chill, it really isn't worth the expense and hassle because we so rarely use it.

@marcusallenyt 4 года назад

thanks for the info . a lot to think about

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

No worries!

@vanessajones4707 3 года назад

Appreciate your guidance. Good “food for thought” thank you.

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

No problems. Glad it was useful. :)

@ackmartin60 4 года назад

Great feedback. Thanks

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

You're welcome!

@jeremywestell7985 4 года назад

Thanks very much , that was valued info, helped me make my decision, thanks again 👍🏻

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

No worries Jeremy!

@alexdubois6585 3 года назад

Thanks for sharing. I'll follow your advice and think about buying after I've trully experienced a need.

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

Just keep in mind the Fiamma awnings bolt directly to the roof, so if you attach insulation, cladding etc on your roof it may be difficult to install the awning later on.

@alexdubois6585 3 года назад

@@ComfortablyLost Ah yes, thanks for the heads up. I was thinking of attaching it to roof rack. I'll have to look if possible.

@xangodango 4 года назад

thank you, i was having the same thoughts.

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

The main issue we find is that the awning needs to be bolted to the roof at special locations, so it's not easy to add later which is why we decided to buy it and install it at the start. Next van we probably won't bother with a fixed awning, and just use a tarp instead.

@VanaConn 5 лет назад

Just as a note to first time awning users .No awning should be out in any kind of "wind" . A light breeze is fine or light rain . It also should be staked down and tied down at both corners . Unsecured I have seen them flip up and onto the roof of the van .. I have used an ARB awning many times on Vw vans . It doesn't have a center support (Unlike Fiamma ) and if water pools it will stretch a bit in that area if not angled properly .It also takes longer to set up and break down , often requiring two people . I have done it many times myself but have some dents from it getting loose before its securely up . On my high roof sprinter I am installing a 13' Fiamma F45 that was laying around from when my Mom switched to a powered awning . It would be hard to reach a manual type awning on a high roof van . Fiamma's one person fast setup is a positive . It also depends on the angle of the sun of course whether or not you will actually have shade next to the slider but you typically can slide in a wing onto the front of it . Awnings come in handy and I have never owned a van without one .

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

Agree. Even with a slight breeze or no wind at all our awning is still thoroughly pegged down and also weighed down with sandbags attached to the legs. We've had a 4WD style fly off before on our old Delica van and it wasn't fun!

@nelaodarijew 4 года назад

Thanks, that help me decide if I was going to get one or not.

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

Glad we could help! :)

@davidlundy5007 5 лет назад

Good to know, I have a MB Sprinter 170 high roof, I backed off the Fiamma because I installed a roof rack that used the oem tracks. Couldn’t use the 65, had to use the 45. So I used a tarp instead tied to the rack when it rained out camping. It was awesome and only cost $20.

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

Good move. And more $$ in the bank for other upgrades or trips too!

@terridolan4954 3 года назад

Thanks, I just realized as we are shifting from one van to the other the new van doesn't have a side awning like the last one does. We are a family of 3 going on 4 so the awning is nice to make more space, but I think I'm going to give it a bit and see how much we miss it before I make plans.

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

For a family there may be some more need for the large awning as you said. I would definitely give it a try without and see how you go. For the two of us it really isn't worth the cost and maintenance, but for a family you might find that it does come into use enough to bother with it.

@dakkush 5 лет назад

I wish now would be the time of deciding whether I should get an awning or not as I feel the same as you do where we only used it few times in the last 2 months and it was a pain to get it up there and install :)

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

Wasn't it! We have had regular 4x4 awnings in the past and they were so easy to install. The Fiamma awning install was a big job - and kinda scary permanently gluing on the roof mounts.

@willoutandabout8021 2 года назад

thanks for that mate,we are thinking of getting one but really did want a small setup.Looking at the F40van but not sure it suited to sprinter anyway you have made me think more about the subject for sure-like the idea of the simple slide in track fabric but how i would reach is another thing.

@ComfortablyLost 2 года назад

Yeah it's pretty tricky with a big high roof van! We carry a 2m telescopic ladder in our van for cleaning the roof and solar panels. Might be a solution? Keep it simple.

@thepandemicdiva3369 3 года назад

Very helpful video. It was the packing it up wet that convinced me not to get it. I'm trying to find a solution. My issue is I'm 5'3" and have a high roof Promaster. I'm also a senior citizen who as I get older shouldn't be up on ladders. I've been racking my brains to come up with an awning solution. I also don't have a roof rack. I was going towards a magnet or suction attachment with telescoping poles and a tarp but it's getting the awning up high every time I want to use it. Any brilliant ideas would be greatly appreciated.

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

To be honest, for your situation if you anticipate actually needing/using an awning it's probably worth looking into the electric version of the Fiamma. Otherwise just make sure the van has plenty of internal space to shelter away from the elements. Good luck with it!

@robertovillate 4 года назад

I just bought a used Fiamma awning from someone for $300 includes the screened in porch which is new. I own a 206 Sprinter with a full RV conversionI have had my doubts even before your video, but there are times when it would be nice to have shade when its really hot and there isn't much wind. The idea of penetrating the roof is a bit dodgy for me but apparently thats the only way to do it. My van has a fully finished interior already so I would have to work around cabinets and headliners and all sorts of stuff. Also, as with any awning the protection from the sun is only going to be when the sun s at a high angle. For rain protection the wind can blow it in under the canopy...soooo maybe not the most brilliant idea as you suggest. I am a kitesurfer so I am usually at a windy spot..but sometimes I'll hang out when it's not windy...plus now riding hydrofoils I can kitesurf in 10-15 kts without a problem...soooo maybe it would be nice to have????I'm conflicted. But once you drill the holes ...thats it...unless you have them welded over which is a huge project with paint, interior materials, etc, etc. (Sorry, thinking out loud here a bit but you did give me reason to think about this idea a little more...so cheers for that.)

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

Glad it helps. There's definitely moments that we are thankful for having an awning, especially in the hot tropical north of Aussie. But most of the time it's just dead weight on the roof.

@linz_in_NZ 5 лет назад

Interesting info and some good points - I am looking at awning options at present - but my van is a campervan, rather than for vanlife. As you say, it depends on your van layout and where you will be parking. Might just try a season with my Kathmandu SUV awning/shelter and see how many times it comes out of its bag before I look at other options. You can get side rafters for your Fiamma awning, and also screens and sides to make it into a full awning room - which some people might find useful. Another thing to add - if you're trying to keep the van looking like a van and stealth camping, then an awning like the Fiamma is a bit of a giveaway.

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

I would most definitely recommend going without the high end awning for a trip or two to see how you get on without it - especially if you're building on a budget or trying to keep low key.

@ronpaguio9014 2 года назад

That’s my dilemma, I want to keep stealth or semi stealth as much as possible. Wondering if an awning will add into making my van look more an RV.

@ComfortablyLost 2 года назад

yes it does give a bit more of an RV look, but it depends where you are. In Australia there's a lot of trades vehicles which have awnings attached to them as they use the awnings while on job sites.

@chuckedone 2 года назад

Thanks, good info. I'm just starting to do up my ex ambulance sprinter.

@ComfortablyLost 2 года назад

Glad to help. The longer we go (over 5 years now) the less we think we'd bother with a fixed awning if we did it again. They're nice and all, but definitely an expense you can live without if you have a larger van. With a smaller van it's a different story.

@dalegrant7015 4 года назад

Im putting a fiamma f45 on my high roof transits because roof racks for it are very dear and hard to find plus the hight of the van but enjoyed your vid cheers

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

Thanks for watching Dale

@BenZabbia 5 лет назад

Thanks. I was trying to decide whether it would be worth it. Now I can see it is probably not. Do you think the roo bar has been worth it, esp if we were driving mainly during the daytime? Cheers

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

For us, the SmartBar has been one of the BEST investments we have made. It provides so much peace of mind when driving in Australia as there are so many animals around at all times of the day. We have found ourselves frequently driving at night even though we avoid it where possible. It doesn't make your van immune to animal damage, but it still will helps a lot in the worst case scenario. Thumbs up from us.

@BenZabbia 5 лет назад

Comfortably Lost - Thanks. Yes I guess peace of mind would be good. Might have to look into a second hand one. Cheers

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

You're in Oz? A friend of ours found a cheap, used Smartbar in an auction which was pulled off a ex-ambulance being sold out for parts. I think they paid around $600-800 for it and got it installed in a weekend. Pretty decent considering these things sell for $2500 new!

@BenZabbia 5 лет назад

Comfortably Lost yes I’m in Perth. Thanks. That would be good but it doesn’t look like they make Smart Bars for pre 2006 Sprinters. Will keep my eye open o for second hand alloy one.

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

Actually, Smartbar did make them for the older style T1N1 Sprinter, but they don't sell them new any more. If you hunt around you might be able to find a second hand one at a wrecker if you're lucky - but of course it'll be a long shot. We have a friend with a 2005 4x4 T1N ex-ambulance which has a old style Smartbar attached to it.

@richardwhitney7375 3 года назад

What is that cow-catcher on the front of yer van?

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

It's called a Smartbar. Aussie made and designed. Used widely on ambulances and commercial vehicles as they have much better safety for animals and people, as well as less weight compared to a traditional steel bar. Check 'em out! I think they are sold in the USA and other countries via ARB stores.

@47CarolAnne 3 года назад

Thank you for this great video. I've changed my mind and will not be purchasing one of these awnings for my Promaster conversion!

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

Glad it was helpful! We just spent an hour cleaning ours and have discovered the mounting brackets need to be re-adhered.. Lots of hassle for something we use a handful of times each year.

@IdontspeakBro. 4 года назад

Cheers you helped me decide not to buy a Fiamma for my sprinter.

@IdontspeakBro. 4 года назад

I’m going to rely on my Gazebo which is detached and solid as hell.

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

Nice one. The main issue with a gazebo style solution is that they are quite large to keep in storage inside the van when not in use. Other than that, having a stand alone shade structure is a great idea to keep tabs on your special camp site when you drive off during the day.

@busterhoodstar4447 2 года назад

Of course you shouldn't have to, but you could easily cut your own aluminum side supports for the awning.

@ComfortablyLost 2 года назад

To stop the sides from flapping about? Not sure how well that'd actually work or attach, nor where you'd store them.

@busterhoodstar4447 2 года назад

@@ComfortablyLost Sounds like your not too keen on customizing. Understood.

@ComfortablyLost 2 года назад

Considered we've custom designed and built out a number of adventure vehicles, we definitely aren't afraid to mod and customise things.. We just cant visualise how your concept would actually work without the design of it. Happy to look at some example photos or CAD models if you have seen any.

@busterhoodstar4447 2 года назад

@@ComfortablyLost I work in film production. We use pop ups and awnings regularly. Many times we make alterations to strengthen weak designs. We just use our brains and creativity. No CAD is needed.

@ComfortablyLost 2 года назад

Sounds awesome. Would love to see your designs.

@SKSK-rz7br 4 года назад

so you're selling it then

@ComfortablyLost 4 года назад

No, because the awning mounts are permanently fixed to the roof. So it will stay, even if we don't use it much.

@SKSK-rz7br 4 года назад

Comfortably Lost keep it ... Good to have on van .. I've just got one for my vw t3

@EnjoyPlantPower 5 лет назад

We’ve been travelling for a year and have used ours maybe three times. Can’t really use it in windy conditions. Don’t hang around any place long enough to need it. Complete waste of money for us.

@ComfortablyLost 5 лет назад

Yep, that, as you have heard, was basically our experience. Probably wouldn't bother with an awning again if we did another large vehicle (cargo van or bus) build out. Small vans are a different story.

@kelsywilliams6103 2 года назад

Are you interested in selling it?

@HeritagePianos 4 года назад

Sounds satanic!!😆☝️👍

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

What does?

@rachaelknapp8515 3 года назад

Honestly not even good for light winds. And made with a lot of plastic materials. Which seems like a poor choice for an adventure vehicle awning. :(

@ComfortablyLost 3 года назад

Yep, we have a Darche wing awning on our Landcruiser and it is so much more sturdy in the wind, plus better coverage. Would definitely consider other options if doing another build. The main upside is the easy deploy/pack away using the cranking arm. Definitely not a tough awning though.