Awning choice help pls

[Jerulator]

Hello everyone,
I'm a newbie here at the Expedition Portal and really enjoy reading and seeing everyones project vehicles ! I recently purchased an old Clubwagon and am in the process of setting it up for long weekend camping trips etc. Right now I can't decide which awning I want to get for her. I think I've got it down to either the Fiamma f35 or the Campinglabs unit. I don't want to spend too much on this van but at the same time I try to live by the old adage "you get what you pay for". Anyone have experience with either of these fine units or any suggestions on another make/brand ? I installed the Yakima rain gutter load bars along with the load warrior basket. I prefer mounting the awning to the load bars rather than drill into anything.
Thank you
Jerry

 

[wayne thomas]

Exit Inn

I used an A&E from Camping World Not expensive and held up well .

 

[Abel Villesca]

The Fiamma F35 was my first choice when price shopping, but I ended up getting a great deal on a gently used Eezi Awn with which I'm very happy. I haven't seen or used any of the Camping Labs products but I have heard that they are very nice.

 

[Riptide]

I have no experience with the F35, but I have an F45 on my Sprinter, and I'm pretty pleased with it. Although they're made in Italy, they have a presence here in the US, near Orlando, FL. So, parts are available. Some may take a little while to get, however. Bu they have treated me pretty good when I have needed something.

Quality-wise, I think it's a very good unit. However, I am not familiar with the others mentioned, so my references are limited...

 

[Jerulator]

Thanks all for the quick replies. Will look into the A & E unit at CW, and the other one mentioned (EZ-awn). I really like the idea of the fiamma with the permanent mount and the way it retracts. Wish I could see them and hold them etc, makes it hard not being able to inspect them. I went to the local Camping World here in Morgan Hill and was not too impressed with the customer service (I'm sure its just this local store) it was like extracting teeth just inquiring about awnings. I asked what they have or can get and they just said outright that they don't have any awnings and that was the end of it. No feedback whatsoever (for what vehicle, pricing, etc). I'm avoiding that particular store like the plague.
Jerry
Almost forgot..........Merry Christmas !

 

[BIGdaddy]

i have the largest camping lab awning.

It's VERY nice.

Its not the kind of thing you can "ride hard and put away wet", yet it is very strong and sturdy even in very gusty winds. Some parts of it (i.e. velcro tabs on fabric that secure around poles) simply need to be handled carefully during setup. Once the structure is complete, however, it is very rigid and strong.

I haven't tested it in the rain, but I made my kids sit under it while I unloaded a deluge from our garden hose this summer. I couldn't see them hardly, through the sheets of water coming off. It remained water proof, and kept them giggling and dry.

It was $250.00 shipped and well worth the money. Customer service and shipping time were A+.

 

[Adventurerider]

FoxWing by OZ, I don't have one at the moment, but have gotten play with them at SEMA and other event's, so I can't speak for the longevity but I can say that is the best bang for the buck, especially for coverage. I have a Fiamma, and will be trading for one.
Happy Holidays
Advrider

 

[Abel Villesca]

Wish I could see them and hold them etc, makes it hard not being able to inspect them.

You are probably close enough to Adventure Trailers to take a look at the Fiamma and Eezi-Awn products.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

I have the longest Campinglab available and a tailgate awning as well, they have been great so far, very simple to operate. After five months on the road and a lot of use I can say they are great awnings and they come at a pretty reasonable price.

A view from the tailgate awning...

 

[Jerulator]

Thanks again for all the responses ! This site is great. I really like the FoxWing but it costs nearly as much as I paid for my van ($1200). Thanks to the testimony on the CampingLab units, I think I'm biased towards them now. I might just flip a coin....heads its cl tails its fiamma. Will let you know here what I decide and how it works out !
Thanks again :sombrero:

 

[Corey]

I have the large Campinglab one myself.
Been running it for two seasons now.

It has held up well, and it is on the rig full time.
I do put UV protection on the bag/case of it, and it has held up well.

I have had this out in glaring sun, rain, wind, and it holds up very well.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

I second Corey's suggestion about protection of the cover (and for any plastic or rubber exposed to the sun for long periods).

I use 303 spray, I have no idea if it is as good as the manufacturer claims, but it is insurance...

 

[Corey]

That is the stuff I use, the 303.
I also use it in my interior of my FJ for all the doors, dash, ect.
Even the steering wheel.

I even use it on the Safari snorkel although Safari already has UV protection built into their plastics.

 

[surfgeek33]

I've had both. I had a Fiamma F45Ti and Camping Lab.

Pros: Fiamma
-Easy to deploy
-covers a large area
Cons:
-Price
-Weight
-Parts very hard to get.

Pros:Camping Lab
-Price (great price to what you are getting)
-Light weight
Cons:
-Covers a small area

Both are well constructed and seem durable. Good luck with your decision.
:victory:

 

[BIGdaddy]

Does the fiamma have a hard cover? If so, i'd say thats a "pro" as far as long term ruggedness, though i see no signs of wear on the rubberized cover on my cl unit, despite constant exposure since i bought it 6 months ago.

I too, look forwardto hearing what you decide.