Another awning question?

[Docmark]

We have just aquired a Cali Beach - ex demo. which has not got a wind-out awning.
From searching this site the choice seems to be Thurle or Fiamma.
Which is better? and why?
How much height do they put on the vehicle?
Are there any alternatives, as they do seem to cost about the same as real estate land per square inch of coverage!?

 

[soulstyledevon]

We have just aquired a Cali Beach - ex demo. which has not got a wind-out awning.
From searching this site the choice seems to be Thurle or Fiamma.
Which is better? and why?
How much height do they put on the vehicle?
Are there any alternatives, as they do seem to cost about the same as real estate land per square inch of coverage!?

I’ve had both.
Fiamma on old T5 van.
Both excellent awnings. Prefer the Thule, but if my memory serves me rightly. The Thule was a lot more money.

 

[Max-Felix]

I think the Fiamma is rather better built but perhaps not so low profile. As above both work great in practise. Check eBay - Fiammas appear second hand more often but Cali Thules come up too.

 

[calikev]

We have just aquired a Cali Beach - ex demo. which has not got a wind-out awning.
From searching this site the choice seems to be Thurle or Fiamma.
Which is better? and why?
How much height do they put on the vehicle?
Are there any alternatives, as they do seem to cost about the same as real estate land per square inch of coverage!?

Worth every penny They sell both in the Club shop and offer good advise

 

[Kmann]

I never tried the Fiamma, but find the Thule more appealing just from the looks. And as I recall it is slightly lower, so it still keeps the car on/under 2 meters.

Anyway, I have my 3rd Thule Omnistor now (in a little more than a year), due to a failure on the glue welding in the fabric. Finally, Thule have finally sorted the problem, so if you go for a Thule, make sure it is from the new line, where the fabric is made in one piece!

 

[Duncan]

We have a Brandrup top sail which is a great bit of kits and folds down nice and compact, https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/brandrup-top-sail-awning Outwell also dod something a bit similar as well

 

[Iron Van]

I also need to get a wind-out awning this month. Looking at the two offered in the forum shop, is there an advantage to the Thule that makes it worth an extra £200? Also, I have a Comfortz awning room used with my old OEM awning, would that fit both the Fiamma and Thule?

 

[briwy]

We've had both and prefer the Fiamma.
Lot better built imo.
Also with the Fiamma it's possible to raise it high enough to enable the driver's door to open. Could be wrong but can't remember being able to do that with the Thule.
Yes, the Comfortz awning fits both.

 

[B J G]

We've had both and prefer the Fiamma.
Lot better built imo.
Also with the Fiamma it's possible to raise it high enough to enable the driver's door to open. Could be wrong but can't remember being able to do that with the Thule.
Yes, the Comfortz awning fits both.

My door opens OK with the Factory Thule.
Sometimes bump my head on the arm when open though.

 

[Iron Van]

We've had both and prefer the Fiamma.
Lot better built imo.
Also with the Fiamma it's possible to raise it high enough to enable the driver's door to open. Could be wrong but can't remember being able to do that with the Thule.
Yes, the Comfortz awning fits both.

Cheers briwy, decision made.

 

[MattBW]

Good to hear the seam issue on the Thule is sorted (although I heard its only the VW factory ones that have a seam after market ones don't usually) that for me was the only off putting part for that model.

There is a thread somewhere on my experience of self fitting the fiamma. I really rate it and use it a lot. I recommend the first time you install it being cautious opening the front door as its easy to catch the top of your door if its not set quite high enough.

My only very minor criticism of my Fiamma (and @Bigted confirmed his does the same) is that over time the rear of the awning seems to come out a tiny amount due to road bumps etc. That makes it rattle, about once every few weeks I just re-tighten it now to be sure and no problems.

 

[MattBW]

Here you go:
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/fiamma-f45s-from-comfortz.13602/

 

[soulstyledevon]

My door opens OK with the Factory Thule.
Sometimes bump my head on the arm when open though.

It depends how you mount the Fiamma. I remember on my old T5 the door used to catch the awning.
I think it’s hard not to on any awning attached to a Transporter because there isn’t much room from the roof line to the door.

 

[briwy]

Just to qualify the door opening if the Comfortz awning is on then the leg can't be raised enough for the door to clear.