HELP! Fiamma F4S Awning Bracket Mounting Issue on T6 California Beach (LHD)

ioich · Jul 6, 2021

HI, I'm based in Italy and just picked up a Fiamma F45S with the Califormia T5/T6 mounting brackets included (for the LHD version - so mounting on right hand side of van). Much to my dismay the rear bracket doesn't fit 100%. The mounting holes fall to the exterior of the vehicle and the bracket is also too low when mounted plush on the multi-rail. The seller has suggested that my van may have have work done on the roof ( I bought is used last year - build year 2016) - but as far as i can see it looks all normal.

I've been trying to find another California without an awning mounted to test the bracket, but it's proved impossible so far. I have tried the bracket on a T5 with a Thule awning mounted - it wasn't a perfect test, the holes seem more alligned (but this is psobably du to it being positioned more to th rear of the vehicle than the mouonting points) but the part of the bracket that overlaps the 3 holes is still lower than needed. See below -

Here's mine again from a similar angle -

I'd really appreciate it if anyone has has similar issues and found solutions for mounting asside from sending the Fiamma brackets back for replacement!
Thanks!

ioich · Jul 6, 2021

BTW i also watched a video online for mounting the F45S and at 3:34 in the video you can see that even here the rear bracket isn't exactly flush:

Maybe this goes to show that one should really just purchase the original VW Thule awning kits...

Ch1pbutty · Jul 6, 2021

Contact the Club shop as they sell the awnings, so will know which bracket fits

VW California T5/T6/T6.1 Fiamma F45s Awning inc Rain Guard - Grey

VW California T5/T6/T6.1 Fiamma F45s Awning inc Rain Guard - Grey - Ideal upgrade for the VW California.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

andyinluton · Jul 6, 2021

You sure you havn't got the front & rear brackets mixed up?

ioich · Jul 6, 2021

andyinluton said:
You sure you havn't got the front & rear brackets mixed up?

100% sure. the other bracket fits the fron mount like a glove.

ioich · Jul 6, 2021

Ch1pbutty said:
Contact the Club shop as they sell the awnings, so will know which bracket fits

VW California T5/T6/T6.1 Fiamma F45s Awning inc Rain Guard - Grey

VW California T5/T6/T6.1 Fiamma F45s Awning inc Rain Guard - Grey - Ideal upgrade for the VW California.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

The bracket IS the right one, but it's build tolerances just suck somewhat. The seller has now come clean with me and said that Fiamma have admitted that on some Cali's there is a slight interference issue with this bracket. They say that if you mount the bracket with the top 3 bolts, then with the weight of the awning you should then me able to attach the bolts to the rail as well. Personally this is really poor quality for me and makes me want to switch to the original VW parts.