Fiamma F35 awning - here or France?

Hi all!

It's that time of year where I start thinking about what to get for my campervan! While I had been considering upgrading my little T5 this year, the price of larger vans that are still Van shaped has definitely put me off...who else saw that VW for €134k!!!??? So instead I'm looking at improving the van I have

Last year we went around Europe during May and June and were unpleasantly surprised by the massive heatwave. We're going again this year but will go in April and May to hopefully avoid the worst of the heat. However, I was considering getting a fiamma awning added to my van to give some extra shade. I want to get a roll out awning because I don't have a lot of storage space inside the van. I'm not wedded to the Fiamma brand btw so if there are better options, please let me know!

I guess I have a couple of questions that I hope all the knowledgeable Craicers can help me out with!

1. Is it worth while getting an awning that has side walls?
2. What are the best brands?
3. Am I better off waiting until I'm in France or Italy to get one fitted to my van? Prices seem lower on the continent but do these things normally take ages to get done?

I had a 4.5 metre Fiamma awning fitted a few years ago by Vanderlust in Co. Clare and it took around an hour, maybe an hour and a half. Great job and very pleased with it. A good price too. Maybe better to get a price in Ireland first then at least you'd have something to work from.

Do these not take up a lot of space in the van?

Here's a link

https://www.camping-intl.com/p…nex-2023/#

I'm starting to panic a little bit. I ordered a Fiamma awning for my van back in the middle of January. A couple of weeks later I realised I needed an additional bracket and added that to the order. I was told they'd take about 2-3 weeks so I should have had them by the end of February at the latest.

Well here we are, 14th of March and I still don't have my awning. The company I ordered it from told me last week that their supplier has said it is still in transit but they've found a new supplier that should arrive this week. I phoned today because I'm getting nervous seeing as I sail on the 1st of April. They actually told me that other awnings had come in but my one hasn't and it took them til last week to think that maybe that's a bit strange

I really hope it does come this week because I need to get my panel beater to attach it because I'm about as good at DIY as my dog!

Good news! My awning and brackets have finally arrived at the shop and are being dispatched today! Fingers crossed I will get them tomorrow

Bad news! My normal garage doesn't think they'll be able to fit me in. Does anyone have any suggestions of somewhere in Cork that could fit the brackets and awning for me before the 1st of April?!

Try vehicle repair solutions, they are in Cloyne, give Jason a call @ 0868607289, explain your situation and they may be able to help you. They are always busy but also very helpful to folk in bother.

Abacus Motorhomes in Glasnevin,
Fitted one for my Daughter.

https://happycampers.ie/ work on only VW's

Newline Camper Conversions is a Wexford based company specialising in the conversion

Maynooth Motorhome's.?

Who have you tried?

So! The day before we leave for France and I finally have my awning thanks to my lovely local panel beater!!

Now I just need for the ferry to actually go ahead and hopefully my dog won’t destroy the van during the crossing now that we no longer have access to a pet friendly cabin!

Sure if everything went to plan I’d have no stories

Enjoy your trip