We often get asked what the difference is between standard and Zip awnings apart from their costs. The clue is in the name as “Zip” awnings are manufactured with a zip fastener along each side edge of the canvas.
The zip fastener allows quick and easy installation of a Privacy Room (This also has to be a zip model room) as all you need do is simply zip the sides on to the edge of the canvas
The zip awnings are marginally (approx 0.5kg heavier) With a standard awning the sides of a privacy room are affixed using the Fiamma Fast Clip System. This kit includes a set of rails which clip into the back section of the awning case and into the pelmet (The part of the awning that extends out attached to the canvas) and then these rails have a clamp that attaches to the edge of the canvas allowing a secure fixing for the sides to slide into.
Check out the video below which shows you the fast clip system in action on a standard Fiamma Awning.
The video below shows the difference on a Fiamma Zip Awning where the sides simply zips on to the canvas.
Fitting a Bike rack to a motorhome can be a daunting process, the prospect of drilling holes in your expensive pride and joy can be off-putting for many, but those adept DIYers can proceed to install a Fiamma Bike rack themselves following some guidelines laid down below.
Before purchasing and fitting a Fiamma bike rack it would be advisable to speak to your local dealer or the manufacturer to ascertain if the rear wall of your Motorhome has any strengthened points suitable for bike racks to be fitted through.
Do you have sufficient payload available for the added weight of a bike rack and associated bikes ?
Typically a Fiamma bike rack will weigh anywhere between 5Kg all the way up to 18Kg (Lift 77 Bike rack) and then typically the maximum weight capacity is 60Kg for a 4 Bike rack. So you could be looking at 80Kg worst case.
The other consideration when fitting a fiamma bike rack or any other Motorhome Bike racks is the added length to your vehicle. Most of these bike racks can be folded up when not in use but they still add length even put away with no bikes on them. If you have a short driveway this might make a difference !
The rear of your Motorhome layout can affect the location and type of bike rack you can fit. If you have a rear window you may have to sacrifice opening this as a bike rack may obscure it or opt for a much shorter height bike rack like the Fiamma Carry-Bike Pro C which is designed for these purposes.
If the only place you can mount a fiamma bike rack is high up then you may want to opt for specialised models like the Fiamma Lift 77 which via the use of a handle can be wound down easily to waist level to put the bikes on to the rack before winding it back up. This may be also of use to you if you suffer from a heart condition and are not allowed to lift weight above a certain height.
Once a suitable location is found on the rear then you also need to ensure that the mounting bolts which go through the entire bodywork are not going to foul anything on the inside of your van, that they are accessible as you will need to place a metal rectangular spreader plate (8 x 4cm) on to the two coach bolts for each bracket and they this is secured in place via Nyloc nuts as shown in this image
Fiamma do provide cover up plastic covers for these plates/bolts which are approx 8.5 x 4.5 cm as shown below but you need to ensure there is sufficient space to accommodate the plates and these covers on the inside wall of your vehicle.
Once you have the location in place, drill your first brackets holes and bolt the first bracket in place, ensuring sikaflex or an equivalent sealant is used to ensure watertightness, this can then be used as the exact start point to reference for the remaining 3 brackets. Ensure you do not over tighten the nuts as the construction of the rear wall of some motorhomes can be sandwich type material.
Note: some Fiamma bike racks have a support rail instead of 2 individual brackets for the bottom of the rack but the same 2 bolts per side and spreader plates.
One thing to bear in mind if you do fit The Fiamma Lift 77 bike rack is this has much larger spreader plates (12 x 10cm) due to the increased weight of the bike rack.
Pre-fitted Mounting brackets
If you already have manufacturer supplied Fiamma brackets pre installed on your motorhome then our handy guide below will help to identify which Fiamma cycle rack will fit.
Measure the width between your brackets centre to centre and then the gap vertically centre to centre on the brackets and then use the handy table below to ascertain which Fiamma bike rack will fit. Note some bike racks have telescopic vertical poles and so they have a minimum and maximum height gap.
Fiamma awnings come in a wide variety of models and variants. Our guide to choosing a fiamma awning is to assist you choose the correct one for your motorhome, van or caravan.
There are also many options of different colours and sizes, however not all variants are available i.e. Deep Black awning case colours are only available for some fiamma awnings and sizes.
Fiamma Awnings Part names
The main parts can be easily identified such as the canvas is the material roof that extends out when you unwind the awning, the metal struts that push the awning out and away from the vehicle as it unwinds are called arms and the supporting struts that hold it up on the ground are called the legs.
The main outer part of the Fiamma awning is called the case with the front section that extends out being called the pelmet.
The more in depth parts naming are shown in the diagram below (Click on the image to see a larger version) :-
Fiamma Awning Colours
Fiamma awnings come in a variety of case colours and also canvas colours as follows:-
Fiamma awning case colours are Polar White (Fancy way of saying White) / Titanium (Silver) and finally Deep Black.
fiamma awning case colours
There are 8 colours that the material canvas can be:-
Royal Grey
Royal Blue
Sahara
Evergreen
Bordeaux
Deluxe Grey
Blue Ocean
Pearl Grey
In reality in the UK only the first 2 will be readily available in large quantities from stock, although some older stock may have the older Deluxe Grey (Superseded by Royal Grey) and Blue Ocean (Now superseded by Royal Blue)
Fiamma Awning Mounting Locations
Fiamma awnings are either wall or roof mounted i.e. the awning is wall mounted if it is mounted on the side of a vehicle and roof mounted if it is mounted on the edge of the roof.
The brackets you need will depend on whether you are installing the awning on a Motorhome Conversion or a Panel van Conversion or indeed a Caravan.
Fiamma F45s / F45L Awnings do come with standard installation awning brackets and the number and length of these will depend on the awning length. (The longer the awning the more brackets are used)
Some Vehicles have specific brackets for them such as Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay have a bracket for roof mounted F80 awnings which fit onto original vehicle roof studs and thereby mean an easier install as no drilling of the roof required. Other Motorhome brands also have specific brackets such as Hymer Motorhomes which have full length awning brackets available.
Fiamma F65 / F80 Awning Brackets – Click on the link and on that webpage you can choose your vehicle on the left hand menu options
Motorhome Specific Brackets – These Fiamma awning brackets are specific brackets for specific Motorhome Brands.
What Length Fiamma Awning do I need ?
Van Conversions tend to have fixed length fiamma awnings dependant upon their wheelbase i.e. whether it is a MWB / LWB etc, however Motorhomes do have some variance depending on how big a canopy you need and if anything is in the way. If considering a wall mounted awning then be aware of having sufficient height above doors and be aware of any mouldings as these can prevent installation or require the use of a spacer called an Adaptor D which comes in either 8cm or 12cm width versions which can be used to space out the awning from the side of the van to accommodate mouldings and similar obstructions.
I want to just buy a Kit for my Van Conversion ?
In order to simplify the process for customers who are doing a van conversion, we have some vehicle specific Awnings if your van is a Van conversion and not a coachbuilt or A Class Motorhome for instance. See our Vehicle Specific Awnings Kit category
I Need more help via Email
Certainly ! Just use our Contact Us page and we can assist via Email
How to choose a fiamma bike rack for your motorhome ?
With so many fiamma bike racks to choose from how do you know which one is suitable for your motorhome or caravan ?
Our simple guide to Fiamma bike racks below should assist.
Fiamma bike racks fall into a few different categories
If you are buying a fiamma bike rack for a motorhome, then firstly check if there is a specific bike rack for your vehicle as Fiamma has available bike racks which are generic such as the Pro / Pro C ranges but they also have manufacturer specific models as sometimes manufacturers will pre fit the van with the brackets for a fiamma bike rack, this instantly makes it so much easier to add a bike rack to your motorhome as all you need to do is select the correct bike rack and then once it arrives, assemble and hang on the existing brackets. Check out the model specific bike racks below as follows:-
If there isn’t a specific bike rack for your motorhome then you next need to decide which other fiamma bike rack will suit your needs.
Is your Motorhome a van conversion or Coachbuilt/A Class type van ?
If it is a van conversion then check out the Fiamma Bike Racks for Vans below. If you have a Coachbuilt / A Class then continue here.
Does your van have a window on the rear wall ?
If so then you will probably need the Fiamma Carry-Bike Pro C bike rack. The ‘C’ stands for Compact and so the bike rack can be fitted below the window.
Note Fiat Ducato vans are the same chassis as the Peugeot Boxer and the Citroën Relay and so the bike racks suitable for Ducato is suitable for Boxer / Relay vans also.
Fiamma bike racks for VW vans.
Fiamma also do a bike rack for most VW campervans with a bike rack specifically available for the following:-
Fiamma bike racks are designed to either go on the rear wall of your motorhome or otherise mount on the garage floor in your motorhome. There are strengthening points on most motorhomes in set positions which are designed for this purpose. Your dealer should be able to direct you as to the location of these.
Fiamma bike racks are held on by 4 fixing points, each fixing point has 2 bolts going directly through the entire bulkhead of the wall and has a load spreading metal rectangular plate on the opposite side of the wall and then nyloc nuts holding the plate against the inside wall.
When choosing a bike rack for your motorhome, firstly ascertain the maximum weight of the bikes you wish to use so as not to exceed the limit of the bike rack. You then need to choose a bike rack that has sufficient carrying capacity for the number of bikes you wish to use. Fiamma bike racks are between 2-4 bike rack capacity maximum.
Which Fiamma Bike Racks fit on Caravans ?
If you have any further questions then use our Contact Us form or give us a call on 01395 830663
We have been selling Fiamma products and spares for over 12 Years and so this dedicated website is the fruition of all that knowledge.
If you need to speak to someone who not only sells Fiamma products but also fits them then give us a call on 01395 830663.
We have fitted 100s if not 1000s of Fiamma products over the years from fiamma cycle racks through to fiamma awnings and all the products in between.
Please browse our site, check out our competitive internet pricing and avail yourself of our live chat should you have any queries whilst on our site.
