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Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 13:13
by tforturton
I've just been down to Swansea to buy a 3m Omnistor roll-out awning from 80-90 member Simonb.
I've been looking for a reasonably priced awning for a while, and now I have one - but I can't get over how heavy this thing is. Three mounting brackets came with it, but I reckon it could do with another - what does everyone else use? Also, bearing in mind the weight, is a central beam a good idea? And last question - I'd like to have the wall-mounted leg clips on the side of the van, but where do you put them? The front one is going to end up on the passenger door?

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 13:26
by R0B
If its one that attaches to your gutter,then be careful.I had a Fiamma wind out on my old hightop,and the weight of it cracked my gutter.

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 13:50
by Titus A Duxass
Yup!
I have the 3 metre one (I think) - it runs the full length of the bus.
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tforturton wrote:I've just been down to Swansea to buy a 3m Omnistor roll-out awning from 80-90 member Simonb.
I've been looking for a reasonably priced awning for a while, and now I have one - but I can't get over how heavy this thing is.

Yes they are bloody heavy.

tforturton wrote:Three mounting brackets came with it, but I reckon it could do with another - what does everyone else use?

I only have two brackets - one on the B Pillar and one on the back above the air intake but mine has a 25mm sq box section (more weight) as a main rail.

tforturton wrote:And last question - I'd like to have the wall-mounted leg clips on the side of the van, but where do you put them?

See above.

tforturton wrote:The front one is going to end up on the passenger door?

See above

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 13:52
by Titus A Duxass
R0B wrote:If its one that attaches to your gutter,then be careful.I had a Fiamma wind out on my old hightop,and the weight of it cracked my gutter.

Thanks for the tip Rob - I'll keep my eye on that, although bracket/foot is quite wide and has a lower blade that puts some of the load into the bodywork.

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 17:39
by Cruz
Your awning is lighter a caravanstore Titus.

The awning he is referring to is the F45 cassette version. I had a 2.5m one, which seems to be a better fit in a F45 style awning, and it was held on with two brackets. The majority of the moment of force is taken by the leg of the bracket that goes against the bodywork and not the gutter........however if your gutters are not sound.......then it theoretically could crack. My gutters are not the best in the world, I even have a split in one right near where the awning fixed and they never moved or deteriorated

I would assume one bracket sits just behind the rear window, one between the rear window and the slider on the c pillar and the other on the pillar between the slider and cab door??

Why would you want to destroy the bodywork by drilling leg holder onto it?? They don't like strong winds and I'd hate to see any unexpected winds rip the brackets off (I've seen badly bent legs due to winds)

And I wanted that awning ya bugger :lol: It was more than reasonably priced too. I paid £150 for the one I had for 4 years before some tw*t nicked it and I thought that was a steal

So don't make my mistake make sure you secure it. If you have no intentions on removing it I'd recommend fitting these nogo enlosures over your nuts (they do a version with a hole in to allow for longer threads) as I found out the hard way that M8 nuts are easily removed as are the snap off nuts (I remove them for fun at work)

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I also have other ideas for securing the anwing that are removeable. PM sent

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 17:59
by itchyfeet
Got the F45 3m on two fiamma bractets
Only been on this year but no problems yet

Rattles a bit if not rolled away properly

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 18:06
by Cruz
itchyfeet wrote:Got the F45 3m on two fiamma bractets
Only been on this year but no problems yet

Rattles a bit if not rolled away properly
Itchyfeet just watch out how it's secured.

Mine was just fitted with an m8 nut (for torque purposes) with one of those stainless snap off nuts on top of the standard nut for "security" and it was nicked in no time by a pair of scrotes in a van (I assume) :cry:

I have since tested the stainless m8 snap off nuts and I got one off in about 15 seconds :roll:

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 18:21
by itchyfeet
thanks, bolts are 'modified'

I know it's a hassle but it is insured and it's not parked on the street but obviously it does go out.

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Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 18:55
by The Bobdogs
3m Omnistor on only two brackets....has been on constantly for two years ...no probs whatsoever (even when it turned into a high level paddling pool at Skegvegas this year..!)

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Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 19:10
by Cruz
itchyfeet wrote:thanks, bolts are 'modified'

I know it's a hassle but it is insured and it's not parked on the street but obviously it does go out.

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Very nice. Not worth claiming though given excess and increased premiums. Insurance eh? :roll: :lol:

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 19:21
by itchyfeet
Cruz wrote:
I also have other ideas for securing the anwing that are removeable. PM sent

Id be very happy to read that belt and braces :D

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 22:20
by tforturton
I had planned to keep it in the garage, and only put it on the bus when I was going camping, but it's not going to be an easy job for one person!

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013, 22:42
by Cruz
Its a hassle. easy two man job but a hassle

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 06 Nov 2013, 15:23
by tforturton
That very fit-looking young lady in the Fiamma adverts doesn't seem to have any problems.

Re: Anyone use a 3m roll-out awning?

Posted: 06 Nov 2013, 15:39
by Titus A Duxass
tforturton wrote:That very fit-looking young lady in the Fiamma adverts doesn't seem to have any problems.

I'd have a problem if she tried to roll mine out.