best awning for VW vans

[tapsy]

Hi all i am looking to buy a roll out awning there are a few brands out there but i want one that can be pulled out quickly so as to make a meal in the rain or blazing sun without setting up the tent. have been looking at the Fiamma F45ti but a bit pricey at around $900, but it is very easy to use (100% auto as a web site describes it) and stable and folds away into a hard case. I have seen some ARB ones that zip up into a canvas bag that are also mounted on the side of the van.

The Fiamma can be mounted to the roof rails with brackets but i also want to add a roof rack so i guess i would mount it to that??

anyway would like some opinions etc on what people are using and would recommend

[rob64981]

The Fiamma ones are the choice to go with in Europe.
I had a wind out one on the T25 that we used to own.
It was a great piece of kit.
They are expensive but well worth the money.
You can also use them as an extra room if you get the sides and front, Did you know this?
I know this is a UK site but will give you some idea...Agent Fiamma - The UK's Leading Online Fiamma Accessory Agent
Hope things are well for you Geoff?
Rob and the family

[MultiplexMan]

I have the Howling Moon Alu Awn. It mounts on to the Thule roof racks and hangs below the cross bars. I've also got the matching sides/front for a mozzie free room. Pictures somehwere on the forum...

I tried the Thule awning but it looked like a cruise missle strapped to the roof of the van!

I'd second the Fiamma as my first choice. However for the price of the Fiamma you get the Howling Moon awning and vestibule...

[tapsy]

It mounts on to the Thule roof racks and hangs below the cross bars. I've also got the matching sides/front for a mozzie free room. Pictures somehwere on the forum...

another question.......... is the Thule rack a good unit?? have looked at the Rhino racks... not cheap

as i will need some racks and a basket to throw on stuff we don't wont inside.. eg tent and gas cylinders. and to mount an awning..

[BobR]

Fiamma Caravanstore awnings come in different lenghts. Mine is 2.0m. Quite easy to put up/down and goes inside for security. Mate had a pullout awning stolen from his van while he was in a cafe.

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[MultiplexMan]

another question.......... is the Thule rack a good unit?? have looked at the Rhino racks... not cheap

as i will need some racks and a basket to throw on stuff we don't wont inside.. eg tent and gas cylinders. and to mount an awning..

I can recommend the Thule racks. Great fit and quiet on the road. I have the aero bars as opposed to the square bar. And they are not cheap.

I am considering changing my current set-up to utilise a roof top tent. I am using the entire "cargo bay" for site gear/work station. Even when I "play" I stow the mountain bike "indoors". I am not keen on leaving 10K worth of MTB locked on an external bike rack... It just means solar panels off the roof and to free standing racks.

I do not want to go to a trailer or a caravan.

[tapsy]

I have the aero bars as opposed to the square bar. And they are not cheap.

I am considering changing my current set-up to utilise a roof top tent.

sounds like what i am looking for Does that mean you may have your racks up for sale in the near future?? do you have a tray/basket as well?

[MultiplexMan]

sounds like what i am looking for Does that mean you may have your racks up for sale in the near future?? do you have a tray/basket as well?

Sorry no basket and I'd be using the bars to secure the roof top tent.

Bit of a snag at the moment as the local Autohome importer only has white GRP roof top tent hard shells with brown fabric in stock. As opposed to carbon hard shells with carbon fabric that would match the Kombi Beach perfectly...

[BobRonk]

Dragging up an old thread, would be interested here what other roof rack/awning combos people have fitted to the vans?

[Umai Naa!!]

A mate has an ARB one mounted to Rhino roof racks on his field service truck.

No reason why this wouldnt work on a van. I'm considering doing the same, since I already have a set of Rhino racks here. If not, I'll get a Fiamma one with T5-specific brackets, that bolts directly to the roof turret. Id prefer the Fiamma one, as I nearly always have height clearance issues at job sites.