Pop Up Camper Awnings

The awning is one of the basic essentials for any RV.  They provide shelter from the elements and expand the living space which comes at a premium in a pop up camper. It’s rare to see a camper set up without one and we’ve all seen or even used a tarp to cover the camper and provide additional refuge from above.

There are several types of awnings available for pop up campers. The bag awning is the most common as well as the least expensive but they can also be the source of many problems. The awning on my first camper was 8’ long and only cost $195 but it was a real pain in the neck. First of all, I had to start setting it up or packing it away when the camper was partially cranked up or else it was out of reach; secondly, the weight of the stored awning caused the stitches on the bag stretched over time and allowed rain water to collect inside of the bag creating a mildewed mess on the awning fabric and poles.

My next camper came with a box awning that provided a semi water tight compartment for the awning when it was stored, but mechanics of it were the source a temper tantrum or 2 when it came to getting it to roll back up into the storage housing.  However, it was able to be opened and closed while the camper was fully cranked up which came in handy when a very strong storm blew through the campground one night.

My current camper came equipped with a 12½’ bag awning complete with 3 vertical poles and 3 horizontal poles that took us longer to set up than the rest of the camper. One afternoon we returned to our campsite and found the awning had blown back over the camper and punched a 1” round hole in the roof and bent one of the support legs beyond repair. That’s when I decided I was going to replace the awning with one of better quality.

Finding the perfect awning

My wife and I camp a lot and I just didn’t have the patience for another cheap awning. I did my research online and visited 2 RV dealerships and looked at a bunch different brands and types. I discovered that most RV awning makers don’t make a better awning for pop ups.  Then I discovered the Fiamma awning at an RV show and found my awning.

The Fiamma F45Ti offered all of the features I was looking for. At the show I was able use the hand crank to open and close their demo unit and was most impressed with the smooth feel of the mechanics and the appearance of the box. The fabric, which is rot & mildew resistant, is available in 5 different colors and the box is available in either Polar White or Titanium. Extended it reaches out 8’2” but can be extended less if desired. The awning is supported by 2 vertical, self storing, adjustable length legs that can be fastened to the side of the camper or anchored to the ground;  2 fixed lateral arms that are part of the winch mechanism;  and a removable center rafter to prevent rain from pooling on top.

Though it cost more than we originally intended to pay we ended buying a 13’ 4” Fiamma F45Ti  because of its quality, appearance (both open and closed), and most of all set up and take down is a 1-person operation, after the camper is set up.

Installation

I chose to install the awning myself which only took an hour with the help of a friend.  Though complete instructions came with the awning, I found it very easy to install with minimal prep. Everything I needed came with the awning and the only tools required were a Philips head screw driver, a drill with a 3/8” bit and ratchet wrench with a ½” socket.

The first step was to take off the old awning by removing 2 screws and sliding it out of the channel.

Fiamma furnished 3 special brackets in the event that that was no existing channel or if the existing channel was installed on the rounded section or on the top of the roof.  The channel on my camper’s roof was securely installed at the factory and just barely on the curve and I decided to use it rather than installing the supplied brackets.

The new awning slid right into the camper’s factory installed channel. Since the supplied brackets and bolts were designed to support the top and bottom of the awning’s housing, I drilled through the inside of the housing and through the side of the roof and used the supplied bolts to secure the awning to the side of the roof.  The total installation was simple and took less than an hour. After a couple of test openings and closings I have my new awning figured out and couldn’t be happier.

One thing to remember is all RV awnings can be damaged by strong winds and heavy rains. For light rain using the center support bracket and lowering one of the support legs will prevent water from pooling and stretching the fabric however, the awning should be closed in heavy rains and/or high winds.

More Information

According to their website, Fiamma awnings have been around for 25 years but mainly marketed for big rigs where bag awnings are not an option. They are not the cheapest awning but I haven’t found one with better quality and I’m certain that this will be my last awning purchase for this camper.

For more information about Fiamma awnings visit their website at www.fiammausa.com or call 407/672-0091.