Howdy, Finally looking at replacing my Dometic awing fabric. Cloud Driver provided an excellent how to. Thank you.Saw a friends Class B with a Fiamma awning. Seemed much easier to use and I liked the compact sealed housing. Also seemed to work better then the "window shade" Dometic. Before I change the Dometic fabric I am thinking about just buying a Fiamma to replace the Dometic. Any one have any experience with these? Is the Fiamma truly a better design? Thank you

I have a Coach house Motorhome which came with a Fiamma awning. It does work easy and everything but it is very fragel. and I have had to replace broken hinges on the support arms. It can not take as much wind as the other brands in my opinion.I will not leave to go any place without retraction the awning for fear wind will brake it. I like it because it is encased for travel and I don't have to worry about it blowing open in a cross wind.so you have to weigh the good and the bad.One other thing is the Fiamma is made in eruope and spair parts are kind of difficult to get there is only one parts dealer some place in Florida.

I have the Fiamma and it has worked great. It is easy to take out and in. I have had no problems with it. But I agree with the post above. It just doesn't look like it will take much abuse from wind, rain etc. I've always rolled it in when there is a hint of something brewing. I had a Zip Dee on my previous trailer which impressed me as being relatively sturdy.

I can't remember the exact details, but if I remember right, some Dometic/A&E awnings are built by Fiamma.I had a broken bracket, and ordered an expensive assembly (the only way they would sell it) from Dometic/A&E. Then I had to take the awning apart to replace the assembly. Then after the fact, I figured out that it was built by Fiamma, and I could have just bought the broken plastic piece for $13 from Fiamma. And all I would have had to do is undo one bolt, slide it on and have I would have been done.

I have had two Fiamma awnings and don't want another for the reasons posted by others above: just too durn flimsy and I was always afraid of the slightest wind. Yes, they are neat looking but I would never use one in even a good stout breeze because of the design and lightness. PSW

Just bought a used Phoenix Cruiser, a 2006. It has a broken Fiamma awning. I called one rv dealer locally and was told never heard of that brand. Someone mentioned here getting parts from Go Westy but I went to that website and got no response when doing a search. The next try is the place in Florida listed on the Fiamma website. Otherwise, I'm guessing you have to order overseas. I also called Phoenix but it's late so I'll try that tomorrow. I am using the rv already and the rest is fine. The seller told me about the awning not working, end cap with whatever mechanical parts need replacing. I'm hoping this isn't that hard to deal with. And I appreciate the message of don't leave it out to be blown, it won't last. Don't know what it would cost to replace with another brand. Any comments. Thanks.

Dometic Awning VS. Fiamma | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2016
I would go for the Domestic one. That Flamma sounds like a hooker.
Eastwacamper
Explorer
Aug 10, 2016
Lock and velcro. Good ideas. We had an incident driving across South Dakota a class c which I no longer have where the whipping wind grabbed the cloth and sucked it out and it flapped in the wind. We drove slowly to the next exit where there was one building. It was a bar or restaurant that was about to close. I stood on a picnic table and put things back together. Fortunately the employee there gave me a few ties and I put them on. Never a problem again. Sold that rig. Now to make the newer one work well.
fourthclassC
Explorer
Aug 10, 2016
The awning lock is an interesting idea. As I went through the process of replacing the fabric and opened and closed the awning several times, it became obvious to me that the awing was not suffeciently tight to the rv wall. I used some velcro straps on each upright arm when closed to reduce any possibility of unintentional opening. I suggest all to do the same. That is one attribute that the Fiamma awing has that is better then the Dometic.
Horizon170
Explorer
Aug 10, 2016
We had the Fiamma on our "B" but I wouldn't want a longer one one a "C".
Marvin
Bordercollie
Explorer
Aug 10, 2016
If you stay with Dometic, you can get original fabric colors. Recommend you install an awning lock to prevent possible unfurling and destruction of awing while underway. About $50 and simple to install or have installed when installing new fabric. Google RV Awning Lock.
Eastwacamper
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
fireflock, yes, I am thinking about that. I'll do some looking but in the end I may replace it with another brand. I'll see what people like best, what brand and kind or model. Fortunately I can go camping anyway but will make a decision after I look at the situation. This weekend will be hot and I'm dry camping so it would have been nice. But I feel lucky to be able to go. Life is good.
fireflock
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Eastwacamper wrote:
Just bought a used Phoenix Cruiser, a 2006. It has a broken Fiamma awning. .......... Any comments. Thanks.

I have a 2003 Fiamma and some parts to replace this week.

You can order parts directly from Fiamma via their website. Their distributor in FL will ship them, but plan to wait. Shipping is expensive.

Fiamma has a nice series of how to videos on their website showing how to fix common problems. http://www.fiammausa.com/service/advicesVideo.asp Some of those same videos are on https://www.youtube.com/user/FiammaVideo/videos

From my perspective, the Fiamma awning I have is OK if you're mechanically inclined once you get to know it.

Relying on someone else to fix every little problem would get to be an expensive hassle really fast. If you can't find someone local to you, I'd consider replacing it with something more easily serviced.
Eastwacamper
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Hi, fourthclassc, All the comments here help. I can't do the work myself. So I need to find an rv shop or dealer to do it for me. But I can't diagnose exactly what went on before me. Interesting that these awnings are used but are somewhat unknown by people. I'll keep your idea of Dometic in mine in case I need to replace and not repair. If I had my drothers, I'd like an electric one. Just like I love my electric step. But a cheap repair would suit me.
fourthclassC
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
OP Here. I decided to keep my Dometic awing based on what every one said about the Fiamma. Also a friend has a broken Fiamma and I got a chance to check it out. The Dometic is stronger in my opinion. I changed the fabric according to the instructions from Cloud Driver, from this forum. It worked out great. Huge thank you to Cloud Driver.
Eastwacamper
Explorer
Aug 09, 2016
Thanks for that. I like the idea of portable shade. The mh I bought has the one added on so I have to deal with that first. It may take a while for me to solve this problem so I will use the Phoenix anyway. No shade for now. Not a bad deal in the end. Happy camping!