Fiamma F65S awning damage - repairable?

[stuartholmes]

Anybody ever seen anything like this before?

More importantly, anybody able to recommend someone to fix it, ideally in or near Nottingham/East Midlands?

We woke up to this damage earlier today and have absolutely no idea how it was caused. Van parked on our front drive, no storm damage or anything like that in the area & the only explanation I can think of is deliberate vandalism with a long stick but if somebody didn't like us parking on our own land there are plenty of easier ways they could have picked to cause damage.

Not that it's desperately bad damage as winding in & out still works but you can imagine I don't want to leave it like this. So any and all comrents & suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!!

 

[Jev88]

Never seen. But I bet a Fiamma fitting specialist will have done.

 

[Just smiffy]

It’s obviously been under some tension, I would think that it’s got some clips that normally hold it down in place and for some reason it’s popped off… it’s not vandalism as there would be a definite ridge/point if someone was to push it up with a stick/broom handle…

 

[Just smiffy]

Just found this, looks like there are clips that hold it in place, I would also make sure the end caps are on properly as it seems something is putting it under tension….

 

[Minxy]

Its a known issue hence why it should have clips on to prevent it 'warping'.

Look what the wind has done to my awning.

Somehow the wind has lifted up and bent the top part of the casing. I tried to climb up a ladder with a cable tie in the night but when it blew the thing out of my hand I decided that it was probably buggered and there was no point in buggering me too. Has it happened to anyone else, its a...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[L' Hobo]

While it could be strong wind while driving, is it possible that you have driven or reversed hitting one of the end on something and this has squeezed the centre up slightly? (Possibly, just a touch?)

slacken off the roof retaining clips and you might be able to push it back again.

 

[Minxy]

I think it happens due to the thinner material being used for the cover so doesn't have sufficient strength to hold it rigid/straight and over time it warps, hence the need for the little clips.

 

[stuartholmes]

I think it happens due to the thinner material being used for the cover so doesn't have sufficient strength to hold it rigid/straight and over time it warps, hence the need for the little clips.

Thank you. My best guess was it might have got sucked up by the air pressure while driving, which would be how it happens enough to be a 'known issue'.
I can't see any sign of there ever having been 'clips' so maybe they're a newer thing. (Mine is from 12 yrs ago.)
Have to decide whether to replace it or put up with it I guess as my lovely local people (Lodge Farm Leisure) said aluminum stretches so no point trying to bend it back as it now won't fit anymore.

 

[L' Hobo]

Thank you. My best guess was it might have got sucked up by the air pressure while driving, which would be how it happens enough to be a 'known issue'.
I can't see any sign of there ever having been 'clips' so maybe they're a newer thing. (Mine is from 12 yrs ago.)
Have to decide whether to replace it or put up with it I guess as my lovely local people (Lodge Farm Leisure) said aluminum stretches so no point trying to bend it back as it now won't fit anymore.

Would it be possible to put a flat, inch wide bar along the edge, secure it with sikaflex and a few rivets, to stop it stretching further if its wind that cause it?

 

[stuartholmes]

Would it be possible to put a flat, inch wide bar along the edge, secure it with sikaflex and a few rivets, to stop it stretching further if its wind that cause it?

I've been tempted to try something like that, except that both ends of the bent piece still look secure & almost as original so if I try to straighten the bend, which presumably is part of that plan, the aluminium will inevitably kink somewhere as I try to make a stretched edge fit an old space.

Incidentally, I have a new theory about how the problem may have arisen.. A couple of weeks ago I drove the van across the Pennines in some highish side winds. I'm wondering whether wind could have found enough of a gap through the slot to get in where fabric comes out & get enough purchase to push the aluminium up just by the sheer volume of air trying to find it's way in. (This relies on me & my wife having walked past the thing about 40 times each without noticing but maybe that's possible.)

We're going to live with it for a few weeks while having a think about how much it actually matters, but I feel a replacement coming on....

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[Mikeco]

There should definitely be two clips on holding it down but they can work loose and disappear. I lost one and moved the remaining one to the centre.

 

[Kenp]

Just found this, looks like there are clips that hold it in place, I would also make sure the end caps are on properly as it seems something is putting it under tension….

View attachment 718657

I would suggest you just by the bent metal as shown in Just Smiffy's diagram. Its an easy task to fit.

 

[stuartholmes]

Its a known issue hence why it should have clips on to prevent it 'warping'.

Look what the wind has done to my awning.

Somehow the wind has lifted up and bent the top part of the casing. I tried to climb up a ladder with a cable tie in the night but when it blew the thing out of my hand I decided that it was probably buggered and there was no point in buggering me too. Has it happened to anyone else, its a...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

That's really really helpful thank you. Nice to know we're not alone yet disappointing that the design allows this issue to be so frequent.

But I have a solution, & will report separately below ☺

 

[stuartholmes]

I think it happens due to the thinner material being used for the cover so doesn't have sufficient strength to hold it rigid/straight and over time it warps, hence the need for the little clips.

Completely agree, no clips on mine but when you look at the long piece of flimsy metal it's not surprising that some kind of reinforcement is needed.

 

[stuartholmes]

So, with thanks to everyone for the numerous helpful comments, suggestions & info above which between them set me to wondering what there was to lose by sticking my head through the rooflight in search of the 'clips' referred to above.
(What there was to lose by not trying 'everything else' was the £1035.00 I've just been quoted for supply & fitting of a whole new awning, which had been suggested as the only way since you can't get just the bent bit.)
Still with me? So I'm up a ladder inside the 'van & shining my torch on the top of the awning. Definitely no clips in sight but while there I thought I'd give the bent section a bit of downward pressure just for the heck of it & quick as a flash the thing went bang & popped back into place where it was meant to be.
The suggestion I'd been given that once bent it was also stretched & couldn't go back proved inaccurate, it's not easy to be sure until daylight returns tomorrow but I'm strongly of the opinion that all is now fine in our world & the only problem is what else to do with the £1K we no longer need to spend on it.
Can't even use it to buy electricity as we had solar panels fitted to the house last month....
Thanks again everyone!!

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[L' Hobo]

So, with thanks to everyone for the numerous helpful comments, suggestions & info above which between them set me to wondering what there was to lose by sticking my head through the rooflight in search of the 'clips' referred to above.
(What there was to lose by not trying 'everything else' was the £1035.00 I've just been quoted for supply & fitting of a whole new awning, which had been suggested as the only way since you can't get just the bent bit.)
Still with me? So I'm up a ladder inside the 'van & shining my torch on the top of the awning. Definitely no clips in sight but while there I thought I'd give the bent section a bit of downward pressure just for the heck of it & quick as a flash the thing went bang & popped back into place where it was meant to be.
The suggestion I'd been given that once bent it was also stretched & couldn't go back proved inaccurate, it's not easy to be sure until daylight returns tomorrow but I'm strongly of the opinion that all is now fine in our world & the only problem is what else to do with the £1K we no longer need to spend on it.
Can't even use it to buy electricity as we had solar panels fitted to the house last month....
Thanks again everyone!!

Now about this £1000 that is causing you concern, I run a charity called Old Orphan Hobo Hostel (Oohh! for short) and if you would like to PM me, I will send you details of where to send the bank transfer and relieve you of your worries. We are here to help!

 

[2x2camper]

Anybody ever seen anything like this before?

More importantly, anybody able to recommend someone to fix it, ideally in or near Nottingham/East Midlands?

We woke up to this damage earlier today and have absolutely no idea how it was caused. Van parked on our front drive, no storm damage or anything like that in the area & the only explanation I can think of is deliberate vandalism with a long stick but if somebody didn't like us parking on our own land there are plenty of easier ways they could have picked to cause damage.

Not that it's desperately bad damage as winding in & out still works but you can imagine I don't want to leave it like this. So any and all comrents & suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!!
View attachment 718654

Just push it back down with your hand. I have had this happen once with ours. I think the wind just caught it, never had it happen again and the original time was about 4 years ago.

 

[stuartholmes]

Now about this £1000 that is causing you concern, I run a charity called Old Orphan Hobo Hostel (Oohh! for short) and if you would like to PM me, I will send you details of where to send the bank transfer and relieve you of your worries. We are here to help!

I'll add you to my wish list for Santa

 

[stuartholmes]

Just push it back down with your hand. I have had this happen once with ours. I think the wind just caught it, never had it happen again and the original time was about 4 years ago.

That's reassuring thank you. We've only had this van a few months & did wonder whether it might happen a lot.
At least now I have what should normally be a quick & simple solution. ☺

 

[L' Hobo]

That's reassuring thank you. We've only had this van a few months & did wonder whether it might happen a lot.
At least now I have what should normally be a quick & simple solution. ☺

The side awning I have on my Old VW has two, half inch wide, leather straps around it at front and towards the back. Its mainly for show but does add extra security to stop it unravelling.
I know there is a height difference but you might be able to reach yours through the skylight if it should happen again?

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[stuartholmes]

The side awning I have on my Old VW has two, half inch wide, leather straps around it at front and towards the back. Its mainly for show but does add extra security to stop it unravelling.
I know there is a height difference but you might be able to reach yours through the skylight if it should happen again?

That's how I got to mine. I did use a short ladder from the house to facilitate the reach, which obviously isn't something I'm going to always have handy, but I'm sure my wife will be happy to let me climb on her shoulders...

Sounds like you might have expeirience of pre-war MGs??

 

[stuartholmes]

Now about this £1000 that is causing you concern, I run a charity called Old Orphan Hobo Hostel (Oohh! for short) and if you would like to PM me, I will send you details of where to send the bank transfer and relieve you of your worries. We are here to help!

Think I have a solution to my shopping dilemma: http://www.omni-van.co.uk/

 

[L' Hobo]

Think I have a solution to my shopping dilemma: http://www.omni-van.co.uk/

Does that mean you are going to give your £1000 to help out 'poor' DHL? Spend it on a 360 degree camera (that won't keep you very sheltered?)

OR you are going to send ME the money via DHL? Thankyou, that will be much appreciated!

 

[stuartholmes]

Does that mean you are going to give your £1000 to help out 'poor' DHL? Spend it on a 360 degree camera (that won't keep you very sheltered?)

OR you are going to send ME the money via DHL? Thankyou, that will be much appreciated!

No, I'm going to save all the repair costs otherwise incurred by getting half an inch too close to the things that were inconsiderate enough to be where I want the front of my 'van to be. People should know I'm prone to pushing the limits!

 

[stuartholmes]

No, I'm going to save all the repair costs otherwise incurred by getting half an inch too close to the things that were inconsiderate enough to be where I want the front of my 'van to be. People should know I'm prone to pushing the limits!

Does that mean you are going to give your £1000 to help out 'poor' DHL? Spend it on a 360 degree camera (that won't keep you very sheltered?)

OR you are going to send ME the money via DHL? Thankyou, that will be much appreciated!

Or I might just get a £20 reversing camera off ebay & mount it in reverse...