Awning for a VW T5

I have an Autosleepers Trident Hi Top based on the VWT5 van 2005.
I’m thinking of buying a ‘Fiamma’ type wind out awning to replace the current awning which slides into a track attached to the vanand has support poles and guy ropes, it takes up valuable space in the back of the van.
Ideally I would like to buy a second hand one but there’s probably not many of those around! Have you got one for sale?
I’m looking for advice on the subject, if I buy one can I fit it or does it need particular skills etc.
Which fixed to van awnings are recommended. Are ‘ extras’ required to attach it to a T5.
Anyone experienced in fitting one.
Any recommendations for suppliers and if necessary fitters in the South West of the Uk.

Fiama do an "awning in a bag" roll out awning which should slide in to the track on the side of your van if its a "C" channel. You can leave it in the channel and fit bullets at either end of the channel to stop it sliding out when your on the road. Its much cheaper than the ones that are fixed to the van and can of course be removed fairly easily if you decide to take your driveaway awning instead. Added bonus is it takes only a minute or so to fit on to the van so you wont need a specialist fitter to install it for you.
We had one on our old van which we sold on ebay but you will find them 2nd hand on there. Only sold it because our new van already had an Omnistor wind out awning.
The Fiamma roll out "awning in a bag" is fairly easy to unroll and roll back up but it obviously isn't as easy as the wind out ones. We never struggled with it though and as it is much much cheaper to buy new probably worth the effort?
If you buy any of them 2nd hand be careful to check very throughly for damage to the fabric especially at the junctions of the fabric with the casings/attachments at top and bottom. Replacement fabrics cost about 50% of the new awning cost so you don't want to go there!
Also bear in mind that these roll out awnings are not good in windy conditions and even when tied down can damage easily.
If you read the manufacturers instructions on both Fiamma and Omnistor roll outs they tell you not to put them up in windy conditions, not to leave them out unattended and always wind them in at night. So not really that flexible. I know from my own experience that even when you follow the manufacturers instructions they can tear easily!
The side panels you can buy for them are bulky and heavy and take up more room than the lightweight dome style driveaway awnings, so we have found a cheap windbreak works almost as well plus it can of course be left up even after you wind the awning away so its much easier to put the roll out awning away at night or when the wind picks up.
South West awning suppliers - Highbridge Caravans have most types either in stock or to order and are very good with advice etc. Just off M5 at Highbridge.

Thank you for your reply, it certainly is an option to consider. The wind out awnings seem to cost about £650 and then need to be fitted at a further cost. Although not overly expensive, the c section awning in a bag with appropriate poles etc only takes 5 mins to put up. We do take it down at night though in case of wind and rain.
All options will be considered but practicality and cost are really the two deciding factors in the end.!

If I hadn`t already got the Fiamma wind out awning on my Topaz I would have gone for the C rail and slid a sun canopy into it, light weight, doesn`t take up much room and far less costly.

By the time they are fitted the wind outs are nearer £800.
The slide on roll out awning in a bag is about £220 and as you already have a c channel you simply slide it on and fit the bullets at the end. No need for a fitting charge.
I dont think you would need any extra roof poles on a VW T5 length canopy. We didnt on our old hightop ford transit (AS Duetto).

Hi

See that you are in Sunny Devon.
About 100 miles from you so good for a few days away are Rose Awnings based in Poole
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They attend most of the Motorhome shows and always have a few used/reconditioned wind-outs  as well as new ones
Might be worth a call

David

Hi

See that you are in Sunny Devon.
About 100 miles from you so good for a few days away are Rose Awnings based in Poole
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
They attend most of the Motorhome shows and always have a few used/reconditioned wind-outs  as well as new ones
Might be worth a call

David

Thanks once again for your responses, there’s no great rush to do this job as we’ve no intention of going away again until after the school hols are over and done with!
It’s good to have all the information and make an informed decision based upon it so thank you to those who have responded and those who may do so!