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Sure does Griswolds!

I think in all honesty ,because we tend to like to move around and tend only to stay on site 3 days max, the Kymer Motor Dome sounds great.

No one else seems to know what the saw business was all about!

I am begining to think we had instructions for some other Fiamma product.

I did email Fiamma about the instructions and they never got back to me (probably trying to work out what to do with the saw!).

I think the privacy room is a little ambitious for a Motorhome of our size (whilst we have a labrador lounging about on the floor!).  As I mentioned before we would have difficulty storing the poles under our seats and erecting something like the Motor Dome in 4minutes sounds fantastic!

Thanks for the input,if you see a woman inspecting your awning it's only me!

Val

I really can't see what people find to be a problem with privacy rooms/safari rooms

I'm disabled with mobility problems, and have erected the safari room onto our MH in under half an hour single handed (with two or three of us, we can have it done in under 10 mins).  Hubby and our friend went off to explore the site, and by the time they came back it was up.  They asked who had helped and I said no one - I'd done it myself.  There were just two little clips either side that I could neither reach nor climb up on anything to do, which took the pair of them 20 seconds to do.  Other than that, I'd done it all myself.

The saw was only ever used the once, to trim the figure 8 corner pieces to length.  They supply them longer to be cut down as they don't know how high your MH is, so they are supplied long, then the first time you set up, you get the front edge of your awning to the correct height once the panels are in place, and before joining the corners with the figure 8 pieces of plastic that the edges slot into, you measure it and cut it to the required length.  It only has to be done the once as the height of your awning won't change.  It's all so easy:

1. Wind out awning & let down support legs.

2. Thread side poles into top slot of side panels & insert pole between back and front of awning rails at the two ends.

3. Slide front panel into slot on lead edge of awning, and either zip up or slot figure 8 joiners in front corners (depending on what sort you have).

4. Hook back poles in place and secure velcro on side panels round them & hook clips over top rail to prevent flapping.

5. Peg down.

6. Put the kettle on.

Even if we are staying one night, if there is more than just the two of us, then we always erect the awning.  Everything stores under the long bench seat, including the breathable ground sheet, and still enough room to put two large scooter batteries and other pieces of my scooter.  I admit it did look confusing at first, and the instructions were not brilliant, but a call to the manufacturer or ask help from someone who has used one and you will soon have it sorted in a jiffy.  Have a play with it on the drive or go to a car park and wind out your awning to get an idea of where all the bits go before you actually need to use it.  I wouldn't be without ours, and don't have the patience to keep trying to edge an inch or so closer to a ready erected awning that we have left on site.  I prefer to take all my stuff with me, and taking the awning down and putting it up again when we come back isn't a problem.  They give such a massive ammount of extra room, and we put an inner tent in ours or sometimes the kids put their pup tents up in it, which isn't taking up any more room on a pitch as it is inside and the curtains are drawn, so no one can see them anyway.  We don't use the awning skirt, but I put a wind break along the base of the van, and this then gives a safe area for the pooch to roam around inside the safari room too.

Sara

They should employ you to write the instructions that are sent out with the privacy room,much easier to follow than the official instructions!

I notice you have a Lunar Newstar,you must have larger bench seats than us,we would struggle to get the poles under because of the lenth.

We have plumped for a Kyham Motordome but I would strongly recommend anyone who is erecting a privacy room for the first time to follow your instructions.

I did email Fiamma but they never responded,I also asked the supplier to give me some help with instructions but they did not help so off it went back!

Thanks Sarah,you obviously have far more patience and logic than us!

Val

Hey stop it, you're making me blush

Don't your poles come apart?  The white poles that hold the two side panels up come in three sections, (I think one part is totally seperate and the other has a spring between them).  I just pull them apart and hold them together with rubber bands to keep the pieces together.  I think they are about 3ft long max when taken apart.  With the back poles that go between the awning and the ground where you wrap the velcro round, they slide one inside the other, and again are no longer than 3 - 4 ft when pushed together (about 7ft when extended to meet the awning where it is attached to the van). 

I don't know if they are all the same (I doubt it) but my safari room has a 'squishy' foam edge where it meets the van, which you tuck behind the down pole, and this acts as a draught stopper between the van and the awning.

I will admit that when I got our safari room for the first time, I looked at it and thought "what the...."  but then sat down at the computer with the instructions and looked at the following page: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/omnistor/safari-room5800-6802.html  that was where I figured out how it all went together.  Once I had that worked out, it was easy.  Once you know where everything goes it can be done in minutes.  I think a lot of people are put off initially by the lack of decent instructions with it.  It needs pictures really.  I leave my curtains hanging at the windows and fold them up with the awning, so there is less work taking them off and putting them back.

Sara

I was disapointed when I returned it as they look fab!

I don't remember the poles coming apart but that does not mean to say they didn't!

As one of my friends described me - if given a flat pack to put together I would start and get it all out and try to put it together without reading the instructions and then go back to the begining and follow the instructions

So I think that could contribute to the situation and my husband is even worse

he had no patience at all!

Thanks for the info,you never know we may try again!

Val

hi we done the same  went from caravan to MH and got a freestanding awning to use first time out . Guess what? we havent used it since . so be sure you really want it before you buy it

PS  freestanding awning for sale

Which freestanding awning did you buy?

We were shortlisting a Kyham Motordome Excelsior or Movelite XL but to be honest I am not sure what to do,so if in doubt.......do nothing!

We would like an awning but maybe we should see what this year brings,we may manage with the roll out awning.

I suspect it could end up another purchase which ends up on ebay! I am famous for buying stuff I never use!

Val

hi val

  we had similar problem, then we saw a khyam motordome excelsior,a drive away for coachbuilts, bought one,its great erected in no time, also purchased inner tent in case we have grandkids,"heaven forbid".

                                                   tomnjune

I agree. We ran out and bought a Kyham Morordome, as we had always had Khyam tents, but find we have only used it once. Also I like sliding the van door back and just taking in the view. So ditto re awning for sale.

We have a roll out awning on the van and looked at buying sides for it for privacy/shade, but the cost put us off.

A little inginuity came into play and with the purchase of a telescopic shower rail and a large shower curtain we have an infinitly adjustable side. The pole fits between the metal parts of front and back of the awning using tension. The curtain is on standard shower curtain runners so can be fully or partially closed. Eyelets attached to the bottom allow it to be pegged down. Plus it is showerproof. Total cost £25.00. 

Quote: Originally posted by chrisandsandra on 22/2/2007

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I agree. We ran out and bought a Kyham Morordome, as we had always had Khyam tents, but find we have only used it once. Also I like sliding the van door back and just taking in the view. So ditto re awning for sale.

We have a roll out awning on the van and looked at buying sides for it for privacy/shade, but the cost put us off.

A little inginuity came into play and with the purchase of a telescopic shower rail and a large shower curtain we have an infinitly adjustable side. The pole fits between the metal parts of front and back of the awning using tension. The curtain is on standard shower curtain runners so can be fully or partially closed. Eyelets attached to the bottom allow it to be pegged down. Plus it is showerproof. Total cost £25.00. 

 

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I ordered a freestanding awning at the NEC. Its a Sunncamp. much roomier than the Movelite and lighter too. Hope I have done the right thing as I havent even got the campervan till 28th.

Robin

Saw a Sunncamp on site a couple of weeks ago,it looked great and I watched the chap put it up and it seemed easy!

I am sure you have made a wise choice Robin.

Problem I have is that the top of my door is 245 cms high and I don't think the motordome excelsior will clear it,not sure how high the sunncamp is?

Going to look at an awning display this weekend for more advice!

I will get an awning if it bl**dy kills me!

Val

The sunncamp hasnt arrived yet they said end of March as its a new model. I will post on here when I get it to let you know if its easy (or not LOL)

regards Robin

Well I've just ordered a movelite XL. I went for this as it has the throw over straps so in bad weather it's not putting strain on my wind out awning rail. In better weather it will tuck into the fiamma awning so should work well.

We have booked this years main hols and we are spending a week at a site each time so it will be well worth the purchase for us so we can keep our spot and put shoes, chairs, BBQ outdoor toys etc in and also somewhere to dry the dog before she jumps in the van all wet and muddy.

Will let you know how I find it. The first outing with it will probably be me on my own so that could be fun - although I am going with a friend so it could still be a 2 person job and then we can do hers.