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Awning sun shade
Has anyone attached a sun shade to the awning of their Lazy Daze?  We have a 2006 midbath and sometimes need extra shade added to awning
2006 Mid Bath
Re: Awning sun shade
Reply #1 –

Hi Sunsign03;  Welcome back to the Group!  The Fiamma awning outer cover does have a full length groove that is suitable to mount a hanging 'drape' material from.  I've seen this done just once at a Lazy Daze meeting, and I have a sample hanger that is a piece of stainless steel. The piece is about 1/8" diameter, about 2" long with an 'L' bend at each end.
   The bent pieces stick out about 1/4" and allow you to push them along the groove. They hold in a very thin screen fabric the full length. The fabric was about 54" width material and had hanging picnic table lead weights clipped along the bottom length. This provided better shade for people under the awning.
    I've heard of complete screen rooms for bug and sun protection, but I'm not sure the Fiamma was a good framework for something that heavy or complicated.
    Here is a Fiamma awning privacy room: Amazon.com: Campervan Awning Tent 10’ Family Room RV Awning Screen Room...  
     Is this what you were looking for?  I don't remember anybody mentioning this anytime lately.   RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Awning sun shade
Reply #2 –
When we were at Borrego recently, we could have used more shade. Our awning was deployed as it wasn’t very windy but a sudden gust of wind caused concern to the point where I physically was holding on to the awning arm.

Is there a way to anchor the awning while out?  Barring that, we are considering purchasing a pop-up cover.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Awning sun shade
Reply #3 –
Long ago I made a sun shade that hangs from the awning and is staked to the ground. It has worked perfectly for years.
It just slides into the slot at the edge of the awning, and there is plenty of room for the hammock and guests.

1997 MB
Re: Awning sun shade
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Kristin Lambert  - 
Long ago I made a sun shade that hangs from the awning and is staked to the ground. It has worked perfectly for years.
It just slides into the slot at the edge of the awning, and there is plenty of room for the hammock and guests.


A few years ago I ordered one of these. Only used it a few times though.
Front panels : Blocker

Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Awning sun shade
Reply #5 –

Hi Greg. The fold out arms on the awning don't have to be attached to the brackets on the side wall of the motorhome.  The feet of those adjustable length poles have two holes each.  Appropriate tent stakes can be driven into dirt, (grass) or you can bring along heavy enough plates to hold down the legs.  Chunks of steel, concrete, bricks etc.
   Here is a camping world solution: Caravan Instant Canopy Weight Plates, Set of 4 | Camping World
   And a shade from Amazon: Amazon.com: Leaveshade RV Awning Sunshade Screen 6' X 14' 3'' (Fit for 15'...                   RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Awning sun shade
Reply #6 –

ShadePro makea a zipper on screen that is made in two pieces. One piece has the rod that slides into the groove on the awning and has half a zipper. This piece stays attached to the awning all the time.
The second piece is the shade fabric with the mating zipper on the top edge. The zipper allows fast and easy deployment and removal of the fabric.
RV Awning Screen Shades | RV Awning Shades Online
Amazon.com: ShadePro - Vista Shade - RV Awning Shade Screen - Zipper Sun...

Sudden high winds, common in the desert and by the sea, can quickly damage or destroy a Fiamma awning if not rolled in quickly enough. These are  light weight awnings compared to domestic manufacturers, a reflection of their European heritage, RVs in Europe are small and light, as well as are most of the components and accessories.
I would be cautious about securely tying the awning shade down in case of sudden hard winds, this could delay rolling the awning in; it only takes seconds to damage or destroy the awning.
Camping at the beach a few years ago, neighbors left their awning out while they walked the beach, a hard wind suddenly came up and broke their awning's arm connections to the RV, the arms started whipping back and forth, awning with the rest of the awning, and did thousands of dollar of damage to the body and roof of the RV, not to mention the awning was toast. The arms were swinging so violently, I didn't dare get close.
I'm not sure if RV insurance would cover this.

We consider ourselves lucky to still have the original Fiamma awning; many here have destroyed theirs over the years, usually the result of high winds. It has suffered some damage, including the two adjustable leg hinges, two sets of shock absorbers, rotted plastic end caps, a winch, and now a sun and wind damaged awning fabric. Our LD's awning has been deployed for thousands of hours while at home, as well as when traveling. The fabric damage was earned.
All should be in good shape by this time next week.

One tip for camping in areas where wind is common, the arms of the awning need not come off when needing to quickly roll the awning in when the wind comes up or for the prevention of wind damage when unattended.
Loosen the arms' adjustment screws, leave the arms attached to the LD's walls and roll the awning in until it stops, leaving 12-18" of fabric exposed. This reduces the sail area to a minimum and has been shown to avoid damage even when the wind comes up. Both Steve and I have been doing this for years.

Larry

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Awning sun shade
Reply #7 –
I have often rolled the awning up close to the RV in the wind too... as you mentioned here years ago. It works!
Kristin
1997 MB