Rainy Days

[k9jackie]

Can you use the interstate's awning when it rains? It looks like my maiden voyage in the SS Interstate will be at a rainy dog show... trying to decide if I should bring a stand alone canopy or if the awning will be ok in the rain.

[AWCHIEF]

As long as the wind is not an issue. Drop one end lower for run off.

[Protagonist]

Do you have the older Fiamma F65 awning that doesn't auto-retract, or the newer Fiamma F65 Eagle awning that does self-retract? I suspect the answer will be different depending on which one you have.

If you're expecting wind along with your rain, bring the canopy anyway. Not being attached to your van, if it gets damaged by the wind it's less likely to damage the van, and a damaged freestanding canopy is a lot cheaper to replace than a damaged imported Fiamma awning! Besides, a freestanding canopy is easier to stake down do it doesn't get damaged.

I have a Coleman freestanding canopy and a couple of optional "sun walls" for it that block wind-driven rain almost as well as they make shade, provided the wind isn't too strong.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

As long as the wind is not an issue. Drop one end lower for run off.

Yes.

Maggie

[k9jackie]

@protagonist I have a 2014.5, so I assume it is the newer one.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by k9jackie

@protagonist I have a 2014.5, so I assume it is the newer one.

Yes, you do have the one that auto-retracts. You can't drop one side for water to drain since it has no support legs, only two arms that hold it out more-or-less at a 10° angle all the time.

It doesn't auto-retract in the rain, but will auto-retract in the wind. If you're expecting rain, you should probably retract it yourself while the awning is still dry rather than waiting for it to auto-retract while it's wet.

[UKDUDE]

The F65Eagle manual says:
"We remind you that the awning is designed to protect from the sun, and not from rain, wind or snow. In these cases, we recommend to roll it up!"
Peter

[k9jackie]

Awww, that's bad news... Not for the rain means we're going to get wet

[rongoms]

yes, it auto-retracts in the rain. (says the guy form Seattle, who is not happy about this)

it does take a bit of water though....a little girly sprinkle won't trigger it.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by rongoms

yes, it auto-retracts in the rain. (says the guy form Seattle, who is not happy about this)

it does take a bit of water though....a little girly sprinkle won't trigger it.

I'll gladly take your word for it.

I was going by what it said on the Fiamma website, which said it had a wind sensor but didn't make any mention of a water sensor. But then again, the website was probably translated from Italian to English by a native German speaker, just like their user manuals.

[Lineolated]

The front-to-rear angle of the awning is fixed, so be sure to park so water will drain off the awning. We found ourselves with a very saggy awning full of water because we didn't think about that. It was so heavy we weren't sure if the motor would be able to retract it, and we worried about damage to the structure. We dumped most of the water before retracting; it's been fine since.