Whilst returning last week on the M5 the Omnistor 2000 decide to partially part company with the caravan. I always suspected the locking mechanism but its still my fault for not double checking and it let em down. Scariest 10 minutes of my life next to the M5 carriageway undoing the thing, had no choice as it was dragging on the road. Could have been much worse!

I have had a look and the cost of replacing the bent and torn bits but it comes to about the same as a new one. However because of my loss of faith in the Omnistor I'm looking at a FIamma 45 S (2.6m) which is not that much more expensive and wound in and out! Does anybody have any similar experience, know if it will fit the existing fittings or do I have to start from scratch?

p.s if I do get back to the Omnistor I will use some sturdy tie wraps as well!

oh heck. I cannot imagen what happened but must have been terrible

it was the horrible sight in the wing mirror of the canopy flapping in the wind and half deployed, could have hit another vehicle and been very bad. The cost is another factor, make sure that it doesn't happen again!!

That must have been scary If your thinking of changing out your canopy have you thought about an Isabelle shadow
They are very quick and easy to put up, plus you won't have the worry of the cassette dropping off whilst travelling and also eating into your payload allowance.

We have one that we always keep in the van for short stays when we don't use the porch awning.

g25p1442-Isabella-Shadow-Familia.html

If you go for The Isabella Shadow buy the "Net Front" this includes extra poles and an
additional net canopy for deeper shade. you can also get ends to make it more snug.

Presumably roof mounted? any damage to the roof?

What size van do you have?
I just bought a caravanstore from another member on here.

Its a sort of awning in a bag that fits in the awning rail.
http://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/fiamma-caravanstore-awning.html

For weekends the Isabella Shadow looks a good option.

Something else to conciser.

wow scary....we've got the Isobella Shadow...excellent piece of kit wouldn't be without it...we also had the windproof netting made up for the sides and the front and though not waterproof they are very effective against the wind...we love it....takes a couple of minutes to erect and dismantle and works a treat.

Horrid thought and moments and pleased you managed without further aggro.
We have the Fiamma Caravanstore which slides into the awning rail as Nev is on about. I have often thought how secure is it, but the idea that the weight is spread over the full length satisfies me.
Good luck.

When the Caravanstore is rolled into its bag it cannot exit the awning rail because of the curve in the roof line. They do come with locking fixings that go in the awning track for extra peace of mind.

I have just bought, but not tried out, an Omnistore 1200 which is similarly in a bag. I am wondering if leaving it on and doing a day's drive will be ok. Two retailers have said yes. Does anyone have direct experience of this?

thanks

I have travelled many hundreds of miles with a Fiamma Caravastore on the van with no incidents.

Quote: Frantone wrote in post #11

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I have travelled many hundreds of miles with a Fiamma Caravastore on the van with no incidents.

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Thanks for the replies guys, in the end I decided to take the silver Fiamma F45s of my van and move it to the Eriba. It looks much better! I was worried about the loading on the brackets but so far so good. I now have a partial Omnistor 1200 in the garage though if anyone needs spares!
(pics are before and after)