VW Crafter Van conversion part 14, Fiamma F80s awning install using F65s brackets.

This video covers removing the bungs from the roof with a heat gun and discusses mounting and aligning the brackets.
Note afaik, Fiamma no longer make the F65s awning, it has been replaced with the F80s.
Before I found that out i.e. when trying to buy an F65s, I had already bought Universal F65s brackets for WAS and the model specific F65s brackets for the Crafter, fortunately the F80s does fit using the F65s brackets.
I have a single 3.7M F80s awning which I will be sharing between both vans.
Music by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

[@blindhowlingdrunk]

I’m fitting a Thule awning on a crafter with a vamoose rail and I have very little confidence in the fixings.

[@magicmonkey5212]

Hello. Awesome vid. Thanks. Quick question. Is the bracket layout (distance between the 3 of them) different for a 4m awning and a 3.7m one. In other words you hsve it currently set up for a 3.7m awning but would it be possible to theoretically grab a 4m and it would fit straight onto your van? I ask cos I've had things configured for a 4m awning but the shops don't have the 4m in stock. Only 3.7m and who knows when supply will come in again.

[@CriftinsCampers]

Hi the Brackets are installed based on the wheel base of the vehicle so yes on the LWB they use the same mounting points for a 4M awning

[@waderobinson2416]

Hi.. I am hoping to fitt an f80s to my van... unfortunately I fitt the solar before I planned on getting an awning.. the solar is now in the way of the bracket at the front. I only have 200mm at the front and the bracket looks about 400mm.. do you think it would be possible to use the middle (smaller) bracket on the front and the bigger two middle and rear.?

[@CriftinsCampers]

I think it would be dangerous to use the small bracket at the front it might flex too much and is not very strong, the small one is really only to support the centre of the awning to prevent it sagging in the middle the large front bracket is the biggest and strongest of all three. It is the front end that needs to be the strongest because of the risk of impact e.g from tree branches.
The awning is very heavy and does need to be well supported I think it would be much more sensible and safer to move your panels.
I mounted my panels on both vans using Unistrut specifically so they can easily be moved or changed if required.

[@waderobinson2416]

Have you looked at the citroen relay kits.?? They are all that size..wierdly

[@CriftinsCampers]

@@waderobinson2416 Yes you are right, really tiny little brackets compared to the ones in my kit. I wonder if the aluminium is thicker or something!

[@waderobinson2416]

Yes I am unsure why.. I will try find a way around it
!! Thanks for the help.!!

[@paulyoung5073]

I might be too late but are you keeping all these vehicles......or planning on selling some ????
I am keen camper but totally lost regarding diy

[@CriftinsCampers]

paul young I have three vans here at the moment, one belongs to a client and will be going back to Nottingham next week.
WAS is the van we currently use which I built last year to give us something to use because I knew my plans for Thistle meant it would be quite a lot of work, Thistle (the Crafter) is the one I am working on now.
We have learnt a lot from using WAS and that will be reflected in the layout of Thistle.
Thistle will take quite a while to finish but there’s no rush because we have WAS for outings and events.
Once Thistle is complete I may sell WAS but I have not decided on that yet.
Anyone can build a van, I might have a few workshops and let people camp in my field later in the year.