2008 Hawk Standard Cabover Awning Compatibility

[BioDigitalJazzMan]

Hey everyone. First post here. New to me 2008 Hawk. Stoked to be part of the club.

I am looking to install a Fiamma F45s awning on my Hawk. I am aware that I am going to need to relocate one of the roof latches(passenger side forward latch), but my camper has the standard cabover rather than the extended one. This means my roof latch would need to be relocated incredibly close(~8 inches) to the front right corner and I wanted to ask whether this may cause any sort of roof securing or closure issues.

Does anyone have an F45s awning installed on a standard cabover FWC?

 

[FAW3]

First...welcome to the FWC family and to WTW.

Our '18 Hawk has a bed area overhang of 48" and the passenger side front latch is about 17" back from the front edge. We have a Fiamma awning also. The Fiamma awning is a nice option that we do enjoy and use

Although I've done some roof and body repairs on my Hawk, this is a specific area that I have not done work on...so this is just my opinion:

I've seen the short overhang older units, and it would be just my opinion to go ahead with your install. While the distance to the forward latch is a bit tight...I think the real value is that the front end of the roof is held down well...that's where I think the air lifting forces are the greatest. Also, the awning casing body tends to "protect" the roof lip mid camper from direct wind impact. Another factor in your favor is that the biggest windblasts occur on the driver's side from trucks approaching from the front on non-divided highways.

Safe and happy travels!

 

[fish more]

I had a Fiamma installed by FWC, they moved the forward latch and it has no effect on travel or securing the roof in the down position. Go for it, I really like my awning !!

 

[Jon R]

I don’t know this for a fact, but I’m guessing there are three reasons for the side latches and for their being placed in the forward part of the roof. The first is redundancy if someone forgets to latch one or both front latches, or if one fails somehow. As FAW3 said above, it’s critical for the front to be secured down when driving. The second is that people tend to leave bedding in place and in some cases the roof latches are holding the roof down against the upward force from the bedding, and the two side latches are located to minimize roof arching up from the bedding. The third reason for locating them forward is to make room for awnings.

I would think any repositioning of the side latches that considers the above functions of the latches will be OK.

 

[craig333]

I relocated mine when I installed my awning and there have been no issues in the many years since I did.