Fiamma Expands Awning Panel Range — What Dealers Need to Know About the Blocker & Side Collection

Fiamma has issued a product announcement for its Blocker & Side awning panel range — a complete lineup of front and side enclosures designed to create sheltered outdoor spaces on motorhomes, caravans, and van conversions.

The announcement covers panels ranging from basic privacy screens to premium windowed enclosures with ground extensions.

What Fiamma Has Actually Announced

The press release outlines six distinct panel types:

Front Panels:

• Blocker Pro — vinyl panel with Crystal full-light window and ground extension

• Blocker — solid vinyl privacy panel without windows

• Sun View XL — translucent light-filtering fabric that rolls up

• Shade Sun View — 600cm valance for extended shade coverage

Side Panels:

• Side W Pro / Side W Pro Shade — panels with Crystal windows, grey ground extensions, and optional roll-up blinds

• Side Block — solid vinyl side panel that pairs with Blocker front walls

• Side W CaravanStore — windowed panel for CaravanStore awnings

• Sun View Side — translucent side panel with light filtering

All panels install directly on awnings and include fastening hardware. The range is compatible with Fiamma F45s, F43van, F45L, F80s, F80L, F40van, CaravanStore, and F35pro awnings.

What Consumers Should Understand

Awning panels solve three problems:

• Privacy from neighboring pitches

• Wind protection that prevents awning damage

• Rain and sun blocking that extends usable outdoor space

The product hierarchy breaks down like this:

Entry level — Blocker and Sun View Side panels provide basic coverage at lower price points. Solid vinyl or translucent fabric. No windows. Adequate for occasional tourers who need simple wind and privacy protection.

Mid-range — Blocker Pro and Side W Pro add Crystal windows and ground extensions. Better visibility, full-height coverage, more weather protection. This is where most regular tourers should be looking.

Premium — Side W Pro Shade includes roll-up blinds for adjustable light control. If you're setting up for extended stays or seasonal pitching, this is the tier that delivers real functional value.

The Shade Sun View valance deserves specific mention. At 600cm length, it's designed to extend shade coverage across the full width of larger awnings. Single-length design means no measuring or sizing decisions. If you have a long awning and want more shade without full enclosure, this is the product.

What Dealers Should Do Differently Right Now

Stop treating awning panels as passive inventory that customers will discover on their own.

1. Train sales staff on panel compatibility

Your team should know which Fiamma panel fits which awning model without checking charts. If a customer buys a motorhome with an F45s awning, your salesperson should immediately suggest the appropriate Blocker Pro or Side W Pro model.

2. Display panels in the accessories area

Panels stored in back rooms don't sell. Set up a display near your awning section showing at least one Blocker Pro and one Side W Pro. Let customers see the Crystal window quality and ground extension design.

3. Include panels in delivery packs

When you deliver a motorhome or caravan with a fitted awning, include a panel recommendation sheet in the handover documentation. List the exact model that fits their awning, current retail price, and installation time. Make ordering easy.

4. Create panel bundles

Offer a "Complete Awning Setup" package that includes front panel, two side panels, and the Mega Bag storage case at a bundled price. Customers who are spending £40,000 on a motorhome won't balk at a £400 awning protection package if you position it as essential equipment rather than optional extras.

What This Means for UK Dealers

This isn't a product launch. It's a product reminder.

Fiamma already manufactures these panels. This press release functions as a wholesale notification to dealers that the full range exists and remains available for order.

Three things matter here:

1. Stock positioning for seasonal demand

Awning panels sell when customers are preparing for trips — March through June for summer holidays, September for autumn touring. If your accessory shelves aren't stocked with these panels during those windows, you're losing margin to online retailers who are.

2. Upsell opportunity during awning installations

When you fit an awning, the customer is already spending. That's when you suggest panels. Not three months later when they're researching options online and comparing your price to Amazon.

The typical customer won't buy panels until they've used the awning and realized they need more privacy or wind protection. Your job is to accelerate that realization at point of sale.

3. Compatibility across brands

Fiamma states these panels work with "awnings of other brands." That means Thule Omnistor compatibility, which expands your addressable market beyond Fiamma awning owners.

If you sell caravans or motorhomes with factory-fitted Thule awnings, you can now offer Fiamma panels as genuine aftermarket upgrades without compatibility concerns.

Why This Matters for the Accessories Market

Awning panels represent high-margin, low-complexity sales that most dealers underutilize.

The panel market splits into two customer types:

Reactive buyers — customers who've already experienced wind damage, lack of privacy, or rain intrusion. They know exactly what they need. They're searching online, comparing prices, and will buy wherever offers fastest delivery.

Proactive buyers — customers purchasing panels during awning installation or pre-trip preparation. These buyers are in your dealership, spending money, and receptive to recommendations.

Most dealers only capture reactive buyers through online orders. The margin opportunity is with proactive buyers at point of sale.

If your sales team isn't suggesting panels during every awning sale, you're leaving money on the table.

The Bigger Picture

This press release tells you nothing new about Fiamma's product strategy.

What it does tell you is that Fiamma believes the UK market needs reminding that these products exist and remain available.

That suggests dealers aren't selling enough panels — which means customers are either buying elsewhere or not buying at all.

If you're not actively promoting awning panels at point of sale, your competitors are, and your customers are buying from online retailers who rank better in search results.

The gap between what dealers stock and what customers need continues to widen. Awning panels are a perfect example of that disconnect.