A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Caravan Awning

Do you really need an awning?

Awnings are one of the simplest and quickest ways to add extra space to your caravan. These versatile additions provide shelter from heavy winds, rain, and snow - which may offer an open-air living experience; or just a much-needed break from being cooped up inside. They also allow for more privacy than what you would typically find at a tent camping destination - where other campers often set tents directly next to each other. The more modern variants boast being portable, and durable (withstanding high winds) and come in two sizes: small travel-sized tents that measure less than 6 square meters, and large 10-foot wide models measuring over 20 square meters. Modern awnings can include windows (to let natural light in), enclose into separate rooms (to serve multiple uses), or simply act as walls against rain and wind while leaving plenty of floor space available for activities like cooking outside or playing cards with fellow campers).

 

What should you consider before buying one?

If you're considering buying an awning, there are some important questions you'll want to ask yourself before making a decision.

• Which season, and for how much of the year, do you plan to use the awning?
• Are you staying in one place (seasonal pitch) or constantly moving from place to place (touring)?
• What time of year will you need your awning most—winter or summer?
• Is it primarily intended as sun protection while traveling abroad during peak sunlight hours?
• Will members of your household need shelter from rain, snow, and wind while living in it?
• If so, how many people can fit inside comfortably at once without it feeling too cramped or uncomfortable?
• Do you have enough storage space for your new purchase (perhaps in both your current vehicle and your new caravan)?

 

What is the right caravan awning?

Awnings are not purchases to take lightly - they're investments. If your awning is only going to be used on weekends, it's worth getting a high-quality model. For example, if you go for a luxury full awning, you'll pay upwards of €2,500 - depending on how long your caravan is. On the other hand, you can find lightweight and simple porches starting at just €150 with sun protection features. Between these prices there are many options, and an awning/porch will suit every budget and need perfectly.

 

What type of caravan awning do you need？

There is a wide variety of caravan awnings available to buy. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the buyers' needs and budget. First, decide whether you want an awning that runs the full length of your caravan or one that covers half its length. Once you've decided, take into account whether it will be used in the winter season (seasonal) or only in summer (touring). This decision will determine what materials it's made from - touring models being less heavy-duty so they can be taken down easily at the end of each season when people aren't using them; seasonal models are designed to withstand wear and tear over time because they're likely to stay up year-round without needing excessive maintenance.

Finally, there are canopies; fixed frames that attach directly to caravans but don't offer as much protection from rain or wind as other models do.

 

Full caravan awnings

Full awnings provide more space and are therefore ideal for long-term holidays such as extended campsite stays. They take much longer to set up than porch awnings, but that's worth it considering how long you'll be there (usually 1-2 weeks). Full awnings fit the entire length of your caravan, starting at the base near the front and reaching all the way to the back. A full awning can nearly triple your living space, extending from one side of your caravan by anywhere between 2 meters and 3.5 meters. The size measurements for these types of awnings are in centimeters and depend on how big your caravan is; if you know the make and model, most manufacturer websites have an online guide waiting for you!

Awnings come in many sizes and weights, so it is important to consider the space they will take up in your vehicle when making a purchase. For example, if you plan to camp with an awning, its weight needs to be considered against how much extra cargo space you have left in your car.

For instance, some models can weigh over 50 pounds whereas others may weigh less than half of that at just 9 pounds! The heaviest ones are inflatable porch awnings for touring that would be seasonal. The lightest one we have here is 9 pounds.

Also, remember that all these figures vary depending on the type of vehicle being used - however, make sure you've checked how much weight your car is allowed to carry before loading anything new. We're also thinking about payloads when designing them - no awning should be too heavy or too large.

 

Porch awnings

Porch awnings are an easy way for campers to create shade where there wasn't any before. They're cheaper and lighter than full-size awnings, making them quick and easy for anyone who needs protection from the sun. The downside is that you don’t have as much space as with a full awning - but these larger porches suit people who want plenty of room to relax or cook outside on hot days.

 

Canopies

Canopies, while relatively easy and quick to assemble, provide no protection from the sides. If a heavy storm blows through, it could easily tear apart the thin material with its powerful gusts of wind. However, if the canopy is used with another piece of equipment called a windbreak that fits around one side of it - then you will be protected against strong winds.

 

Awning frames – air or pole?

Awnings are supported on one side by the mobile home or other structure and then by either poles or inflatable air supports. Awning frames come in four types: steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and air-supported. And with many awnings/porches, you get to choose what type of frame supports it—steel (best against rust), aluminum (lighter than steel but still durable), fiberglass (lightweight), or an inflatable support (easier to move around).

 

Awning fabrics

Awning fabrics are a key consideration when buying. It's important to find something that dries quickly after rain, is safe from damaging UV rays, is resistant to strong winds, and also offers a degree of insulation. Different materials vary from thin yet durable polyester to high-quality acrylics made for prolonged use. Fabric choice usually depends on how you'll use the awning - frequent users often invest in better-quality ones while occasional users may struggle to justify the extra cost.

Lightweight polyester has some advantages. It dries quickly after rainfall and is light in weight, so you can carry it around easily when setting up or packing it away. They are cheaper than fabric choices such as acrylic. There’s a lot of variation between different fabric weights within this category too, in terms of thickness and weave quality, etc. High-quality acrylic fabrics are made to last many years – they appear tighter and more rigid than lighter-weight fabrics do - while high-quality solution-dyed material presents an interesting option that is far better at resisting the effects of UV rays compared with other dyeing methods used on fabric, which may have been completed after production. Whatever the type, always make sure your model includes weather protection mechanisms that provide additional defense against damaging water or ultraviolet rays from sunlight.

 

Pitching your awning

Before you buy, consider how heavy or light the awning is and how difficult it would be to set up - especially on a windy day or if there are no people around. Lightweight inflatable porch awnings are very easy to pitch and one person can definitely do it. Depending on who is setting it up, all awnings can be pitched by one person, but campsites are very friendly places and if someone seems to need help, fellow RVers will soon come over.

Setting up an awning may feel daunting for some campers. Thankfully, thanks to newer single-point inflation models which allow people to deploy their tents in seconds - setting them up (and taking them down) has never been easier. Remember: You're here on vacation and you deserve the break!

 

Awning manufacturers

Caravan awnings are an established industry, so it makes sense that there would be many options available when buying one.

Some of the main brands include:

• Dometic/Kampa

• Fiamma

• Isabella

• Outdoor Revolution

• Outwell

• Vango

• Unikka

 

 Awning accessories

Once you've decided what type of awning is right for your campervan, there are extras to consider. You don't need to worry about the basics needed to set up an awning - most come supplied with everything required, including pegs and guy ropes, storm straps, and even curtains or draught skirts!

However, some items might not be provided by default. For example, if you're using stakes that aren't suitable for soft ground or if you want waterproof flooring instead of carpeting or something else softer. Additionally, some things like electric air pumps might be desirable; however, after setting up an awning it's just up to the user what they put inside it.

And the list of optional accessories can be extensive:

• Lighting - LEDs offer some compelling benefits over traditional bulbs.
• Carpets, flooring, and groundsheets - these increase the comfort, warmth, and practicality inside your awning.
• Heating - if you're a year-round camper or just like to set up in the off-season, an awning heater is an excellent investment.
• Inner tents, privacy rooms, and annexes are all available to accommodate your specific needs.
• Pump for inflatable air awnings - essential. There are both foot pumps and electric pumps available.
• Roof liners - additional insulation properties plus added protection against the elements.
• Extra tent pegs - often necessary depending on how large your destination is; heavy-duty options exist too.
• Storm straps - are required for seasonal models but recommended for those camping in less-than-ideal conditions.

 

Some tips for your trip

• Make sure your awning is packed away clean and dry when you store it. Wet or dirty ones can be unpacked once back home and left out in the open to dry and air out there. Duct tape may also be used temporarily to fix torn fabrics until they are professionally repaired.
• Most campsites don't charge extra for awnings - make sure they don't while booking, too! It’s standard practice for caravans to come equipped with one. Most sites won’t charge additional fees if you attach another; including gazebos or tents.