Caravans have grown in size and style over the years, and can quite easily accommodate large groups without feeling too cramped. But if you really want to get the most from your mobile home away from home, you’ll need a caravan awning.
Caravan awnings are the perfect compromise between camping and caravanning, offering you an opportunity to sit outside when you want – but still be able to retreat into the caravan at bedtime.Â
But what is a caravan awning, and why should you buy one? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this buying guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the wonderful world of caravan awnings. Whether you’ve never purchased one before, or are looking for a new model, you can learn about everything you should consider during the buying phase, as well as handy tips for using your caravan awning…
A caravan awning is a tent-like structure that attaches to the side of your caravan, with an opening on one side that allows you to pass seamlessly between the two. Many caravan awnings are made from a similar (if somewhat heavier and higher dernier) material as tents, and are erected in a similar way – either with poles, or inflated via a pump.
Top tip: think of your caravan awning a bit like you would a conservatory – it provides additional space between the main property and the outdoors.
With an opening for your caravan door, full caravan awnings are a great way to enhance your trip by giving you a great place to relax and enjoy the fresh air and views while still being protected from the elements.
Just bought your caravan and want to take it for a spin? Make sure you check out our Beginner’s Guide to Caravanning in the UK.
Awnings come in all shapes and sizes with one purpose – to increase the size of your caravan. A caravan awning can double your available living space, which could be used as more storage space, a sheltered area to sit and relax (ideal for good and bad weather), an eating area, or more room for the kids to play.
If you’ve been looking into buying a new caravan awning, you might have heard the term porch awning being thrown around. While these two caravan accessories are similar, it’s important to know they’re not the same.
The main distinction is size. Porch awnings are smaller than full caravan awnings, so they’re quicker and easier to erect. They give you a place to take-off wet gear and wellies in comfort as well as providing storage space for bikes etc. Plus, in wet and windy weather they’ll keep the worst off your caravan door, while in nicer weather they can provide enough space for a couple to sit back and relax or eat at a table.
If you want to maximise your outdoor space next to your caravan however, you should look at getting a full size caravan awning.
Top tip: porch awnings attach to the rail at roof level, which is why they’re usually smaller than caravan awnings.
Caravan awnings are an investment, so you want to make sure that you buy the right one first time. This means looking out for certain qualities that will influence which is the best caravan awning for you, including:
Choosing the right sized awning for your caravan is essential. Most caravan awnings will fit caravans with an attaching height between 235 – 250cm, but it’s always worth double-checking this before you go ahead and purchase one.
Other sizing aspects you should think about are:
Top tip: make sure there’s enough room in your awning for some Camping Furniture for a comfortable way to get some fresh air and relax onsite.
How you intend to use your caravan awning will have a big influence on which type you should buy. Below, we’ve picked out some important questions you need to ask yourself before you buy (and why you should ask them).
Top tip: some caravan awnings will stipulate a ‘rail weight’. This is the minimum weight (once removable components have been taken off), which may help you know whether you’ll be able to manage the awning on your own.
Top tip: if you think you may want more space in the future, see if your caravan awning can be extended with an additional awning annexe. These can increase your awning space by up to two metres for extra storage, or to add on a spare bedroom. For the bedroom, you will need a bedroom insert to make their stay more comfortable.
Buying the best caravan awning for you also means making sure you pick up the right type to suit your needs. For example, if you’re a solo traveller or couple, you probably won’t need a full sized caravan awning to fit everything in.Â
The four main types of caravan awning you’ll need to choose between are:
Top tip: some caravan awnings require a minimum length of straight rail on your vehicle to fix onto, so make sure you check rail compatibility before you buy.
Once you know what size and type of caravan awning you are looking for, you can narrow your search down to by picking out some of the extra features you want in your model.
Another key point to consider is the width of the awning, and comparing this with where it will fit against your caravan. Ideally, you don’t want your awning to sit half-way across a window as this can let drafts in or damage the window – but it may be unavoidable.
Luckily, many caravan awning manufacturers integrate a substantial rear pad into each side of the awning to protect your windows and the exterior of your caravan.
If you’re constructing a caravan awning for the first time, it may feel a bit like you’ve got all the gear but no idea!Â
However, if you can put up a tent, you will probably be able to make a good go of a caravan awning. Most caravan awnings attach to the side of a caravan by a strip or beading, which runs into a caravan’s ‘awning channel’ or C Rail. This channel runs right around the caravan side, from the bottom-front corner to the bottom-rear corner – so putting one up can sometimes be easier than handling large tents.
If you’re still unsure, we’ve created a step-by-step guide that should have you pitching your awning like a pro.Â
1. Find and slide the awning skirt along the bottom rail of your caravan, and add the wheel cover.
2. Lay out the poles according to the instructions to make them easier to find and install later on.
3. Feed the strip at the edge of your awning into the channel and pull/push it along until the awning is flat against the caravan’s side.
Top tip: make sure the channel is free from dirt or obstructions before you start this step.
4. Check positioning at this time, to make sure your caravan awning is where you want it, and isn’t obstructing your windows.
5. Assemble your caravan awning frame, starting with the central roof bar, followed by the central pole before moving to either the left or right side.
6. On your chosen side, insert the vertical pole before attaching the roof poles (that connect with the centre and edge). Repeat on the other side.
7. Zip in the front and side panels.
Top tip: check the tension of the panels and walls. You don’t want them to be too tight as this could damage your caravan awning over time.
8. Starting at the back corners, peg everything into place – including your guy lines. Re-adjust as necessary to make sure you have the right tightness in the walls.
Top tip: for any panel that isn’t an entrance, cross over the peg loops to reduce the pressure on your caravan awning.
An alternative to a tent-style awning (with poles), inflatable caravan awnings are quick and easy to put up – so you can start enjoying your trip within minutes of arriving. Reasonably lightweight, they are just as sturdy as poled caravan awnings.
In terms of attaching an inflatable caravan awning, you should follow the steps above until you reach step five. From there, instead you need to:
So, you know what qualities and features to look for when buying a new caravan awning, let’s put it into practice. We’ve picked out some of our favourite awnings for you to choose from below.
Still undecided? Explore our whole range of Caravan Awnings to find the best one for your next trip.
For a more budget-friendly caravan awning, the Sunncamp Swift Deluxe 325 SC still boasts an impressive set of features to give you more space and an external place to relax on your caravan holiday. The large windows allow plenty of natural light in, or you can close the curtains for more privacy when you need it.
The steel and fibreglass poles provide excellent stability to the awning frame, and there are a selection of optional extras to extend your space even more – like extra poles to make a front door canopy.Â
Top tip: it’s easy to pick up an extra Sunncamp Swift/Dash 2 Berth Inner Tent or Sunncamp Canopy Pole Set when you shop online at Winfields.
Attaching height: 235 – 250cm.
The perfect blend of high-quality materials, quintessential Isabella design, and a new IsaAir inflation system, the Isabella Cirrus North 300 inflatable caravan awning is a superb addition to give you a comfortable new room to the side of your caravan.
Made with breathable Isacryl fabric, and mosquito nets at both sides, you can stay cool (and bug-free) in the lovely summer weather. Plus, the high ceilings give you more space to move around in without feeling like you’ll knock your head when you stand straight.
Top tip: the new design includes multiple air release valves to make it easier to deflate and pack this awning away at the end of your trip.
Attaching height: 242 – 260cm.
One of the leading outdoor brands, Vango has yet again come in with an exceptional outdoor option in the form of the Riviera 390 Air Elements TC Caravan Awning. Making great use of the Airbeam SI Pro technology, this inflatable caravan awning is quick and easy to put up, so you can have more time to relax onsite.
The polycotton fabric is designed to adjust to the temperature for supreme internal climate control, even with the sun shining through the Diamond Clear windows. This inflatable awning also boasts flexible door openings, privacy curtains, and much more – perfect for families or couples on a touring holiday.
Attaching height: 235 – 250cm.
Designed for both caravans and motorhomes, the Outdoor Revolution Sportlite 320 EX is a functional, flexible, and fashionable inflatable caravan awning that offers you plenty of space to kick back and relax.
The zip up blinds allow you to switch easily between openings and privacy, while the Phoenix mesh helps to keep bugs where they belong (outside your awning). Plus, this model comes with an integrated extension that can be separated from the main space – making it the ideal storage space to hide away muddy gear.
Attaching height: 235 – 250cm.
Explore our collection of Awning Accessories to make this home from home even more comfortable for everyone.
Dometic are continuing their dominance within the outdoor industry with the Rally Air Pro 390 S Caravan Awning. Designed to fit caravans and smaller motorhomes, this awning uses a dual keder for a seamless attachment and easy pitching. This is helped along by the adjustable height system, which means it can fit securely to multiple vehicle heights within the range.
With this awning, you can also benefit from great features like a dual pitch roof to withstand wind and rain, improved ventilation to reduce condensation, clear windows and a skylight to let in the sunshine – and much more.
Attaching height: 235 – 265cm.
Grabbing the best caravan awning for you is easy with Winfields – and we even have a range of supplies to help you look after it for as long as possible. Pick up some Awning Repair and Awning Cleaning supplies today to protect your new investment.
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