A Guide to Awnings

A campervan awning is just like a tent. It attaches to your campervan, providing additional living space, so that you can make the most of your van-life getaways! Whether you’re off on a family adventure, a weekend of exploring, or fancy pitching up for the day for some peace and quiet, an awning is a great way to create more space and enjoy even more of the outdoors!

Are you thinking about buying a campervan awning but not sure where to start? Take a look at the video below for our top 5 tips when it comes to purchasing awnings!

What’s the Difference Between Driveaway and Fixed Awnings?

You may wonder what the difference is between a driveaway awning and a fixed awning. Well, the clue is in the name!

Driveaway awning: allows you to easily ‘drive away’ and go out for the day in your campervan, leaving your awning behind (like a tent). The awning is temporarily attached to your campervan or motorhome to create an entrance tunnel into or out of your vehicle.

Fixed awning: is permanently attached to your campervan, making it ideal for those who prefer to stay at camp. The fixed awning needs the support of your campervan, so cannot be left free standing. However, the multiple doors provide flexibility to get in and out of your awning and van!

Whichever you choose; park up, pitch your awning and you’re set for your holiday!

How to Fit an Awning

Fitting an awning to your campervan can be tricky if you don’t know how to do it - that’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step video to guide you through the process!

There are a handful of different ways to attach an awning to a campervan or motorhome. The simplest and slickest way is with an “Awning Kit”. The kit comprises of two parts: A Kador Strip (sometimes written “Keder”) and multiple “Figure of 8” strips. The Kador Strip slides into the awning rail (or Reimo rail), a C-shaper channel mounted to the roof on the door side of the van or integrated into the roofbars. The plastic figure of 8 strips are then used to link the Kador Strip to the awning. It’s a simple solution and makes attaching to the awning a painless ordeal. Take care to match the Kador Strip beading diameter to your awning rail diameter and your figure of 8 strips’ channel diameter to the awning – variations on 6mm and 4mm beading diameters are the most common. Most Awning Kits are 3m in length which is ample for most vehicles and can be cut to size.

If your van doesn’t have an Awning Rail and you’re not interested in an aftermarket installation, then there are two options: “Pole and Clamp” and the provided storm straps/guy lines. The storm straps or guy lines are passed over the roof of the van and pegged on the other side. Easy, but not particularly tidy. For more old school vans with deep gutter roofs a “pole and clamp” setup works fine. The awning, which must be specifically designed to be compatible with a pole and clamp setup, is attached by small clamps to the vehicles roof gutter.

Take a look at our video below to find out exactly how to pitch a driveaway awning:

Note: This video demonstrates exactly how to pitch an air driveaway awning. If your awning has poles, the method is the same - just instead of inflating your beams with air, simply pop the poles in to create the structure! And if your awning is fixed, the method is the same apart from the tunnel (this is mentioned in the instructions below).

How to Pitch an Awning (step-by-step)

Fitting an awning to your campervan can be tricky if you don’t know how to do it - that’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step video to guide you through the process!

• The first step is to remove it from the bag, unfold it and position it next to your van. A little tip: if you have mesh doors in your awning, keep these zipped up and the main doors left open. This will make pitching your awning easier.
• Next, attach the awning to the van by inserting the Kador rail into the awning rail. Once attached, slide on the figure of eight attachment. The awning slides into the other side.
• If your van doesn’t have an awning rail, you can use the storm straps. Pass them over the roof and peg them down on the other side of the van. For older vans with a prominent roof gutter, use a pole and clamp set-up.
• Peg the corners of the connecting tunnel very slightly under the van and tension the tunnel against the side of the van. (Note: if your awning is fixed, you won’t have a tunnel, so skip this step)
• Pull the outside corners of the awning away from the van so that the floor is under light tension. Then peg them, leaving plenty of slack in the tensioning straps.
• Now connect the pump to the first air beam valve and inflate it the recommended PSI. Work your way from one beam to the next, until all the beams are inflated. (Note: if your awning is a poled awning, ignore this step and insert your poles at this point)
• Zip the doors shut and tension the pegged corners using the tension adjuster straps.
• Peg the guy lines and tension them - I’d recommend doing this even if no wind is forecast. If you are concerned about the wind, position your van so that your awning is on the leeward side and use the storm straps in addition to the Kador rail for added security.
• There you have it, your drive-away awning is pitched!

If you want to leave your driveaway awning and head out for the day:

• 1. If you want to drive away and leave your awning in place, first mark your parking spot on all four wheels so that you can return your van to the same spot. Then loosen the tunnel sides and unpeg it from beneath the van. Then detach the Kador rail, roll up and fasten the extension fabric, and off you go.

Note: as mentioned above, if your awning is fixed, you can’t leave it behind and head out for the day as it cannot be left free-standing.

What Are the Different Orientations and Heights?

Campervan awnings come in two different orientations - they can either be pitched at the back of your van or at the side of your van. The choice is yours!

Awnings come in different heights too. Below you can see the different variations of heights and the campervans which would be ideal for each…

• Low awnings: designed for your classic pint-sized campervan like the VW Camper and Ford Torneo. Low awnings are suitable for vans from 180cm to 200cm high.
• Standard awnings: for motorhomes and campers up to 230cm high, like the Fiat Ducato and Mercedes Sprinter
• Tall awnings: for big motorhomes between 240cm and just under 300cm high.

What Can an Awning be Used For?

Awnings provide additional space to attach to your campervan and can be used however you like!

Here are some common ways to use an awning:

• To accommodate extra guests – look for removable bedrooms
• To create a dining or lounge space with tables, chairs and other furniture
• To store outdoor equipment like bikes, paddleboards, and sports gear
• To create additional areas for tasks such as cooking meals or drying clothes
• To create an 'airlock' for all your wet and muddy gear - keeping it out of the van!
• For your dogs to sleep in

The options are endless! There’s no right or wrong way to use your awning, they are incredibly versatile and add a real feel of comfort for trips away.

If you’re looking to buy an awning to create additional space for your campervan holiday, then check out our range here at GO Outdoors!