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quoteA campervan awning can add vital extra on-site storage and/or sleeping space when you’re on-site. Here’s our round-up…
Space conquerors
No doubt about it, an awning that you can attach to your campervan – with the added benefit that you can drive away during the day and leave items secure on site, or even just reserve your pitch – is a thoroughly worthwhile item of kit.
What you want to use your campervan awning for will determine the product you end up buying. They provide daytime sitting/dining space, of course, as well as extra storage. But, you may also want it for extra sleeping accommodation – so you’ll want to check if bedroom inner tents are available – as standard or an optional extra, or indeed an add-on annexe. Remember the latter will add weight and bulk.
There’s actually a massive choice of campervan awnings out there – starting with whether you want an inflatable unit or one using more traditional poles (typically metal, but glass-fibre is also available). Other aspects to consider are doors, groundsheets, windows, curtains, ventilation, and more, right down to details that make life that bit easier.
It’s certainly worth seeking out any specialist awning retailers near you (your local motorhome or campervan dealership is a good starting point). Even better if they have a display where you can go and see what particular campervan awnings look like once up. They can provide important critical advice on different makes and models as well as, for example, best ways to connect an awning to your campervan.
Use our listing below as a taster of the kind of campervan awnings you can get.
Defining campervan…
Different folk have different definitions when it comes to campervans. Here at Caravan Guard, we define three different types of campervan: A standard campervan with a fixed roof and less than 2.6m high; an elevating roof campervan, with a pop-top roof for extra sleeping; and a high top campervan, which will be more than 2.6 m high.
Whatever the definition, a key first step is to determine the height at which the awning is to be attached to your campervan.
Top campervan awning buying tips
- Typically, a campervan awning will come with a choice of methods for attaching to your vehicle and any purpose-made rail or similar that might already be on your campervan. It’s worth researching what will work best for you.
- Consider where you’re going to pack your awning in your ‘van. They can be bulky and heavy, especially if it’s an all-in-one inflatable unit. Those using traditional poles have the advantage that the poles and the flysheet can be separated for transporting.
- Think about how you’ll be using your campervan awning. Do you want a driveaway awning so if you want to head off in your campervan for the day then you can? These have an attachment which can be toggled away when disconnected from your ‘van. See our tips for buying a driveaway awning.
- Look at the type of material used and how waterproof it is – you’ll want protection from the Great British weather! Many manufacturers refer to the Hydrostatic Head (HH) of the material. A good quality campervan awning with have a HH of 4,000mm.
- Do you want an inflatable awning or poled? Here’s our guide to drive-away air awnings.
- Got somewhere to dry a campervan awning if you have to take it home wet? It’s something to think about.
- Plenty of manufacturers have links on their websites to advice sections. Check out the likes of Outwell and Vango.
- There are of course some alternatives to a campervan awning, such as a tarp, canopy, shelter, etc. Read our awning alternatives here.
Campervan awning insurance considerations
Any kind of awning can usually be covered by your specialist motorhome or campervan insurance – our policy automatically includes £5,000 of equipment cover, which includes awnings valued up to £1000.
Caravan Guard’s campervan insurance also covers damage caused to your campervan or awning should they be caught in a storm. Inflatable awnings are less likely to be damaged, or cause damage, in stormy conditions as they flex, than a metal awning pole.
Here we take a look at eight campervan awnings…
Star Player #1
Outwell Touring Shelter Air
Clever thinking for this inflatable shelter-cum-awning (Outwell also offers the standard, non-inflatable Touring Shelter).
Remember brailling? That’s the principle for the sides of this shelter, which can be rolled up individually for maximum airflow on balmier days, or pegged down to ground level when you want to keep things a bit cosier.
It’s also supplied with dual beading – 5mm and 7mm – which means you can attach to most makes of awning rail and/or wind-out awnings (if your campervan already has one).
Among lots of user-friendly features, the HookTrack system allows you to use hooks and cabling to attach lightweight items of your choice, such as lighting, smaller items of clothing etc.
Dimensions 320cm W x 240cm D x 200cm H
Pack size 72cm x 24cm
Weight 5.7kg
Features also include Attachment height 175cm-200cm, roof connection length 250cm, adjustable pegging points, taped seams, 4,000mm HH, heavy duty zips, luminous guylines, two-year warranty
Expect to pay £409.99
Star Player #2
Vango Kela Air TC Low
A first for Vango for 2023 – this latest Kela inflatable, drive-away campervan awning uses polycotton made entirely from recycled materials for its flysheet – polyester is from recycled bottles and the cotton is environmentally friendly. It also means a breathable fabric that’s simply more comfortable to live with, whatever the weather.
Vango’s Tension Band System also means best stability in windy conditions. And it comes with steel rock pegs.
Vango expects its Air TC Low to be in the shops from May 2023. If you want to check it out before then, take advantage of its Augmented Reality technology to view this and other products in 3D from any mobile device.
Dimensions 310cm W x 370cm D x 216cm H
Pack size 78cm x 38cm x 41cm
Weight 22.1kg
Features also include Attachment height 180-210cm, fixing length 370cm, includes bracer beams, zipped curtains, roll-away connecting tunnel, 10 skyhooks for hanging lightweight items, skylight windows, secondary mesh doors, multiple vehicle attachment methods (straps, beadings, pole and clamp)
Expect to pay £1,200
Star Player #3
OlPro Wrap campervan awning
Another style of drive-away campervan awning that will appeal to those who also want something a bit more distinctive. The Wrap can sleep up to six people – thanks to bedroom inners for four and two respectively at either end – plus its four main front door panels can be removed for a shelter effect on sunnier days.
It literally wraps around the side and back of any campervan, attaching at the vehicle’s side sliding door.
OlPro sells direct only and, with no middlemen, it says its prices are more competitive. Next-day delivery is also offered.
Dimensions 560cm + 430cm + 320cm W x 320cm D x cm H
Pack size 60cm x 35cm
Weight 40kg
Features also include Attachment height 190cm-250cm, 150D Oxford polyester flysheet, 5,000mm HH, two-year warranty
Expect to pay £1,399
Star Player #4
Easy Camp Crowford
Here’s a fixed awning you can add to the back of a campervan based on a Volkswagen Transporter (T5 or T6 models with tailgates, not barn doors) or Mercedes Vito/V-Class. It comes with flaps and hooks for attaching to the vehicle, while the awning itself is held up by the opened tailgate (hence it’s not suited to vehicles with barn doors, although the Outwell Woodcrest would solve that challenge).
Extra poles are included for using the door panel as a canopy. Leave them at home if you don’t want such a feature and would prefer to save a bit of weight.
Windows either side are generous in size to allow lots of daylight in. They also come with toggle-up curtains.
Dimensions 190cm W x 195cm D x 180cm H
Pack size 71cm x 14cm x 14cm
Weight 3.9kg
Features also include 16mm steel poles,185T PU-coated polyester flysheet, taped seams, covered ventilation point (front),
Expect to pay £154.99
Star Player #5
Isabella X-Tension Air
A free-standing/drive-away unit that can be attached to a wide variety of campervans and van conversions. It takes its name from the X-shape of the two inflatable tubes. Just plug into one of two valves to inflate the whole structure, while both can be used for easier deflating.
A typical, top-quality Isabella product using a premium polyester fabric, this was never going to be cheap. Bear in mind, also, it’s an extra £126 for the connecting tunnel – the latter is sold separately so you can get the right one to suit your campervan’s make and model. It just means a tighter fit to the vehicle and adds some 28cm to the overall depth.
Dimensions 330cm W x 250cm D x 235cm H
Pack size 110 cm x 40cm x 40cm
Weight 23.3kg
Features also include Removeable/fold-down side panels (three), zip-off tunnel attachment, integrated blinds, mesh side window, air pump included, supplied with pegs and remover
Expect to pay £1,573
Star Player #6
Westfield Orion Low
A best-seller for Westfield, this inflatable drive-away awning has been updated for 2023 – with two other height variants: Medium and Tall. It’s the Low, with its 180cm-210cm attachment height, that’s most suitable for campervans. Features include a “cotton-touch” fabric with a high degree of waterproofing and UV protection, plus removable side panels mean it can also be used as a shelter when the weather allows (it’s often also easier to removed such panels when putting up the awning).
There’s also a canopy section at the door to give some rain protection.
Optional extras include a choice of annexes and a groundsheet.
Dimensions 300cm W x 250cm D x 200cm H excluding tunnel add 65 or 90cm for tunnel
Pack size 98cm x 34cm x 34cm
Weight 19.6kg
Features also include Single-point inflation, tinted windows with mesh panels both sides, storm poles and straps included, 10,000mm hydrostatic head (HH), two-year warranty
Expect to pay £1,178 (including £179 tunnel)
www.questleisure.com
Star Player #7
Robens Cobra Stone 5
Essentially, a premium quality, new-for-2023 dome tent that can also be attached directly to a vehicle, not just a campervan. Its use of alloy poles maintains structural integrity, at the same time keeping weight down.
It uses Robens’ HydroTech HD polyester fabric and there are porches front and back (when used as a tent). It also comes with an inner tent (bedroom) that can be left at home should you want to use the whole unit for daytime living and storage only (it will save you a bit of weight).
With the inner in place, it can sleep up to five and still leave two storage zones. The inner offers full blackout and also comes with a weatherproof front should you want to leave the tent’s main doorway open. Optional poles mean you can use the doorway fabric as a canopy – and it can also be put over your campervan.
Look out, also, for technical features such as the aluminium buckles and tension handles on the pegging corners, and the internal gear rope, for attaching lighter weight kit. There’s also a separate lantern hanging point.
Dimensions 280cm W x 465cm D x 220cm H
Pack size 71cm x 33cm
Weight 12.2kg
Features also include Aluminium alloy poles, Rain Safe side entry doors, flysheet repair kit included, 5,000mm HH
Expect to pay £809.99 (tent only)
Star Player #8
Quest Condor
New for 2023, Quest’s Condor is an inflatable drive away campervan awning designed to be pitched by one person. It’s available with a choice of tunnels – attachment heights 180cm-210cm and 240cm-270cm – that can be zipped on/off to double as a drive-away facility. The choice means if you start off with, say, a campervan and move to a larger, coachbuilt motorhome, you can keep the main awning and simply buy another tunnel piece, rather than having to buy a whole new item.
Each tunnel also comes with 4mm and 6mm beading for attaching direct to an appropriate rail on your vehicle.
Dimensions 320cm W x 330cm D (add 70cm for tunnel) x 200cm H
Pack size 80cm x 46cm x 32cm
Weight 16.15kg
Features also include 150D polyester fabric, 4,000mm HH, multi-point inflation, removable front panel, covered canopy area, internal blinds, storm straps included, two-year warranty
Expect to pay £744 (including £119 tunnel)
www.questleisure.com
Over to you…
Got any advice on campervan awnings you’d like to pass on to fellow campervanners? Please feel free to add a comment below.
No rail on your van then a magnetic strip as an extra is available on
some makes at around £50 ..