Choosing a Motorhome or Caravan Awning

Motorhomes and caravans allow you to explore the great outdoors freely, taking your accommodation with you. They remove the need to set up a separate tent upon arrival to your destination, as they already feature a comfortable interior complete with beds and basic facilities. 

With a motorhome or caravan, you also have the freedom to attach extra features to maximise your outdoor space. An awning is a popular addition to any camping vehicle, as it can be used for various purposes, including shelter, storage, sleeping and entertaining. There are several types of awnings, each suitable for different purposes. Whatever type of camping vehicle you have, you can find a suitable awning design to utilise the space around it.

If you’re planning a camping holiday and want to take an awning to attach to your caravan or motorhome, you’ll need to decide which type is right for you. Our guide explains the different types of awnings on the market and the advantages of each one. Read on to learn more about camping awnings and choose the most suitable type for your accommodation.

Contents

1. What is the best brand for awnings?
2. Are motorhome and caravan awnings the same?
3. How do I choose an awning?

3.1. Driveaway awnings

3.2. Tailgate awnings

3.3. Canopies

3.4. Traditional awnings 

4. What is the easiest awning to put up?
5. Awnings at Outdoor Action

What is the best brand for awnings?

When looking for an awning, it’s important to opt for a high-quality design made with durable, waterproof materials to ensure that it offers effective protection and lasts for as long as possible. 

While awnings from different brands will likely have various attributes valued by different people, we recommend only purchasing awnings from established outdoor brands, such as Vango and Outdoor Revolution. This will allow you to experience the best awnings manufactured with the outdoors in mind. Each brand offers various awning types suitable for caravans and motorhomes, so it’s easy to find an option to elevate your vehicle.

Are motorhome and caravan awnings the same?

A common misconception about motorhome and caravan awnings is that they are the same and can be used for both types of camping vehicles. As motorhomes and caravans can differ greatly, you must purchase an awning to suit your vehicle size and type. 

Caravans usually need to be towed by a towing vehicle, whereas a motorhome is a self-contained vehicle with a cab. There are various awning types designed to fit each one. However, there isn’t a one size fits all solution, so you must consider each type’s benefits and drawbacks before choosing a design suitable for your vehicle. 

How do I choose an awning?

When choosing an awning, consider what you’ll use it for, as this will help determine your chosen type. We’ve listed the most common types of awnings below so you can learn more about each and decide which options suit your needs. 

Driveaway awnings

A driveaway awning is a large tent-like structure that can be attached to the side door of your motorhome or campervan. It features a protective cowl, often referred to as the tunnel, that creates a passage between the awning and your vehicle. Driveaway awnings are especially versatile, as they can stay upright without the support of your camping vehicle, providing you use a compatible driveaway kit. 

Their cowl can be detached from your vehicle and rolled up so that the vehicle and awning can be used independently. They come in various shapes and sizes, so they can be used for sleeping, storage or entertaining. 

Tailgate awnings

Tailgate awnings function similarly to driveaway awnings. The main difference is tailgate awnings have a slightly longer cowl to fit onto your motorhome’s rear door. This type of awning is suitable for those who access their motorhome through the back door rather than the side door. Like driveaway awnings, they can be used for various purposes as they offer a spacious interior, so they are suitable for shelter, storage and entertaining.

Canopies

Canopies offer a lightweight solution suitable for caravans and motorhomes and are usually attached to them as permanent fixtures. They can be opened out and rolled away into their case fitted to the side of the caravan or motorhome, providing quick and convenient shelter. 

Sidewalls can be purchased for specific canopies to create a more enclosed area, making them more versatile. If you need to travel in your motorhome, wind the awning back into its case and head away for the day. We recommend having your canopy fitted by a professional to ensure it is secure and functions optimally. 

Traditional awnings

Traditional awnings provide a more structured setup suitable for longer stays. They are made from heavy, durable awning fabrics that provide excellent protection from UV rays, wind and rain. However, this can often mean they are more difficult to put up than other types of awnings. 

When putting up a traditional awning, we recommend doing this with two people to make it easier to assemble. However, if you need to use your motorhome during your stay, you’ll need to take down your awning and pack it away before you travel.

What is the easiest awning to put up?

If you’re wondering how to choose an awning, there are several elements to consider before you make a decision. The type of awning you choose depends on the size and type of your vehicle, the number of people you’re camping with and what you plan to use the awning for. 

Generally, the smaller the awning, the easier it is to put up, as smaller styles are more lightweight. If you opt for a pole awning, they require fewer poles, and air awnings will require less time for inflation and are easier to fit into your vehicle. If you’re looking for an awning that is easy to put up, a small porch awning will offer excellent protection as you camp and removes the need for larger, bulkier designs.

Awnings at Outdoor Action 

Now that you know the most common types of awnings on the market, you can explore our extensive range and find a design suitable for your next trip.

Outdoor Action offers high-quality awnings from established outdoor brands such as Vango and Outwell. Each awning uses durable, waterproof materials to ensure excellent performance on every trip. We also provide all the necessary accessories to ensure your awning is secure and additional items useful for upgrading its interior. Our various awnings are lightweight and easy to store away so that you can enjoy the great outdoors more. 

Browse our range of driveaway awnings and canopies today to find the perfect fit for your caravan or motorhome and upgrade your accommodation for your next trip.