Welcome to our comprehensive buyer's guide to caravan awnings. Whether you're an experienced caravanner or embarking on your first caravan holiday, an awning is an essential addition to your kit. This practical accessory can significantly enhance your caravanning experience.
Caravan awnings are an extension that you attach to your caravan, providing extra living and storage space. Caravan awnings offer a sheltered area to enjoy the outdoors in comfort, come rain or shine. And can be used as a mudroom for dirty boots, a dining room for meals, a lounge for relaxing with a book, or a sleeping area for extra guests. Awnings can also protect your caravan from weather damage and provide insulation.
In this guide, we'll delve into the various types of awnings available, discussing their pros and cons and providing insights to help you select the one that best suits your needs. We'll be covering traditional full awnings, porch awnings, and even modern inflatable awnings. We'll also touch on important aspects like materials, sizes snd setup.
Lichfield Dakota Caravan Air Awning
This Air Awning is quick and effortless to set up thanks to AirOdyssey inflatable technology and offers an efficient solution for every caravanning enthusiast. Built with durable 150D polyester fabric, this awning ensures you stay dry and comfortable.
Lichfield's airflow ventilation panels reduce condensation, enhancing your overall caravan experience. Multiple access doors provide versatility, while the inclusion of a foam draught pad, adjustable rear support poles, PVC draught skirt, and webbing storm straps optimise stability and security.
Pros
Easy Setup: The Lichfield Dakota Caravan Air Awning is praised for its easy and quick setup, making it a user-friendly choice.
Durability: The awning's sturdy construction is well-regarded, with some users noting it has held up well even in strong winds.
Spacious: Customers appreciate the spacious interiors, which can comfortably accommodate tables, chairs, and other camping necessities.
Cons
Complex Instructions: Several users criticised the instructions as inadequate, making setup more challenging for first-time users.
Faulty Air Locks: Some customers encountered problems with the air locks, which needed to be replaced, causing some minor inconvenience.
How to measure awning for caravans
Measuring for a caravan awning is a straightforward process, but it's essential to be accurate to ensure the awning fits properly. Follow these steps to measure your caravan:
- Find the awning rail: The awning rail is the channel that runs along the side of your caravan, to which the awning will attach. The rail usually starts at the back of the caravan, runs up and over the top, and ends near the front.
- Measure the awning rail: You will need a long, flexible tape measure for this step. Start at the point where the awning rail meets the caravan at the back, and follow the rail all the way to the point where it ends near the front. The tape measure needs to be in the centre of the rail and follow any curves or bends. This measurement is usually given in centimetres.
- Determine awning size: The measurement you have taken is known as the 'A measurement' or 'awning size'. When choosing an awning, you'll need one that matches this measurement to ensure it fits properly.
It's always a good idea to take this measurement twice to ensure accuracy. Remember that if your measurement falls between two sizes of awning, it's usually best to go for the larger size, as some awnings allow for a little excess in the rail length.
If in doubt, it can be beneficial to consult with a caravan awning expert or retailer who can provide further guidance.
Going on a caravan trip? Check out my buyers' guides for caravan steps and caravan bins.
How to put a caravan awning up?
Setting up a caravan awning involves a series of steps that are usually similar across different awning models. Here's a basic guide to help you put up your caravan awning:
- Unpack the Awning: Begin by unpacking the awning and laying out its contents. Familiarise yourself with all the parts, including the main awning, poles (if it's not an air awning), pegs, and any additional accessories.
- Feed the Awning into the Rail: The awning has a cord sewn into one edge, which needs to be fed into the caravan's awning rail. Start at the lower end of the rail and gradually feed it along the channel. It may help to have two people for this step - one to feed the awning in and one to guide it along the rail.
- Position the Awning: Once the awning is fully fed into the rail, position it where you'd like it to be. Ensure it's centred with your caravan door if possible.
- Assemble the Poles: If you're using a traditional awning, this is the point at which you'd assemble and insert the poles. Each pole is inserted into a sleeve on the awning, and then extended and fixed into place to give the awning its shape. For an air awning, you would inflate the awning using the included pump.
- Secure the Awning: Once the awning is up and in shape, it's time to secure it. Pull the front of the awning out and secure it with the pegs, making sure the awning is taut. Do the same for the sides.
- Attach the Guy Ropes: Finally, attach the guy ropes. These should be pegged out at an angle to provide stability.
- Check Everything: Do a final check to make sure everything is secure and the awning is taut and stable.
It's important to note that this is a generic guide and your awning might have specific instructions that differ from this. Always check the manual that came with your specific awning for precise directions. Also, remember to follow any provided safety guidelines.
Isabella Shadow Caravan Sun Canopy
The Isabella Shadow Lightweight Caravan Sun Canopy is a versatile, portable, and robust touring essential. It swiftly sets up as a shady retreat on your caravan or as a side canopy on Isabella awnings, perfect for spontaneous stops or short-term camping.
Pros
Ease of use: The canopy is remarkably easy to put up and take down. This is valued by users with health problems that make setting up traditional awnings difficult.
Stability: The product is praised for being very stable and the poles are of high-quality.
Lightweight and Portable: The canopy is appreciated for being light and easy to store. This makes it an ideal choice for those who prefer not to use a complete awning.
Cons
Additional Equipment: Some users suggest the inclusion of a third pole in the middle for added stability, and others suggest the need for a peg bag or storm guys at the front edge for better functionality.
Size of Poles: For some, the size of the poles, while sturdy, can make them a bit too long for convenient storage.
With optional add-ons, it offers enhanced sun protection, while its strong pins and metal rings provide optimal stability. The canopy is supplied with a storm securing set and transport bag for added convenience. Its lightweight (195 g/m2), easy-to-maintain material ensures the Isabella Shadow Sun Canopy is a durable, practical choice for any caravan enthusiast, maximising comfort during your outdoor adventures.
Sunncamp Swift Canopy 390
Sunncamp's Swift Canopy 390 embodies the perfect fusion of style, ease of setup, and reliable protection against the elements. This canopy serves as a versatile solution for caravanning enthusiasts seeking refuge from unpredictable weather.
The Swift Canopy 390 is surprisingly light for its size and strength, weighing in at only approximately 7kg. Despite its lightweight nature, the structure is robust, thanks to the clever combination of steel and fibreglass in its frame.
Pros
Lightweight: The sun canopy is notably light, making it easy to handle and transport.
Easy setup: Many users mentioned its quick and straightforward setup process.
Value for money: Given its features and benefits, we found the canopy to provide great value for its cost.
Practical for short stays: This canopy is particularly handy for short trips or weekends.
Cons
Not suited for extreme weather: A reviewer mentioned it did not fare well in hot weather abroad due to thin material.
Not a replacement for a full awning: Some users pointed out it's not meant to replace a full awning, but rather, it serves as a quick, easy, and budget-friendly alternative.
This canopy is designed to fit caravans with an awning rail height of between 235 - 250cm. The floor plan size is spacious, measuring 390cm in width and 240cm in depth, affording ample space for relaxation and enjoyment. When not in use, the canopy packs down to an approximate size of 79 x 18cm, making it highly portable and easy to store.
A unique selling point of the Swift Canopy 390 is the inclusion of two side picture windows. These windows allow ample light to filter in while providing picturesque views of your surroundings, enhancing your connection with the outdoors while under the canopy's protection.
Wrapping things up
Choosing the right awning for your caravan or motorhome is an essential step in maximising your outdoor living space during your camping adventures.
Whether you opt for a full awning for longer stays or a canopy for quick and convenient shelter, the choice depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Remember, it's not just about price and aesthetics; consider factors such as ease of setup, durability, and adaptability to different weather conditions.
Finally, always read product reviews from fellow campers to make an informed purchase. With the right awning, your caravanning experience can become even more comfortable, spacious, and enjoyable. Safe travels!
Abby Humphreys
Editor & owner @ www.smallcampsites.co.uk
Abby loves to travel and hike in nature. She promotes wellness, and shares her adventures on her blog. Abby is an open water swimmer, snowboarder, kayaker, hiker, and a meditator who loves the outdoors.
