Annexes, Awnings, & Sunscreens: Choosing the Right Accessory for Your RV

The caravanning craze is in full swing and almost everyone is jumping into the camping craze. People are enjoying the great outdoors and the pleasure of traversing open roads feels like none other. With such a surge in the caravanning community, we find ourselves in a unique opportunity to introduce products that will further enhance the entire camping experience. Such accessories include annexes, awnings, and sunscreens that can be attached to your RV and provide you with a more comfortable living space.

If you’re relatively new to the caravanning world, you may find it hard-pressed to notice the difference between these three accessories. While they essentially serve the same purpose, the way they protect you from the elements may differ from one another. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll be taking a look at each of these accessories to see which ones best fit your camping needs.

Annexes

As the name implies, annexes are an extension to your RVs to give you a spacious living environment. They provide a great deal of privacy with the option of closing the curtains for even more shade. Annexes come fully-featured with walls, fly screens, doors, and windows to make them easily accessible. They are structurally sound and are made from robust materials like vinyl and fabric to ensure you’re fully protected from the elements.

While most annexes attach to your RV, some can be freestanding as well. Such annexes can be placed anywhere around your camper where you can use it as a kitchen or dining area. They are very easy to install and is the go-to accessory for caravanners who love to bring their friends and families on road trips.

Awnings

Caravan awnings are a popular accessory for many caravanners due to their simplicity and affordability. It’s basically a sheet of vinyl or fabric that extends on a frame to serve as an additional rooftop extending from your RV. Awnings can be pinned to the ground just like a tent to give you enough privacy while shielding you from the sun’s rays. If you want a smaller rooftop, you can get a canopy which is functions just like an awning albeit in a more compact package.

Rollout awnings are also available. These types of awnings can be rolled back either manually or with a motor for easy storage. The installation process is fairly straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of tools in the process. If convenience is of major importance to you, then getting a rollout awning is a great choice. Some of the leading Awning brands in the Australian market are both Fiamma and Carefree awnings.

Sunscreens

Sunscreens are like shades which primarily block sunlight for your RV. These accessories use breathable materials to allow for better airflow and reduce the feeling of suffocation. In addition to awnings which act as a roof extension from your caravan, sunscreens can be hung from the side and ends of a caravan awning, thus giving you better shade and protection from the sun. Sunscreens also vary in materials, size and colour to give caravanners a bit of flexibility. Smaller sunscreens can fit on the offside of campers to provide privacy and are even available to shade your RVs fridge vents.

Choosing the right accessory for your RV

Caravanners are spoiled with choices when it comes to accessories and while that’s certainly not a bad thing, it can sometimes cause confusion among first-time buyers. Thankfully, we’re to help. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each accessory to help caravanners like you make an informed choice.

1. Annexes

Annexes are for caravanners who want an extended living space when travelling outdoors. It’s a versatile accessory that can be transformed into a sleeping area, a dining room, or even a kitchen depending on how you want your annex to set up. Having additional living space is always a good idea, especially if you have plenty of people aboard with you on your RV.

Pros:

• Provides complete protection from the elements.

• Grants additional living space.

• Offers the most privacy out of all three accessories.

Cons:

• Is a bit expensive

2. Awnings

There’s a reason why experienced caravanners bring an awning with them and it’s because they fit a wide variety of applications. Awnings are lightweight and easy to set up, thus giving you a reliable shade whilst still being able to enjoy the great outdoors. These accessories are made to last and will serve you well throughout the entire camping season.

Pros:

• Lightweight and breathable

• Trouble-free installation

• Can easily be rolled back for storage

Cons:

• Not suitable for inclement weather conditions.

3. Sunscreens

Sunscreens are perfect for camping during the dry summer months. It also creates a visual barrier for added privacy and can block strong winds and rain from reaching your camper.

Pros:

• Visual barrier adds a bit of privacy to your camper.

• Fairly resistant to strong winds and rain.

• Offers more shade than a traditional awning.

The great thing about caravanning is that there are plenty of accessories available on the market, all of which can elevate your entire camping experience into new heights. We hope this guide to annexes, awnings, and sunscreens can make your buying decision simple and worry-free.