How to Choose the Best Caravan Awning (A Complete Guide)

If you are looking for an effective way to add more livable space when going on an outdoor adventure, you should definitely invest in caravan awnings.

Awnings are necessary camping equipment that may make your adventure more pleasant and comfortable by providing shade and protection from the sun.  

In this article, we will help you understand the importance of caravan awnings. We will also go through the different aspects to help you find the perfect awning for your vehicle. 

What are caravan awnings? 

Awnings allow you to convert your mobile home into a fully functional outdoor living space. They also serve as a form of covering, keeping your equipment safe from the weather. 

Awnings for caravans can also be useful if you have additional privacy during outdoor adventures.

The different types of caravan awnings 

The different kinds of caravan awnings you can choose from include: 

1. Rollout awning: 

This style of awning is distinguished by the fact that it is mounted to your vehicle's roof. The most critical step during the installation process is to secure the awning railing to the top of your RV. Here, it would be best to make sure that you have an awning that is a proper fit for your RV. Vans, pop-tops, and flat-sided RVs are the best vehicles for this sort of awning.

Overall, this type is a more durable awning in poor weather, but you must permanently fix the hardware along the side of the vehicle. Therefore, it can be challenging to install them on campervans.

2. Box awning: 

Box Awnings are appropriate for nearly all RV types. This is due to the fact that they feature a wide range of mounting brackets that allow them to be put on RVs with curved profiles. This sort of caravan awning is best suited to vehicles with curved wall profiles. 

3. Inflatable awning: 

Meanwhile, this type of caravan awnings is easy to install on your vehicle. Since they lack poles, they are lighter than conventional awnings. Despite this, they are equally as strong and durable.

The right size awning for your caravan 

When selecting an awning to accommodate your caravan, it is vital to be as specific as possible with your measurements. This way, you will not have to go back and forth from the store to get the awning that will fit perfectly.  

First, you should know the height from the top of your vehicle down to the ground. If you have an owner's manual for your caravan, you can find the measurements here. Alternatively, you can use a tape measure to acquire the needed measurements. You should remember to level the caravan for more accurate numbers during the process. 

If you do not have the needed measurements and have to purchase an awning right away, you can opt for porch awnings. They can be connected along the entire top horizontal section of the awning rail, effectively covering the side of your caravan. Moreover, this type can be transferred from one caravan model to another. Porch awnings are also the ideal option for a little vehicle or a weekend getaway. 

Full awning vs porch awning 

A full awning will double the amount of space available for living. On the other hand, a porch awning provides just enough additional space for convenience and comfort. While full awnings take longer to construct than porches, the extra time is well worth it if you plan to go on a vacation for a week or more. 

Installing caravan awnings 

The different awnings require different sets of instructions. 

Overall, caravan awnings are very convenient. 

Since they include a handle, box awnings are easy to install and use on your caravan. 

If you want something more lightweight, you can go for an air awning. 

You will need to use either a manual or an electric pump when setting them up. However, they can be the best choice if you do not want to deal with heavy poles. 

Fabrics for caravan awning 

The quality of your caravan awning is also dependent on its fabric. The different choices you have are: 

1. Vinyl: This is the lightest of the options, and they do an excellent job of preserving their colour. If you are looking for a fabric with a high aesthetic appeal, this offers a wide range of colour options.
2. Lightweight polyester: This fabric can quickly dry within a short period of time. They are also relatively light in weight, making them easy to handle. 
3. Canvas: Awnings made of canvas are beneficial for keeping the temperature moderate even under adverse weather situations. They are also well-known for providing excellent heat protection.
4. Mesh: A mesh or a screen cloth is transparent and does not obstruct your view of the surrounding scenery when you are using it.

The lifespan of a caravan awning 

Of course, this will depend on how you will take care of the caravan awning. 

For a longer lifespan, you can apply the following tips: 

1. Cleaning the awning: Make sure that you won't clean the awning while it is wet. To remove dust and debris, use a brush or soft cloth. When dealing with mud or stubborn particles, wipe with lukewarm water and leave to dry. 
2. Storing your awning: When you have an awning that is not permanently mounted on your vehicle, you should avoid keeping them away when wet. During the winter season, it would be best to keep them indoors. 
3. Reproofing awnings: A reproofing agent is just a solution that you can use to reproof your awnings, restoring their waterproofing properties. Applying them to your awning will help lengthen its lifespan.