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quoteLook around any campsite and you’ll soon see a highly popular item of kit that’s been added to many of the motorhomes (and even some caravans) around you – awnings.
This month’s Drive-away awnings
They take many shapes and forms, ranging from a wind-out canopy that’s permanently fixed to the side of the vehicle, to drive-away awnings. The latter are more akin to tents that affix to the side (or end) of your campervan or motorhome – adding valuable extra on-site space – for storage, living, shelter, sleeping, or all four!
For motorhomes, especially, a drive-away awning is a highly useful accessory. More recently, we’ve seen inflatable pole technology, which makes adding a drive-away awning all the easier.
Proven technology?
Inflatable tents have actually been around for decades, but it’s only in the past two or three years that mainstream tent brands have to embrace the concept. More recently still, they’ve also announced inflatable drive-away awnings. So yes, you can argue it’s a proven technology.
Quite simply, in lieu of metal poles, inflatable awnings come with ready-fitted piping in a strong material which, once inflated to an appropriate pressure, complete a solid structure.
What else do you get?
All come with their own tent, of course and, usually, a sewn-in groundsheet, but actual inflation is easy and doesn’t take much time. It’s definitely a whole lot easier than a metal-framed unit!
A foot pump with connector is supplied, with a method of measuring to ensure you get the right pressure. As well as overall size, look out for features such as ventilation, location of doors and windows etc
Some also allow you to run a mains lead into the awning, although in most cases this will be superfluous as your vehicle is most likely to be hooked up to 230V electricity.
Pros
- Ease of use These are much easier to put up than awnings with poles, although you still need to peg them out as you would any tent-like structure.
- Extra room For living and sleeping as well as storage
- Weight Because there are no bulky metal poles to worry about, you’ll find there are vital weight savings to be made.
- Safety Isolation valves should prevent accidental deflation, while the lack of metal poles should mean less accidents.
- Pitch marker Leave the awning in situ while you drive off for the day and it will reserve your pitch for you
Cons
- Bulk Because the “poles” are an integral part of the awning, it’s all one unit, which can make packing away harder
- Price Inflatable drive-away awnings tend to be more expensive than traditional models using steel and/or alloy or glass fibre poles
Will it affect my insurance?
As per metal framed awnings, inflatable awnings should be covered as equipment under a specialist motorhome insurance policy. Caravan Guard’s motorhome insurance now automatically includes £5000 worth of equipment cover which includes awnings – so that’s one less thing to worry about! (Subject to terms, conditions and underwriting criteria)
For caravan insurance again an inflatable awning can be covered under a specialist policy – just ensure your policy includes an adequate sum of cover for this and all your caravanning equipment.
Other considerations
- Attachment points Generally, you’ll want an awning rail attachment on your motorhome, and the awning will come with the right material to make an attachment to this as well as giving protection down the sides all the way to floor level. Some also provide straps to throw right over the roof of you vehicle for pegging out on the others side.
- Get the height right Most awnings are available in a choice of heights to suit attachment points on your vehicle – it’s best via an awning rail, which can usually be attached retrospectively to your vehicle.
- Hydrostatic head Measured in mm2, this figure is a guide to how waterproof the main flysheet fabric will be – the higher the figure the better.
- Add-ons Bedrooms, carpet, footprint, poles for canopies etc are usually supplied at extra cost.
Click here to see which models we’ve chosen as Star Players in the inflatable awnings market as the Gear Guide continues.
What brand of inflatable awning would you recommend?
Hi Chris, we don’t recommend one particular product. Visiting one of Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC or a local caravan show or dealership open day is a good way to look at a wide variety of products and speak to the manufacturer. Some of our readers might be able to recommend inflatable awnings they have found work for them.
I have a Vango blow up awaning, but found it very dark, it fitted well onto the pullout awaning cassette but there was a gap at the top next to the cassette case that let in the wind, I changed my van and had just a rail fitted and I bought the new kampa drive away blow up awaning plus the electric pump, the pump at £66. Was a complete waste of money, I asked from advice from the Internet and followed what they said.It still will not work as you want it to do, it is going back..Without a awaning cassette to pull it up into the top of you van it is very heavy.and the difference from vango & kampa, the vango has a wall to the van side but the Kampa motor pro 260 drive away has not ?
My advice is to look at everything for sale, there are lots of stand alone awnings that can be fitted onto your van if you need to / or not
Try for a fitted floor and try to lift it before you buy as some are Very heavy, look how much space it will take up in your vehicle and what do you have to leave out because you are taking it with you.Good luck.
Do they make an awning for a very T 5 high top van
We’ll try to find out for you Glenys
The answer is definitely yes.
We’ve been looking at different driveaway inflatable awnings and many offer a ‘standard’ or ‘tall’ option. See for example on Towsure’s awning page.
You need to find out the height of the awning rail and/or attachment points on your motorhome from the ground. That will determine whether you need a standard or a tall version of whatever awning you are interested in.
Hope this helps.
Craig
I have heard some inflatable air awnings are difficult to deflate for packing away flat.
Hi Eric,
That may be the case for some users, but drive-away inflatable awnings do offer a number of great benefits. They’re considered easier to set up as they don’t require poles etc, and they provide extra space and storage solutions. They’re also lighter than most poled alternatives and some think they’re safer to use. As with most things when de-assembling, a little patience and extra care should do the trick.
Many thanks
Lucie
Does anyone know if anyone has ever had a puncture in one of the inflatable awnings? I have just been on a site where 6 caravans have had one of these since they were made and no one has yet had a puncture so can’t really explain what would happen or how quickly it would take to find the leak.
We are seriously considering purchase one but would like to know the downfalls first.
Hi Roger
I’ve just been reading up on reviews by users of inflatable awnings for you.
Generally the awnings are constructed of heavy duty materials although it seems there are differences between the different suppliers with some claiming ultra weather resistance.
Manufacturers have obviously given some thought to what happens in the event of a puncture. Many have tubular construction with separate inflation points for each tube meaning that in the event of a leak, provided only one tube section is punctured, the awning will remain upright. I’ve also read about awnings with a single inflation point but separate isolation valves. In many cases it appears it is possible for the manufacturers to replace damaged sections quite easily and some will provide DIY repair kits. It’s probably worth asking suppliers about these features when you shop around.
Thank you
Is there a model for trailer tents. Our big one is getting too much for us to put up.
Hi Hilary,
The best place to try would be Sunncamp – click here for details.
Their customer service number is 01245 329933 if you want to speak to someone there.
Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.
Many thanks
Lucie
Caravan Guard
I have been using aVanguard inflatable drive away awning for the last 12 months, it is so much easier & quicker to put up than a pole type awning & it’s a lot stronger & stable in gale force winds. It’s the next best thing since sliced bread in my opinion.
I like looks nice and easy for one person to put up.
I am interested in purchasing an air tube awning for my coach built. But they seem to operate at right angles to the van which means no only will I need a long pitch but a wide one too Not certain many sites can accommodate these
Do any models pitch in parallel to the van and therefore only needing a standard width pitch?
Hi John,
I’ve passed your query on to our motorhome expert Nick Harding. I’ll get back to you as soon as I know more.
Thanks
Lucie
Hi John,
I suppose it depends on the individual campsite. Maybe best checking the facilities online before you arrive. There’s usually plenty of room for an awning to the side of any motorhome, finding one that’s designed to go on the back of the vehicle might be difficult – we’re not aware of any like that available at the moment.
I hope this helps.
Lucie
Caravan Guard