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quoteFew caravans are complete unless that have an awning attached to them. It’s just the perfect way of increasing your living space once you’re pitched up for your holiday – whether a weekend break or longer term.
Space – the initial frontier
A caravan awning can offer more daytime living space, sleeping accommodation or extra storage. Or a combination of all three. And that all boils down to not just budget but what you want your awning for.
Here’s our round-up of top tips and some of the key caravan awning manufacturers’ products.
Top caravan awning buying tips
- First port of call if you’re considering an awning for your tourer? It has to be your local caravan dealer. Many offer displays of awnings where you can go and see for yourself what they look like. More importantly, you’ll get great advice.
- Have a good idea of what you want to use your caravan awning for and what kind of size you want. More expensive models designed for all-season use will have more premium materials which, unsurprisingly, means higher weights and prices. Pitching times will typically be longer, too, but they’re designed to withstand all weather conditions.
- It’s not unusual for caravanners to have a full awning (for longer term pitching) as well as a porch awning, which can be put up and taken down more regularly.
- Caravan awnings, particularly inflatable models, can be bulky. And heavy. Make sure you have space and capacity to transport them – either in your car or low down over the axle in your caravan.
- Do work out what you get for your money in terms of fittings such as canopies, annexes (for use as bedrooms or just for extra storage), as well as details such as peg quality and inclusive storm straps.
Awning and caravan insurance
Don’t forget our specialist and comprehensive caravan insurance policy also covers damage to your awning or caravan if hit by stormy weather. Just make sure you include the value of your awning as part of your equipment sums insured.
It’s also important to set up your awning correctly for maximum strength to protect it against unnecessary damage should the weather take a turn for the worse. And to always take down your caravan awning if stormy weather is forecast to avoid damaging your awning and possibly your caravan. Each year, we deal with hundreds of caravan insurance claims for damage to awnings or caravans due to stormy weather.
Star Player #1
Isabella Nordic G16
Pay the price for top quality, especially if you want an awning that’s designed to perform across all seasons. That’s what you get with Isabella’s Nordic, starting with the fabrics – Isacryl is a breathable formula that also undergoes a different dyeing process to prevent it fading in the sun.
The awning’s fronts and sides are all removable and interchangeable. Also standard are roll-down external blinds (that can be zipped for permanent privacy), curtains, draught skirt, wheel arch cover, Isabella’s Typhoon guy ropes and pegs (with their own peg bag). There’s then an extensive choice of accessories ranging from annexe to inners, canopies, floorings, furniture, lighting and more.
This is a full caravan awning, with a ground-to-ground A-measurement of 900cm and a 240cm depth. The G16 is the smallest of the four-strong Nordic range, which also includes 300cm variants. Its 65.07kg weight is testament to its sturdy qualities.
Key features PVC roof, 32mm galvanised steel poles with double wing nut tighteners, covered zips, zipped side ventilation panels, apex vent, verandah bar
Expect to pay £3,314 (including poles)
Star Player #2
Vango Belletto Air 390 Elements ProShield
An inflatable porch awning that comes packed with standard features – including draught skirts and two wheel arch covers, reflective storm straps, draught seal pads, bracer beams and steel rock pegs.
This Belletto has four entrance doors, the two side ones also have a mesh fitting and can be half or fully open, or removed completely if desired.
Vango’s Skyliners help lessen the effects of condensation that are typically more prevalent in inflatable awnings. Also here is SkyTrack, a flexible hanging system to take lighting and storage pockets.
Key dimensions are 390cm wide and 250cm deep. The awning comes in two bags – one is 93cm x 33cm x 37cm and the other is 93cm x 46cm x 40cm. Total weight is 30.1kg.
Key features ProShield 300D fabric, 235cm-250cm connection height, single- and multi-point inflation, zipped curtains, PVC mud strip, full complement of optional extras
Expect to pay £1,140
Star Player #3
OlPro View 300
Another inflatable caravan porch awning that comes complete with a removable porch section that zips on to either side, taking total length out to 440cm (it’s 300cm without the porch). Depth is 240cm.
The View 300 has an impressive 5,000mm hydrostatic head rating, making it very waterproof.
The U-shaped zip on the front panel means it can be used as a verandah.
The doors – there are five in total, as well as six windows – are also removable.
OlPro keeps its prices down by selling direct only via its own website, offering free UK delivery and a no-quibble returns policy.
Key features 150D polyester Oxford fabric, tinted skylight, reflective guylines, repair kit, two-year warranty
Expect to pay £1,100
Star Player #4
Quest Falcon Air 390
This inflatable porch awning is now in its third season – and going strong. It’s also particularly easy to pitch as well as being light in weight (12.7kg all-in). Pack size is also a pretty compact 75cm x 39cm x 36.5cm.
Its fabric is a 150D polyester with a 4,000mm hydrostatic head and UV50+ sun protection ratings. Order with extra poles and you can use the front door as a canopy.
Look out for a number of Quest Falcon Air awnings, all with the same 250cm depth, but varying widths – 200cm, 260cm, 325cm and this, the largest at 390cm.
Key features Single-point inflation, 235cm-250cm height attachment, two mesh side doors, PVC draught skirt, two-way mud wall with elastic pegging points, apex roof vents, toggle-up curtains, storm straps.
Expect to pay £699
Star Player #5
Outdoor Revolution Eclipse Pro 380
An inflatable porch awning with full 380cm width and an intelligent frame system that regulates air pressure and protects from over-inflation. It has a standard 250cm depth.
Both side doors include mesh panels – and you can also go for the option of zip-in, full mesh sections. That’s an option for the central front panel, too. Another optional extra is a Conservatory Annexe, which zips on to either side.
Also included is a draught skirt, peg set and storm straps.
Key features Pro 600D Oxford Weave fabric with 6,000mm hydrostatic head, single-point inflation, tinted anti-glare PVC front and roof windows, draught skirt, mud wall, full height (195cm) side doors, full range of options (including lighting and storage), lifetime guarantee for frame system
Expect to pay £999
Star Player #6
Coleman Journeymaster Deluxe Air BlackOut XL
This caravan awning sleeps four in more than just comfort. One unique feature of Coleman’s Journeymaster awning is the company’s BlackOut Bedroom fitting for its bedroom inner. This claims to block out some 99% of daylight getting to the 280cm x 210cm bedroom, not only cutting out unwanted light but also helping regulate temperature (cooler in the day, warmer at night thanks to its insulation properties).
Despite its roomy 585cm long x 300cm living area dimensions, this inflatable design still qualifies as a porch awning – its connection strip is 270cm long. It weighs in at 30.9kg.
Total living area is 7.8m2 and headroom is 180cm-210cm throughout. Details certainly haven’t been forgotten. They include lantern attachment points.
Key features WeatherTec 150D polyester fabric with UV protective treatment and taped seams, 6,000mm hydrostatic head, pre-attached connector strip with 6mm beading, storm straps
Expect to pay £1,200
Over to you…
Got any advice on caravan awnings you’d like to pass on to fellow caravanners? Have you got a favourite awning design or make? We’d love to hear your comments. Simply add below.
Good Article ,very informative on Air awnings.
We have found its an advantage to select a shorter A length which gives some “wiggle room”. This is particularly useful on sloping sites, as one end is so close to the ground you cannot stretch and peg it down. A shorter awning let’s you slide if back on the A frame and even out the gaps.
Strongly biased towards air awnings. Would prefer to have more information on poled/framed awnings
Very well written and informative