A driveaway awning can be used to shelter, store and more space for your motorhome or campervan travels and is a highly sought-after accessory.
Of course, certain motorhomes come with a roll-out awning as standard However, for certain models, this is not enough for long-term stays or as a place to store boots in muddy conditions dry off the dog, or even add an extra bedroom!
We speak with Outdoor equipment experts Outwell for top tips about choosing an awning that can drive away for your campervan or motorhome.
What is a driveaway awning?
It’s a freestanding awning, much like a tent, that attaches to the sides of your campervan or motorhome. With two entrances, you can easily detach the awning from your vehicle and keep it in place if wish to take a trip for an entire day on your camping vehicle. If you return, you just park near it and attach the awning.
Top driveaway awning buying advice
Consider the purpose you’re using your driveaway awning for.
This will assist in determining the layout and size. Do you just want to store your boots in a muddy place or are you planning to use it for an area for living?
Think about storage
Where are you going to place your awning for storage during your travels or when the van is stored? It is also necessary to dry and clean your awning. A awning that is air-based is likely to require more space than an awning with poles.
Think about transport
Consider the weight of any awnings and how it might affect the payload you are carrying.
Think about size
Make sure you measure the height of your leisure vehicle and purchase an awning that is the correct size. Take measurements from the campervan or motorhome’s awning rails up to the floor. Some manufacturers offer smaller models for campervans as well as some are a lot bigger than others – this is the time to be aware of the factors mentioned above.
You might think about getting an the possibility of an erection
When shopping for an awning that can be used as a driveaway, make sure you know all the information about your campervan, motorhome, or campervan, particularly what you have on the vehicle that can help you attach an awning. For instance, if you already have a wind out awning, be aware of the brand and model it is as well as the height of it on the van. This will make choosing your awning much simpler as some can be attached to the wind out awning, which typically have a channel that can accommodate the driveaway awning.
There are numerous fixing kits available based upon the condition of your vehicle.
Consider the type of awning you’d like to have – air or pole, and how you’re going to connect it to your vehicle. Inflatable awnings are simple and easy to put up and the lack of poles will reduce the risk of your van being damaged and even a campervan or motorhome insurance claim.
How does a driveaway canopy attach to a motorhome or campervan?
The majority of driveaway awning have straps that can put over the top of your van. They’ll then attach them to the other side. Then, you’ll be able to immediately use the awning.
A tip for you: If hanging awning straps above the van, especially in the windy conditions, purchase a tennis ball, put the smallest snip of it and stick the part of the strap in the tennis ball. Then simply drop the ball on your campervan or motorhome.
Other functions of a driveaway awning are an opening that you can drop a pole into that can clamp into it to make guttering for your motorhome or campervan.
Velcro straps, or loops, on an awning are for motorhomes or campervans equipped with bars on the roof. You simply Velcro the straps around these bars to attach the awning’s driveaway straps to your vehicle. Then fix it down.
You can purchase an awning rail mounted on your motorhome or add an awning driveaway within the C channel on a wind-out awning, with an attachment kit.
A tip to remember: When you first pull your awning out of the bag, record yourself getting it out.
How do you get your car to drive away and then take down your awning?
You need a fantastic piece of kit, which includes three strips of plastic as well as a long piece of fabric that connects them.
After taking your awning taken out of the bag, look for your beadings on the top of the awning. Place the plastic pieces onto the top of the awning. Simply attach the fabric into the plastic and put it on top of the vehicle.
If you’re looking to leave, you just pull out the piece of fabric, it falls down and you roll it up to make it nice and neatly positioned against your awning and you are free to drive off for the entire day.
The best tip is to, before you leave, put down your levelling blocks for your motorhome exactly where your front wheels are. It’s much simpler to drive back up to the two levellers, and you’re in the same position to connect the awning.
New awnings for drives from Outwell
Outwell has refined its inflatable driveaway awnings with the introduction of the Superior Air Touring collection and new models, as well as features added to the popular Air Cruising range.
To ensure quick, simple installation The Superior Air Touring Collection uses the Outwell Power Air System. There’s a broad selection of floorplans and sizes for every kind of campervan and motorhomes.
One of their most important highlights is the distinctive Link Access Zone which is an area of separate connection that can be reached through side doors in poor conditions to keep mud as well as water out of the van and awning. This includes a removable groundsheet which can be extended to cover that gap below the vehicle in order to prevent the draughts.
Guest bedrooms with tents and storage are available for the Parkville 260SA, Jonesville models, Milestone Dash Air, Milestone Shade Air, Newburg models and the Blossburg 380 Air.
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