With space often being limited inside a camping vehicle, the addition of an awning greatly increases the living area and comfort outdoors. Providing shelter for cooking outside, shade from the wind and sun, as well as keeping heat out of the interior of the vehicle are just a few reasons why awnings are a must have on any recreational vehicle!
Already know what you need? Check out the installation tips in our Burnsco How To - Campervan Awning Installation guide!
Overview:
Before heading out to purchase your awning, knowing what is available and which unit will best suit your needs is key. There are many different types of awnings with prices ranging from very affordable to larger investments. The awning you choose will depend on your vehicle, camping style and budget.
Why Do I Need An Awning?
Speaking from experience, all my camping vehicles have come with an awning already attached, or I've installed one before heading out on the first road trip. I have never really experienced camping without an awning until recently - that’s when I realised a campervan awning is essential!
Off-grid camping often means you’re out in no man's land, usually out in the open due to no shade or the need to keep the solar panels and batteries happy. When the sun’s beating down and the cool breeze disappears, this is when your purchase will pay off. Being able to be out of the vehicle but still out of direct sun is a real lifesaver. It pays off double by allowing you to cook out under shade as well . . . a hot vehicle + a cooker burning = a DIY sauna!
While most awning manufacturers recommend NOT to use their products for rain shelter, awnings can also be used in wet weather if set up correctly. The main concern comes from water pooling on the fabric causing it to become extremely heavy and break. Knowing how to set the awning up is the key. Adjusting one leg lower than the other will give a slope to the canvas, allowing water to run off instead of sitting and pooling. Some manufacturers produce centre poles to support the middle of the awning. Inflatable awnings eliminate this problem by having a dual-pitch roof system allowing the rainwater to run off efficiently.
Ensure your awning isn’t rolled away wet and left for an extended period of time - mould will form on the canvas! If you have to close it up in the rain don’t forget to dry it out on the next sunny day!
The awning’s biggest enemy is the wind. It’s surprising how much the awning will move, even in the slightest breeze. Don’t become someone else’s hilarious campsite story and secure your awning down! Most units will come with feet or guy ropes that can be pegged directly into the ground, others have clips that can attach to the vehicle and be used to secure the awnings legs in place.
Let’s check out the different types of awnings and what sets them apart!
Bag Awnings
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to install
- Lots of options and add ons
Cons
- Not so durable
- Annoying to set up
- Must be tied down to be sturdy
The most simple and cost effective awning option available, a bag awning gets the job done at an affordable price. When you’re out and about it’s hard not to come across a bag awning - they’re bolted on everything from four wheel drives to family wagons, motorhomes to micro campers, and everything in between!
Bag awnings consist of lightweight aluminium framing and poles with a thin canvas or polyester material. They are extremely light and versatile to install, often only requiring 2 ‘L’ brackets to be bolted to the vehicle and then to the awning. If access to the inside wall of the vehicle is available, they can also be bolted directly to the side of a van or motorhome, preventing the dreaded drip zone where water can come down between the awning and vehicle.
The quality of construction and durability are what determine the price for bag awnings. The cheap options are great for occasional users but if you’re doing some more serious camping, spending a bit more for quality will pay off in the long run.
Opening and setting up a bag awning is relatively straightforward, but can be quite difficult. Because of their basic construction there are no arms supporting the unit as it opens - it’s an absolute breeze with two people there to roll it out, but opening one on your own can be a bit of a balancing act.
A newcomer to the bag awning world are the 270 degree awnings. A traditional awning opens outward from the vehicle, providing shade directly next to it. With a 270 degree version, the fabric supports are hinged at the back end of the unit and are rotated out to spread awning open. This allows the awning to open around over the top of the rear of the vehicle giving a huge shaded area on two sides! 270 degree awnings are quick and easy to set up, making them great for trucks and smaller campers!
Wind Out Awnings
Pros
- Easy to use and install
- Durable
- More solid in wind and rain
- Cleaner look
Cons
- A little pricey
- Heavier
- Can be restricted by mounts
The next step up from bag awnings are the more solid wind out type of awning. These usually consist of a long aluminium case that houses the shade material on a roll. The awning is opened by using a detachable handle to turn a crank that winds out the roll. Aluminium supports folded up inside provide support when opening and keep the whole thing rigid when fully out. Telescopic legs fold down to support the outer edge of the awning and are used to adjust the height and slope of the shade material.
The construction of wind out awnings is far superior to bag awnings. The metal case protects the internal components much better than a PVC bag. The shade fabric is usually made from a thicker and tougher material that should well and truly last a lifetime. While the supports and legs are also made from lightweight aluminium, they are constructed in a way that is much more solid and stronger than the thin poles of a bag awning.
Opening a wind out awning couldn’t be easier! Opening and closing a wind out awning takes a matter of seconds and can be easily done by one person. You simply take the detachable handle/winder and attach it to the crank, then turn the handle to roll the awning out! To prevent damage to the supports, wind it out approx 1 metre and then put the support legs down - you can then wind the awning out the rest of the way while the end is being supported.
Installation of a wind out awning is also very simple, but does require some stronger mounting brackets due to the extra weight. They also need to be attached to a flat surface to prevent the supports from binding when folding. The large flat sides of caravans and motorhomes mean these awnings have become the standard for camper manufacturers over the years. If there isn’t a place to mount an awning on the side of the camper, specific roof mounted versions have been developed that are configured slightly differently and roll out from a rooftop unit.
Inflatable Awnings
Pros
- Easy to use and install
- More solid in wind and rain
- All-in-one design (include walls, windows and curtains)
- Models suitable for both motorhomes and caravans
Cons
- A little pricey
- Bulkier (as they are an all-in-one design everything is packed away together as one big package)
Inflatable awnings are a popular choice of awning due to their easy to inflate all-in-one design. Inflatable awnings have an air frame with specially designed tubes that run through the awning. This makes them easier to setup than traditional awnings that you need to thread rigid poles through. The air frame can be quicky pumped up to provide a very stable and rigid structure. Inflatable awnings are typically attached to a keder style rail so connecting them to your motorhome or caravan is simple.
They are constructed of quality fabric with excellent waterproof, UV and durability properties. The handle bad weather very well as the air frame flexes with wind and the dual-pitch roof system allows for the rainwater to run off efficiently.
Inflatable awnings provide a completely additional living area or even sleeping space as they include walls with zip panels, windows and curtains. Inflatable awnings can also be easily changed between vehicles and some are suitable for both motorhomes and caravans.
Once you have finished at your campsite inflatable awnings are quick to pack down and easily stored in their bag.
Summary
With an awning option out there for every vehicle and budget, it’s easy to see why these are one of the most popular upgrades for a recreational vehicle! Adding living space and comfort in almost any weather, you’d be mad not to have one! Burnsco stocks a great range of awnings and accessories so come see us for all your outdoor living needs.
Do you have any questions?
Please, contact our friendly team on 0800 102041 or email: website@burnsco.co.nz
