An awning that is driveaway is ideal for shelter, storage and extra room when on your motorhome, campervan, or campervan trips and are a hugely popular accessory.
Of course, some motorhomes have an awning with a roll-out feature as standard but for many, this is not enough for long-term stays or for a place for storing muddy boots or dry the pooch. You can perhaps even have an extra bedroom!
Here, we chat with Outdoor equipment experts Outwell to get some great tips about choosing an awning that can drive away for your campervan or motorhome.
What is a driveaway canopy?
It’s a awning that is freestanding, much like a tent, it is attached to the side of your motorhome or campervan. With two entrances which allow you to detach it from the vehicle and put it on the ground if you would like to travel to enjoy some time in your camper. Once you’re back, simply park alongside it and re-attach the awning.
Top driveaway awning buying advice
Consider what you’re using a driveaway awning for
This will aid in deciding the dimensions and layout. Do you want to keep your boots dry or do you want to use it as a living space?
Consider storage
Where will you keep your awning when you travel or when your ‘van is stored? It is also necessary to dry and clean up your awning. An air awning is likely to require more space than an awning with poles.
Take a look at transportation
Think about the weight of an awning and how it could affect the payload you are carrying.
Consider the size
You must measure the height of your leisure vehicle and buy an awning that is the correct size. Measure from your campervan or motorhome’s awning rail all the way to the bottom. Certain manufacturers have smaller models for campervans as well as some are more spacious than others. This is when you need to be aware of the factors mentioned above.
Consider getting an erection
When looking for a awning with a driveaway option, ensure that you know all the information about your campervan, motorhome, or campervan, particularly what you have on the vehicle that can aid in attaching an awning to it. If, for instance, you already have a wind-out awning, be aware of the brand and model it is, as well as the size of it on your van. This will make choosing your awning much simpler as some can be attached to the wind-out awning. These usually have a channel that can accommodate it as a drive-away.
There are many fixing kits available dependant on the components that are already present on your vehicle.
Consider the type of awning you’d like to have whether it’s air or a pole and the best way to attach it to your vehicle. Inflatable awnings are simple and simple to install and the absence of poles will reduce the risk of your van being damaged and a motorhome or campervan insurance claim.
How can a driveaway awning attach to a motorhome or campervan?
The majority of driveaway awnings include straps you can place over onto the roof of your vehicle. Then, peg down on the far side. You’ll then be able to use the awning straight away.
Top tip: If you’re using awning straps to cover the van, particularly during cold weather, buy a tennis ball, make an encircling snip and stick the ends of your strap into the tennis ball. Then simply throw the ball over your motorhome or campervan.
Other functions of a driveaway awning comprise the possibility of a channel to place a pole inside that can clamp into an awning’s guttering campervan or motorhome.
Velcro straps or loops that are attached to an awning can be used for motorhomes or campervans that have bar roofs. You simply Velcro the straps around these bars to join the driveaway awning to your vehicle. You can then anchor it to the ground.
It is possible to purchase an awning rail to attach your motorhome or add an awning driveaway within the C channel on a wind-out awning, with fixing kits.
Top tip: When you first pull your awning out of the bag, take a video of yourself removing it.
How do you get your car to drive away and leave your awning?
You need a fantastic product that comprises three plastic strips and a long length of a connecting fabric.
After taking your awning out of the bag, locate your beadings on the top of the awning. Place the pieces of plastic on the awning’s edge. Simply stitch the piece of fabric through the plastic, and then attach it to your vehicle.
If you’re looking to drive away, just remove the piece of fabric, which drops down and then you roll it up to make it nice and neatly positioned against your awning. You are free to drive off for the rest of the day.
The best tip is to, before you depart, anchor down your motorhome levelling blocks exactly where your front wheels are. It’s much simpler to drive straight back to the two levellers, and you’ll be able to connect the awning.
New awnings for drives from Outwell
Outwell has improved its inflatable driveaway umbrellas with a new Superior Air Touring collection and new designs and features that are added to the wildly popular Air Cruising collection.
For fast, easy erection for quick, easy erection, the Superior Air Touring Collection uses the Outwell Power Air System. In addition, you can choose from a range of floor plans and sizes available for every kind of campervan and motorhomes.
One of their main highlights is the distinctive Link Access Zone which is an area of separate connection that can be reached via side doors in bad conditions to keep mud as well as water from the awning and van. This includes a removable groundsheet that’s extended to cover the space below the vehicle, to block draughts.
The tents that are used for guest rooms along with storage options are offered for Parkville 260SA, Jonesville models, Milestone Dash Air, Milestone Shade Air, Newburg models and the Blossburg 380 Air.
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- January 15, 2025 7:13 am