An awning that is driveaway is ideal to provide shelter, storage and additional space when you are on your motorhome, campervan, or campervan trips and is a very popular accessory.
Of course, certain motorhomes are equipped with an awning with a roll-out feature as standard however for others the models, it’s not enough for long-term stays or even to store muddy boots, dry the pooch or even add the option of a bedroom!
Here, we speak to Outdoor equipment experts Outwell for their top advice on choosing a driveaway awning for your campervan or motorhome.
What is a driveaway awning?
It’s a awning that is freestanding, similar to a tent, that is attached to the side of your motorhome or campervan. With two doors it is easy to remove it from your vehicle and put it on the ground if you are planning to venture out to enjoy an entire day on your camping vehicle. When you return you simply park alongside it and re-attach the awning.
Top tips for buying an awning for your driveaway
Consider the purpose you’re using your driveaway awning to accomplish.
This will allow you to decide on the layout and size. Are you simply looking to store your boots in a muddy place or use it as the living space?
Think about storage
Where do you plan to keep your awning when you travel or when your van is stored? It is also necessary to dry and clean your awning. Air awnings are likely to require more room than a poled awning.
Think about transport
Take into consideration the weight of any awning, and consider how this could affect your payload.
Think about size
Take note of the length of your vehicle, and then purchase the appropriate size awning. Take measurements from the campervan or motorhome awning rail to the floor. Certain manufacturers may have low models for campervans and others are bigger than others – this is the reason you must think about the tips above.
Think about erection
When looking for a driveaway awning, make sure you know all the information about your motorhome or campervan and, in particular, what’s on the van that might allow you to attach an awning to it. For instance, if you already have a wind-out awning, make sure you know what brand and model it is as well as the height of it on your van. This will make choosing your awning much simpler as some will be connected to the wind out awning that usually have a channel that can be used to receive an awning that is drive-away.
There are numerous fixing kits available based on what’s already on your vehicle.
Then, consider what kind of awning you’d like to have to use – pole or air and how you’ll connect it to your vehicle. Inflatable awnings are simple and simple to set up and the lack of poles is a lesser chance of your van being damaged and also a motorhome or campervan insurance claim.
How does a driveaway canopy attach to a motorhome or campervan?
The majority of driveaway awnings have straps that you can place over on top of the van. Then, put them down on the far side. You’ll then be able to utilize the awning right away.
The best tip is: If you’re throwing awning straps over the van, particularly in the windy conditions, purchase an tennis ball, place an encircling snip and then stick the end of the strap in the tennis ball. You can then simply drop the ball on your motorhome or campervan.
Other advantages of a driveaway awning are a channel that you can place a pole inside which it can be anchored into it to make guttering for your campervan or motorhome.
Velcro straps, or loops, on an awning work for motorhomes or campervans with bar roofs. You just Velcro the straps around these bars to join the awning’s driveaway straps to your vehicle and then attach it to your vehicle.
It is possible to purchase an awning rail that is attached your motorhome or add an awning with a driveaway option 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 pulling it out.
How do you get away and take your awning off?
You need a fantastic product that comprises three plastic strips and a long strip of a connecting fabric.
Once you’ve taken your awning out of the bag, find the beading on the end of the awning. Then, put the pieces of plastic onto the top of the awning. Simply thread the piece of fabric through the plastic and then place it on your vehicle.
If you’re looking to leave, you just pull the piece fabric, it falls down and then you roll the fabric up until it’s elegant and neat against your awning. You can leave for the 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 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 awnings with new Superior Air Touring collection and new features and models added to the popular Air Cruising range.
For quick, effortless assembly The Superior Air Touring Collection uses the Outwell Power Air System. it comes with a variety of floorplans and sizes to fit all manner of campervans and motorhomes.
One of their most important highlights is the distinctive Link Access Zone which is an additional connecting space that can be accessed through the side doors during bad weather to keep mud and water out of the awning and van. This is a groundsheet that can be removed that’s extended to cover the gap beneath the vehicle in order to prevent draughts.
In-built tents for guest bedrooms as well as storage can be found for Parkville 260SA, Jonesville models, Milestone Dash Air, Milestone Shade Air, Newburg models as well as the Blossburg 380 Air.
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