Campervan Awnings Explained: Types, Sizes and Costs

An awning turns a campervan from a place to sleep into a proper basecamp. In the UK, where the weather rarely cooperates, it's often the difference between a muddy dash to the door and a dry space to cook, eat and store gear. The choice comes down to how you camp: long stays on a campsite, quick overnight stops, or a bit of both.

Types of awning

• Driveaway awnings attach to the side of the van but let you unzip and drive off, leaving the awning standing on the pitch. Ideal for trips where the van doubles as your day vehicle.
• Porch awnings are smaller and lighter, giving you a sheltered entrance and room for boots, bikes and the dogs. Cheaper and quicker to put up.
• Awning rooms are the big fully-enclosed ones that add a real extra bedroom or living space, but they take time to erect and fill with everything you forgot to unpack.

Full-width awnings attach along the side of the van, while corner awnings cover just one corner for a simple sheltered porch. If you mostly use sites with hard standings, a free-standing awning that doesn't need the van at all can be the more practical choice.

Sizes and fitting

Awnings are sized by awning rail width or by a size band for free-standing models. Measure the distance along the side of your van where the awning will attach, then add a little slack for the rail. For most panel vans and coachbuilts, a 2.5m to 3.5m footprint is typical.

• Check your van actually has an awning rail — many campervans and panel vans don't, and you'll need a figure-of-eight adapter or a clamp-on rail.
• Consider how long you'll spend setting up. A Kador strip saves five minutes; a full frame can take a while longer.
• On wet grass, a groundsheet and storm straps are worth having in the bag.

If you buy a second-hand awning, check the seams and poles before you hand over money. A snapped pole is a miserable start to a holiday.

What it costs

A good porch awning typically costs £150–£350, while a decent driveaway runs around £300–£600. Large awning rooms from brands like Kampa and Outdoor Revolution can push past £800. Cheap supermarket awnings can work for occasional use, but the poles and stitching rarely survive more than a couple of UK seasons.

An awning also makes a van more attractive to buyers when you come to sell. If you're comparing vans or thinking about a new one, browse campervans for sale to see what already comes with an awning. And for the wider kit list, see the best campervan accessories for your first year.