Campervan Awnings and Shelters – Our Best Guide for Driveaway types

There are lots of awnings out there for campervans and caravans. Many, though, are designed to set up for long holidays, big families or for people who like to take along their living room furniture.

What about something simpler and lighter? A driveaway awning or versatile tent thingy that’s ideal for short stops? That might work with a car? Something easy and light?

Here’s our round-up of the best awnings we’ve found. And some interesting alternatives! 

What is a driveway awning?

A driveaway awning or shelter is great for keeping your camping pitch marked while you’re out for the day. Use it as a dining room, extra bedroom, for pets, kids or even as a shower room.

Though most of the awnings we’ve looked at are designed for campervans and small- to medium-sized motorhomes, many also work well with vans and cars. A growing number of people are realising they can camp comfortably with some clever finessing of an ordinary car. Have a look at our article on car camping.

OUR TOP PICK

Decathlon’s ingenious Base Connect Fresh – an inflatable with versatility

Everyone loved the old Decathlon Base. Now there’s a replacement. 

The Base Connect Fresh works as a living room extension for a tent, but is even better as an awning. Light and spacious, inflatable and around UV resistant. 

  • Size: W250 x L250 x (max) H225cm
  • Pack size: 77 x 29 x 29cm
  • Weight: 13kg

EDITORS CHOICE

Outdoor Revolution Cayman 2019 Campervan motorhome awning T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 vito bongo

A wide range of smaller, neater awnings that work as shelters and utility tents, the Cayman series of awnings mostly cost under £400. 

The unusual Cayman Pursuit is designed to work between two vans, but we think it has more to offer than that. It works as a freestanding gazebo, has lots of window light (plus LED lights for night!) and is quick to inflate.

14kg and a pack size of 78 x 41 x 34cm. 

Decathlon


The Base Fresh Living Area/Gazebo is an exciting one from Decathlon. This is simple and versatile. A standalone 3m x 3m shelter with three opening doors and a mosquito net. Excellent head height too.


The Arpenaz Base Fresh is a very versatile option with a fixed groundsheet.

  • Size: 250 x 250 x 215
  • Pack size: 57x18cm
  • Weight: 7.7kg

SheltaPod


Now here’s an idea. The Sheltapod is an awning, tent and sunshelter all in one. It will fit on any vehicle up to 2.8m.

It’s based on a roll-up system so that you can be totally enclosed, as in a tent, or open to the air and sunshine. It has aluminium poles and comes with privacy panels, window blinds, a door panel, a groundsheet and an inner tent included.

All those panels and bits and pieces do make it a bit faffy, but putting it up is fairly quick. You need a large area to be able to handle the long poles.

  • Size: 230 x 200 x 180cm
  • Pack size: 97 x 30 x 30cm
  • Weight: 12kg

Olpro awnings

For very affordable inflatable awnings, Olpro is a good choice.  All are available as poled awnings too and there are lots of accessories.

We like their new colours and also their neatness. Of course, they also do bigger awnings for longer stays too.


This awning is suitable for vehicles between 190 and 240cm tall. There’s a sewn-in groundsheet and back doors so you can avoid going through the awning to get into the van. Apart from that, there’s nothing fancy except a claimed 10-minute pitch time. Extras include an inner tent and carpet.

  • Size: W310 x L370 x H215cm
  • Pack size: 82 x 37 x 37cm
  • Weight: 15kg


Very similar to the Loopo, but slightly smaller and lighter. It doesn’t have the van-side doors, which would be a deal-breaker for us.

  • Size: W310 x L310 x H190cm
  • Pack size: 82 x 37 x 37cm
  • Weight: 16kg


Uno Breeze is the smallest in the line-up, the Uno has a nice front canopy to protect you from drips. Downside for us is the sewn-in groundsheet, though.

  • Size: W330 x L220 x H215cm. Fits campervans between a height of 190cm and 240cm
  • Pack size: 82 x 37 x 37cm
  • Weight: 15kg

Skandika awnings


Skandika Pitea Mini-van Campervan Tent Awning 4 Person Man, Vehicle Car Extension, with 4 Entrances,...

This Skandika Pitea awning are some of the most affordable outthere! Yep! It’s also lightweight, easy to pack and has some of the easiest instructions we’ve seen.

Only downside for us is the sewn-in groundsheet.

  • Size: 300 x 300 x 225cm
  • Pack size: 68 x 24 x 24cm
  • Weight: 9.3kg


Skandika Camper Tramp Free-Standing Minivan Awning Tent with 2-Berth Sleeping Cabin and 210 cm Peak...

There’s also a great tailgate tent for SUVs, vans or car-campers and with lovely big windows and standalone/driveaway ability.

Lumaland instant gazebo with optional sides

This Lumaland is our latest love…

Use the optional side panels (it comes with one, but you can buy more) to create a covered join to the awning rail or roof bars.

Lots more of this type of thing in our multipurpose shelter article.

Kampa-Dometic awnings

Yep, Kampa now comes under the Dometic brand, just like the fridges!

They make smart-looking but affordable awnings. There are air and poled options and a range of sizes. These are our favourites for ease and simplicity. 

Because of the change of brand, you’ll find some bargains under the former Kampa-only name. The Travel Pod Mini, for example, is an older model and was one of our top picks.


Kampa Dometic Cross AIR Annexe With Inner Tent

Our favourite from the Kampa range, the Cross Air has been updated, but keeps its gazebo-shape. It’s a neat little thing.

The vertical walls give you good headroom, there’s a clip-in groundsheet and privacy blinds. There’s also an optional annexe for one or both sides with an inner tent included. Connect it to your van using the pole and clamp, beading or guy line method. The rear tunnel comes with adjusting straps to take up any slack.

There’s a similarly priced tailgate version too.

  • Pack size: 76 x 36 x 36 cm
  • Weight: 18kg


Kampa Travel Pod Action AIR L Inflatable Driveaway Campervan Awning

The Action Air L has a clip-in groundsheet and a connecting tunnel with two doors. An inner tent with two berths is available too.

We like the brightness, but also the option to pull across the privacy blinds. 

  • Pack size: 70 x 35 x 35cm
  • Weight: 13.5kg


Kampa Travel Pod Trip AIR VW 2019

Trip Air awnings are a neat and simple awning. Fairly lightweight too. Clip-in groundsheet and doors in the connecting tunnel. We like it for the price.

  • Pack size: 27 x 27 x 65cm
  • Weight: 10kg


Kampa Motion Air Drive-Away VW grey

The Motion Air VW awning gives you a great view. And there are two sizes to choose from. The air beams all have their own valves, which makes taking it down a little less stressful, and we like the quick guying system. It’s quite heavy, though.

  • Pack size: 40 x 42 x 78cm
  • Weight: 20kg

Outdoor Revolution

Outdoor Revolution claim their Movelite T range is the most versatile available. They’re certainly good to look at. The air versions have just one inflation point and a super-fast valve for quick installation. A telescopic steel pole for the roof adds extra stability.


Outdoor Revolution Movelite T1 Tail Low-Midline Driveaway Air Awning

This awning has a zipped-in, removable polyester groundsheet, and the option of a breathable groundsheet instead (some sites insist on these to protect their grass). We also like the sound of Phoenix Mesh – a smart material that can repair any snags by gently manipulating and moving the mesh around the damaged area.

The design is clever – two zipped doors where the awning meets the campervan or caravan mean you can get access to your vehicle without traipsing through the awning itself. Windows are tinted to stop glare and give you privacy and there are two height options for the cowl that attaches to your van. 

There’s even an electric hook-up point so you can power your fridge in the awning.

Extras include an annexe, inner tents, magnetic attachment kits and lights.

Size: 300 x 300cm, a choice of heights for small van to large motorhomes.

  • Pack size: 82 x 47 x 43cm
  • Weight: 22kg

There’s a tailgate version too, by the way.


Outdoor Revolution Movelite T2 Lowline Driveaway Awning

The T2 is very similar but is aimed at quick stops, overnights and weekenders. There are various heights, including a lowline model for VW Transporter-size vehicles and a midline for Transit-sized campervans. Inflation is easy with two air frame tubes and a single Velcro in-roof support tube for stability.

There’s a sewn-in groundsheet rather than zip-in. As with the T1, windows are tinted and there’s an electric point. Integral zip-in curtains can be rolled back during the day. The inflatable ‘eyebrow’ canopy on the side door prevents rain water from getting in and there are two rear doors.

Extras include a stone protection groundsheet, magnetic driveaway strip, inner tents and even a mosquito killing light!

  • Size: 310 x 250cm, and a range of heights to fit most vans/motorhomes
  • Pack size:82 x 47 x 39cm
  • Weight: 19.5kg

EDITORS CHOICE

Outdoor Revolution Cayman 2019 Campervan motorhome awning T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 vito bongo

A wide range of smaller, neater awnings that work as shelters and utility tents, the Cayman series of awnings mostly cost under £400. 

The unusual Cayman Pursuit is designed to work between two vans, but we think it has more to offer than that. It works as a freestanding gazebo, has lots of window light (plus LED lights for night!) and is quick to inflate.

14kg and a pack size of 78 x 41 x 34cm. 


Outdoor Revolution Turismo Air XL

Available as large or extra-large, the Turismo Air is still a compact-looking driveaway awning. It’s one of the best for being lightweight and affordable, and will fit heights of 180-240cm

  • Pack size: 76 x 32 x 26cm (standard)
  • Weight: 10.5kg


Outdoor Revolution Outhouse Handi XL Drive Away Awning

This has the advantage of working perfectly alongside a van, or as a standalone utility tent. Plus, it’s affordable.

  • Floor size: 200 x 200 cm
  • Height: 180-240cm (van height)
  • Weight: 5.6kg
  • Pack size: 67 x 46 x 44cm

Jane S. asked us whether this one would be OK for the tailgate of her Fiat Qubo. With a bit of creativity, it certainly did the job.

 She says: “I made a narrow extension piece from a shower curtain to completely enclose the hinge part. I was lucky with the weather so am not sure if this would have been 100% watertight!  I had some sticky magnetic strips that I stapled on to give extra strength. Just over the top, where the shower curtain was a bit short, I used nylon (is nylon waterproof?) netting, not having noticed that water from the raised tailgate feeds inside the doorframe. Not sure where it would have run to…maybe need to test that out before my next trip!”

We do love a clever workaround!

Vango awnings

Another good choice for affordable awnings and with some lightweight models too. Not always the most stunning looking, but very good value for money.


Available in tall for motorhomesstandard and low (the VW size), the Kela awning can be attached in four different ways to make driving away and reattaching as simple as possible.

We like the skylight windows, but are not so keen on the sewn-in groundsheet. I know some people prefer that, but we like the versatility of being able to remove it and maybe even leave it at home to reduce the weight.

Airbeam construction, plus tension straps for stability.

  • Pack size: 78 x 34 x 32cm (low)
  • Weight: 18kg (12.3 without accessories)


Lichfield California Tall Driveaway Inflatable Awning for Campervans, Motorhomes and RVs, Adjustable...

Can you spot any difference to the Kela? Not surprising if you can’t. 

This is the identical awning called the Lichfield California Tall (min. height 245cm) –compare the prices to above!


Vango Tolga VW Camper Awning (Moroccan Blue)

New in 2020, the Tolga awning is a squat tunnel shape that looks rather fetching. Another inflatable with some sophisticated additions, such as lighting points and a condensation-minimiser.

We like the open walkway between the van and the tent area, which means it’s easy to access. It’s also fairly lightweight (without the accessories anyway).

  • Pack size: 75 x 35 x 36cm
  • Weight: 17.6kg (12kg without accessories)


Vango Faros Low Driveaway Awning 2019

Nice and compact, nice and affordable. This is probably our favourite from Vango, although we do tend to like light and basic over big and sophisticated. Each to his own, eh!

The Faros is a pole and sleeve awning rather than inflatable.

  • Pack size: 75 x 26 x 26cm (low)
  • Weight: 9.9kg (5.5kg without accessories)

Outwell awnings

Outwell’s awnings aren’t the cheapest or the lightest, but you can choose from a variety of dome and tunnel styles.


Outwell Milestone Dash Air Awning

The front wall of the Dash awnings opens completely, which makes it lovely and airy in good weather and there are big, tinted windows.

The Milestone Dash in its pole and sleeve version

  • Size: W260 x L260 x H220
  • Pack size: 25 x 36 x 78 (non-air) and 44 x 41 x 85cm (air)
  • Weight: 11.9kg (non-air), 14.7kg (air)


Outwell Unisex - Adult Milestone Air Tent, Multicoloured, One Size

We’ve love the 2018 inflatable Milestone Pace Air 

  • Size: W280 x L300 x H220
  • Pack size: 30 x 30 x 70 (non-air) and 35 x 35 x 85cm (air)
  • Weight: 13kg (non-air), 15kg (air)


Outwell Newburg 260 Air Tall Bus - and Caravan Awning Camping 2020

There are two sizes of Outwell’s new Newburg that we’d recommend. Both are inflatable and have fibreglass poles for the handy canopy. (There will also be poled versions at a later date).

We like the simple design and the ease of access. There are also options for how you connect – either to the roof rails or using a beading. They’ll fit van heights of 175-200cm.

  • Size: 300 x 350 x 210cm (260) and 250 x 260 x 210 (160)
  • Pack size: 86 x 42 x 38cm (160) and 86 x 45 x 43cm (260)
  • Weight: 12.5kg and 16.7kg

The best prices we’ve found for Outwell awnings are at Obi Camping on Ebay. It’s worth looking for last year’s models too if you’re after a bargain.


Campervan owners looking for an instant, light and affordable shelter to use in place of an awning should have a look at the Cinch Hub

It’s big enough for around five people and takes seconds to pop up and away. You can even add solar power with a special roof port with a power pocket to charge all your gadgets. Although the panel’s not included in the basic price, four LED lights are included.

There’s a removable groundsheet, four entrances to allow for different uses and for connecting to a van and a generous bag to keep it in. Our only issue was the step-over at the bottom, but that does keep out rain and muck when you use the groundsheet.

  • Floor size: 230 x 230cm
  • Height: 196cm
  • Pack size: 86cm round
  • Weight: 8.6kg


Sunncamp Camper Van/Motorhome Canopy Swift 260

This Sunncamp Swift awning is super-simple, but it gives you shelter and light. Plus it cost wise it's pretty inexpensive.

  • Size: 260 x 260cm
  • Pack size: 77 x 15cm
  • Weight: 5kg

Pull-out awning? The simplest campervan shelter

If you don’t already have a pull-out awning on the side of your campervan, here’s a VERY affordable option.


Wild Earth Sun canopy awning for VW Camper Van motorhome 300cm x 240cm MED Grey

The Wild Earth sun canopy is so easy. Just slide the 6mm Keder beading into the awning rail, C channel figure of 8 strip on your van or caravan.

Waterproof, lightweight (2.8kg) and supplied in a bag with steel poles and pegs, it’ll give you a 7.2sqm shelter.  

Use a tent porch extension – simple and cheap

Many tent manufacturers make add-on porches and extensions for their tents. They often work really well as simple awnings.

 Choose between open porch-style shelters or extensions with closing doors to make more of an all-weather living space. If you’re handy, you can adapt the extension joining section to fit into awning rails, using a sewn-in bar or loops/bungees.


Outwell Touring Canopy

A lightweight alternative to an awning, but with a bit of side screening, this is the Outwell touring canopy for campervans.


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Vango make this sub-£100 tent extension that would do the trick. This shelter is quick and easy to erect if you are planning to up and leave after a couple of days.

Could you get away with just a tarp?

Using the Unigear tarp as a shelter gives you lots of options.

Also have a look at our article on multipurpose shelters…you might just find something versatile enough to work as an awning! And also check out our article about waterproofing your gazebo. If you need a more permanent shelter in your garden then head over our guide on Hard Top Gazebos

 

Frequently asked questions

Awning size and packability

The height is important. Check it will match your campervan/caravan roof height. Many manufacturers offer a choice of heights.

And pack size is VERY important. A big awning gives you lots of extra space, but it also takes up space when it’s packed for travel.

If your van or car is already stuffed to the roof, forget the awning and take a tarp instead. These are so versatile, cheap and packable. They can make great, simple shelters. Or…take along a small standalone pop-up tent or shelter.

Do you need a groundsheet?

We prefer not because you can put hot pans straight on the floor and not worry about keeping things clean. Less to carry too. Get an optional, clip-in groundsheet if needs be. 

If you want to be nicely sealed in against the elements, though, a groundsheet will give you a more room-like experience.

Tips for avoiding those awning set-up arguments

  • Mark your wheel position when you drive off for the day. Otherwise, you’ll have a job lining yourself up again. We like Bev Bottomley’s tip – use tent pegs to pin down two small plant pots in the ground at the centre of both awning-side wheels.
  • C-shape rail

C-Shape Rail

  • Fittings vary – some attach to an existing wind-out awning or awning channel using beading. Some attach to roof bars. And some have magnets
  • J Rail

J Rail

  • Check your rail (J or C shape), check the rail size. A figure of eight fitting makes attaching and detaching quicker and easier, but can come loose in a strong wind.
  • If you have an existing wind-out awning (the Fiamma, for example), you may need a 4mm attachment (most are 6mm). Some wind-outs have to be opened a little before you can find the C channel underneath. Some wind-outs have no channel at all, so you’ll need to find fixing points at the ends, for example, or try with neodymium magnets.
  • Practise at home…or give your campsite neighbours a domestic drama to enjoy!
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