An awning tie down kit is one of the lowest-cost, highest-impact accessories you can add to a caravan or motorhome awning — and one of the most overlooked until the night a storm rolls in off the Atlantic and tests your setup. At Newquay Camping Shop we stock tie down kits from every major awning brand, plus universal options that fit almost any awning. This guide explains how they work, which kit to choose for your awning, and why they're particularly important on Cornwall's coastal and clifftop campsites.
What Is an Awning Tie Down Kit?
An awning tie down kit is an over-the-top tensioning system that adds a second layer of security to your awning in adverse weather. Where standard guy lines and pegs anchor the awning at the base and sides, a tie down kit runs a strap up and over the top of the awning from one side to the other, secured by large steel pegs driven into the ground on each side. A tension spring in the strap absorbs gusts and movement without putting sudden shock loads on the awning fabric or frame.
Most Kampa and Dometic caravan awnings come pre-fitted with attachment points specifically designed to accept their branded tie down kits — making fitting quick and straightforward. Universal kits work across a wider range of awning brands and styles.
Why Tie Down Kits Matter on Cornwall Campsites
Cornwall's camping conditions are among the most varied in the UK. On a fine August day at Hendra or Monkey Tree, you might not give your awning a second thought. But Cornwall's Atlantic-facing sites — clifftop pitches above Fistral, Perranporth, Sennen, and the north coast generally — can receive strong overnight gusts with very little warning, even in summer. A tie down kit can be the difference between waking up to a secure awning and waking up to a collapsed or wind-damaged one.
Our advice: fit the tie down kit every time you pitch, regardless of the forecast. It takes under five minutes and provides meaningful protection.
Tie Down Kits We Stock
Kampa Storm Tie Down Kit — £22.99
The branded tie down kit for Kampa caravan and motorhome awnings. All Kampa caravan awnings come pre-fitted with attachment points that accept this kit directly — no modification or adaptor required. Supplied in pairs, complete with large steel pegs. If you own a Kampa awning, this is the first kit to reach for.
Best for: All Kampa caravan and motorhome awnings with factory-fitted attachment points.
Dometic Storm Tie Down Kit — £22.00
The Dometic branded equivalent — designed for Dometic caravan and motorhome awnings that come pre-fitted with tie down attachment points. The Dometic Rally range, including the Rally Air Tour S and Rally Air Stay S, is compatible. Supplied in pairs with large pegs, in Mist Grey to match the Dometic colour scheme.
Best for: All Dometic caravan and motorhome awnings with factory-fitted attachment points, including the full Rally range.
P.L.S Awning Tie Down Kit — £18.99
A universal over-the-top tie down kit at the most competitive price point in the range. Includes 2 large steel pegs, 11m+ of adjustable 1.5" strap, and tension springs. Suits all popular awnings that want an over-the-top tie down system. A straightforward, no-frills option for those who want solid protection at a budget price.
Best for: Any awning requiring an over-the-top tie down, particularly where a branded kit is not required. Best value option in the range.
Via Mondo Universal Awning Tie Down Kit — £13.99
The most affordable tie down kit we stock — a universal over-the-top kit with 2 large 38mm steel pegs, 12m of adjustable 1.5" strap, and tension springs. Suits all popular awnings requiring an over-the-top tie down system. At £13.99 there's no excuse not to have one as a backup kit in your caravan kit bag.
Best for: Budget-conscious caravanners; anyone wanting a spare or backup kit at minimal cost.
Universal Tie Down Kit for Awnings with Sewn-In Clips — £22.99
A different type of tie down kit — designed specifically for awnings that have sewn-in clip attachments rather than strap loops. Fits Quest, Star Camp, Kampa, NR, and Sunncamp awnings among others, with multiple clip combinations to cover a wider range of awnings than earlier versions. Includes a reflective band on each strap for visibility at night. Originally designed for Dorema and Pyramid awnings.
Best for: Quest, Star Camp, Sunncamp, Kampa, and NR awnings with sewn-in clip attachment points; anyone who finds universal strap kits don't attach cleanly to their awning.
HABBA Fiamma & Thule Tie Down Kit — £22.99
A specialist tie down kit designed specifically for Fiamma and Thule wind-out box and cassette awnings — the type of awning fitted to many motorhomes and campervans. Includes 2 large solid ground pegs, 2 tension springs, 2 x 4.8m straps with plastic hooks, and 2 triangular straps that slide into the front box of the awning. This kit cannot be substituted with a generic over-the-top strap kit — the triangular strap that engages the awning box is specific to this design.
Best for: Motorhomes and campervans with Fiamma or Thule cassette/box wind-out awnings.
Which Tie Down Kit Do I Need?
- Kampa awning? — Kampa Storm Tie Down Kit (£22.99)
- Dometic / Kampa Rally awning? — Dometic Storm Tie Down Kit (£22.00)
- Quest, Star Camp, Sunncamp awning with sewn-in clips? — Universal Clip Kit (£22.99)
- Fiamma or Thule motorhome cassette awning? — HABBA Fiamma & Thule Kit (£22.99)
- Any other awning — best value? — Via Mondo Universal Kit (£13.99)
- Any other awning — longer strap? — P.L.S Kit (£18.99)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a tie down kit if my awning already has guy lines?
Yes — guy lines anchor the base and sides of the awning, but they don't prevent the awning from lifting or billowing upward in a strong gust. A tie down kit runs over the top of the awning and holds the roof down, which is a fundamentally different type of protection. In moderate to strong winds, both are needed. Most awning manufacturers recommend fitting a tie down kit whenever wind is forecast.
Will a universal tie down kit fit my awning?
Universal over-the-top kits (PLS, Via Mondo) fit the vast majority of caravan awnings that have strap loops or anchor points on the roof. If your awning has sewn-in clip attachments, the clip-specific universal kit is the better choice. If you have a Fiamma or Thule box awning, you'll need the HABBA specialist kit. If in doubt, bring your awning make and model to our Newquay showroom and we'll help you find the right fit.
How do I fit an awning tie down kit?
Drive the two large steel pegs into the ground approximately 1–1.5 metres out from each side of the awning. Run the strap up and over the top of the awning, engaging the attachment points or strap loops. Adjust the strap length until it's taut, then engage the tension spring so it's under load. The spring should be compressed but not fully coiled — this gives it room to absorb gust loads. Check tension after the first night and re-adjust if needed.
Can I use a Kampa tie down kit on a Dometic awning?
Yes, in most cases — Kampa and Dometic are the same company and their awning attachment points are compatible. The branded kits are largely interchangeable across the Kampa and Dometic awning ranges.
Are tie down kits available at your Newquay showroom?
Yes — we stock the full range of awning tie down kits at our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ, open Monday to Friday. UK-wide delivery is also available on all tie down kits.
Shop Awning Tie Down Kits at Newquay Camping Shop
- Via Mondo Universal Tie Down Kit — £13.99
- P.L.S Awning Tie Down Kit — £18.99
- Dometic Storm Tie Down Kit — £22.00
- Kampa Storm Tie Down Kit — £22.99
- Universal Clip Tie Down Kit — £22.99
- HABBA Fiamma & Thule Tie Down Kit — £22.99
Browse our full range of awning accessories and caravan awnings online.
