Once you’ve chosen your drive-away awning, the right accessories can make a significant difference to comfort, usability, and weather performance. Some are near-essential; others are worth adding once you’ve had a few trips. This guide covers the key accessory categories and what to look for in each.
1. Groundsheets & Carpets
Clip-In Groundsheets
Most drive-away awnings include a basic clip-in groundsheet as standard. These are waterproof PE or polyester sheets that clip or peg to the awning’s inner perimeter, keeping moisture and insects out. They’re functional but not particularly comfortable underfoot.
Awning Carpets
An awning carpet sits on top of the groundsheet and transforms the feel of the living space significantly. Breathable carpets are particularly useful on grass pitches — they allow moisture to escape rather than trapping it underneath. Key features to look for:
- Breathable construction — prevents condensation and grass kill on extended stays
- Easy-clean surface — mud and debris shake off easily
- Correct sizing — match to your awning’s interior footprint
Kampa, Vango, and Outdoor Revolution all make carpets designed to match their own awning footprints — always check compatibility before buying.
2. Inner Tents
An inner tent converts part of your drive-away awning into a sleeping area, keeping occupants separate from the living space and adding an extra layer of insulation and privacy. Useful for:
- Families where children sleep in the awning rather than the van
- Hosting guests without giving up van sleeping space
- Cold weather camping where an extra insulation layer helps
Most inner tents are brand and model-specific — a Kampa inner tent is designed to attach to Kampa awnings only. Check your awning’s compatible inner tent before purchasing.
3. Awning Pumps
If you have an inflatable drive-away awning, a good pump is essential. Most inflatable awnings include a basic hand pump, but an electric pump makes inflation significantly faster and less effort — particularly on larger mid-profile or tall-profile awnings.
- Manual pump — included with most inflatables, works fine but takes 5–10 minutes of effort
- Electric pump (12V) — plugs into your van’s 12V socket, inflates in 2–3 minutes with no effort. Highly recommended for regular use.
- Electric pump (mains) — useful on campsites with hookup, but less versatile than 12V
Check the maximum PSI/bar of your awning’s air beams before buying a pump — most awnings require 7–8 PSI (0.5–0.55 bar). Do not over-inflate.
4. Storm Pegs & Guy Ropes
Drive-away awnings are designed to be freestanding once the van drives away, which means they’re exposed to wind without the vehicle’s mass to stabilise them. Good pegging and guying is essential — particularly on exposed coastal and upland sites in Cornwall and the South West.
- Steel or alloy storm pegs — far more effective than the plastic pegs often supplied. 20–23cm steel pegs are a good standard choice; screw pegs work well in soft ground.
- Additional guy ropes — most awnings include guy ropes but having spares is worthwhile. Reflective guys are useful at night.
- Peg mallet — a rubber or wooden mallet makes pegging easier and avoids damaging peg heads.
Always use all supplied guy ropes in exposed conditions — don’t skip guying even if it seems calm when you pitch.
5. Awning Lights
Awning lights extend usability into the evenings and are one of the most popular accessory categories. Options include:
- LED strip lights — run along the awning’s ridge pole or beam. Warm white gives the most comfortable ambient light. Look for rechargeable USB options for off-grid use.
- Hanging lanterns — portable, easy to position, and can double as a general camp light. Kampa and Outdoor Revolution both make hanging LED lanterns sized for awning use.
- String lights — atmospheric rather than functional, but popular for social evenings.
For off-grid use, choose battery or USB rechargeable options rather than mains-dependent lights.
6. Footprint / Tent Footprint
A footprint is a cut-to-shape groundsheet that goes underneath the awning (outside the clip-in groundsheet) to protect the awning’s base from abrasion and ground moisture. Particularly useful on rough or stony ground. Not all awnings have a compatible footprint available — check before purchasing.
7. Awning Poles & Repair Kits
For poled awnings, carrying a spare fibreglass or alloy pole section and a basic repair kit is good practice — a broken pole mid-trip can be fixed in minutes with a pole sleeve. For inflatable awnings, a small puncture repair kit and a spare valve cap are worth keeping in the bag.
What Should I Buy First?
- First trip essentials: Storm pegs, peg mallet, an LED lantern
- For inflatable awning owners: Add a 12V electric pump early — you’ll use it every trip
- For extended stays: Awning carpet makes a big difference to comfort on longer pitches
- For families: Inner tent if children are sleeping in the awning
Frequently Asked Questions
Do drive-away awnings come with a groundsheet?
Most drive-away awnings include a basic clip-in groundsheet as standard. A separate awning carpet is an optional upgrade that significantly improves comfort underfoot.
What pump do I need for an inflatable drive-away awning?
Most inflatable awnings include a manual pump. A 12V electric pump is a worthwhile upgrade for regular use — check your awning’s maximum recommended PSI before purchasing a pump.
What pegs should I use for a drive-away awning?
20–23cm steel storm pegs are recommended over plastic pegs, particularly on exposed sites. Use all supplied guy ropes in windy conditions.
Can I use any inner tent with my drive-away awning?
No — inner tents are typically brand and model-specific. Check compatibility with your specific awning model before purchasing.
Can I buy awning accessories in Cornwall?
Yes — Newquay Camping Shop stocks a range of awning accessories at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ (Monday to Friday) and online with UK-wide delivery.
Shop Drive-Away Awnings & Accessories
Newquay Camping Shop
4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ
Open Monday to Friday
Browse all drive-away awnings online.
