A drive-away awning is one of the most useful accessories you can add to your campervan or motorhome setup. It gives you extra living space, shelter from the elements, and the freedom to unhitch and explore without dismantling your camp. But with so many models, brands, and sizes available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
This guide covers everything you need to know — from sizing and height to air vs poled, rear vs side, and which brands to consider — so you can buy with confidence.
What Is a Drive Away Awning?
A drive-away awning is a freestanding shelter that attaches to the side or rear of your campervan or motorhome via a connection sleeve or awning rail. Unlike traditional caravan awnings, drive-away awnings are designed to stay pitched when you drive away — giving you a base camp to return to.
They’re popular with VW campervan owners, motorhome tourers, and anyone who wants extra space without committing to a full tent setup.
Side vs Rear Drive Away Awnings
Most drive-away awnings attach to the side of your vehicle, but rear (tailgate) awnings are a growing category — particularly for SUVs, vans, and vehicles without a side door.
- Side awnings offer more living space and are better suited to longer stays
- Rear drive-away awnings are quicker to pitch, more compact, and ideal for weekend trips or surf days
Choosing the Right Height
Getting the height right is critical — an awning that doesn’t match your vehicle’s door height won’t connect properly.
- Low awnings (180–220cm) — ideal for VW T4, T5, T6, and similar panel vans
- Mid awnings (220–255cm) — suit taller campervans and smaller motorhomes
- Tall awnings (255–305cm) — designed for larger motorhomes and high-roof conversions
Measure your vehicle’s door height before buying. If you’re unsure, visit our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ — open Monday to Friday — and we’ll help you find the right fit.
Air Beam vs Poled Drive Away Awnings
This is the most common question we get asked. Here’s the honest answer:
Inflatable (air beam) awnings use pressurised tubes instead of poles. They pitch in minutes, pack down smaller, and are increasingly the default choice for most campers. The trade-off is a slightly higher price point and the need to carry a pump.
Poled awnings are more traditional, generally more affordable, and very robust. They take a little longer to pitch but are a solid choice if you’re on a budget or prefer simplicity.
For Cornwall and South West touring — where you might be pitching in wind and rain — we’d generally recommend an air beam awning for speed and ease.
Which Brand Should I Choose?
We stock drive-away awnings from five leading brands, each with their own strengths:
- Kampa — excellent build quality, great weather resistance, wide range of sizes
- Vango — the most comprehensive range available, air and poled options at every height
- Outdoor Revolution — innovative designs, great value, the Cayman range is hugely popular
- Outwell — premium quality, stylish designs, ideal for longer touring trips
- Easy Camp — accessible price point, practical and straightforward to pitch
We rotate awning models on display in our showroom weekly, so there’s always something new to see in person. Visit us at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ, Monday to Friday, to try before you buy.
Top Tips Before You Buy
- Measure your vehicle door height before choosing a size category
- Check your vehicle has an awning rail or connection sleeve — some vans need an adapter
- Consider how often you’ll pitch: frequent campers benefit most from air beam awnings
- Think about how many people need to sleep or sit in the awning space
- Check the awning’s minimum and maximum height range — most cover a 30–40cm span
Shop Drive Away Awnings at Newquay Camping Shop
Browse our full range of drive-away awnings, or shop by brand and type using the links above. We offer UK-wide delivery and our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ is open Monday to Friday.
