A drive-away awning turns your campervan pitch into a proper outdoor living space — and lets you leave it standing while you explore for the day. At Newquay Camping Shop, we stock the UK's best drive-away awning brands — Kampa, Outwell, Easy Camp, Outdoor Revolution, and Vango — online with UK-wide delivery and in our Cornwall showroom.
This guide covers everything you need to choose the right awning for your vehicle, budget, and camping style.
What is a Drive-Away Awning?
A drive-away awning attaches to the side or rear of your campervan via a kador rail, bead channel, or over-vehicle strap. It creates a sheltered living area alongside or behind your van. The key feature is the drive-away capability — you can detach the connecting tunnel, leave the awning standing on the pitch, and drive off for the day. When you return, you reconnect the tunnel and you're back in.
Most models are freestanding when detached, so they hold their position while you're away.
Poled vs Inflatable Drive-Away Awnings
Poled (Fibreglass)
- Lower cost entry point
- Lighter pack weight in some models
- Longer pitch time (10–20 mins)
- Easier to repair a broken pole on site
- Good for occasional users or those on a budget
Inflatable (Air Frame)
- Faster pitch — typically 4–10 minutes with a pump
- No poles to insert or manage
- Slightly heavier pack weight
- More expensive upfront
- Ideal for solo pitching or frequent tourers
Our verdict: If you're pitching regularly or solo, inflatable is worth the premium. For occasional weekenders on a budget, a quality poled model like the Kampa Trip VW or Easy Camp Wimberly gives excellent value.
Attachment Heights — Does It Fit Your Van?
Most drive-away awnings fit vans with an attachment height (kador rail height) of 180–210cm. This covers the majority of campervans including VW T4, T5, T6, Mazda Bongo, Mercedes Vito, and most van conversions. SUV/tailgate models (like the Kampa Tailgater range) cover a wider range of 160–210cm for estate cars, MPVs, and SUVs. The Outwell range fits 175–200cm. Always check your vehicle's kador height before ordering.
Side-Mounted vs Rear (Tailgate) Awnings
- Side-mounted: Attaches along the side of the van via the roof rail. The living area sits beside the van. Best for campervans, VW conversions, and vans with a sliding side door. Most awnings in our range are side-mounted.
- Rear/tailgate: Attaches over the rear tailgate. Living area sits behind the van. Best for SUVs, MPVs, estate cars, and vans with a rear opening. The Kampa Tailgater range is designed specifically for this setup.
All Drive-Away Awnings We Stock
Budget Poled Awnings (Under £250)
Kampa Trip VW (Poled) — £195.00
The entry-level Kampa poled awning. Fast set-up and take-down, ideal for weekend adventurers and solo tourers. 290 x 180cm, fits 180–210cm connection height. Clip-in waterproof groundsheet, two full-height windows with roll-down blinds, side tunnel door for van access. 9.63kg.
Easy Camp Shamrock — £194.99
Versatile freestanding tunnel design with pre-angled fibreglass and interior steel poles. Standing headroom, four curtained windows, large front door with canopy shelter option, rear door, large air vents, full-size toggle-up groundsheet. Fits VW T4/T5/T6, Mazda Bongo, Mercedes Vito. 210cm roof connection, 180–205cm attachment height. 11.2kg.
Easy Camp Wimberly — £199.99
Larger tunnel than the Shamrock — five curtained windows, 240cm roof connection length, optional 2-person inner tent (either side). Pre-angled fibreglass and steel poles, full-size toggle-up groundsheet. 180–205cm attachment height. 13.5kg.
Kampa Tailgater (Poled) — £299.00
Designed for SUVs, MPVs, estate cars, and pick-up trucks with a hardtop — not side-mounted. Universal rear tailgate fit, 160–210cm connection height. 240 x 240 x 225cm, full clip-in groundsheet, large D-door with mesh screen. Optional 2-person inner tent. 11kg.
Mid-Range Awnings (£250–£450)
Easy Camp Reine 2026 — £249.00
Updated 2026 model. Large tunnel design with extra exterior stability poles, front canopy, clip-on system, detachable bathtub groundsheet. Optional 2-person inner tent. 240cm roof connection, 180–205cm attachment height. 3000mm hydrostatic head, taped seams. 11.7kg.
Outdoor Revolution Turismo XLS² — £289.00
Premium-featured mid-range poled awning. 120HDE ultra-lightweight fabric, 3000mm HH, fully taped seams, twin piping for caravan and motorhome compatibility, EHU entry point, integrated 2-berth inner annexe, PVC panoramic windows with clip-in blackout curtains. 12-month manufacturing warranty. Includes pegs, guylines, repair kit.
Outwell Fresno — £325.00
Compact and lightweight poled Outwell. 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm attachment height, Outtex 3000 flysheet, 3000mm HH, PFC-free, UPF 30+, sewn-in groundsheet. HookTrack system, tinted windows, toggle-up privacy curtains. 11.7kg. Pack size: 74 x 30 x 30cm.
Outwell Pine Hills — £325.00
Dome-style poled awning, easiest to pitch on challenging terrain. Same specs as the Fresno with an optional dark-fabric inner for sleeping or storage — making this the more versatile choice of the two. 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm, 12.3kg.
Outwell San Diego — £325.00
Compact and lightweight — the lightest of the three Outwell poled awnings at 11.1kg. Simple design for ease of use. 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm attachment height, warm-toned flysheet roof for a bright interior. HookTrack, tinted windows, sewn-in groundsheet.
Kampa Action Air — £319.00
Entry-level Kampa inflatable. 290 x 270 x 205cm living area, 180–210cm connection height. Weathershield 68D, air frame technology, freestanding, clip-in groundsheet, large windows with toggleable privacy curtains. Optional 2-berth inner tent. SabreLink Flex ready. 14.83kg.
Kampa Cross Air — £395.00
Kampa's most spacious inflatable — 300 x 300cm, 6000mm hydrostatic head, hot-air taped seams, panoramic windows with roll-away blinds, clip-in groundsheet. Three attachment methods (pole & clamp, beading, or guy line). Door in rear tunnel. Optional 2-berth inflatable annexe. 18.16kg.
Vango Cove III (Poled) — £399.00
Vango's premium poled awning. Sentinel Active 75D fabric, 3000mm HH, 310 x 320cm, 180–210cm kador height, sewn-in groundsheet, pre-attached front canopy, roll-away connecting tunnel, side attachment, multiple vehicle attachment methods (kador, straps, roof bar tabs, pole & clamp sleeve). TBS®II Tension Band System. 13.9kg.
Kampa Trip Air — £399.00
Quick-pitch inflatable for solo or couple use. 290 x 180 + 90cm tunnel, 180–210cm connection height. Weathershield 68D, 2 x AirFrame beams, 4-minute pitch time, clip-in waterproof groundsheet, large windows with blinds. Side tunnel door for van access. 13.15kg.
Premium Awnings (£400+)
Kampa Tailgater Air — £499.00
Inflatable version of the Tailgater for SUVs and MPVs. 300 x 220 x 225cm, 160–210cm connection height. Lighter than the poled version at 9.63kg despite being inflatable. Weathershield 68D, full clip-in groundsheet, D-door with mesh screen, blind on window. Optional 2-berth inner tent.
Kampa Sprint Air — £519.00
Compact but premium inflatable awning. 280 x 155cm + 90cm tunnel, 180–210cm. Weathershield 68D, factory taped seams, drop-down door, rain-safe canopy, secondary mesh on front door, toggled privacy curtains, clip-in groundsheet, Diamond Clear windows, high & low ventilation. 12.08kg.
Outwell Santa Monica Air — £425.00
Compact inflatable for couples and small families. Single-point inflation, DuraAir (PVC-free) tubes, 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm attachment height, J-door with front canopy, side doors on both sides of the Link Access Zone, HookTrack, tinted windows. Optional inner for sleeping. 15kg.
Outwell Daytona Air 2026 — £569.00
Mid-size parallel-mounted inflatable. One-go inflation system (all tubes inflate simultaneously), two sides open for maximum flexibility, DuraAir tubes, rain-safe canopy front and rear, HookTrack, tinted windows, optional inner. 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm. 15kg. Pack size: 85 x 38 x 42cm.
Outwell Wolfburg Air — £749.00
Outwell's flagship drive-away awning. Parallel-sided for maximum pitch efficiency, removable Access Zone for flexible orientation (either side of the van), DuraAir (PVC-free) tubes, two large side doors with mesh screen, full front opening with mesh panel, HookTrack, tinted windows, optional inner. 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm. 21.8kg. Pack: 93 x 38 x 38cm.
Quick Comparison Table
| Awning | Type | Size | Connection Height | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kampa Trip VW | Poled | 290 x 180cm | 180–210cm | 9.63kg | £195 |
| Easy Camp Shamrock | Poled | 210cm connection | 180–205cm | 11.2kg | £194.99 |
| Easy Camp Wimberly | Poled | 240cm connection | 180–205cm | 13.5kg | £199.99 |
| Kampa Tailgater (Poled) | Poled (Rear) | 240 x 240cm | 160–210cm | 11kg | £299 |
| Easy Camp Reine 2026 | Poled | 240cm connection | 180–205cm | 11.7kg | £249 |
| Outdoor Revolution XLS² | Poled | Twin piping | Various | — | £289 |
| Outwell Fresno | Poled | 250cm connection | 175–200cm | 11.7kg | £325 |
| Outwell San Diego | Poled | 250cm connection | 175–200cm | 11.1kg | £325 |
| Outwell Pine Hills | Poled | 250cm connection | 175–200cm | 12.3kg | £325 |
| Kampa Action Air | Inflatable | 290 x 270cm | 180–210cm | 14.83kg | £319 |
| Kampa Cross Air | Inflatable | 300 x 300cm | 180–210cm | 18.16kg | £395 |
| Vango Cove III | Poled | 310 x 320cm | 180–210cm | 13.9kg | £399 |
| Kampa Trip Air | Inflatable | 290 x 270cm | 180–210cm | 13.15kg | £399 |
| Kampa Tailgater Air | Inflatable (Rear) | 300 x 220cm | 160–210cm | 9.63kg | £499 |
| Kampa Sprint Air | Inflatable | 280 x 155cm | 180–210cm | 12.08kg | £519 |
| Outwell Santa Monica Air | Inflatable | 250cm connection | 175–200cm | 15kg | £425 |
| Outwell Daytona Air | Inflatable | 250cm connection | 175–200cm | 15kg | £569 |
| Outwell Wolfburg Air | Inflatable | 250cm connection | 175–200cm | 21.8kg | £749 |
Which Awning Should You Choose?
- Budget poled awning, VW campervan: Kampa Trip VW (£195) or Easy Camp Shamrock (£194.99)
- Best value mid-range: Easy Camp Reine 2026 (£249) — updated model, excellent spec for the price
- Solo pitching, inflatable, good budget: Kampa Action Air (£319)
- Poled, Outwell quality, compact pitch: Outwell San Diego (£325) — lightest of the three at 11.1kg
- Poled, optional sleeping inner: Outwell Pine Hills (£325)
- Largest poled awning: Vango Cove III (£399) — 310 x 320cm, premium Sentinel Active 75D
- Quick inflatable, couple use: Kampa Trip Air (£399) — 4-minute pitch
- Inflatable, parallel pitch, couples/small family: Outwell Santa Monica Air (£425)
- SUV/tailgate, poled: Kampa Tailgater Poled (£299)
- SUV/tailgate, inflatable: Kampa Tailgater Air (£499)
- Premium parallel inflatable, maximum space: Outwell Wolfburg Air (£749)
Shop Drive-Away Awnings at Newquay Camping Shop
Online with UK-wide delivery and in our Cornwall showroom:
Newquay Camping Shop
4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ
Open Monday to Friday
Browse our full drive-away awning range online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a drive-away awning?
A drive-away awning attaches to the side or rear of a campervan and can be left standing on the pitch when you detach the vehicle and drive away. Most are freestanding when the van is removed, so your pitch is held and the awning stays put until you return.
What height does my van need to be for a drive-away awning?
Most drive-away awnings in our range fit vans with a kador rail or attachment height of 180–210cm — covering VW T4, T5, T6, Mazda Bongo, Mercedes Vito, and most van conversions. The Kampa Tailgater range fits 160–210cm for SUVs and estate cars. The Outwell range fits 175–200cm. Always check your van's roof rail height before ordering.
What's the difference between a poled and inflatable drive-away awning?
Poled awnings use fibreglass poles for structure and are generally cheaper and lighter. Inflatable awnings use air beams that inflate with a pump — faster to pitch, no poles to insert, but more expensive. For regular solo touring, inflatable is worth the investment. For occasional weekend use, poled awnings are excellent value.
Can a drive-away awning fit a VW T5 or T6?
Yes — the majority of awnings we stock are designed for VW campervans including the T4, T5, and T6. The Kampa Trip, Action Air, Cross Air, and Sprint Air are all explicitly listed as fitting T4/T5/T6 vehicles. The Outwell, Easy Camp, and Vango ranges also cover this attachment height.
Can I use a drive-away awning with a caravan?
Some models — particularly the Outdoor Revolution XLS² with its twin piping system — are compatible with both campervans and caravans. Most awnings in our range are designed primarily for campervans and vans. Contact us if you're unsure about caravan compatibility.
Do drive-away awnings come with a groundsheet?
Most do — the format varies. Kampa and Easy Camp models typically include a clip-in or toggle-up groundsheet. Outwell models have a sewn-in groundsheet. Check the individual product specification for details.
Can I buy a drive-away awning in Cornwall?
Yes — Newquay Camping Shop stocks drive-away awnings at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ (Monday to Friday) and online with UK-wide delivery.

