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.
Shop by Brand
Kampa Drive-Away Awnings
Kampa are the UK’s market-leading drive-away awning brand — their Trip, Action Air, Cross Air, Sprint Air, and Tailgater ranges cover every van type and budget from £195 to £519. Available in both poled and inflatable formats with VW-specific and universal fitments.
Browse all Kampa drive-away awnings →
Kampa Drive-Away Awnings — Every Model Compared →
Easy Camp Drive-Away Awnings
Easy Camp offer some of the best-value drive-away awnings available — the Shamrock, Wimberly, and Reine ranges deliver solid build quality and practical features at entry-to-mid prices. All use fibreglass pole frames and fit standard campervan connection heights.
Browse all Easy Camp drive-away awnings →
Easy Camp Drive-Away Awnings — Shamrock, Wimberly & Reine Compared →
Outwell Drive-Away Awnings
Outwell’s drive-away awning range combines premium Scandinavian design with practical touring features. The Fresno, Pine Hills, and San Diego poled models and the Santa Monica Air and Daytona Air inflatables offer a well-considered range from mid to premium price points.
Browse all Outwell drive-away awnings →
Outwell Drive-Away Awnings — Every Model Compared →
Vango Drive-Away Awnings
Vango’s Cove III is a premium poled drive-away awning with multiple vehicle attachment methods and Vango’s TBS®II tension band system for outstanding stability in wind.
Browse all Vango drive-away awnings →
Outdoor Revolution Drive-Away Awnings
Outdoor Revolution’s Turismo XLS² delivers premium mid-range specification with 120HDE fabric, panoramic PVC windows, and twin piping for caravan and motorhome compatibility.
Browse all Outdoor Revolution drive-away awnings →
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.
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. 11.7kg.
Outwell Pine Hills — £325.00
Dome-style poled awning, easiest to pitch on challenging terrain. Optional dark-fabric inner for sleeping or storage. 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm. 12.3kg.
Outwell San Diego — £325.00
The lightest of the Outwell poled awnings at 11.1kg. Simple design for ease of use. 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm attachment height. HookTrack, tinted windows, sewn-in groundsheet.
Kampa Action Air — £319.00
Entry-level Kampa inflatable. 290 x 270 x 205cm, 180–210cm. Weathershield 68D, freestanding, clip-in groundsheet, large windows. Optional 2-berth inner tent. 14.83kg.
Kampa Cross Air — £395.00
Kampa’s most spacious inflatable — 300 x 300cm, 6000mm HH, hot-air taped seams, panoramic windows, clip-in groundsheet. Three attachment methods. Optional 2-berth inflatable annexe. 18.16kg.
Vango Cove III (Poled) — £399.00
Vango’s premium poled awning. Sentinel Active 75D, 3000mm HH, 310 x 320cm, 180–210cm, sewn-in groundsheet, pre-attached front canopy, multiple vehicle attachment methods. 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. 2 x AirFrame beams, 4-minute pitch time, clip-in groundsheet. 13.15kg.
Premium Awnings (£400+)
Kampa Tailgater Air — £499.00
Inflatable Tailgater for SUVs and MPVs. 300 x 220 x 225cm, 160–210cm. 9.63kg. Weathershield 68D, full clip-in groundsheet, D-door. Optional 2-berth inner tent.
Kampa Sprint Air — £519.00
Compact premium inflatable. 280 x 155cm + 90cm tunnel, 180–210cm. Factory taped seams, drop-down door, rain-safe canopy, Diamond Clear windows. 12.08kg.
Outwell Santa Monica Air — £425.00
Compact inflatable for couples. Single-point inflation, DuraAir tubes, 250cm roof connection, 175–200cm, J-door with front canopy, HookTrack. 15kg.
Which Drive-Away Awning Should You Choose?
- Best budget poled awning: Kampa Trip VW or Easy Camp Wimberly — both under £200, both proven.
- Best mid-range poled: Outwell Fresno or Pine Hills — premium Scandinavian build at £325.
- Best entry inflatable: Kampa Action Air at £319 — most space for the money.
- Best quick-pitch for solo use: Kampa Trip Air — 4-minute pitch, compact design.
- SUV or MPV: Kampa Tailgater Poled or Tailgater Air.
- Best premium inflatable: Kampa Sprint Air or Outwell Santa Monica Air.
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 awnings range online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What attachment height do I need for a drive-away awning?
Measure the height of your kador rail or roof channel from the ground. Most campervans (VW T4, T5, T6, Mazda Bongo, Mercedes Vito, and standard van conversions) fall in the 180–210cm range. Always verify before ordering.
Can I use a drive-away awning with an SUV or estate car?
Yes — the Kampa Tailgater range (both poled and inflatable) is specifically designed for SUVs, MPVs, and estate cars, with a 160–210cm connection height and rear tailgate attachment.
How long does it take to pitch a drive-away awning?
Poled awnings typically take 10–20 minutes with two people. Inflatable awnings with a pump take 4–10 minutes. The Kampa Trip Air advertises a 4-minute pitch time for solo use.
Can I leave a drive-away awning standing when I drive away?
Yes — that’s the defining feature. You detach the connecting tunnel, peg out the awning fully, and drive off. Most awnings in our range are freestanding when detached.
Can I buy drive-away awnings in Cornwall?
Yes — Newquay Camping Shop stocks drive-away awnings from Kampa, Outwell, Easy Camp, Vango, and Outdoor Revolution at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ (Monday to Friday) and online with UK-wide delivery.
