Drive-away awnings are designed primarily for campervans — but they’re increasingly used on motorhomes too, particularly A-class and coachbuilt motorhomes where a full porch awning isn’t fitted or isn’t practical as a drive-away solution. This guide explains what you need to know before buying a drive-away awning for a motorhome.
Can You Use a Drive-Away Awning on a Motorhome?
Yes — but there are some important differences between fitting a drive-away awning to a motorhome versus a campervan conversion:
- Motorhomes are typically taller than panel van conversions. A-class motorhomes and coachbuilt motorhomes often have a body height of 250–300cm, which means a standard low or mid-profile drive-away awning may not reach the connection point.
- Not all motorhomes have a kador rail. Many motorhomes have an integrated porch awning fitted as standard, but this is not always compatible with a drive-away connection method. Check whether your motorhome has a kador channel before ordering.
- Some motorhomes have awning rails at a non-standard height. Always measure your connection point height before purchasing.
What Profile Do I Need for My Motorhome?
As with campervans, the key measurement is the height of your awning connection point (kador rail or awning rail) from the ground:
- Low profile (180–210cm): Rare on motorhomes — more typical of smaller campervans. Some smaller A-class or van-based motorhomes may fall in this range.
- Mid profile (210–255cm): Covers many coachbuilt and semi-integrated motorhomes on standard body heights.
- Tall profile (255cm+): Required for A-class motorhomes and high-roof coachbuilts. Contact us for tall-profile awning advice.
Always measure your connection point height before ordering. If you’re unsure, contact us and we’ll help you identify the right profile.
Drive-Away Awning vs Porch Awning for Motorhomes
Many motorhome owners use a traditional porch awning as their main awning — but porch awnings are generally not designed to be left standing when you drive away. A drive-away awning is a better choice if you want to:
- Leave the awning standing while you take a day trip in the motorhome
- Set up a separate outdoor living space that remains when you move the vehicle
- Travel without dismantling your awning between short stops
Connection Methods for Motorhomes
Drive-away awnings typically connect via:
- Kador rail / awning rail bead: If your motorhome has a kador channel, a kador bead slides in and provides a secure connection. This is the neatest method.
- Pole & clamp: If no kador rail is present, a pole & clamp kit attaches to the vehicle’s body. Less neat but effective.
- Guy line attachment: Some awnings (e.g. Kampa Cross Air) support a guy line attachment method as an alternative. Check your chosen awning’s compatibility.
Our Mid-Profile Drive-Away Awnings for Motorhomes
For coachbuilt and semi-integrated motorhomes with a connection height of 210–255cm, our mid-profile range is the most likely fit:
- Outdoor Revolution Cayman Mid (D/T) 2025 — best value mid-profile poled awning, proven construction
- Kampa Traverse Mid Poled 2026 — solid 2026 mid-range poled option
- Kampa Traverse Mid Air 2026 — fast-pitch mid-range inflatable
- Outdoor Revolution Cayman Air Midline 2026 — 2026 OR mid-profile inflatable
- Vango Cove III Mid Air 2026 — premium mid-profile inflatable with TBS®II wind stability
→ See our full mid-profile drive-away awnings guide
Tips for Using a Drive-Away Awning on a Motorhome
- Measure carefully: Motorhome body heights vary significantly between manufacturers and models. Always measure your connection point before ordering.
- Check the tunnel length: Drive-away awning tunnels are designed for van-width vehicles (typically 2.0–2.1m wide). Most motorhomes fall within this range, but check your vehicle width against the awning specification.
- Guy out thoroughly: Motorhomes are taller and present more wind surface area than campervans. Use all guy ropes and storm pegs, particularly on exposed sites.
- Freestanding capability: Confirm your chosen awning is fully freestanding — this is essential for a genuine drive-away setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a drive-away awning on an A-class motorhome?
Possibly — but A-class motorhomes are typically very tall (body heights of 280–300cm+) and may need a tall-profile awning (255cm+). Measure your connection point height before ordering and contact us for advice on tall-profile options.
Do motorhomes have kador rails?
Some do, some don’t. Check your motorhome’s specification or inspect the roofline for a C-shaped aluminium channel. If there’s no kador rail, a pole & clamp attachment kit is the alternative connection method.
What’s the difference between a drive-away awning and a porch awning for a motorhome?
A porch awning attaches to the motorhome and is designed to stay connected to the vehicle. A drive-away awning is freestanding once connected — you can disconnect it and drive away while it remains pitched. If you want to take day trips from your pitch without dismantling your awning, a drive-away awning is the right choice.
Can I buy a motorhome drive-away awning in Cornwall?
Yes — Newquay Camping Shop stocks drive-away awnings in low, mid, and tall profiles at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ (Monday to Friday) and online with UK-wide delivery. Contact us if you’re unsure which profile fits your motorhome.
Shop Drive-Away Awnings at Newquay Camping Shop
Newquay Camping Shop
4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ
Open Monday to Friday
Browse all drive-away awnings online.
