If you've got a wind-out awning on your campervan, you already know how much it transforms a pitch. But add an Outwell Awning Room and you've got something else entirely — a fully enclosed, weatherproof side room that turns your van's awning into a proper living space. Here's a guide to the two options we stock at Newquay Camping Shop, Cornwall's dedicated camping and van life specialists.
What is a Campervan Awning Room?
An awning room (sometimes called a side room or annexe) attaches to your existing wind-out awning — brands like Fiamma, Thule, and Dometic — and creates an enclosed space alongside your van. It's not a replacement for your awning; it works with it, using the awning's bead channel to connect and the awning's roof as its ceiling. The result is a private, sheltered room that pitches in minutes and packs away just as quickly.
Both Outwell options use the same Outtex® 4000 Select polyester fabric — PFAS-free, 4,000 mm hydrostatic head, UPF 30+ UV protection — and both feature large tinted side windows for natural light and privacy. The key difference is the vehicle they're designed for.
If you're planning a van life trip along the Cornish coast, the South West Coast Path, or touring Dartmoor and Exmoor, an awning room is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to your setup. Cornwall's campsites — from Perranporth and Holywell Bay to Sennen Cove and Polzeath — are well-suited to van-based camping, and having a proper side room means you can keep wet kit, bikes, and surfboards out of the van without leaving them exposed overnight.
Outwell Backroads Awning Room — £415.00
Save £74.99 vs RRP £489.99
The Backroads is designed for lower-height campervans — VW T5, T6, T6.1 (Multivan, Caravelle, Transporter, California), Mercedes V-Class, Vito, Marco Polo, Ford Transit, and similar vehicles. It fits wind-out awnings with an attachment height of 175–200 cm and a roof connection length of 240 cm.
At just 4.3 kg and packing to two compact bags (45 x 33 x 6 cm and 45 x 33 x 10 cm), it's genuinely portable — easy to leave in the van and deploy only when you need it. Pre-attached luminous guylines and adjustable pegging points make solo pitching straightforward.
Key specs:
- Attachment height: 175–200 cm
- Roof connection length: 240 cm
- Bead thickness: 7 mm / 5 mm
- Fabric: Outtex® 4000 Select polyester (4,000 mm HH, UPF 30+)
- Weight: 4.3 kg
- Pack size: 45 x 33 x 6 cm & 45 x 33 x 10 cm
- Compatible with: VW T5/T6/T6.1, MB V-Class/Vito/Marco Polo, Ford Transit and similar
Best for: VW California, Transporter, and similar low-to-mid height campervans touring Cornwall and the South West.
Outwell Sideroads Awning Room — £524.00
Save £96 vs RRP £620.00
The Sideroads is the larger sibling — designed for taller vehicles like the Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, and similar high-roof vans. It fits wind-out awnings with an attachment height of 240–260 cm and a roof connection length of 375 cm and up, giving you a significantly larger enclosed space.
At 7.7 kg and packing to 72 x 26 x 26 cm, it's still very manageable for a van-based setup. Roof rafter poles are included to support the structure, and the same pre-attached luminous guylines make setup fast even in fading light.
Key specs:
- Attachment height: 240–260 cm
- Roof connection length: 375 cm+
- Bead thickness: 7 mm / 5 mm
- Fabric: Outtex® 4000 Select polyester (4,000 mm HH, UPF 30+)
- Weight: 7.7 kg
- Pack size: 72 x 26 x 26 cm
- Includes: Pegs, poles, connection kit for awning poles, repair kit
- Compatible with: Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter and similar
Best for: Panel van conversions, high-roof campervans, and Ducato-based motorhomes touring Devon, Cornwall, and the wider South West.
Backroads vs Sideroads — At a Glance
| Backroads | Sideroads | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £415.00 | £524.00 |
| Vehicle type | Low-to-mid height vans | Tall vans (Ducato, Sprinter) |
| Attachment height | 175–200 cm | 240–260 cm |
| Roof connection | 240 cm | 375 cm+ |
| Weight | 4.3 kg | 7.7 kg |
| Fabric | Outtex® 4000 Select | Outtex® 4000 Select |
| Waterproofing | 4,000 mm HH | 4,000 mm HH |
- Choose the Backroads if you drive a VW T5, T6, T6.1, Mercedes V-Class, or Ford Transit with a standard wind-out awning
- Choose the Sideroads if you drive a Ducato, Sprinter, Crafter, or similar high-roof van with a longer wind-out awning
How to Use an Awning Room on a Cornish Campsite
Cornwall's coastal campsites are brilliant for van life, but they come with their own challenges — exposed pitches, Atlantic weather rolling in overnight, and limited space between vans. Here's how to get the most from your awning room in the South West:
- Peg out all guylines — even on a calm evening. Cornwall's coastal weather can change quickly, and a fully pegged awning room is far more stable in a sudden squall.
- Use the tinted windows to your advantage — on busy summer pitches at sites like Holywell Bay or Trevornick, the tinted panels give you privacy without blocking light.
- Store wet kit inside — surfboards, wetsuits, and muddy boots all live in the awning room, keeping the van clean and dry.
- Check pitch orientation — most Cornish coastal sites have prevailing south-westerly winds. Position your awning room on the leeward side of the van where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wind-out awnings are compatible with the Outwell Backroads and Sideroads?
Both rooms attach via a 7 mm or 5 mm bead channel — compatible with most major wind-out awning brands including Fiamma, Thule, and Dometic. If you're unsure whether your specific awning is compatible, pop in to Newquay Camping Shop and we'll check for you.
What's the difference between the Backroads and Sideroads?
The key difference is vehicle height. The Backroads fits vans with an attachment height of 175–200 cm (VW T5/T6, Mercedes V-Class, Ford Transit and similar). The Sideroads fits taller vehicles with an attachment height of 240–260 cm (Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter and similar). Both use the same Outtex® 4000 fabric and 4,000 mm waterproofing.
Can one person pitch an Outwell Awning Room solo?
Yes — both rooms are designed for solo pitching. The pre-attached luminous guylines and straightforward pole system mean you can have either room up in a matter of minutes without assistance.
Do I need a groundsheet?
Neither room has a sewn-in groundsheet, giving you flexibility on different pitch surfaces. A separate camping carpet or footprint can be added for comfort and insulation — particularly useful on Cornwall's coastal sites where ground can be damp.
Are these suitable for Cornwall's exposed coastal campsites?
Yes — the 4,000 mm hydrostatic head and pre-attached guylines make both rooms well-suited to Cornwall's changeable Atlantic weather. For exposed pitches on the North Cornwall coast (Perranporth, Polzeath, Bude) or the Lizard Peninsula, peg out all guylines and use the adjustable pegging points for maximum stability.
Can I use an awning room for storing surfboards and wet kit?
Absolutely — this is one of the most popular uses among Cornwall's surf and van life community. The enclosed space keeps wetsuits, boards, and muddy gear out of the van and out of the rain overnight.
Is the Outwell Sideroads compatible with a Fiat Ducato?
Yes — the Sideroads is specifically designed for taller vehicles including the Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter, and VW Crafter. The 240–260 cm attachment height and 375 cm+ roof connection length are tailored to this class of van.
Is the Outwell Backroads compatible with a VW California?
Yes — the Backroads is an excellent match for the VW California and other T5/T6/T6.1 variants. The 175–200 cm attachment height fits the California's standard wind-out awning rail perfectly.
Where can I buy Outwell Awning Rooms in Cornwall?
Both the Backroads and Sideroads are available online with free UK delivery and in store at Newquay Camping Shop — Cornwall's dedicated camping and van life specialists at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ, serving campervan owners across Cornwall, Devon, and the wider South West.
