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What Size Drive-Away Awning Do I Need? How to Measure & Choose the Right Profile

2nd September 2026
What Size Drive-Away Awning Do I Need? How to Measure & Choose the Right Profile

Choosing the right drive-away awning starts with one measurement: the height of your van's kador rail from the ground. Get this right and the awning will connect cleanly and perform well. Get it wrong and it won't fit at all. This guide explains exactly how to measure up and which profile you need for the most popular campervans in the UK.

Step 1 — Find Your Kador Rail

A kador rail (also called a kador channel or awning rail) is a C-shaped aluminium channel fitted to the side of your campervan. Drive-away awnings connect to it via a kador bead or sleeve that slides into the channel.

On most professional campervan conversions, the kador rail runs along the roofline on one side of the van. If your conversion doesn't have one, you can fit a pole & clamp attachment as an alternative — check your chosen awning's compatible attachment options.

Step 2 — Measure Your Kador Rail Height

Using a tape measure, measure the vertical distance from the ground to the bottom of your kador rail channel. Do this on a level surface with the van unladen. This is the number that determines which awning profile you need.

Step 3 — Match Your Measurement to an Awning Profile

Drive-away awnings come in three profile heights:

Low Profile — 180–210cm

For compact campervans with a kador rail height of 180–210cm. This covers the most popular compact van conversions in the UK:

  • VW T5 & T6 (Transporter, California)
  • Ford Transit Custom
  • Vauxhall Vivaro
  • Renault Trafic
  • Mercedes Vito
  • Nissan NV200 / NV300

→ See our best low-profile drive-away awnings guide

Mid Profile — 210–255cm

For large campervans on standard or medium roof variants with a kador rail height of 210–255cm:

  • Mercedes Sprinter (standard/medium roof)
  • VW Crafter (standard/medium roof)
  • Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer / Citroën Relay (standard roof)
  • Ford Transit full size (standard/medium roof)

→ See our best mid-profile drive-away awnings guide

Tall Profile — 255cm+

For high-roof large vans with a kador rail height above 255cm:

  • Mercedes Sprinter (high roof)
  • VW Crafter (high roof)
  • Fiat Ducato (high roof)
  • Ford Transit full size (high roof)

If you have a high-roof van, contact us and we’ll help you find the right tall-profile awning.

Quick Van Compatibility Table

Van Roof variant Typical kador rail height Profile needed
VW T5 / T6 Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm)
Ford Transit Custom Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm)
Vauxhall Vivaro Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm)
Renault Trafic Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm)
Mercedes Vito Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm)
Mercedes Sprinter Standard/medium roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm)
VW Crafter Standard/medium roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm)
Fiat Ducato / Boxer / Relay Standard roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm)
Ford Transit (full size) Standard/medium roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm)
Mercedes Sprinter High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+)
VW Crafter High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+)
Fiat Ducato High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+)
Ford Transit (full size) High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+)

Heights are typical conversion measurements. Always measure your own kador rail before ordering.

What If My Van Isn’t Listed?

If your van isn’t in the table above, measure your kador rail height and match it to the profile range. If you’re still unsure, contact us at Newquay Camping Shop and we’ll help you find the right awning.

Do I Need a Poled or Inflatable Awning?

Once you know your profile, the next decision is poled vs inflatable. In brief:

  • Poled awnings — lower price, longer pitch time (20–40 mins), easier to repair in the field.
  • Inflatable awnings — faster pitch (5–10 mins), easier solo setup, higher price.

For a detailed breakdown, see our Inflatable vs Poled Drive-Away Awnings guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure my kador rail height?

Park on a level surface with the van unladen. Use a tape measure to measure from the ground to the bottom of the kador rail channel on the side of your van. That measurement tells you which profile awning you need.

What if my kador rail height is right on the boundary (e.g. 210cm)?

If your measurement is at the upper end of the low-profile range (around 205–210cm) or the lower end of the mid-profile range (210–215cm), check the specific awning’s stated connection height range before ordering. Some awnings have a small amount of adjustment. Contact us if you’re unsure — we’ll help you find the best fit.

What is a kador rail?

A kador rail (also called a kador channel or awning rail) is a C-shaped aluminium channel fitted to the roofline of a campervan. Drive-away awnings connect to it via a bead or sleeve. Most professional conversions include one; if yours doesn’t, a pole & clamp attachment kit is the alternative.

Can I fit a drive-away awning without a kador rail?

Yes — most drive-away awnings support alternative attachment methods including pole & clamp kits. Check your chosen awning’s compatibility before ordering, or contact us for advice.

Do drive-away awnings fit all vans?

Drive-away awnings are designed for campervans and van conversions with a side kador rail. They are not designed for cars, SUVs, or motorhomes without a suitable rail — although tailgate awnings are available for SUVs and estate cars.

Can I buy a 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. We have a selection on display in our showroom.

Shop Drive-Away Awnings by Profile

Browse all drive-away awnings online.

Van-Specific Guides

Related Guides

Newquay Camping Shop

Newquay Camping Shop
4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ
Open Monday to Friday

What Size Drive-Away Awning Do I Need? How to Measure & Choose the Right Profile

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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 Shop4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQOpen Monday to Friday Browse all drive-away awnings online. Related Guides What Size Drive-Away Awning Do I Need? 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02.09.26
Choosing the right drive-away awning starts with one measurement: the height of your van's kador rail from the ground. Get this right and the awning will connect cleanly and perform well. Get it wrong and it won't fit at all. This guide explains exactly how to measure up and which profile you need for the most popular campervans in the UK. Step 1 — Find Your Kador Rail A kador rail (also called a kador channel or awning rail) is a C-shaped aluminium channel fitted to the side of your campervan. Drive-away awnings connect to it via a kador bead or sleeve that slides into the channel. On most professional campervan conversions, the kador rail runs along the roofline on one side of the van. If your conversion doesn't have one, you can fit a pole & clamp attachment as an alternative — check your chosen awning's compatible attachment options. Step 2 — Measure Your Kador Rail Height Using a tape measure, measure the vertical distance from the ground to the bottom of your kador rail channel. Do this on a level surface with the van unladen. This is the number that determines which awning profile you need. Step 3 — Match Your Measurement to an Awning Profile Drive-away awnings come in three profile heights: Low Profile — 180–210cm For compact campervans with a kador rail height of 180–210cm. This covers the most popular compact van conversions in the UK: VW T5 & T6 (Transporter, California) Ford Transit Custom Vauxhall Vivaro Renault Trafic Mercedes Vito Nissan NV200 / NV300 → See our best low-profile drive-away awnings guide Mid Profile — 210–255cm For large campervans on standard or medium roof variants with a kador rail height of 210–255cm: Mercedes Sprinter (standard/medium roof) VW Crafter (standard/medium roof) Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer / Citroën Relay (standard roof) Ford Transit full size (standard/medium roof) → See our best mid-profile drive-away awnings guide Tall Profile — 255cm+ For high-roof large vans with a kador rail height above 255cm: Mercedes Sprinter (high roof) VW Crafter (high roof) Fiat Ducato (high roof) Ford Transit full size (high roof) If you have a high-roof van, contact us and we’ll help you find the right tall-profile awning. Quick Van Compatibility Table Van Roof variant Typical kador rail height Profile needed VW T5 / T6 Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm) Ford Transit Custom Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm) Vauxhall Vivaro Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm) Renault Trafic Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm) Mercedes Vito Standard 185–205cm Low (180–210cm) Mercedes Sprinter Standard/medium roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm) VW Crafter Standard/medium roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm) Fiat Ducato / Boxer / Relay Standard roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm) Ford Transit (full size) Standard/medium roof 215–250cm Mid (210–255cm) Mercedes Sprinter High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+) VW Crafter High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+) Fiat Ducato High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+) Ford Transit (full size) High roof 255cm+ Tall (255cm+) Heights are typical conversion measurements. Always measure your own kador rail before ordering. What If My Van Isn’t Listed? If your van isn’t in the table above, measure your kador rail height and match it to the profile range. If you’re still unsure, contact us at Newquay Camping Shop and we’ll help you find the right awning. Do I Need a Poled or Inflatable Awning? Once you know your profile, the next decision is poled vs inflatable. In brief: Poled awnings — lower price, longer pitch time (20–40 mins), easier to repair in the field. Inflatable awnings — faster pitch (5–10 mins), easier solo setup, higher price. For a detailed breakdown, see our Inflatable vs Poled Drive-Away Awnings guide. Frequently Asked Questions How do I measure my kador rail height? Park on a level surface with the van unladen. Use a tape measure to measure from the ground to the bottom of the kador rail channel on the side of your van. That measurement tells you which profile awning you need. What if my kador rail height is right on the boundary (e.g. 210cm)? If your measurement is at the upper end of the low-profile range (around 205–210cm) or the lower end of the mid-profile range (210–215cm), check the specific awning’s stated connection height range before ordering. Some awnings have a small amount of adjustment. Contact us if you’re unsure — we’ll help you find the best fit. What is a kador rail? A kador rail (also called a kador channel or awning rail) is a C-shaped aluminium channel fitted to the roofline of a campervan. Drive-away awnings connect to it via a bead or sleeve. Most professional conversions include one; if yours doesn’t, a pole & clamp attachment kit is the alternative. Can I fit a drive-away awning without a kador rail? Yes — most drive-away awnings support alternative attachment methods including pole & clamp kits. Check your chosen awning’s compatibility before ordering, or contact us for advice. Do drive-away awnings fit all vans? Drive-away awnings are designed for campervans and van conversions with a side kador rail. They are not designed for cars, SUVs, or motorhomes without a suitable rail — although tailgate awnings are available for SUVs and estate cars. Can I buy a 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. We have a selection on display in our showroom. Shop Drive-Away Awnings by Profile Best Low-Profile Drive-Away Awnings (180–210cm) — for VW T5/T6, Transit Custom, Trafic, Vivaro Best Mid-Profile Drive-Away Awnings (210–255cm) — for Sprinter, Crafter, Ducato, full-size Transit Browse all drive-away awnings online. Van-Specific Guides Best Drive-Away Awnings for VW T5 & T6 Campervans Best Drive-Away Awnings for Ford Transit Custom Campervans Best Drive-Away Awnings for Mercedes Sprinter Campervans Best Drive-Away Awnings for VW Crafter Campervans Best Drive-Away Awnings for Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer & Citroën Relay Best Drive-Away Awnings for Ford Transit (Full Size) Campervans Related Guides Inflatable vs Poled Drive-Away Awnings — Which Should You Choose? Drive-Away Awnings Buying Guide — How to Choose Newquay Camping Shop Newquay Camping Shop4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQOpen Monday to Friday

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