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We apologise for any inconvenience our phones are currently down please send emails to info@shoprvparts.com.au in the interim
Contact Us: info@shoprvparts.com.au
Awnings are one of the quickest, easiest and most effective ways of adding extra space to your caravan. Whether you just want some extra shade and a spot to sit and read, or plan to turn the space outside your door into an extra room, awnings can give you what you need. Although they might seem simplistic, you'd be surprised at the variety that exists among caravan awnings, and all of their various uses.
From simple roll-out awnings to electric and even inflatable awnings, let us take you through the range that we stock here at Shop RV Parts and help you become a bit more familiar with the wide world of awnings.
Before we dive in too deeply, let's start with the basics. A caravan awning is a piece of fabric that extends out from the side of your caravan to provide shade and shelter and rolls up for easy storage when you're on the move. While it is possible to purchase awnings that run the full length of your caravan, most caravan awnings available in Australia will range from 12-20' in width, depending on the size of your caravan.
Awnings are made up of two main parts, the arms and the awning fabric. The fabric is water and UV-resistant shade cloth that is housed in either a rollout barrel or a box, depending on your type of awning. The arms attach at the top to the end of the awning barrel and at the bottom to your caravan's exterior and keep tension on the awning when it is set up. Most arms can be unlocked at the base and placed on the ground so that your awning extends horizontally and not at a downwards angle.
For most caravan owners, an awning is a cheap and effective way to expand their living space beyond the four walls of the caravan. At their simplest, they are shade coverings to keep the sun off when you're relaxing outside, although many owners travel with a number of awning accessories that let them transform their outside space into additional kitchens, living rooms and even bedrooms.
Like awnings, these accessories can range from simple, tie-on privacy screens to entire annexes complete with doors and windows - it all depends on the owner's needs.
If you're considering adding an awning to your caravan, the first thing you'll need to figure out is what size you need. Although it is possible to have a small awning on a big caravan and vice versa (within reason - you can't stick a 20' awning on a 12' caravan) if you're going to spend the money then you want to get an awning that offers as much shade as possible while actually fitting on your caravan.
One thing to keep in mind though is that awnings are meant to attach to the door side of your caravan, and as such you need to take into account any windows or other external fixtures that might be impeded. It's no good buying the biggest awning possible if it stops your windows opening or can't be attached properly.
The above picture of a Carefree awning shows an ideal set up that offers maximum shade without obstructing any of the doors or windows. Remember that an awning needs to be stowed for travel days, so you want the support legs to sit as flush as possible with the side of your caravan.
Where you take your measurements from will depend on the design of your caravan, but it is generally best to measure from one side of your door to a gap between any windows, where the arms can sit unobstructed. The legs of caravan awnings are only thin, so don't be afraid to take your measurement closer to the edge of the window if it is going to give you more shade.
Once you have figured out where the legs can attach, you want to take the measurement along the top of your caravan wall, making sure to leave enough room below the top edge for the awning to actually attach. However, if you're unsure about your measurements, it is always worth visiting a local caravan dealer and asking them to give you a second opinion.
There are several different types of awnings on the market, although they broadly fall into three categories: rollout, box, and inflatable.
Rollout awnings are the classic style that you will have seen on caravans and even cafes around the country, and can be electric or manually operated. Rollout awnings tend to be more expensive than the other types but are also more durable, easier to repair, and available in larger sizes.
Box awnings tend to be smaller and lighter than rollout awnings, but less robust and harder to repair. If the fabric becomes damaged on a box awning, you often have to buy a brand new kit, instead of just replacing the fabric itself. While they are a bit faster to set up, box awnings are less compatible with accessories than rollout awnings, making it harder to create a true annexe or enclosed space - as such, they tend to be used more as RV awnings, where owners are less likely to stay in one place for a long time and set up external living spaces.
Inflatable awnings are the least common type of awning and are more similar to a complete annexe. As the name suggests, they are inflatable and have built-in windows and doors. While inflatable awnings are a fantastic option for long-term stays, they are not very practical if you plan to be travelling regularly, or just want some shade without needing a fully enclosed annexe.
Each awning type has its advantages and disadvantages, with box awnings generally being the easiest to set up and inflatable awnings the most difficult. For most caravan owners, a rollout awning is the most versatile option as it can be set up quickly and easily and is compatible with a range of accessories that allow you to adapt it to your needs.
One of the best things about caravan awnings is the range of accessories available that let you adapt the awning to your needs. Whether you spend long stretches at the caravan park and want a full annexe to expand your living space or just want to keep out the sun and cut the wind gusts when you're out in the bush, there is an awning accessory that will let you do it.
Privacy screens are a versatile and highly effective way to get some added privacy and protection from the elements at the same time. A privacy screen is a large piece of fabric similar to a tarp that attaches to your awning to block out the sun, rain and prying eyes. While some owners opt to have just one privacy screen to keep out low, late afternoon sun, you can attach two or three to your awning to make a sheltered living space without the enclosed feeling of an annexe.
An anti flap kit is two metal fixtures that attach to the sides of your awning and prevents it from flapping in the wind, reducing the risk of tears and damage. Anti flap kits also have built-in sail tracks that allow you to easily attach privacy screens, fly netting or annexe walls, and create a watertight seal between the roof of your awning and any walls. Additionally, anti flap kits keep the edges of your awning fabric taut and allows any rain to run off, preventing water pooling on your awning.
We have mentioned annexes a few times and they are a popular awning accessory for caravan owners who prefer to stay in one place for long periods of time. Although they are a bit more effort to set up, proper annexes offer more space, structure and privacy than any combination of awnings and screens could hope to give.
Annexes tend to have a roof, walls, and sometimes a floor, that are all connected as one single piece, and often feature doors and windows with fly netting so you can stop your pets from wandering or let in a cool breeze while keeping out those annoying bugs. While annexes allow you to maximise your outdoor space, they're not the kind of thing you want to be setting up and packing down every single day, which is why we only recommend them for long stays or slow travel.
Like anything in the caravan world, there are many different brands of awnings to choose from, including some well-known industry names like Dometic, as well as specialist awning brands like Carefree. At Shop RV Parts, we stock awnings from both brands in addition to Fiamma awnings, and accessories from brands like Coast, Aussie Traveller, Oztent and Bushranger.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to get an awning that fits and is the right size for your caravan and lifestyle. Now that you've got a better grasp on what you need to know, head over to our range of caravan awnings and accessories and find the one that's right for you.
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