Caravan Privacy Screens Buyers' Guide

Caravan privacy screens are some of the most popular caravan accessories that we carry at Shop RV Parts. Whether you're out in the bush or settled into a caravan park, privacy screens let you extend your living space beyond the four walls of your caravan, while offering shelter from prying eyes and the elements.

As with any caravan accessory, there are many different brands and models of privacy screens available and not all of them are compatible with the different awnings that are on the market. In this article, we'll go through some of the key things you need to be aware of before you buy a caravan privacy screen and some tips to help you get it set up correctly.

What Is A Caravan Privacy Screen?

A caravan privacy screen is a large piece of fabric that attaches to the sides of your awning and acts as a wall, offering privacy and shade and helping to restrict rain access. Privacy screens are usually made of the same material as awnings, although they are much more lightweight and can be easily packed up for transport and storage.

Privacy screens are great for giving structure to an outdoor space and gaining a little extra protection when you're outside cooking or relaxing. Whether you want to gain some extra shade, reduce windy gusts or keep out the occasional bit of rain, caravan privacy screens are the way to do it. They attach quickly and easily to your existing awning and, in our opinion, are one of the most practical additions you can make to a caravan!

How Do Caravan Privacy Screens Work?

There are two main types of caravan awnings on the market: rollout awnings and box awnings. Due to the different sized mounting channels in each, the two types of awning require different privacy screens.

Caravan privacy screens have a rope sewn into the long edge of the fabric. When you want to set up, you simply slide this rope along a mounting channel on your awning, which will hold the top edge in place. The bottom edge contains eyelets or D-rings, through which elastic fastening cords are attached and pegged into the ground like a tent. On most privacy screens, the bottom edge will sit a foot or two above the ground, so don't worry if yours looks a little short.

The whole process only takes a minute to get set up and is even faster to pack down - just pull up the pegs, slide the rope out of the mounting guide and pack it away.

How Do You Measure A Caravan Privacy Screen?

This is an issue that catches a lot of owners out and can be a major source of frustration, as there's nothing worse than realising you've purchased the wrong size. Most caravan owners think you either measure the width of the awning itself or the full width of the awning bar, but this is actually incorrect on both counts.

When choosing the right privacy screen size, you want to measure the distance in the middle of the two arms either side of the awnings roller bar, as this will give you full coverage.

How Many Screens Do I Want?

The number of caravan privacy screens you decide to purchase ultimately depends on your needs and how you live in your caravan. If you just want to have a little extra shade while you sit out in the daytime, you will be fine with just one or two screens.

However, if you plan to spend extended amounts of time in caravan parks, or do most of your cooking outside, you might want to invest in a full set of screens so that you will have privacy and protection from the weather.

Obviously, with more screens comes more privacy but you have to think about how much protected space you actually want. Although privacy screens are lightweight and can be taken down easily, having too many of them can cut out the light and create an enclosed feeling that cuts you off from being outdoors.

Unless you want to commit to a full annexe outside of your caravan complete with doors and windows, we recommend sticking to two privacy screens: one along the long edge of your awning and one along the short edge that is most exposed to the weather. This setup will give you privacy and shelter without making you feel surrounded.

Will Caravan Privacy Screens Protect Me From UV?

Yes, they will. Like awnings, caravan privacy screens are UV rated to protect you from the harsh Australian sun. All of the Coast caravan privacy screens that we stock here at Shop RV Parts have a UVR Block rating of 90.4%, along with a shade rating of 86.6, giving you effective protection against the sun.

Is There A Difference Between Front Walls & Side Walls?

There are two types of caravan privacy screens that you can choose from, front walls and side walls. The front walls run along the long edge of your awning and give you the most protection, while side walls close in the ends of your outside space.

The only difference between front and side walls is their size and how they attach to your awning. Front walls are obviously much longer than side walls and attach to your awning with a rope that slides through a mounting guide. Side walls are more square in shape and tend to attach to the arms of your awning with straps instead of a rope and mounting guide.

Side walls can also attach to your awning at different angles, depending on the type of caravan you have. Pop top caravans tend to have side walls that attach horizontally to the cross brace, whereas traditional fixed roof vans have side walls that attach at an angle to the awning arms.

What Should I Look For When I'm Buying A Caravan Privacy Screen?

The most important thing is making sure that you get a privacy screen that is the right size for your awning. While it's not the end of the world if you get a screen with the wrong length, it won't give you the same amount of protection and can create gaps between the front and side walls that rain can enter through. Remember to measure the awning from the middle of the two arms to get the correct length for your privacy screen, and if you're unsure, get a second opinion.

Another thing is to make sure that your privacy screen comes from a reputable manufacturer and has the proper shade and UV ratings. As the caravan market continues to grow, more businesses are trying to muscle in with products that, frankly, aren't up to scratch. The leading maker of caravan privacy screens is Coast (who we stock at Shop RV Parts) so keep an eye out for them.

Caravan privacy screens are also meant to protect you from the harsh sun, so make sure to double-check that any caravan screen you are considering has at the very least a UVR Block and shade factor rating. Ideally, these numbers will be presented along with a cover factor rating and Calculated Protection Factor rating as part of a set of tests conducted by ARPANSA, the Australian government agency in charge of regulating sun/shade products.

Considering A Caravan Privacy Screen? Browse Our Selection

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of privacy screens and the difference they can make to your caravan or campsite. If you think that a privacy screen is exactly the upgrade you need, check out our selection of caravan privacy screens here.