Drive-away awnings can increase your outdoor space campervan. They also make long campervan stays for the whole family more enjoyable. By their very nature, they are able to be put away at the campsite, even if the van is on the moving. This is why they come particularly handy when you need to let go of people in your group traveling, large things, and awkward camping furniture. How do these drive-away Awnings work? This is precisely what we’ll discuss in our short review of the specifications and features.
But what’s the benefit of knowing how to use and adapt one to your car, if you don’t know what kind of driveaway awning will work best for you? As we’re now on topic, let’s begin with some tips for the most modern and most efficient features. Our handy drive-away buying awning guide will help you accomplish exactly that.
What is a drive away awning?
An awning is essentially an awning that is fitted to the sides of your campervan or motorhome. It’s made of the same type of weatherproof and durable materials. You can also set an awning for drive-away in the same manner as a tent. But it features an opening for you to move between your vehicle and the awning and vice-versa.
It’s clear the awnings can be found in all shapes and sizes, including canopy-style roofs and even makeshift lounges, like that of the Vango Airhub Hexaway in the image above. And drive-away awnings are no different. Some are made specifically for large vans, like those of the Vango Galli III Airaway awning available in different sizes, including tall and low, while others are designed to be used with SUVs. The basic function is the same.
How do drive away awnings work?
What makes a drive-away tent unique is that it’s a freestanding tent that does not lose form or stability once you leave. Thus the name ‘drive away’. It’s attached to the vehicle after you have put it in place, but you can simply detach it at any time you require.
Why should you buy a drive away awning?
A well-designed driveaway awning will increase the amount of living space you have. Certain top-quality products can do much more than that, imitating your home decor with luxurious features, ensuring that you never want to leave your home comforts. It will provide shelter during any weather condition, allows you to stretch out more for breakfast and also provides storage space as well as room for children to do what they do best. You could literally double your living space with drive-away awnings such as Outwell’s Outwell Scenic Road 250SA Smart Air drive away awning.
If you want to go for a drive or a walk, you can leave it in place. There is no need to pack and move on. Put all your possessions away, and take your awning down whenever you want to venture further afield. Just remove it then secure it as needed and go off. When you’re ready to return back to the field you’ll find it in the exact spot it was when you left it.
How do you connect a drive away awning?
If you’re wondering how do drive away awnings operate, it’s due to the fact that you’re not knowledgeable about the various ways they connect to a vehicle. Don’t worry, connecting your drive-away awning to your vehicle is a one-person task. The attachments of your vehicle and your awning will determine how easily it can be fitted. However, regardless of whether you have either a campervan or motorhome it shouldn’t be a problem to trouble connecting your awning to your vehicle. Here are a few ways people generally connect an awning:
to an existing wind-out awning
to the vehicle’s awning channel or rail
to the vehicle gutter
to roof bars
with magnets
with suckers
To find the best option for your car, first take a look at the various ways that drive-away umbrellas can be fitted:
Wind-out awning option. If there is already a awning that is wind-out, you’ll require a 4mm-to 6mm driveaway fixing tool for awnings like this figure of 8 joining strip. The beading is inserted into the part of the wind-out window to one side, and the figure of 8 slide on to the other, so that all three pieces are interlocked. Then another strip of beading slide onto the open side of the figure of 8, strip. To disconnect, simply slide the figure-of-8 connecting strip out.
Channel or rail for the awning of the vehicle. In this situation the driveaway awning needs to be attached to the vehicle’s rail or channel precisely as above. The awning fixing kit must be a 6mm to 6mm one. This is because the rail of the vehicle will have a diameter of 6 millimeters. Vango Driveaway 6mm to 6mm kit Vango Driveaway 6mm to 6mm kit is a fantastic option. So, if you don’t currently have a rail on your campervan or motorhome, you should consider purchasing one. It’s the simplest, easiest, and most convenient way to connect your awning on your vehicle.
Vehicle gutter. The method you attach the awning that you drive-away to the vehicle gutter will depend on the depth. A figure 8 channel strip can easily be clipped into a slender gutter. You can then join the other edge of the figure of 8 to the beading that is on your awning. To leave, loosen the figure of 8. For deep gutters you can try the Vango rod and clamp if it’s compatible with the vehicle you are using. The pole slips into the sleeve on the rear of the awning, and it then fastens to the gutter and holds the fabric. The awning is secured with clamps at the centre and sides, and problem was solved.
Roof bars. For awnings with built-in Velcro loops attached to the rear cowl, putting them to a vehicle is a matter of tying these loops on the roof bar. To drive away and leave the awning in place just take it off of the bar on top of your roof.
The straps as well as the guy line. They’re not the best, but should your vehicle not come with any fittings for an awning, or found out that your awning kit does not fit in your vehicle You can always count on straps. Awnings come with straps as well as guy lines in the standard configuration and you’re able to buy extra. Simply throw them across to the other side of the vehicle. Then, fix them to the vehicle using pegs that are specifically designed and extra straps from Vango.
Affixing strips magnetically. This is a clever alternative for vehicles with no an awning of any kind. These are designed to work with larger motorhomes and campervans that have a steel body to draw the magnets in and hold them there.
Suction kit. The kit uses vacuum to keep the awning up. It comes with beading as well as a figure 8 strip. It is attached on the car’s roof. The awning simply slides between on the opposite side of the figure of 8.
The type of awning you select will ultimately depend on the type of car you drive you drive, your preferences and your budget. There are many options to choose from and therefore our drive-away buying guide for awnings will concentrate strictly on the awning itself. Whatever you prefer, to make sure you have fun with your awning to the full, you should be looking for these three essential characteristics of awnings for drive-away:
Size. Before you purchase an awning be sure to determine the dimensions. A lot of people discover that their awning is not the right size just at the point of need. That’s when they arrive on the camping site. Height is crucial. To determine the height first, look for the awning rail on the side of your motorhome or campervan. Find the rail that is the way to the ground. Motorhome awnings usually are the largest, followed by campervan and SUV awnings. A few awning manufacturers offer awnings available in a variety of sizes to match any type of vehicle. Some make them specifically for models, like the vango magra VW camper driveaway awning. Even better, some come with adjustable heights.
Versatility. Your travel needs may be changing over time. To enjoy your holidays to the full with a growing travelling group, consider space. For many caravanners who want to build an additional room is vital since it allows them to have an additional bedroom or lounge. Luckily, many awnings can include an annexe to them. Because they’re versatile and well-known the resale value could also be high.
Privacy. At times, even a small space isn’t very useful without privacy. However, certain driveaway awnings come with privacy screens, while others will fit in an inner bedroom. This Vango inner bed can accommodate three drive-away awning models in no way; specifically, the Vango Idris, Galli and Kela models.
With awnings that drive away, it gives you the freedom to leave your pitch for daily excursions without packing your bags, you will have way more time for fun and, more importantly, relaxation.
