Drive-away awnings increase the available space in your campervan, making longer camping trips with your family more enjoyable. Because of their nature, they are able to be put away at the campsite, even if the vehicle is on the moving. They are especially handy when you have to let go of people in your travel group, bulky items, or awkward camping furniture. How do you make drive-away the awnings function? This is precisely what we’ll discuss in our short review of the specifications and features.
What’s the purpose of knowing how to use and install one on your vehicle and if you don’t know which type of driveaway awning is the best fit for your needs? Since we’re on the subject, let’s start with some tips for the most sophisticated and most practical features. The handy drive-away buying guide for awnings will help you with that.
What is a drive-away Awning?
An awning is basically an awning that is attached to the sides of your motorhome or campervan. It’s constructed of the same kind of weatherproof and durable materials. It is also possible to set an awning that can be driven away in the same manner as an awning. It has an opening that allows you to pass between your vehicle and the awning, and vice versa.
Like you see, the drive away awning is available in a variety of sizes and shapes, from canopy-style roofs to impromptu lounges like those of Vango Airhub Hexaway in the image above. Drive-away awnings aren’t different. They are designed specifically for larger vans, such as for instance the Vango Galli III Airaway awning that comes in two sizes, including both low and tall, while others are designed to be used with SUVs. However, the fundamental function is the identical.
How do awnings that are driven away work?
What is unique about a drive-away awning is the fact it’s a tent that is freestanding that doesn’t lose its form or stability once you leave. This is why the expression “drive away’. It’s attached to your car after you have install it, but you can remove it at any time you require.
What is the reason to buy a drive-away awning?
An awning that is well-designed can increase the amount of living space you have. Certain high-end models will do more, blending the decor of your home with lavish features so that you will never feel like you’re missing your home comforts. It provides shelter regardless of the weather, it provides extra room for breakfast and offers more storage space, and allows children to play the way they love to do. It is possible to more than double the size of your home 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 and you want to leave the car there. There is no need to pack and leave. Don’t bother putting all your possessions in storage and putting your awning off whenever your group wants to go further afield. Just remove it and secure it when needed and then go. If you decide to come back to the field you’ll find it in the exact spot it was when you left it.
How do connect a drive-away awning?
If you’re wondering what drives away awnings are and how they function, it’s likely because you’re not aware of the various ways they be connected to a vehicle. You can rest assured that fitting a drive-away awning to your vehicle is a single task. The connections on your vehicle and the awning will determine the ease with which it will be installed. However, regardless of whether you have an RV or motorhome it shouldn’t be a problem to problems connecting your awning to your vehicle yourself. Here are a few methods people typically connect their awning:
to an existing wind-out awning
to the awning channel of the vehicle or rail
to the vehicle’s gutter
Bars for the roof
with magnets
with suckers
To determine the most suitable option for your car, first take a look at the different ways that drive-away awnings are able to be installed:
Wind-out awning options. If there is already a wind-out awning you will require a 4mm to 6mm type driveaway fixing tool for awnings, such as this figure of eight joining strip. The beading slide into the section of windout awning on one side, and the figure of 8 on the other side, and all three pieces are interlocked. Another strip of beading is inserted into the free side of the strip with the figure of 8. To remove it, slide the figure of eight connecter strip off.
The awning channel of the vehicle or rail. In this instance the driveaway awning must be attached to the rail or channel of the vehicle exactly like the above. But, the awning fixing kit must be a 6mm – 6mm one. This is because the rail of the vehicle will be 6mm in size. This Vango Driveaway 6mm to 6mm kit is an excellent choice. If you don’t have a rail for your campervan or motorhome, you should consider purchasing one. In the end, it’s the most efficient, clean and most efficient method to attach your drive-away awning onto your vehicle.
Vehicle gutter. The method you attach your drive-away awning onto the vehicle gutter will be contingent upon the thickness. A channel strip in the figure 8 can easily be clipped into a gutter that is shallow. Then, you can connect the other end from the figure 8 with the beading of your awning. For removal, remove the figure of eight. If you want a deep gutter it is possible to try using the Vango Pole and Clamp Set if it’s compatible with the vehicle you are using. The pole is inserted into the sleeve towards the rear of the awning and it then fastens to the gutter, securing the fabric. Attach the awning using clamps in the middle and sides, and the problem is solved.
Roof bars. For awnings with built-in Velcro loops that are attached to the cowl’s back, fitting them to a vehicle is as simple as tying these loops to the bar on top of your roof. If you want to drive away and leave the awning that is freestanding behind you need to remove the bar on top of your roof.
Guy lines and straps. This isn’t ideal, but in the event that your vehicle doesn’t have the fittings needed for an awning, or if you discovered that the kit you purchased isn’t compatible with your car You can always count on straps. The awnings come with straps and guy lines and you’ll be able to purchase extra ones. Simply throw them on the opposite side of the vehicle, and fix them to the vehicle with special pegs and extra straps from Vango.
Affixing strips magnetically. This is an excellent alternative for vehicles that don’t have an awning of any kind. They’re made to work with motorhomes that are taller and campervans equipped with a steel body. They draw magnets to hold them in place.
Suction kit. The device makes use of vacuum to keep the awning up. It comes with beads and a figure of 8 strip that attaches onto the top of your vehicle. The awning is able to slide between the other side of the figure of 8.
The awning you choose to use will ultimately be based on the kind of vehicle you have as well as your lifestyle and your budget. There are a myriad of options and therefore our drive-away buying guide for awnings will concentrate solely on the awning itself. No matter what your preferences are for ensuring that you take advantage of your awning to the max, be looking for these three essential characteristics of awnings for drive-away:
Size. Before you purchase an awning, make sure to verify the size. Many people realize that their awning isn’t the ideal size for them in the last minute. This is usually when they arrive at the camping site. The height is the most important factor. To determine the height, first search at the awning rail that is that is on the outside of your campervan or motorhome. Take measurements from the rail all up to the floor. Motorhome awnings are typically the highest followed by campervan as well as SUV-style awnings. Certain awning companies make awnings in a variety of sizes to fit every vehicle. Some make them specifically for models, such as the vango magra VW camper driveaway awning. Some are even equipped with an adjustable heights.
Versatility. The needs of your travels may alter over the course of time. If you want to enjoy your vacation fully with a expanding group of travelers, think about the possibility of having space. For many campers who want to build an annexe is essential since it gives them an additional bedroom or lounge. It’s a good thing that many awnings include an annexe to them. Since they’re flexible and well-known and a good investment, their value for resales could also be very high.
Privacy. When you’re on holiday, space isn’t very useful without privacy. It’s a good thing that some driveaway awnings come with privacy screens, while others are able to fit a complete inner bedroom. For instance, the Vango inner bed can accommodate three drive-away awnings in no way; specifically, those of the Vango Idris, Galli and Kela models.
With drive-away awnings, you can give you the option of leaving your campsite for your daily adventures without having to pack up and you’ll have more time to enjoy and relaxation.
