Simple guide to caravan awnings

Caravan awnings can provide welcome relief from both sun and rain. They can help to define an outdoor living space and can be used to provide important privacy when camped in close quarters with others. However, van awnings can also be a bit of a handful when it comes to setting them up, packing them away, and caring for them in all weather conditions. They are also expensive items to replace or repair and if damaged, can even bring an otherwise perfect camping trip to a premature end. Whether you’re a new van user or an experienced traveller, it is in your best interest to know how to get the most out of this important accessory. Read on if you want to learn more about how awnings work, 

• Fundamentals of awning design
• Basic operating principles
• Handy tips

What is a van awning?

A caravan awning is a temporary roof that can extend from the side of a van to provide cover outside when wanted but stays packed away when it is not needed. Two of the most popular brands are Carefree and Fiamma but many new brands are appearing on the market. Most caravans are fitted with a rollout awning which consists of three main components – the vinyl itself which provides cover when extended, a large roller which allows the awning to extend and retract, plus a set (usually of two) of support arms that support the roller and attach the whole assembly to the side/roof of the van. Understanding each component’s role is important but for safe and efficient operation, to be able to extend and retract easily and quickly, it is vital to have an understanding of how the van awning works as a whole.

How to roll out an awning on a camper, caravan or motorhome

1. First, both support arms need to be unlocked. There may be straps or cords securing them but all will have some kind of locking mechanism to be released, usually about halfway up each arm. There will likely be a knob to loosen on each arm to allow it to extend.
2. On one end of the awning roller (usually the right-hand end) there is usually a ratchet lever that will need to be flipped to “open.”
3. By pulling down on one or both arms, or by pulling on a strap located on the roller, the awning can now be fully extended (out and down) – the ratchet should click as this is done and prevent the roller from springing back closed. It should be pulled all the way down until it stops. As this is done, the support arm separates into its upper and lower parts.
4. The upper arm (the one connected to the top of the van) now needs to be slid out from the bottom, along the lower arm, all the way to where the roller is. There should be some way of clipping this into place once it gets there.
5. The roller itself now needs to be raised up to the desired height. This is done by extending the lower arm. This is usually done by releasing a locking pin in the side of the lower arm, and sliding it up and out, allowing it to increase in length. Once the desired height is reached, the locking pin needs to be put into place. The knob on the upper arm should also be tightened.
6. Tie-downs or guy-ropes can now be added to secure each end of the roller to the ground.
7. The lower arms can be unclipped from the bottom of the van and moved out to a vertical position, more like a normal tent pole. To achieve this, the upper arm usually needs to increase in length by loosening the tension knob, but must be tightened again. Guy-ropes and pegs will need to be used in this position.

How to keep an RV awning from flapping

A flapping awning can not only be annoying but can also cause damage to the vinyl fabric. Adding tension to the roll can help reduce this, as can laying something like a towel along the edge that is causing the problem. Some awnings have special anti-flap accessories that can be fitted to each end to make the vinyl more rigid at each end and along the middle. 

A good rule-of-thumb is “if in doubt, don’t leave it out.” – if there’s any chance the wind will increase in strength while you are away from the van, or if it is already blowing so hard that it is moving the awning arms or caravan around, then it is a good idea to play it safe and pack the awning away. Overnight, it is likely the noise is annoying before there is risk of damage so this can also be used as a guide.

How to close an RV awning

Packing the awning away is essentially the same steps as setting it up but in reverse order. In summary:

1. Detach tie-downs or guy-ropes if used.
2. Reattach the lower arm to the caravan if it was in the vertical position.
3. Loosen the upper arm knobs and lower the roller by shortening the lower arm, returning it to its original length.
4. Return the upper arm to its vertical position by undoing its retaining clip from the roller-end and sliding it down, along the lower arm.
5. Raise the roller by moving the ratchet lever to the “close” position and closing it gently.
6. Secure the side arms with all original retainers and tighten the tension knobs.