The Best Caravan Awnings For The 2023 Season

If your wondering which are the best caravan awnings to buy for next season then you’re in the right place! For any beginner caravanner, the sheer number of caravan awnings available can seem overwhelming.

We’ve put together some of the latest and best awnings available for the 2023 season. We’ve also added a detailed buyer’s guide at the end of the post to help you with making that all-important decision.

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Introduction To Caravan Awnings

The pole awning vs air debate in the caravan community is well-known! Both pole awnings, as well as air awnings, have strengths and weaknesses. But that’s not all you need to decide.

Do you prefer a large awning or a smaller porch awning? Are you interested in the possibility of adding an annexe to your awning? Or maybe prefer the ease of a roll-out caravan awning is what you are looking for?

There are many factors to take into consideration, so I hope this post helps you answer some of those questions.

One thing I want to quickly point out is that no matter which type of caravan awning, you should always have adequate storm straps and awning pegs.

Windy conditions happen at any caravan site. You want your awning to stay on the ground, not above your caravan.

To choose the right size and type of caravan awning for you, you must first consider how you intend to use your caravan. Do you plan to take your caravan for short weekend trips, or do you intend to stay on the caravan site for several days?

Do you plan to use your caravan and awning year-round, or do you only want it for summer touring? Here are some questions you should ask yourself before buying an awning.

Consider The Following Before You Buy A Caravan Awning:

• Are you using the awning for weekends or longer/seasonal stays only?
• Are you using the awning all year or only in summer?
• Are pets or people going to sleep under the awning?
• Are you looking for enough space to place a table and four chairs?
• Are you going to put the awning up yourself?
• Is the awning to be stored in your caravan or in your car?

Your answers to these questions will help determine the right size and type of caravan awning for you.

In some cases, however, one type/size of awning may not be suitable for all your needs. For longer stays, some people will prefer to use a larger, full-sized awning to cover their needs.

You should watch the video below by Keith and Michelle from Carefree Caravanning. They provide an overview of the roll-out, air, and pole caravan awnings.

3 Different Types of Caravan Awning

Below, I will go over the various types and sizes of caravan awnings. Below is information that I have compiled from my thoughts and the feedback of our guests. I don’t intend to suggest that one manufacturer or brand is better than another.

You May Be Interested In: The Best Caravan Awnings For The 2023 Season

This is to suggest that one size/type of awning is superior in every situation. Each caravan awning type has its strengths and weaknesses. Your personal circumstances will determine which type and size caravan awning will be most suitable for you.

Caravans With Inflatable/Air Awnings

Air awnings are gaining popularity. Every year I see more and more air-awnings when I’m touring. Air awnings are quick and easy to erect and use, which is the main attraction.

All you need to do is connect the foot/electrical pump once the air awning has been connected to the caravan’s awning rail – then simply pump and peg down.

Air awnings are easier to set up than traditional poles. It is not necessary to waste time looking for the right pole and figuring out where it should go. Although like most awnings – they are easier to set up when you have a partner.

Keith points out in the video that some air awnings only have one inflation port while others require you to inflate every air beam. This is a feature I think you should be aware of – it is easier and quicker with one inflation point.

All parts of the awning will raise at once with a single inflation point.

From personal experience, I have found that air awnings perform better at higher wind speeds. Air awnings move and flex with the wind at higher speeds.  They absorb the wind’s energy instead of trying to resist it.

No matter what type of awning you choose, just make sure that you have storm straps and enough pegs.

What Are The Drawbacks To Caravan Air Awnings?

The first problem is that air awnings cost more than pole awnings. But as air awning technology improves and manufacturing costs decrease, air awning prices are gradually becoming more aligned with poled awnings.

Air awnings are generally, ‘easier’ to put up. However, I don’t think they are necessarily ‘simpler’ to erect and there is a subtle distinction between those two terms. Air awnings, for instance, are heavier than pole awnings because they are “as one”.

It can take a lot longer and be more difficult to pitch an air awning onto a caravan rail. It can take longer to set up an air-awning by yourself than it would for a couple.

It is important to note that leaks in caravan air awnings are possible but not common. I also have a post on how to repair an air awning. If you’re considering buying an air awning, I’d encourage you to check out that post.

If you decide to purchase an air awning, I highly recommend keeping a puncture repair kit in your caravan in case of a leak.

Caravan Pole Awnings

Pole awnings are the more ‘traditional’ style of caravan awning. Whilst pole awnings have evolved over the years and tend to be less expensive – they still use steel/galvanised poles.

Isabella, a premium awning manufacturer, now offers lightweight but strong IXL fibreglass poles. CarbonX is a carbon fibre-reinforced pole.

What Are The Benefits Of Pole-Type Caravan Awnings?

Pole awnings of comparable size are generally more affordable than air awnings, which is clearly a benefit. This means that you might want to invest in a better-quality pole awning with a better fabric.

What Are The Drawbacks To Pole-Type Caravan Awnings?

Some people find the complexity of pitching traditional poled awnings more difficult. This is why many owners switch from a pole to an air awning. But properly labelled/colour-coded poles will make pitching much easier.

Expect to spend a lot more time erecting a pole-awning your first few times. Two people are usually required to erect full-sized pole awnings.

But like I said, two people are also required to pitch a full-sized air tent onto the awning rail. Dismantling Poled awnings can also be difficult.

Roll-Out Awnings For Caravans

Roll-out awnings or ‘canopies’ are attached to the same awning rail just as with any other awning.

It rolls up when not in use and is kept in a zip bag. During transport, the roll-out awning remains attached to the caravan’s side so you could theoretically leave the roll-out on the caravan throughout the year.

Personally, however, I would slide it off for winter storage because otherwise, it will get very green.

What Are The Benefits Of Roll-Out Caravan Awnings?

Roll-out caravan awnings offer simplicity, quickness and ease of use. You simply roll out the awning and attach two corner poles/guy ropes. Roll-outs should really be considered as a sunshade.

What Are The Drawbacks To Roll-Out Caravan Awnings?

I know from first-hand experience that roll-outs are not great in the wind! If the wind catches underneath they can easily flip the canopy up and over the top of the caravan and will cause a lot of damage.

We had one and got rid of it once we saw the damage caused to my mum’s caravan when the wind took her roll-out over the top of the caravan. This is why I think that a pole or air awning would be a better choice if you want more privacy and living space.

But I should say that Roll-out awnings can be easily packed away if the wind picks up, as long as they are not attached to the sides. Just be prepared if the wind picks up so you don’t get caught out.

Which Size: Full-Sized Awning Or Small Porch?

After reading the advantages/disadvantages of the different caravan awnings above you may now have a clearer idea of which type will be best for you. But, the size and type of awning should also be considered.

What To Look For In A Caravan Porch Awning?

A porch awning is a good choice for weekend touring and a good size for couples or singles. A poled porch will be easier to pitch as it has fewer poles because and is smaller in size.

It is much easier to pull a porch air awning through an awning rail than a larger one so can usually be done on your own. A pole or air porch awning should be up and running within an hour.

A porch awning is a great way to separate your caravan from the outside elements. The caravan’s door can be opened whilst keeping the rain further away from the van.

You can also leave your coats and shoes to dry with a porch awning much like you would use the porch at home. Although there is limited space in a porch, you can usually get a small table and chairs in. Is also great for storing your bikes, or making a bed for your dog.

A few caravanners have said to me that while they’d like to set up a full-sized awning, they just don’t have enough energy to pitch one, so find that a porch suits their needs perfectly.

Why You Should Consider A Full-Sized Caravan Awning

If you are staying at a site for a week or so, you will probably find you have a lot more items to bring, or you might need a larger seating/dining area, or have people/pets who will be sleeping in the awning.

Any awning greater than 2m is generally considered full-sized. A full-sized awning and extends the majority length the caravan.

Annexes For Full-Sized Awnings

Many people will find that a standard-size awning is sufficient for their needs. Many caravan awning manufacturers offer the option of adding one or two additional annexes to the awning.

The annexe can be attached to the main awning by the same zip. You will need to attach additional guy ropes and an additional air beam/steel pole to support the annexe.

Getting comfortable in an annexe for an awning is another matter! It is really just like sleeping in an individual tent but allows for quicker and easier access to the caravan facilities.

For weekend trips, you can erect the awning by itself. You can add the annexes to make them more durable.

Instead of having a porch awning with a large, full-sized one, you can have a smaller, full-sized awning with a few annexes.

just be aware though that these additional awning accessories all add to your weight when towing.

Awning Weather/Use Classes And Fabrics

So I’ve covered the main types of caravan-awnings based on their core structures of air beams and rigid poles. There are additional classifications for each type of caravan awning depending on the suitability of the awning for particular weather conditions.

• Winter Rated Awnings Type W – Designed for winter/snow pitching
• Residential Rated Awnings Type R – Designed to be used in seasonal pitches/year-round
• Tourism Rated Awnings Type T – Frequent/Short use (not winter though).
• Lightweight Rated Awnings Type L – Primarily for spring/summer/short use

It Is Important To Choose The Right Awning Fabric

The fabric choice is a major factor in how well a caravan awning will perform and how long it will last. Certain fabrics are more breathable than others, which reduces internal condensation. Some fabrics are more resistant to UV damage and tearing, while others are less susceptible.

Many awnings are now classed as ‘lightweight’ so they may be the best choice if your car or caravan has a minimum payload. This is important when considering what type of awning you want.

This table provides a summary of the pros and cons of awning fabrics. The link below goes into more detail.

This table provides a good summary of the advantages and disadvantages of different awning fabrics:

Image – campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Conclusions: How To Choose The Best Caravan Awning For You

As you can see, it is important to fully understand your needs and how you will use your caravan awning. You won’t want to pitch and use an awning if it’s bigger than what you need.

A porch awning, while great for weekend trips, may not be suitable for longer stays. A small, full-sized awning that can be extended with annexes is a better option.

No matter what size awning you choose to use, make sure it fits the skirt rail- this is the bottom rail along your caravan where you slide on a skirt to stop the draft. they are usually included with your awning.

In the debate between rigid poles and air awnings, there is no clear winner. The best option for you will depend on your budget, and if you have someone to assist you in putting up the awning.

It will take a bit of time to choose the right awning fabric and weather rating that best suits your needs. You also need to be familiar with the awning fabric and the correct products to use for cleaning and maintaining it.

Thank you for reading my best awning picks and guide – I really hope it helps and you are able to pick a great awning for you and your family!

Happy Caravanning 🙂