Complete Campervan Awning Buying Guide: Types, Sizes, and How to Choose

For those who enjoy road trips, camping, and outdoor travel, a campervan awning can quickly create additional outdoor living space. Once parked, simply extend the awning to create a comfortable area for shade and protection from the rain.

However, choosing a Campervan Awning is not simply a matter of choosing the largest size. Different vehicles may also require different installation methods. The roof structure, available side space, doors, and windows can all directly affect your choice and overall experience.

If you're looking for the best campervan awning for your vehicle, this buying guide will help you understand the main types of awnings, how to measure the right size, and what to consider before installation.

1. What Is the Difference Between a Cassette Awning and a Roll Out Awning?

When searching for cassette vs roll out awning, you will often come across these two terms.

A Cassette Awning mainly refers to the housing structure. When the awning is retracted, the fabric, roller tube, and other components can be enclosed inside the cassette, helping protect them when not in use.

A Roll Out Awning, on the other hand, mainly describes how the awning operates. The fabric rolls out from the roller tube to create an outdoor shaded area.

2.Why Is a Cassette Awning a Good Choice for Campervans?

For campervans, available space is often limited. So when choosing an awning, it is important to consider not only the coverage area when the awning is open, but also its size and appearance when retracted.

One of the main features of a Cassette Awning is that the fabric, roller tube, and other main components can be enclosed within the cassette when the awning is retracted. Compared with awnings without a full housing, this can help reduce the fabric's exposure to sunlight, rain, and dust while keeping the side of the vehicle looking cleaner.

Therefore, if you value a clean appearance, compact storage, and better protection for the awning fabric, a Cassette Awning is worth considering for your campervan.

3.What are the mounting options for cassette awnings?

After choosing a Cassette Awning, the next step is to determine the best installation position. For campervans, the two common options are Roof Mount and Side Mount.

Roof Mount Awning

A Roof Mount Awning is installed on the roof or near the roofline of the vehicle.

This option is suitable for vehicles with enough continuous space along the roof. However, before installation, you should check whether the roof already has solar panels, a roof rack, air conditioner, skylights, vents, or other equipment.

If the roof is already crowded, choosing a Roof Mount Awning may make installation more difficult or cause interference with existing equipment. The actual vehicle structure should therefore be checked before making a decision.

Side Mount Awning

A Side Mount Awning is installed along the side of the vehicle and is more suitable for campervans with enough continuous mounting space on the side.

When choosing a Side Mount Awning, pay attention to the position of doors, windows, storage compartments, and other equipment. Make sure the awning will not interfere with the normal operation of doors or other vehicle components after installation.

Ultimately, there is no single best choice between Roof Mount and Side Mount. The right option depends on your campervan's structure, available installation space, and existing equipment.

4. How to Choose the Right Awning Size?

Size is one of the most important factors when choosing a Campervan Awning. Instead of simply choosing the largest awning that can fit your vehicle, you should consider the actual installation area and available outdoor space.

1. Awning Width

Awning Width generally refers to the overall width of the awning along the length of the vehicle.

When choosing the width, you should not only look at the total length of the vehicle. You also need to consider the actual area available for installation.

If there are doors, windows, storage compartments, or other equipment along the side of the vehicle, make sure the awning will not interfere with them after installation.

2. Projection

Projection refers to how far the awning extends outward from the vehicle when fully opened.

A larger Projection generally provides more shaded outdoor space, but you also need to consider the available space around the vehicle and the supporting structure.

Therefore, when choosing the right size, consider both Width and Projection rather than focusing only on the awning length.

3. Check Doors, Windows, and Roof Space

Before purchasing an awning, it is recommended to measure the actual installation area and check the following:

• Is there enough space for the awning installation?
• Will the awning interfere with the doors when they are opened?
• Will it block any windows?
• Will it interfere with equipment installed on the roof?
• Is there enough space to use the awning when fully extended?

Taking these measurements before purchasing can help you choose a more suitable awning size and avoid installation problems later.

5. What Other Features Should You Consider?

In addition to the awning type and size, there are several other features worth considering when choosing a Campervan Awning.

Manual or Electric System

Choose between manual and electric operation based on how often you use the awning and your personal preferences.

If you use the awning frequently, an Electric Awning can provide greater convenience. If you only use it occasionally, a Manual Awning can also meet your basic needs.

LED Lights

Some awnings can be equipped with LED lights, which can provide useful lighting for nighttime camping.

Mounting Brackets

The mounting brackets are closely related to the vehicle's installation structure. Before purchasing, make sure the brackets are suitable for your vehicle and the selected installation position.

6.Summary

As a professional RV Awning manufacturer, Awnlux recommends choosing a Campervan Awning based on your vehicle structure, available space, installation position, and usage needs—not just product photos or price.

First, determine whether Roof Mount or Side Mount is more suitable, then choose the appropriate Awning Width and Projection based on your available space. Frequent campers may also consider features such as electric operation and LED lighting.

Before purchasing, carefully measure the installation area and check for potential interference with doors, windows, or other vehicle equipment.

For questions about Campervan Awning sizes or installation, contact the Awnlux team at [email protected] or visit www.awnlux.com.