Buying an awning can be a great way of achieving extra living space or storage when you’re on tour. However, a key component of getting the right one for you will be knowing how to measure a caravan awning, so you don’t find it’s blocking a vent or is the wrong size for your van.
The best caravan awning can enhance any touring experience, providing space for dining, relaxing in on a summer’s evening or even for sleeping. How you measure for your caravan awning will depend on which type you opt for – a full awning or a porch awning.
How to measure a full caravan awning
In the case of a full awning, you need to know what your caravan’s A-measurement is. As Practical Caravan contributor John Sootheran says, this is “the distance from the ground, up and around the entire length of the awning rail and back down to the ground at the other end.” You should be able to locate this in your tourer’s manual, and it’s typically expressed in centimetres.
You may find certain caravan awning manufacturers will change the A-measurement into a size number – once you have yours you can work out what number it should be via the chart below.
4: 725-750
5: 750-775
6: 775-800
7: 800-825
8: 825-850
9: 850-875
10: 875-900
11: 900-925
12: 925-950
13: 950-975
14: 975-1000
15: 1000-1025
16: 1025-1050
17: 1050-1075
18: 1075-1100
19: 1100-1125
20: 1125-1150
Measuring a porch awning
For those who have settled on a porch awning, it can be no bigger than the length of the straight run of the awning rail across the top of the tourer’s side wall. This will stop just before the rail begins curving downwards. Once you know this measurement, you will know you can opt for one that is that size or smaller.
These products generally come in popular sizes such as 200, 250 or 330 centimetres (which refers to its width), and you can see how the size would look by measuring it out on a tape measure and laying it on the ground by your van.
Make sure the measurement will not prevent you from opening the door of your tourer and, ideally, won’t stop you from opening a window either. Will you have a vent in your awning for instance? You would want to ensure the awning’s ends don’t block the fridge or heating vents too – this could prove dangerous, and if it looks like it could be the case, you may need to choose a different size.
Don’t forget to think about the height of your tourer too. The majority of caravans have a height of between 2.35-2.50m, which the majority of porch awnings factor in. However, it’s well worth checking before you invest – better safe than sorry!
Awnings may be a useful accessory for when you’re on site but when you’re travelling to your destination or preparing your tourer for winter, another handy product will be a cover – see what our expert thinks when he answers ‘are caravan covers any good?’.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Caravan magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things caravan related.
