Awning Buying Guide
CHOOSE THE RIGHT AWNING
WALL OR ROOF AWNING: WHICH TYPE OF AWNING IS COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR VEHICLE?
Awnings are either fitted to the roof or wall of a vehicle. Which method is suitable depends on the following three factors:
- The amount of room above the vehicle’s doors and windows.
- The shape of the vehicle’s side where it converges with the roof.
- The awning adapters available for your vehicle.
Curved edges are suitable for roof fittings. Whereas a squared edge with sufficient room above the door will accommodate a wall mounting. In either case, suitable mounting adapters are also required. Your vehicle’s length will determine the size of the awning.
Special case: bag awnings
Bag awnings, as the name reveals, are contained in a zipped bag that simply slides into the existing tent rail of your caravan or motorhome. No drilling, no bolting and no special adapter required!
ELECTRIC OR MANUAL AWNING?
Ultimately, this comes down to individual preferences and the money you would like to spend and how much comfort you want. We outline key details below:
Electric AwningS
Benefit - Quick and easy setup by remote control! At the touch of a button, the awning will extend or retract within some seconds.
Disadvantage - Electric awnings always need a 12V power supply. In emergency cases we have a crank for manual operation.
Manual AwningS
Benefit - You have freedom to travel to the remotest destinations! No reliance on power, so no limitations.
Disadvantage - It just takes you some small efforts to open and close the awning manually. A matching crank is included in the delivery kit.
SUPPORTED OR SELF-SUPPORTED AWNING?
Consider the following when deciding to purchase a supported or self-supported awning:
Supported
- Available with automatic and manual deployment;
- Awning legs staked into the ground make it more robust in windy conditions;
- Weather kits containing elasticated straps can be used to tension the lead rail and further secure the awning’s position;
- Its multiple, independent mounting brackets require a seal or rain guard to fully protect against rainwater running down the side of the vehicle;
- Challenging for one person to deploy or stow away – ideally a two-person job!
Self-supported
- Only available with automatic deployment;
- Requires mounting within the structure of the vehicle which must, therefore, be able to support the weight of the awning;
- As the lead rail “hangs” in mid-air it is more susceptible to movement in the wind;
- A wind sensor is always fitted and a weather kit with support legs and tie-down straps is provided to secure the awning when open
- Its continuous, flush mounting means there are no gaps for rainwater to run through;
- Can easily be deployed and stowed away by one person
DO YOU WANT TO CONVERT YOUR AWNING INTO AN AWNING TENT?
Our accessory range gives you smart solutions that can be set up with little effort. Make sure the awning tent of your choice is compatible with the type of awning you have. Your dealer will gladly advise you.
CampRoom – compatible with cassette awnings with support legs
This comfortable “extra room” in front of your vehicle can be set up in a matter of minutes, by only one person. If you cover the underside of the vehicle with a standard supplied skirt you will get a completely waterproof and wind-breaking living space.
Privacy Room – compatible with Revo Zip bag awnings
This solution provides comfortable accommodation away from the elements. Here again, setup takes just a few minutes. The side walls simply zip to the awning roof; the front wall slides into the prepared channel on the awning’s front rail and zips to the side walls.
WILL YOU NEED TO SET UP WORKING ALONE?
DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL TO REMOTE DESTINATIONS?
Many of us like to use our RVs to travel to remote spots, far from civilization. If this resonates with you, then a manual awning is the ideal choice as it has no reliance on power. This means you’ll also be buying a supported awning, as self-supported models are only available with automatic operation. But if you’re someone who wants to get lost in the middle of nowhere, away from shops and power sources, we’re guessing you won’t mind deploying your awning manually.
CLIMATE CONDITIONS: WIND, TEMPERATURE, RAIN AND STORM
We advise all types of awnings be stowed away in wind and rain. Remember: “awnings are for shade not shelter”.
Wind & STORM
- The Dometic tie-down kit enables you to firmly anchor your PerfectWall or PerfectRoof awnings with support legs into the ground. The adjustable straps, robust clasps, and coil springs are perfect for windy days. Easy-to-use and guaranteed secure hold.
- If heavy storm clouds are on the horizon please retract your awning as soon as possible.
Temperature
- All awnings are tested to reliably function within a range of - 20˚C to 40˚C. So unless you’re staying in Death Valley or the Arctic Circle, you should have nothing to worry about!
SUN & Rain
- What do you do when the low sun is glaring in, or when heavy rain gets under your awning roof from the front or side? With our accessory products SunProtect and RainProtect you are well equipped in such situations. Once they have been fitted in place, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the most precious days of the year.
