How to Measure a Caravan for an Awning

What is a caravan awning?

An awning is like a tent you can attach to your caravan, motorhome or campervan.

Depending on the size and type of awning, it can provide more living or storage space or even extra bedrooms.

What are the different types of awnings?

The main types of awnings generally available for caravans, motorhomes and campervans are full awnings, porch or universal awnings and canopy or cassette awnings. 

Full awning 

A full awning will cover one whole side of your caravan, providing lots of extra living space and sometimes sleeping cabins.

Porch or universal awning

A large porch awning covers most of one side of a caravan, while a small porch awning won’t cover much more than the doorway but is useful for storing muddy shoes and bikes.

Canopy or cassette awning

This type of caravan awning is a shelter that extends from the caravan roof and can be fitted onto a caravan either temporarily or permanently. Some higher-end ones come with walls to create a more enclosed space.

Measuring a caravan for a full-size awning

The universal and most reliable method for measuring a caravan awning is to use the caravan’s A-Measurement. The caravan’s A-Measurement Size categorises all full-size awnings.

How to measure a caravan’s A-measurement

1. A caravan’s A-measurement is the distance in centimetres from ground level, going up and then all the way around a caravan’s awning rail and back down to the ground again at the other side.
2. Your caravan’s rail measurement should be contained in the owner’s manual, on the page listing the caravan’s dimensions, this is shorter than the A-measurement. You can easily measure the A-measurement yourself using a tent peg, tape measure and a ball of string.
3. Firstly, put the tent peg into the ground directly below the awning rail entrance at one end of the caravan. Then, tie the end of the string to it. If you don’t have a tent peg or the ground is hard, secure the string with a small, heavy implement.
4. Next, feed the string all the way around the awning rail along to the ground at the other end of the caravan. If the awning rail has a prominent curve at the bottom sections, let the string drop to the ground as in the diagram.
5. Cut the string where it meets the ground and measure it in centimetres. This will give you your caravan’s A-Measurement, which is your caravan’s full awning size. This measurement will fall into a range of standard awning sizes – i.e. if your A-measurement is 970cm, you would select your awning from the 950-975cm range. Sometimes, however, your A-measurement may be at the point between awning size ranges, in which case you should opt for the larger size. A larger size will allow for some slack and give you room for manoeuvre, which could be useful on an uneven pitch.

Watch the Camping and Caravanning Club guide here.

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Measuring a caravan for a Porch awning

Measuring your caravan for a porch awning is very different from measuring for a full awning, as a porch doesn’t wrap all the way around one side of your caravan. This type of awning is usually secured to the ground with pegs or guide ropes, similar to a tent.

The size you need for a Porch Awning relies on two measurements:

1) The height measurement (H), which is taken from ground level vertically up to the awning rail (H)

2) The length measurement (L) is the straight section across the top of the awning rail.

There are, however, more things to consider when measuring for a Porch Awning. The most obvious is that the door should be within the section measured so that it opens comfortably into the porch. Also, ensure that side windows and refrigerator vents are considered and not obscured.

In the diagram example, if a Porch Awning measuring the full length of L2 were fitted, the side wall of the awning would prevent the window from opening. Therefore, to ensure the window opens, you would need to measure the length from the point where the window begins (L).

Measuring a motorhome for an awning

Most awnings for a motorhome fit best when using a Fiamma or Thule awning channel or driveaway kit.

There are options available, such as magnetic driveaway kits or tie-down straps, which are thrown over the vehicle and pegged down if you do not have an awning channel available.

Measuring your motorhome to fit an awning requires two key dimensions and the consideration of fitment.

1 ) The height measurement (H), which is taken from the ground level vertically up to the fitment height (i.e. awning channel). This is crucial to choosing the correct awning. This often varies depending on whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded.

2) The length measurement (L) us normally used when sizing a fixed awning. More drive-away awnings will take a similar length of rail but use a drive-away kit in between, requiring approximately 3 meters of rail.

If you get stuck measuring your caravan or motorhome, don’t hesitate to call the awnings department on 01934 524240 or visit us in person for a professional measurement at Weston-super-Mare, 2 minutes from junction 21 of the M5 motorway. Find us by clicking here!

Buy your new awning from Davan’s online shop.

We’ve been selling caravan and motorhome awnings for years and years. You’ll find our awnings experts at all the major awning trade shows in the UK.

Take a look at our online shop for caravan awnings, motorhome awnings and touring accessories.

Family-run caravan dealership

Davan is proud to have been a family-run business for almost 90 years. Our primary focus is caravans for sale, motorhomes and caravan and motorhome awnings. We’re trading at most trade shows and open 7 days a week in Worle. Weston Super Mare.

Please call ahead and let us know you are coming.

CARAVAN ENQUIRIES

Call 01934 524241

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