Are air awnings good in wind and rain?
Air awnings cope well with wind and rain when pegged properly and secured with motorhome awning straps. Yes, if you pitch them well. Air beams flex and recover in gusts rather than snapping like rigid poles. Face the narrowest side into the wind, peg every guy line and storm strap, use longer pegs on soft ground, and keep the tunnel taut so water cannot pool. Check beam pressure after a cold night, and pack away if a storm is forecast.
Key takeaways
- Beams flex rather than snap. That is a real advantage in gusts.
- Pegging is everything. Every guy line and storm strap, every time.
- Face the narrow side to the wind. It reduces the force on the awning.
- Cold nights soften beams. Top up the pressure in the morning.
- A slack tunnel pools water. Get the height right and keep it taut.
How air awnings handle wind
Rigid poles resist the wind until they bend or snap. Air beams work differently: they flex with a gust and spring back. That makes a well-pegged air awning very stable. It is not invincible, though. In severe weather with storm warnings, take it down. No awning is designed to ride out a named storm. Our air awning vs poled awning guide compares the two in more detail.
Pitching for wind with motorhome awning straps
- Face the narrowest side into the prevailing wind where your pitch allows.
- Peg every guy line and storm strap, even if the forecast looks calm.
- Use longer pegs on soft ground and drive them in at about 45 degrees.
- Disconnect the tunnel in a gale if it is flapping against the van. Owners report this cuts noise and strain.
Beam pressure and temperature
Air contracts as it cools, so beams that were firm in the afternoon can feel softer the next morning. Soft beams let the roof dip, and dips collect water. Check the pressure after a cold night and top up with the pump. Do not over-inflate: follow the pressure guidance for your model.
How to stop the tunnel sagging and leaking
A sagging tunnel is the most common rain complaint with drive away awnings. The usual cause is slack where the tunnel meets the van.
- Buy the right height. A tunnel that is too long for your van will sag. See our drive away awning heights guide.
- Seat the beading fully in the rail or driveaway kit.
- Line the van up properly when you come back. Leaving levelling blocks on the pitch helps.
- Peg and tension the tunnel so there are no dips.
- Push water off from inside before it builds up if you do get pooling.
Condensation and drying
Awnings get condensation like any tent, especially overnight. Ventilate with windows and vents, and use an inner bedroom if anyone sleeps outside. Never store an awning wet: dry it fully at home to avoid mould. Browse our awning accessories for carpets, pegs and storm straps.
How to fit motorhome awning straps properly
Motorhome awning straps, also called storm straps, run over the roof of the awning and peg into the ground on both sides. They stop the structure lifting in gusts and take strain off the guy lines. Most air awnings have fixing points built in for them, often next to the air beams.
- Fit them every time, not just when wind is forecast. Weather in the UK can change overnight.
- Cross the awning in line with the beams so the strap pulls the frame down, not sideways.
- Peg at an angle away from the awning, with rock or storm pegs on hard or stony ground.
- Tension evenly on both sides. An over-tight strap on one side can twist the frame.
- Check them in the morning, as fabric and straps can loosen after rain.
Straps cost little compared with the awning, and many owners carry a spare pair. Combined with good pegging and the right beam pressure, they make the biggest single difference to how an air awning copes with wind.
Awnings built for UK weather
Three to look at first
- Vango Galli CC II Air Tall: a tall air awning for motorhomes.
- Vango Kela Pro Air Low: a low air awning for campervans.
- OLPRO Cocoon Breeze V2: an inflatable drive away awning for campervans.
See all campervan awnings.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air awning stay up in strong wind?
A well-pegged air awning copes with strong gusts better than many poled ones, because the beams flex. In severe storms, pack it away.
Why does my air awning go soft overnight?
Air contracts as it cools. Top up the pressure in the morning, following the guidance for your model.
Why does water pool on my awning tunnel?
Usually because the tunnel is slack: wrong height, beading not seated, or the van not lined up. Tension it and fix the cause.
Should I disconnect the tunnel in high winds?
If it is flapping hard against the van, disconnecting and pegging the tunnel can reduce strain and noise.
Do I need storm straps on an air awning?
Yes, in most UK conditions. Storm straps hold the awning down in gusts and reduce strain on guy lines and beams. Fit them every time you pitch.
The bottom line on air awnings in wind and rain
Air awnings handle wind well when they are pitched with care: narrow side to the wind, every line pegged, pressure checked and the tunnel kept taut. Need advice for your van? Use the awning fit finder or call our team on 0330 122 7773. Delivery is free to the UK mainland.
