How does a drive away awning work?
A drive away awning is a freestanding tent with a fabric tunnel (the cowl) on one side. You pitch it next to your campervan or motorhome, then connect the tunnel to the vehicle using an awning rail, a drive away kit, roof bars or throw-over straps. When you want to go out for the day, you unhook the tunnel, close it up and drive off. The awning stays pegged on your pitch, ready to reconnect when you get back.
Key takeaways
- It stands up on its own. The frame, pegs and guylines hold the awning up, so the van is only joined to it by the tunnel.
- The tunnel does the connecting. Most drive away awnings have 4mm and 6mm piping on the tunnel so they slide into a standard awning channel or a drive away kit.
- No rail is not a problem. Roof bars, gutter clamps, magnetic kits and throw-over straps all work, depending on your van.
- Height matters more than length. You choose a low, mid or high version by measuring from the ground to your attachment point.
- It is built for touring. Leave it on the pitch to hold your spot and keep your kit dry while you take the van out.
How does a drive away awning work?
Most people asking how a drive away awning works have a simple worry: if the awning is attached to the van, how do you go anywhere? The answer is that it is not really attached in the way a caravan awning is. A drive away awning is a self-supporting tent. The van is joined to it by a flexible fabric tunnel, and that join is designed to be undone and redone as often as you like.
The two parts: the awning and the tunnel
The main body is a small tent with its own frame, either inflatable air beams or poles, and usually a sewn-in groundsheet. On one side is the tunnel, sometimes called the cowl or connecting panel. This is the bit that wraps around the side of your vehicle. Put simply, it is a free-standing tent with two parts: the main awning and the connecting panel that attaches to the van and detaches again so you can drive off.
On a typical model the tunnel is quite deep. The Outdoor Revolution Cayman Air, for example, has a 300 x 300cm footprint plus an 80cm cowl, according to Outdoor Revolution's own specification. Inner cowl tension straps and a bungee pull the tunnel snug to the van body, which is how one awning can fit a range of vehicles.
Why it stays up when you leave
Because the frame is self-supporting and the awning is pegged down all round, removing the van takes nothing structural away. You simply zip or roll down the tunnel door to close the opening, and the awning sits on the pitch like any tent. In practice that means your chairs, table and muddy boots stay put, and nobody else takes your spot while you are out.
How do drive away awnings attach to a campervan?
The tunnel has a piped edge (a bead) along its top. Outdoor Revolution fits "4mm and 6mm twin cowl connection rail piping" on its Cayman range so the same awning works with the two common channel sizes. That bead joins to the van in one of these ways:
- Awning rail or C-channel. If your van has an awning rail, the bead can slide straight into it. It works, but sliding a long bead in and out each time is slow, which is why most people use a kit.
- A drive away kit. Vango explains its Driveaway Twin Kit like this: figure of 8 sections slide onto the awning tunnel, then one edge of a double-sided Kador strip goes into the figure of 8 and the other into the rail on your van. To leave, you loosen the front straps and slide the figure of 8 and Kador out. It is the quickest way to come and go.
- A wind-out awning. If you already have a wind-out awning such as a Thule Omnistor, the channel on its front bar can take the drive away tunnel, with a 4mm to 6mm adaptor where needed.
If you are not sure what your van has, look along the roof line above the sliding door. A metal or plastic C-shaped channel means you have a rail.
How to attach a drive away awning without a rail
Plenty of vans leave the factory with no awning rail at all. That is fine. These are the usual no-rail options:
- Roof bars. Secure the tunnel to your roof bars with the Velcro or webbing straps supplied with the awning.
- Gutter pole and clamps. Older vans with a roof gutter can thread a pole through the tunnel sleeve and clamp it to the gutter.
- Magnetic kit. On a steel roof, a magnetic drive away kit holds the tunnel in place. Outdoor Revolution makes a magnetic drive away kit, which covers 2.7 metres.
- Throw-over straps. Buckle long storm straps to the tunnel, throw them over the roof and peg them down on the far side. With a pop top, run the straps around the sides of the roof.
Throw-over straps work on almost anything, but they are the slowest option to undo each morning. If you plan to drive away often, a rail and kit is worth it.
What height drive away awning do I need?
This is the one measurement that matters. Drive away awnings are sold in height bands, and the band is chosen by measuring from the ground to the point where the tunnel will attach: your awning rail, roof bar or the top of the van side. Measure on level ground with the van as you normally park it.
The bands vary between brands, so always check the exact model. These are the manufacturer height ranges for the drive away awnings we stock:
| Awning | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Revolution Cayman Air | 180 to 220cm | 220 to 255cm | 255 to 305cm |
| Outdoor Revolution Cayman Cuda F/G | One size, 180 to 240cm | ||
| Camptech Moto Crown | 180 to 210cm | 210 to 255cm | 255 to 300cm |
| Sunncamp Swift Motor Air | 180 to 210cm | 215 to 255cm | Not offered |
With a pop top, measure to the point you will actually attach to, which is usually the fixed roof line rather than the raised roof. Beyond that, every van is different, and conversions and roof bars change where the tunnel attaches. Bands overlap and a few centimetres decide which one fits, so do not guess: check your vehicle's height with our fit finder below or call us on 0330 122 7773.
Rather not measure? Our awning fit finder asks for your vehicle make, model and roof type, then shows the awnings that fit it.
Drive away awning vs wind-out awning vs fixed awning
A drive away is not the only way to add space to a van. Here is how it compares with the other two common types.
| Drive away awning | Wind-out (cassette) awning | Fixed rail awning (caravan style) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it stands | Freestanding tent, pegged down | Permanently fixed to the van, rolls out on legs | Bead runs the full length of the rail |
| Can you drive off and leave it? | Yes, that is the point | No, you wind it in first | No, it is designed to stay attached |
| Enclosed walls | Yes, full room with doors and groundsheet | Shade only, side panels are an extra | Yes |
| Set up time | Minutes for a small model (Outdoor Revolution quotes 10 minutes for two people on the Cayman Cuda) | Quickest, just wind out and set the legs | Longest, rail feed plus frame |
| Best for | Touring, longer stays, families | Quick stops, shade and rain cover | Caravans and static motorhome stays |
Bottom line
Pick a drive away if you want a proper extra room and still use the van during the day. Pick a wind-out awning if you mostly want instant shade. You can also have both, and use the wind-out channel to connect the drive away.
How to drive away from a drive away awning
- Peg it fully first. Before you disconnect, make sure every peg and guyline is in, because the van is no longer helping to hold the tunnel steady.
- Release the tunnel. Loosen the front straps and slide out the Kador strip, or undo the roof bar straps or throw-over straps.
- Close the tunnel. Zip or roll down the tunnel door and tension the cowl so rain cannot pool in it.
- Note where the van was. Vango suggests keeping a note of your parking position so reconnecting is easy. A couple of pegs or a mark by the wheels works well.
- Reverse the steps when you are back. Park in the same spot, re-attach the tunnel and tighten the cowl straps.
Which drive away awning is right for me?
Start with your height band, then think about how you use the van. For a couple on weekend trips, a light poled awning is easy to carry. For longer holidays, more space and a bedroom option matter more. Browse the full drive away awnings collection, or the wider awnings range if you also tour with a caravan.
Three we recommend looking at first
- Outdoor Revolution Cayman Cuda F/G: fibreglass poles, 9.9kg, one size for 180 to 240cm. A simple, light option for standard-roof vans.
- Outdoor Revolution Cayman Air (2025): single-point inflation air frame, 3000mm hydrostatic head, low, mid and high versions. It takes the Cayman sleeping annexe if you need an extra bedroom.
- Camptech Moto Crown: a 300 x 300cm living space with three tunnel heights, up to 300cm, so it suits taller motorhomes too.
Finish it off with a Treadlite awning carpet or see all awning accessories.
Frequently asked questions
What is a drive away awning?
A drive away awning is a freestanding tent that connects to the side of a campervan or motorhome with a fabric tunnel. You can disconnect the tunnel and drive off while the awning stays pitched, then reconnect when you return.
Can you sleep in a drive away awning?
Yes, many models are designed for it. The Outdoor Revolution Cayman Air has hanging points for an optional 2-berth inner tent and a zip-out rear door for the Cayman sleeping annexe, and the Sunncamp Swift Motor Air comes with a 2-berth inner tent.
Do I need an awning rail for a drive away awning?
No. A rail with a drive away kit is the quickest option, but you can also attach to roof bars, a roof gutter with a pole and clamps, a steel roof with a magnetic kit, or use throw-over straps pegged down on the other side of the van.
How do I measure for a drive away awning?
Measure from the ground to the point where the tunnel will attach, such as your awning rail or roof bars, with the van parked on level ground. Then match that figure to the low, mid or high band for the awning you like.
Do drive away awnings fit motorhomes as well as campervans?
Yes. Taller versions are made for motorhomes. Outdoor Revolution's Cayman Air High covers 255 to 305cm and the Camptech Moto Crown High goes up to 300cm.
The bottom line on how a drive away awning works
A drive away awning works by standing on its own and joining your van only through its tunnel. Connect that tunnel with a rail and kit, roof bars or straps, choose the height band that matches your attachment point, and you can come and go from your pitch as you please. If you want a second opinion on what fits your van, use the awning fit finder or call our team on 0330 122 7773. Delivery is free to the UK mainland.
