Is a driveaway awning a good piece of kit to have, especially for longer trips?
I shall have a canopy on my new van, and am wondering if I should get a driveaway awning for longer trips in case I would like to go and explore the area etc...
TIA.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
No. It takes up space and more of your weight allowance. And it takes time to put up and take down (and to dry if it gets wet) - having a MH or campervan is about turning up, hooking up, brewing up in less than 5 minutes.
Unless... you have to leave stuff behind when you head off e.g. bike, though we've never needed to that in the 25 years. However, it's always wise to mark your pitch - unhook your EHU cable at the stanchion (otherwise the loose end is live) but leave it obviously waiting for your return. Leave behind your grey water canister - ours has the MH number plate velcro'd onto it, but you can also make or buy a marker to leave behind with your number plate, which doesn't take up space. When we had free standing steps, we left that behind too.
Now there'll be loads of people with opposing ideas. So my conclusion would be, as I've said before, try without for a year first. Then buy one, or not, especially as by then you'll have more of an idea of what type of trip you're enjoying. You can always get side and front walls for your wind-out awning, if you need a bit more privacy / wind-proofing / rain shielding etc.
I am hesitating for the reasons you mentioned - having a MH/campervan is supposed to be easier for get up and go type of trip, and not to have to pitch something else.
I have already planned to get the side screens for the awning as windbreaks.
Not sure about the front wall yet, and I shall decide after I have been to a few trips to get used to the van and this new way of camping first.
I have planned to get a marker to leave it behind and have already found one that I like.
Not sure what the grey water canister will be like, however, I shall bear that in mind about leaving it behind.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We use a driveaway awning, even that we have a canopy. We use it if it rains. Mostly of an evening as somewhere to sit and be dry. We eat in it also if wet no matter what time of day. BUT mainly it is used to store bikes, fishing kit and chairs. This way our van is easy to just walk in, sit and watch telly, have a shower, go to the loo, and cook, Without the awning the van would be cluttered and we would have to be seated, rather than lounging and relaxing.
Would not be without one. Like Fiona says, each to his own. Whatever suits whom. Yes try without for a while, your own judgement is the best.
Re grey water canister - the smallest & cheapest is just a black plastic Jerry can: cap at top for the MH drain to go into, cap at end to empty it. Or even a collapsible bucket. Friends had a big canister with wheels but it was too big to store easily.
I cut off the pouring end of a plastic bottle to use as a funnel, sometimes there’s a big gap under the drain pipe and the grey water can miss the hole in the canister if there’s a wind. Not every site has a drive over MH waste water drain but I’m amazed how many MHs don’t use anything & disgusted at how many people just drain straight onto their pitch or the site roads. Bacon bits & toothpaste for the next child to stand in, but some people don’t care.
The company carrying out the conversion has suggested a foldable bucket.
I may pop into Lild to see if they have some in stock later this evening.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
it depends if the weather is iffy it gives more room, plus saves a spot if wanting to go touring no need take it with you every trip. but for stays of two days or more yes.
the other thing with a driveaway awning, we used to use the fiamma roll out, and put the driveaway seperatly, some campsites charge extra for tents alongside, when wild camping we got a toilet tent and got a cool box with warm water used a 12v submersible pump, connected a shower hose and then we were able to wash hair and shower no problem. the runoff soapy water went into a large retangle bowl. plus we could if on site place a microwave in the awning which was handy.
My friend bought a drive away and only used it for one holiday. Sold it and has since used a small tent at side of Motorhome big enough to sit in for BBQ s and store stuff in. No problem lining up with Motorhome on return from days out.
We bought one as soon as we got our first campervan many years ago as we convinced ourselves it was essential after being told it was so many times.
We put it up on our first outing, realised that we were back to faffing about putting it up as much as we did when we had a tent which was the whole point of getting a van, took it down and sold it the next week. We never regretted it.
We use the roll out awning with light weight sides/front panels that I made that are more versatile than the bought ones if we need shade/shower protection and put the chairs and table under a good quality waterproof garden table cover if it rains. This takes up next to no space and doubles up as a floor protector in the van if things are muddy when we pack up to go home/move on. The other benefit is that it takes seconds to put on and was perfectly safe to leave on even in the strongest of winds when other were taking their utility tents etc down. We leave the chairs and table out and covered with this when we drive off for the day to indicate the pitch is taken.
Consequently we don't have a large tent bag to carry round in the van when moving giving full access to all of the space but when parked up we have nothing at all stored in the van that stops out enjoyment of it but always have dry tables and chairs etc.
We don't bother with a waste water carrier as we find the onboard waste water tank is more than adequate as we empty it every time we leave our pitch which tends to be every two or three days or use a collapsible bucket to empty it if we are static for longer than that and it needs emptying.
does depend on type of camping, touring we use a 15 quid pop up to put bits and pieces in to keep camper reasonable uncluttered and for rallies and shows we use a quest pop up shelter both these methods are extremely quick and mark your pitch if you go out.
The problem with wind out awning is they are very bad should the weather get rough, we had a drive away and like others used it once and sold it I would see how you get on and when on sites have a cheeky look around and see whats most populer that is the best way to see what really works
Good Luck
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Driveaway Awning
via mobile 01/6/2020 at 1:45pm
