Awnings can be an excellent addition to your unit, whether its used for some extra space to sit and socialise, or as somewhere for the kids to sleep when you are away. Although a they are often a pain to put up, they are worth all the trouble with the extra space they give, especially if the weather takes a turn for the worse. It is surprising how much space wet coats and muddy wellies can take up!!

How to measure your caravan to work out the awning size needed.

Measure from the ground, up through your awning rail and back down to the ground again. Most awnings are measured in centimeters, so bear this in mind when doing yours.

Some links to awning manufacturers

Ebay is also a good source of awnings, although it is advisable to see the awning first, as your idea of good condition may not match other peoples.

Other things to think about

• It is always worth buying a ground sheet in case of wet or muddy conditions, or just to make the living space more useable if you have young kids crawling around. Some sites insist on using breathable ground sheets. This helps to protect the grass and stop it from dying of when the ground sheet is down.
• Buy extra, sturdy steel tent pegs (or red plastic ones!!) and have a good hammer or mallet to knock them into the ground with. When hammering in the pegs put them in at roughly 45 degrees to prevent them lifting out easily in windy conditions.
• When you have the awning up on the van it is a good idea to mark up the poles with different coloured insulation tape to make it easier to put back together next time.
• An awning strap is a good idea. This is a strap that holds down the front of the awning across the poles and prevents it from lifting in windy conditions.

Picture from www.worldofcamping.co.uk where this strap is available for £8.99