Running a small campsite, I do get to see lots of different awnings each year. For instance, the ‘new trend’ is definitely air awnings, and I see a lot of guests choosing that option. I recently wrote a post about air vs traditional pole awnings, which you may want to review. Caravan awnings obviously come in various different shapes and sizes. Large awnings are suitable for longer stay trips, with smaller porch awnings suitable for weekend getaways. However, there is another type of awning which I do see on a couple of caravans each year, and that’s rollout awnings. So with this post, I thought I would discuss why you may or may not want to consider rollout awnings for your caravan. What are the pros and cons of rollout awnings, in short, are they any good?
I have also written a post about motorhome awnings, where I discuss rollout and wind-out awnings, along with driveaway awnings.
Within that post, I do reference rollout awnings, but not from the context of owning a caravan. As I discuss in my post campervans vs caravans, the use case and appeal of each leisure vehicle are different.
As is the case with rollout vs windout awnings on caravans. For instance, you typically won’t find a windout awning fitted to a caravan, though not impossible.
The main reason is due to the impacts on payload, which I discuss more below.
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Table of Contents
Introduction To Rollout Caravan Awnings
I have a couple of different types of guests who arrive at Horton Common each year with a caravan. Those that don’t own an awning as they don’t feel they need one or want the hassle of putting one up.
Another is guests that own one awning, typically a large awning which they sometimes put up depending on their length of stay.
The other type of guest is those that own more than one type of awning. For instance, they may have a large awning that they bring for longer stays with us.
However, for short stays, they also own either a porch awning or, in some cases, a rollout awning. The point is when it comes to any type of caravan awning, each is suitable for a different use case.
A typical example of a caravan rollout awning made by Fiamma: Image – Amazon.co.uk
Rollout caravan awnings are generally more suited for short stays. Furthermore, rollout awnings are frequently referred to as sun canopies for good reason.
The majority of times I will see a caravan on Horton Common with a rollout awning will be with guests staying over the weekend in the middle of summer.
They don’t have the need for a fully enclosed awning. They are just looking for something which can provide a seating area and shade from the sun.
I frequently like to add videos to my posts to provide context and additional information.
The video below from the YouTuber Dan Trudgian shows Dan’s experiences with the installation of a rollout awning for his caravan.
Its interesting to note from Dan’s video above his comments for choosing to take his rollout awning on a Europe trip rather than his air awning.
I’ll discuss those points below more under the benefits of rollout awnings. Something which I first want to discuss is how a rollout awning is fitted to a caravan.
How Is A Rollout Awning Attached To A Caravan?
As you can see from Dan’s video above, a rollout awning is fitted into the awning rail on the side of the caravan. The same as any other caravan awning.
However, where a rollout awning obviously differs from other awnings is that the awning rail is its semi-permanent home.
Hence, once its fed into the awning rail, you will typically leave it there for the rest of the camping season.
Some caravanners do leave their rollout awning permanently attached to the side of the caravan. However, that’s not something I would personally recommend.
For winter storage, I would advise removing the rollout awning from the caravan. Leaving it on the caravan overwinter it will just get very dirty indeed.
With a good build-up of biofilm, moss and algae growing around the rollout awning.
A typical example of an awning rail brush and lubricant: Image – Amazon.co.uk
A caravan roll-out awning is typically going to weigh between 25 and 35kg. Therefore, its going to be a two-person job to fit the rollout awning into the rail.
Furthermore, when you set up the roll-out awning on-site, its also going to be a two-person job due to the weight and size.
When it comes to fitting and removing the rollout awning to make it as easy as possible, you’re going to want to make sure the awning rail is as clean as possible and lubricated.
Therefore, using a brush similar to that shown above and a suitable lubricant is a good idea.
Don’t just use any oil/lubricant, not only could the awning get pretty sticky, but non-specific lubricants may damage the rollout awning fabric.
Benefits Of A Rollout Caravan Awning
I’ve shown an image and video above of some typical caravan rollaway awning examples and how they are fitted to a caravan, now let’s discuss the benefits.
The first benefit is no impact on internal storage space. With any other type of caravan awning, you are going to be taking up storage space within either the caravan or your tow car.
With a rollout awning attached to the side of your caravan, its not taking up any internal storage space.
I will add a small caveat here. It does obviously depend on if you intend to order/take with you side panel covers.
These would then have to be stored separately inside your caravan or tow car. However, as I’ve stated above, most people use rollout awnings as just a sun canopy for their caravan.
Rollout Awnings Are Quick & Convenient
The second benefit is speed/convenience when setting up. Again, let’s use the scenario that you are taking a weekend/summer break.
You want to spend the day outside, but at the same time, you want some shelter from the sun to sit, cook on the BBQ etc.
A rollout awning can be set up in just a few minutes. It can also provide an excellent sunshade for dogs if you have them.
That speedy and convenient setup also applies to when you leave the site. With a traditional awning, you could be spending an hour or more packing it all away.
Again let’s pretend you’re on a short summer weekend break. With a rollout awning, you could be sitting outside underneath it until a short period of time before you need to leave the campsite.
Temporary Or Full Awning Configurations
As Dan discusses in his video above. Another benefit of a rollout awning is that it can be a temporary sun canopy.
Or, with additional side panels, it can become a ‘full-on’ awning. In Dan’s case, he was embarking on a European tour.
Therefore, on some of the campsites, it would be a one-night stay. Hence, just the canopy on its own may be sufficient.
However, if their stay was longer, then the sides could be attached to provide more privacy and additional living space.
Drawbacks Of Caravan Rollout Awnings
So what are the potential drawbacks/downsides to a caravan rollout awning?
Well, there are two main issues I’m aware of, which guests have told me about previously as a reason why they have not opted for a rollout awning.
However, I will note that both of the issues below are potentially specific to certain brands and models of rollout awnings. Furthermore, both are potentially avoidable.
Caravan Body Damage While Towing
A previous guest at our campsite told me about this issue. Reading some of the forums online, it has been reported by others.
As stated, the rollout awning stays attached to the awning rail on your caravan. Therefore, while towing, some people have reported that their rollout awning has damaged the aluminium side panel of their caravan.
Some rollout awnings use straps and metal buttons. Well, apparently, these metal buttons have ended up making dents/impressions into the caravan bodywork.
This potentially happens as the caravan is bouncing along. Maybe even hitting a pothole or two, which are pretty much unavoidable on UK roads.
Due to the weight of a rollout awning (25-35kg), you obviously don’t want metal buttons/clips touching the surface of your caravan bodywork.
However, this issue is avoidable. If a particular make or rollout awning has metal buttons placing some additional padding between them and your caravan should avoid any potential damage.
If you are concerned about a rollout awning damaging the sides of your caravan during transit Isabelle produce their lightweight and quickly removable shadow sun canopy: Image – Amazon.co.uk
Impact On Caravan Payload
So as discussed, a rollout awning will typically weigh between 25-25kg. Therefore you have to discount that weight from your caravan payload.
Now, you may be thinking, ‘But Chris, the impact on the payload is applicable to all caravan awnings!?‘, and you would be right.
Its quite common to find a traditional pole awning or an inflatable awning that also weighs 25-35kg. Therefore, why is it a specific drawback for a rollout awning?
Well, the reason is, as many caravan owners know, to get a caravan’s payload within its legal limit, it sometimes means loading the awning into the car.
With a rollout awning that is left fitted to the side of the caravan while towing, that’s obviously not applicable.
With the rollout awning, its not practical/feasible to transport it in or on your tow car. Even if it was, it would remove the quick and convenient benefit of setting up a rollout awning.
Sturdiness & Wind Resistance
There is also a common perception within the caravanning community that rollout awnings are not as strong/sturdy as a traditional pole awnings.
The poles associated with rollout awnings are generally lighter/thinner.
Hence a rollout awning with the associated side panels is perceived to be not as resistant to gusts of wind compared to a traditional pole awning or an air awning.
In my post, are air awnings any good I do discuss how, from my observations, air awnings do cope well with gusts of wind.
However, I don’t have any semi-scientific study/test which I can refer to which has tested rollout awnings versus traditional pole awnings and air awnings in windy conditions.
What I will say is that every awning is only as good as its storm straps in windy conditions.
Rollout Awnings & Windy Weather Advantages
With regards to a rollout awning with the attached side panels in windy conditions, I cannot say for definite they perform better, worse or equal to other types of caravan awning.
However, what I can say is that a rollout awning in its pure sun canopy form does have its windy weather benefits.
Due to how quickly you can retract the rollout awning sun canopy, that’s the best option in gusty/windy conditions.
No awning is really designed to cope with high wind speeds. However, a rollout awning provides the quickest means to pack it away until the wind speed drops.
Besides rollout awnings, there are also detachable enclosed sun canopies. However, with such an enclosed sun canopy it would not be as quick to disassemble as a rollout awning in windy conditions: Image – Amazon.co.uk
Conclusions On Rollout Caravan Awnings
For short breaks in the summer months, I really do think rollout awnings can provide good utility to many caravanners without the hassle of a separate traditional awning.
How well rollout awnings with side panels compare to traditional pole/air awnings is a different question. Obviously, that will also depend on the features of specific products, build quality etc.
What I will say is before you purchase any type of awning for your caravan, really think about what you need and how you want to use the space.
For caravaners who sometimes travel as a couple and sometimes as a full family, its rare one single awning is going to be suitable for every trip.
Therefore, owning a rollout awning alongside a separate awning may be an option you want to consider. I discuss this more in my best caravan awnings post.
Thanks for reading, and I hope the above will help you to make a decision on the next caravan awning which will best suit you.
Furthermore, I hope at some point in the near future, you will consider coming to visit us here at Horton Common Campsite to experience our fully serviced pitches. 🙂
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