How to Put Up a Caravan Awning (and Close It)

Before you hire a caravan, it’s important to understand how to set it up and pack it down. 

Fortunately, it’s not rocket science… but there are a few steps that are trickier than others. In particular, putting up a caravan awning is rather challenging if you don’t know what you’re doing.

We all love a good caravan awning – perfect for providing that extra usable space outside. Great to bring the outside inside and help you enjoy your adventure even if it’s hot and sunny – or raining (as long as it’s not super windy or storming or snowing… not that we have that issue here in QLD!). 

Why It’s Important to Know How to Use a Caravan Awning

Like any part of your caravan, awning is perfectly safe as long as you use it correctly and follow the instructions. But if you don;t set it up, secure it, or pack it away properly, you can cause damage to the awning, the caravan, and even risk your safety.

In fact, one of the most common caravan insurance claims is for a broken awning. But unfortunately, because most caravan awning breakages happen due to misuse, most insurance companies exclude it from their coverage or charge an extra fee. That means the $3,500 to replace a broken caravan awning will come out of the owner’s pocket or yours (as the hirer), if found to be at fault.

Getting educated on how to use your caravan awning will minimise the chances of misuse and ensure you can enjoy the extra shade and space on your holiday. Here’s what you need to know…

Caravan Awning Guide

1. How to Put Up Your Caravan Awning

We love this video from Aussie travelling family, Trip In A Van, which shows just how simple setting up a caravan awning can be. Plus, great view!

First of all, make sure your caravan is positioned in a suitable location. Ideally, you want a flat site that’s not too windy and has some shade to protect the fabric. But you also want to stay away from trees that might drop branches and leaves on the awning. 

Before you get started, try to enlist some help – it’s much easier to put up a caravan awning when there’s two people on the job.

The process to put up your caravan awning will depend on what kind of caravan you have. 

• Pop top – You’ll have to put it in the open position using a ratchet lever before you can pop the roof up (don’t force it out), then you can pull out the awning on a roller canister
• Hard top – You’ll need to put your awning in the open position and roll it out with a strap

Once the awning is open, you can unfold the legs and secure them to the caravan or ground. 

Other tips for setting up:

• If your awning is secured with a travel clamp, open it up so that you can access and unroll your awning
• Use the included pegs and straps to secure your awning – angled at 45° away from your shelter for maximum stability
• If you’re setting up somewhere where the ground is extra hard or sandy, you may need to bring along a different type of peg
• A lot of newer caravans and awnings are electrical, so all you need to do is switch them on and the awning opens itself out – but it’s still good to know how to operate them manually, just in case

2. How to Secure Your Caravan Awning

Dave from Just Brilliant Adventures demonstrates the Ground Dogs Rollout Awning Anchor Kit.

You may not need to fully secure your awning if you’re only opening it for a short while and there’s no wind. But in most cases, you’ll need to secure your caravan awning as part of the setup process.

Use the Ground Dogs Rollout Awning Anchor Kit to anchor your awning, rather than ratchet straps, as these can put too much strain on the awning and damage it. A rubber spring-loaded tie down like Ground Dogs’ version is best. 

Depending on the direction and intensity of the wind and sun, you can either set up your awning legs so that they’re secured to your van, or pegged down in the ground.

A lot of people tend to try and over-secure their awning, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damage or buckling.

3. How to Stop Your Awning from Flapping

There’s nothing more irritating than the sound of a flapping caravan awning on your nice, relaxing holiday. But even worse than that, flapping in high winds could cause the fabric to tear. 

Here’s what you need to do to minimise flapping:

• Use a tensioner bracket and increase the tension as needed
• Don’t over-tension as this can over-stretch the awning fabric too much over time and destroy it

Note: while they are popular, we recommend not using an anti-flap kit – we don’t supply them and a lot of manufacturers prefer you don’t use them. If you look after your awning, you shouldn’t need anti-flappers.

4. How to Close Your Caravan Awning

Check out this video from Vagare who shares how he had to quickly pack up his awning due to an approaching storm (warning: tiny bit sweary at the end! ?).

To close your awning, simply do what you did to set it up, but in reverse.

First, remove any tent pegs and straps. Open the valves on the legs and collapse them. Pull the lever and allow the awning to roll back up towards your caravan in a controlled way. Ensure the latches are closed and tightened so that your awning is held securely in the closed position. The travel clamp will help to secure your awning legs more firmly so you’re safely ready to travel.

Some tips for closing your awning:

• As with opening your awning, it’s easiest to pack away if you have an extra pair of hands
• Make sure your door is closed before you start packing up, as it can scrape the vinyl
• If there’s a storm, heavy rain, or strong wind coming, it’s time to pack up your awning
• Pack away your awning before you go to bed at night (there’s nothing worse than being half asleep and having to rush out and close it!)
• Always pack your awning away if you’re going to be away from your caravan
• Before packing up, try to clean off any dirt and debris using clean water and a soft brush
• If your awning is wet, make sure you open it up again soon to dry fully

Other Tips and Tricks

It’s all in the details! Here are some other ways to safely enjoy your caravan awning:

• Tilt your awning – Set up your awning so it has a tilt, ensuring that water can’t pool on the surface.
• Inspect regularly – Check your awning for wear and tear when setting up and packing up and avoid using if critical components are damaged
• Grownups only – Don’t let your kids set up, pack up, or play with the awning, and be sure to supervise them at all times
• Avoid heat and flames – Keep any fire or heat sources well away from the awning (including BBQs and heaters)
• Keep it light – Don’t hang anything on your awning and make sure that water and/or debris does not build up, which could cause it to collapse or bend
• Drying – Just like a tent, if your awning is wet when you pack it up, you’ll need to open it up to dry when you get home

Get to Know Your Caravan Awning Before You Drive Away

Note that these tips are fairly general in nature. The exact set up, securing, and pack up steps will vary per awning type and camper brand. 

Above all else, it’s important that you get to know your specific caravan awning before you drive away.

Don’t worry – if you hire one of our beginner-friendly caravans from our north Brisbane caravan hire company, we’ll make sure you know exactly how to open, secure, and close your caravan awning. We’ll send you written instructions and how-to videos ahead of your booking and demonstrate everything in-person at handover. Plus, if you’re ever unsure about how to operate any part of your caravan or campervan, we’re only a phone call away.

If you’d like to learn more, you might like our caravan set up guide.

Book Your Next Adventure!

Explore our range of caravans for hire in Brisbane and find a comfortable, beginner-friendly caravan that’s perfect for your next family trip. Or contact us if you’ve got questions about caravan awnings, camping trips, and everything in between.