Some of the most popular motorhome awnings are the driveaway kind. As the name suggests they are designed to be free standing and allow you to easily drive away, leaving the awning where it stands. They can connect to your motorhome with some simple attachments. When you want to go somewhere you just unhook and go.
This is why they have become so popular, because they give you more freedom. You don’t have to spend ages unhooking your camper or motorhome every time you want to go some place. The awning will hopefully be waiting for you when you return! You can then just drive up to the awning and re-attach your home to it, and you are back where you started in no time at all.
There are a multitude of designs and sizes to choose from, again, it all depends on your requirements. Also, be sure to measure and know the dimensions of your motorhome before you decide wich type of awning to purchase, to make certain it will be suitable and will fit. You can do this yourself, or get a dealer to do it for you. This is the most important factor in buying any motorhome awning, which is why i keep repeating it! The last thing you want is to have something that just will not fit after you have spent a good deal of money on it.
The disadvantage of a driveaway awning is that you do have to spend the time erecting it when you arrive at camp. However, once this is done, you will have the benefit of not having to store it away every time you decide to move, unless you are moving to another camp site. Another problem with a driveaway awning is that you need to store it and take it with you, so it will add extra weight and space when transporting it. Having said that, the latest awnings are very ligtweight and compact, and do not take up too much room.
There are lightweight and the more sturdy kinds of free standing driveaway motorhome awnings. Which you go for depends on the amount of use they are going to get, and the weather conditions you may face. The better quality kinds will last you longer then cheaper versions, which is the case in all things really, you tend to get what you pay for in the long run. The most popular driveaway awning is the Movelite and the Movelite XL. These are the biggest sellers at the moment, and many people have opted for their design and ease of use. Of course, you need to practise erecting them before you head off to camp. It may seem a little bit daunting when you first try to erect them, and the instructions can be very confusing at first. The only way around this is to get stuck in and have a go. The more you practise the quicker and easier it will become, but there are always problems at first, no matter how experienced you are. If you are struggling then the online forums can be a good place to seek valuable information. There are always fellow motorhome owners who will give you little tips and tricks to make life easier.
Make sure you secure the awning properly. You do not want to wake up and find your new awning half a mile away! The wind is the biggest pain for awnings, especially if it is windy when you are attempting to put it up. A little bit of practising at home when it is a bit breezy will stand you in good stead, so don’t be afraid to get stuck in.
The driveaway awnings are a great solution for an extra space, and they are invaluable for many people. Get to know the workings off by heart, and you will find your camping experience will be greatly enhanced.