How to measure for the perfect caravan porch awning.

How to measure for the perfect caravan porch awning.

Getting the perfect awning fit for your caravan needn't be difficult if you follow these simple steps and spend a little time and effort to make sure you order the perfect awning for your needs. Caravan porch awnings are generally sold in width sizes. For example The Camptech Starline range is available as a 200cm, 260cm, 300cm, and 390cm width making them suitable for a wide variety of caravans. It's fairly simple to understand the wider the awning, the longer your caravan will need to be to accept the length. But how can you be sure?

How to find the perfect porch awning.

Finding the perfect fitting porch awning for your caravan starts with identifying the length of the straight awning rail along the top of your caravan. This is measured in a straight line as shown, between the curves parts of your caravans profile - Point A to point B.

This is will be the maximum width porch awning for your caravan, but not necessarily the perfect awning for your needs. But why? Well let's keep things simple. Looking at the image to the left, if you were to choose an awning the full length of this rail you would find that the awning when fitted would fall directly through the front side window of this caravan directly under point B - half the window would be inside the awning and half outside. Although this isn't a problem with the awning size and is often quite acceptable for most caravan owner, it may not be perfect for you. Perhaps a better solution would be to have a smaller awning which doesn't obscure windows, doors or storage compartments.

You'll also need to verify your caravan awning rail height. Generally most UK caravan awnings are designed to fit caravans with a rail height of between 235-255 cm. This measurement (shown by the vertical arrow) is measured from the ground to the height when the awning will slid into your caravan awning channel. It is not the height shown in your caravan owners manual, which indicates the overall height of your caravan including openings, vents and accessories like satellite and television aerials. Recording the actual awning rail height is always recommended.

Lastly, as previously discussed, it can be useful to measure the overall span required for your awning, against your caravan. The best way to check that your chosen porch awning sits comfortably on your caravan is to cut a length of string or twine to a length of 400 cm. Holding this string against your vehicle will provide you with the perfect guideline. Hold the string against your caravan and mark it at the perfect span accommodating the door and any windows - measure this span to find the most suitable awning width.

Look at this image. The length of the pink line marks an excellent compromise for a porch awning. The rear window would comfortably sit within the awning without covering the rear air vent, whilst the front side window is outside of the awning, ensuring maximum daylight into your caravan.

The compromise is the location of the rear most storage cupboard, where the awning sits over the top of this opening.
If this cupboard access is crucial, you'd need to rethink this particular awning size. 

A step by step guide to measuring for your porch awning.

      Step 1. Level the caravan.
      Make sure the caravan is level before you begin to ensure your height measurement is accurate. 

      Step 2. Prepare to measure.
      This is much easier with two people, one at each end of your tape measure.

      Step 3. Measure your straight awning rail.
      Carefully take a length measurement between the front and rear curve profiles of your caravan as shown (Point "A" to Point "B").

      Step 4. Record the awning rail height.
      Measure the height of your awning rail, from the ground to the caravan awning rail as shown.

      Step 5. Note the span of your chosen awning.
      Consider the position of doors and windows, making a note of the position of air vents, cupboards or access panels.

TIP: Using a length of string, hold this against your caravan and note the perfect span accommodating your caravan door and any windows - measure the span to find the most suitable awning width.

TIP: Don't forget air vents, cupboards and access panels.

Need more help or expert advice.

Give us a call at Awning Ace on 01543 877506 to discuss your awning needs. We'll help you identify the perfect awning for your needs. No hard sales, just honest, free advice from our trusted awning experts. Or if you prefer you can drop us an email info@awningace.com or use our contact us form.

Happy Camping!