Awnings and Tents
Buy Awning and Canopy for Campers at Speelberg Kamperen
We are always ready to provide you with appropriate advice and tips for purchasing camper awnings and canopies. If you have any questions or need advice, please contact us.
What You Need to Know Before Buying a Camper or Caravan Awning or Canopy
Attaching or mounting an awning or canopy is generally not very difficult. But before deciding to purchase one, it's best to thoroughly check the following things.
Different Types of Awnings Available
Awnings come in many types and sizes. Whether you prefer adventure or luxury camping, there is a convenient awning available for every camper or caravan enthusiast, catering to various budgets.
A Slide-Out / Rail Awning
Essentially, a rail or slide-out awning consists of a tent fabric, a rail, tent poles, and a few guy lines. The rail is mounted on the camper (van) or caravan, and the tent fabric, equipped with a slide-out bead or integrated rope, can be attached to the rail. The other end of the tent fabric rests on tent poles that are tensioned by the guy lines.
A Bag Awning
The bag awning is partly similar to the slide-out awning because the bag containing the awning is also attached to the rail with a bead. Inside the bag, there is a roller where the awning fabric is rolled up. In many cases, this roller also contains a pair of extendable legs on which the awning rests. These legs already provide a somewhat stable base, but they are also tensioned with guy lines for added stability. The bag awning is easier to store since it can be rolled up. The bag can remain attached during travel, provided it is properly secured, of course.
A Cassette Awning
A cassette awning is ideal for your camper or caravan because it can be set up within a minute. The awning fabric is stored on a roller that is mounted in a cassette attached to the camper or caravan. It can be manually operated or extended using a motor, making it very convenient and quick. There are freestanding cassette awnings without legs, which are more vulnerable to wind, so they are often equipped with a wind sensor that automatically retracts the awning. Additionally, there are awnings with extendable legs that provide extra support and can be secured with guy lines or storm straps. Keep in mind that awnings are susceptible to wind and it is the number one cause of damage to these products. Always store your awning when you are not present. Mounting a cassette awning to your camper or caravan requires a special adapter. Make sure the adapter you order fits your vehicle.
Caravan and Camper Awnings
Many awnings can be transformed into a full-fledged tent with the addition of sidewalls and a front wall. For those who plan to stay in one place for an extended period or extend their camping season into colder months, a complete tent awning may be a better option. These tents are better insulated and designed to withstand various weather conditions. Moreover, they are often larger and can fit around the entire circumference of a caravan.
Accessories for Awnings and Canopies
To make your awning or canopy more cozy and livable, various accessories are available.
Awning Floors
An awning floor ensures that you create a clean area in your awning or canopy. These tent floors are designed to be easily cleaned. They are also very durable, so they won't easily get damaged by stones or other sharp objects underneath the tent carpet. Additionally, they protect your feet from these same stones and sharp objects. Another significant advantage is that they prevent water from seeping into your awning during heavy rain.
Awning Lighting
With atmospheric tent lighting, you can easily transform your awning into a cozy space for when the weather is less pleasant. Awning and tent manufacturers offer matching lights for their awnings or tent awnings.
Awning Curtains
Those beautiful large windows in your awning are great for enjoying the view during the day. However, if you have sleepers in the awning or want some privacy while reading a book with a lamp at night, it's nice to have some curtains. This can be easily achieved with a set of awning curtains. You can, of course, create a custom set that matches the colors of your awning by yourself. In that case, we can probably assist you with a few clips, and you will find some useful materials in our assortment. If you prefer not to DIY, manufacturers already offer curtain sets specifically designed to fit your type of awning or tent awning.
Repair and Maintenance for Your Awning or Canopy
Naturally, you want to enjoy your awning or canopy for as long as possible. Regular maintenance ensures they last longer and stay fresh. Clean the awning or canopy thoroughly before storing or rolling it up, even when traveling from one camping spot to another. When you return from your camping vacation, extend the lifespan by scrubbing it with a suitable awning cleaner or tent awning cleaner.
Repairing a Camper Awning
The material of the awning or canopy and how you handle it also affect its lifespan. Some minor damage is often unavoidable after years of use. Fortunately, such damage can be easily repaired using standard repair materials.
