Campervan vs Motorhome Drive Away Awnings – What’s the Difference and Which Do You Need?

Dec 29, 2025

If you’re looking at buying a drive away awning, one of the first questions that often comes up is whether there’s a difference between those designed for campervans and those used on motorhomes. On the surface they look very similar, and in many cases they are, but there are a few important things to understand before you choose.

This guide explains the main differences, what actually matters in real-world use, and how to work out which type is right for your vehicle.

What a Drive Away Awning Actually Does

A drive away awning connects to the side of your vehicle to give you extra covered space on the campsite. It might be used as a living area, storage space, a sheltered cooking area, or somewhere for extra sleeping.

The “drive away” part simply means you can detach the awning from the vehicle, leave it standing on its own, and then reconnect when you come back.

This applies to both:

Campervans
Motorhomes

So from a functional point of view, they both do the same job.

The Key Difference Is Height

The biggest difference between campervan and motorhome drive away awnings is attachment height.

Campervans generally sit lower:

VW Transporter / Ford Transit Custom / Vivaro etc
Typical drive away attachment height: Low range (around 180–210cm)
Some taller vans / high roofs may sit in Mid height ranges.

Motorhomes are usually taller:

Coachbuilt motorhomes
Panel van conversions with high roofs
Typical attachment height:
- Mid height (around 210–240cm)
- or Tall height (around 240–295cm)

So rather than thinking in terms of “campervan awning” or “motorhome awning”, what actually matters is:
👉 The height of your awning rail / door area
👉 Matching that to the correct awning height range

That’s what ensures a proper fit.

Attachment Methods Can Differ Slightly

Most drive away awnings can attach in similar ways, whether you’re using a campervan or motorhome. Common connection options include:

Awning rail / channel
A drive away kit
Kador strip
Guyline-over-the-roof attachment
Magnetic kits (on certain campervans)

However, motorhomes are more likely to have:

Fitted awning rails
Permanent wind-out canopies

Whereas many campervans may rely on:

Installed rails
Simpler add-on attachment options

The important thing is not the type of vehicle, but whether your vehicle has something suitable to attach to — and if not, what your realistic options are.

Size and Space Considerations

Another general difference is how much space people tend to want.

Campervan Owners Often Want:

Extra living space
Storage for wet kit / tables / chairs
Somewhere to leave belongings on site while they drive off
Sometimes sleeping space for extra people

Because the van itself is smaller, the awning is often used more as “main living space” on site.

Motorhome Owners Often Want:

Additional sheltered outdoor space
Somewhere to sit out of the weather
Storage area / annex-style use
More of an outdoor extension than a replacement living area

Motorhomes already have generous internal living space, so the awning is often more of a useful add-on rather than something essential.

Of course, this varies from person to person, but it’s a common pattern.

Practical Things to Think About

Before deciding, it helps to think about how you’ll actually use it.

Ask yourself:

Do you regularly leave your vehicle during the day and want to leave the awning standing?
Do you mainly want somewhere to sit and shelter, or do you want a proper enclosed space?
How much campsite space do you normally have?
Do you want quick pitching, or is price more important?
Do you need something compact, or is size not an issue?

These real-world considerations often help narrow things down faster than the vehicle type alone.