How to Measure Your Vehicle for a Drive Away Awning
Many people worry about whether a drive away awning will actually fit their campervan or motorhome. The good news is that working it out is usually quite straightforward, and once you know what you’re measuring, everything becomes much easier.
This guide explains exactly what to measure, where to measure from, and how to match that to an awning height range, so you can choose with confidence.
What You’re Measuring (and Why It Matters)
When choosing a drive away awning, the crucial thing isn’t the total height of your vehicle, it’s the height of the point where the awning attaches.
That height determines whether you need a Low, Mid or Tall height drive away awning.
So instead of worrying about the overall van or motorhome height, all you’re really doing is:
👉 Measuring from the ground up to the attachment point.
Once you know that figure, choosing the right awning height becomes much simpler.
Where Do You Measure From Exactly?
You measure:
✔ From the ground
to
✔ The attachment point (where the awning will connect)
Depending on your vehicle, that attachment point might be:
-
An awning rail
-
A fitted roof-mounted rail
-
A wind-out canopy / cassette awning
-
A roof bar connection point
-
Or the top edge of the door area (if attaching via straps)
Wherever the awning would connect, that’s the point you measure to.
How to Measure – Step by Step
All you need is a tape measure and ideally someone to help.
1️⃣ Park on reasonably level ground
It doesn’t need to be perfect, but avoid steep slopes as it will affect the measurement.
2️⃣ Stand at the side of your vehicle
This is where the awning will attach, so measure on the side you plan to use.
3️⃣ Measure from the ground up
Hold the tape at ground level next to the vehicle.
Extend it straight up to:
✔ The awning rail
✔ The wind-out awning case
✔ Or your other intended attachment point
Make sure the tape is straight rather than angled.
4️⃣ Note the measurement in centimetres
Most drive away awnings are listed in centimetres, so stick to cm when recording.
5️⃣ Match that measurement to a height range
Once you have the number, compare it to typical drive away awning height bands.
What Your Measurement Means
Most manufacturers use height bands rather than exact figures. While each brand may vary slightly, you’ll usually see something close to:
-
Low Height → around 180cm – 210cm
-
Mid Height → around 210cm – 240cm
-
Tall Height → around 240cm – 295cm
If your measured height sits comfortably inside one of those bands, that’s the height awning you should be looking at.
Typical Vehicle Heights (As a Rough Guide)
This isn’t a substitute for measuring, but it may help reassure you.
Campervans
VW Transporter, Ford Transit Custom, Vivaro, Trafic etc
➡ Usually Low Height
High-Roof Campers & Smaller Motorhomes
➡ Often Mid Height
Full Motorhomes & Tall Van Conversions
➡ Commonly Tall Height
Again, the only truly accurate answer comes from measuring your specific vehicle.
What If You’re Between Two Sizes?
If your measurement sits close to the edge of a height category, don’t panic. Most awnings have adjustment built into the connecting tunnel, so they’re designed to cope with real-world variations.
Good rules of thumb:
-
If you’re comfortably inside a range, stick with that
-
If you’re very close to the edge, check the exact manufacturer specification
-
If still unsure, it’s worth asking — it’s better to double-check than guess
Does Load, Suspension or Levelling Affect It?
In real use your height may change slightly due to:
-
vehicle load
-
suspension settling
-
uneven pitches
Quality drive away awnings take this into account. Zips, straps and adjustment points give you flexibility, so small variations aren’t normally an issue.
Quick Checklist
Before choosing a drive away awning, make sure you’ve:
✔ Measured from ground to attachment point
✔ Written the measurement down in cm
✔ Matched it to Low / Mid / Tall
✔ Checked the manufacturer’s stated height range
If you’ve done the above, you’re already most of the way there.
Summary
To work out which drive away awning height you need, all you really have to do is:
-
Measure from the ground to where the awning connects
-
Match that number to the appropriate height range
Once you’ve done that, choosing an awning becomes much easier.
Still Unsure?
You’re not the only one — height and attachment are the parts most people worry about when buying a drive away awning.
If you want to carry on reading, these guides may help:
Or, if you’re ready to look at options:
