Poled Drive Away Awnings Explained

Dec 29, 2025

With so much attention on inflatable (airbeam) drive away awnings, it’s easy to forget that traditional poled awnings are still widely used and trusted by thousands of campervan and motorhome owners every year.

If you’re wondering whether a poled drive away awning is still worth choosing, or how they compare in real-world use, this guide explains what they are, how they behave, and when they make the most sense.

What Is a Poled Drive Away Awning?

A poled drive away awning uses a framework of metal or fibreglass poles to create its structure.
You assemble the poles, feed or clip them into place, tension the awning, and it stands in position — much like a traditional tent.

Just like inflatable models, poled drive away awnings are designed to:

attach to your campervan or motorhome
provide extra enclosed space
remain standing when you drive away

So in terms of what they do, they achieve the same end result.

Why Do People Still Choose Poled Awnings?

Despite the popularity of inflatable awnings, poled versions continue to appeal for a few simple reasons:

They are normally cheaper
They are often lighter to carry
They can pack down slightly smaller (depending on the model)
Many people simply like the familiarity of poles
They are proven and trusted over many years

For some campers, that combination of cost, weight and familiarity is exactly what they want.

Pitching a Poled Drive Away Awning

Poled awnings generally take a bit longer to pitch than inflatable ones, mainly because there are more steps involved.

You’ll normally:
1️⃣ Lay the awning out
2️⃣ Assemble the poles
3️⃣ Feed or attach them to the awning
4️⃣ Raise the structure
5️⃣ Peg and tension it correctly

The first couple of times may feel like a learning experience, but most people soon get into a routine. Once you know your particular awning, pitching becomes much more straightforward.

If you’re happy taking a bit of extra time on arrival, this isn’t usually a major drawback.

Strength & Stability

Good quality poled drive away awnings are strong and stable when pitched correctly.

Metal and fibreglass poles create a rigid frame, which can feel very solid once tensioned. The key is:

correct pole placement
sensible pegging
proper guying
setting the awning at the right height

If all of that is done well, a poled awning can cope with typical UK camping conditions comfortably.

The main difference compared to inflatable awnings is that poles are rigid. If a strong gust of wind places too much pressure on them, they may bend or snap rather than flex.

Replacement poles are usually available though, so even if something does break, it’s rarely the end of the awning.

Reliability

Poled awnings are mechanically very simple, so there isn’t much to “go wrong”.

No valves
No bladders
No sealed air systems

If something fails, it is usually:

a pole
a sleeve
or a small fitting

All generally fixable.

For people who like equipment with as few moving parts as possible, that simplicity can feel reassuring.

Weight & Pack Size

This is where poled awnings often have an advantage.

Compared with many inflatable models, poled awnings are:

often lighter overall
sometimes easier to split into separate pole + fabric bags
sometimes easier to store in smaller campervans

If storage space is tight or vehicle payload matters, that difference may matter.

Cost

In most cases:
👉 Poled drive away awnings are cheaper than inflatable models

If price is a key part of your decision, a poled awning can give you a very usable and reliable setup without stretching the budget.

Real-World Use

From experience, people who choose poled drive away awnings are usually:

happy to spend a bit more time pitching
not overly worried about the latest tech
looking for value for money
confident with tents and poles
or simply prefer something simple and familiar

Plenty of campers use them year after year without any problems.

When Does a Poled Drive Away Awning Make Sense?

A poled awning is well worth considering if you want:

✔ to keep costs sensible
✔ something lighter to carry
✔ simple, proven construction
✔ a reliable structure without air systems
✔ a “no fuss” approach (as long as you don’t mind pitching time)

For many people, they are still an excellent, sensible choice.