Coleman's guide to campervan awnings

Why add an awning?

There are many good reasons for keeping your campervan or motorhome as compact as possible – from space on your drive at home to being more confident driving a smaller vehicle through towns and on narrow country lanes. But, of course, less size on the outside means less room to live on the inside, which you might want to address by adding an awning.

There’s a wide range of awnings on the market, to suit different sizes and styles of motorhome. Here, we look at the new range from Coleman, which has launched a selection of driveaway campervan awnings that offer the same high performance as its tents.

Coleman's BlackOut Bedroom technology

The collection for 2023 includes the Journeymaster Deluxe Air BlackOut Drive Away awnings, which are the first to feature Coleman’s BlackOut Bedroom technology. This blocks out up to 99% of daylight from the sleeping area, helping you to get a longer sleep, even after sunrise. The BlackOut Bedroom technology not only blocks daylight, but it also reduces the temperature during the day and increases it at night, ensuring a more restful sleep.

How can you set up your awning?

When you reach your destination, setting up a Journeymaster Deluxe Air awning is simple thanks to the FastPitch Air inflatable poles, which provide excellent wind resistance and stability. A 6,000mm hydrostatic head on the flysheet provides excellent weather protection, while ample guylines and four storm straps ensure your awning is securely anchored, even when the wind picks up.

Connecting the awning to your campervan can be achieved by multiple methods: a standard 6mm beaded strip which is compatible with most driveaway awning rails; nylon loops and a pole sleeve allow attachment via a pole and clamp kit; and two additional straps enable pegging over the top of the campervan (driveaway awning pole and clamp kits are additional-cost items).

The Journeymaster Pro BlackOut Drive Away Awning range

Adding to the Journeymaster line-up, the Journeymaster Pro BlackOut driveaway awning range is new for 2023 and available in three sizes – ideal for those seeking extra living and storage space while away on tour.

Using fibreglass poles to support the structure, this range also includes the BlackOut Bedroom technology to block out 99% of daylight. Want to create extra privacy? The zipped window covers will do the job and you can stow any extra kit in the connector tunnel if you’re short on space in the campervan.

Cable entry points are provided, so you can have electric hook-up in the awning itself. It’s also easy to navigate in and out of the awning thanks to the barrier-free access.

You can rely on this awning to keep you safe and dry with a 6,000mm hydrostatic head on the flysheet and storm straps, while a full-width back vent and over-entrance mesh panel in the living area is designed to keep condensation at bay.

The Journeymaster Pro BlackOut awning prices range from £499.99 for the M, to £599.99 for the L and £699.99 for the XL.

For those that only require additional living space on the campsite, the new Event Shelter Driveaway Connector allows you to attach a Coleman Event Shelter M or L to a campervan with or without a C rail to convert your existing shelter into an awning.

It provides a secure tunnel that connects the shelter with the interior of your 'van to give you space that is protected from the elements, thanks to a hydrostatic head of 1,000 and UVGuard™ technology for protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

J clip webbing makes attaching it to the shelter’s poles an easy task and the long storm straps provide additional security in high winds or simply an alternative way of attaching the Event Shelter Driveaway Connector if there is no C rail.

The Event Shelter Driveaway Connector M is priced at £129.99, while the Event Shelter Driveaway Connector L is £139.99.