The right awning equipment for a comfortable camping vacation

A Awning for the caravan or for the motorhome is not only by definition a “wind and weather-protected extension of the living space when camping”, but with the right equipment and appropriate extras it can become a cozy feel-good place – for cool evenings, time together with friends and camping neighbors or even as an additional sleeping place. What you put in your awning and what equipment contributes to a relaxing vacation for you is of course very personal and individual. We have therefore put together an overview in the appendix in which you will find suggestions and options for setting up your awning according to your wishes.

Basic equipment for every awning

Tent floor

When the awning is up, you have already erected the outer shell and it is dry from above and protected from the wind from the sides. Now comes the decision: Which tent floor is the right one? First and foremost, your choice will depend on how long you will be staying on site – because there are numerous options, from the natural ground on the pitch to plastic grids and awning carpeting. In addition to the time aspect – as always with camping – weight also plays a role. Here are some variants for tent floors:

Plastic tarpaulin

This variant is relatively convenient and, above all, quick to “set up”: you simply stretch the tarpaulin on the ground and you’re done. The tarpaulins are usually made of polyurethane and are easy to clean and waterproof, making them ideal against dirt and moisture. However, a plastic tarpaulin like this is only suitable for shorter stays of a few days, as otherwise mold can form due to the air and water impermeability of the tarpaulin and anything growing underneath it will be destroyed.

Plastic gratings or panels

This type of awning floor is available in numerous colors, shapes and materials, although most are made of plastic due to its weight. The grids or slabs (also known as floor tiles) have the unbeatable advantage that they can be dismantled, stacked easily and are therefore easy to transport. They are (usually) joined together by a simple plug-in connection. Whether grates or slabs: These floors protect against moisture, damp and cold.

Awning carpet

The awning carpet, a controversial accessory among campers! Some love it, others strictly refuse it. We have already addressed the question in detail: Awning carpet: a curse or a blessing? – and as is so often the case, it all depends on the surface and your attentiveness. Yes, there are carpets that destroy the turf, while others are breathable and can also be used on grass. Of course, the area underneath is still affected, although not completely destroyed. Therefore, please always check with the campsite operator before laying out an awning carpet. The fact is that awning carpets serve as a dirt trap for feet and shoes, create a homely ambience and provide a certain warmth from below.

Of course, there are other options for the floor design in your awning: you can leave it “en nature” and only have protection against moisture from above and from the sides, thus foregoing the advantages of the floor coverings. The opposite is the case with an integrated floor in the awning: the floor is firmly attached to the side panels so that neither rainwater nor moisture can penetrate, and there is also greater protection against creepy-crawlies and snails. However, the effect on the turf is just as negative as with the awning carpet, and you cannot unhook the side sections.

Camping table

Next to the weather and the camping toilet, the camping table is probably the number three topic of conversation among campers. Some attach importance to a low weight, which means it can wobble a little, while others focus on height adjustability and a robust table top. Let’s take a look at the criteria for a camping table, which can be decisive depending on your needs:

• Table top size (depending on the number of travelers)
• Height of the table
• Height adjustability (stepless, in steps)
• Weight
• Material and robustness of the table top
• Price

A low weight of just 5 kilograms, yet solid and wobble-free and also infinitely height-adjustable: the Brunner Elu 100 already scores well in many criteria. The Brunner Accelerate 4, on the other hand, offers space for more people with its particularly large table top of 120 x 80 centimetres and is relatively light at just 7.3 kilograms despite its size. In this article you will find detailed information on the best camping tables.

Camping chairs

The camping chair is perhaps even more important than the table, as both are used very frequently and should ensure relaxed sitting in the sun and cozy evenings. The following criteria are decisive when deciding which camping chair to buy:

• Category: Folding or collapsible chair
• Seating comfort
• Weight
• Pack size
• Material
• Handling during assembly and dismantling
• Price

In the folding chair category, we recommend the Uquip Roxy if you want to sit comfortably and a little more upright. One armrest has an integrated drinks holder and a bottle opener. With a net weight of 5.2 kilograms, you can load it with up to 120 kilograms, and thanks to the robust steel frame and the extra-large feet, you sit stably and securely.

The Crespo AL 213 Compact folding chair impresses with its compact pack size of just 91.5 x 64 x 5 centimetres, can be folded flat and is therefore easy to store, also thanks to its low weight of just 3.8 kilograms. The head section is extendable and the backrest can be adjusted in six positions.

Here you will find an overview of the best folding chairs.

Camping sofa

This may sound strange at first, but there are now also comfortable yet lightweight and easy-to-transport sofa alternatives in the camping sector. Take the Sardis Lake folding sofa from Outwell, for example: the comfortable two-seater sofa made of lightweight yet robust material on a steel frame can be folded up like a camping chair and stowed away with a small pack size.

Another alternative is the inflatable sofa from GentleTent: it consists of three chambers that can be inflated in no time at all. You can regulate the seating comfort by adjusting the air pressure accordingly. The underside of the GentleTent GT Air is equipped with a puncture-resistant and non-slip foil. And if you’re camping by the sea or pool, you can even take the sofa from the awning into the water and float on it.

Storage space

Not only for chairs and tables, but also for cupboards and storage space, “fold and fold” is the motto for space-saving solutions when camping, preferably made of lightweight material such as aluminum or plastic. This keeps things neat and tidy and protects them from dust.

Folding cabinets for kitchen, shoes & co.

This folding cabinet from Kesser with aluminum frame is ideal for your camping kitchen utensils: not only can you store a lot of crockery, pots & pans, but you also have a work surface to prepare food, set down the gas stove or hob or make coffee.

This folding cabinet from Isabella is particularly suitable for shoes: it is made of aluminum and textile, making it easy to clean, and measures 50 x 30 x 85 centimeters (WxDxH) with a weight of 4.6 kilograms.

This sturdy folding cabinet from Trigano can be used universally and is therefore ideal for the awning: It is made of hard-wearing polyester, shelves and a removable worktop as well as ventilation at the back. It is available in three different sizes and comes with a carrying bag.

Waste separation system

Although you have space in the awning for conventional waste garbage cans or a separation system, there is still the issue of load capacity, which is why we would also like to recommend weight- and space-saving variants for the waste system. A wonderful way to install a tidy waste system in the awning is the recycling system from Rotho: the manufacturer offers a set of 3, but you can put together your own individual solution however you like. The plus point: the lid of each bin can also be opened when stacked.

The Pro Plus waste garbage can with a capacity of 35 liters is a foldable version for space-saving transport and can be set up in the awning.

The Flextrash garbage cans with lids are also very flexible and sustainable worth considering: The sustainable fabric waste bins are made from old plastic bottles, are washable and available in different sizes and colors: from small, with a capacity of 3 liters (dimensions LxWxH: 21.5 x 15 x 25 centimeters), up to 9 liters in the largest version, you can also choose from different colors in cream, blue and gray tones. Thanks to the different clips for walls, tables, headrests, etc., you can attach the Flextrash waste garbage cans almost anywhere in and in front of the awning, caravan or motorhome on (almost) any surface.

Kitchen and cooking

If you are traveling with an awning, you have several options for putting delicious food on the table: you can cook in your motorhome or caravan or with a small camping kitchen in the awning as well as outdoors.

Camping kitchen and hotplate

There are numerous camping kitchen sets on the market, but you can also put them together yourself. To find the right kitchen for you, you should first think about your space requirements, i.e. how much storage and work surface you need for cooking. A heat-resistant surface is also a good idea, so you can easily place hot plates and grill plates on it without needing an extra base. Of course, your needs also depend on how well you are already equipped with a kitchen cupboard or similar in the awning. In the following, we would like to introduce you to various options for kitchen equipment:

• With the Mokubo kitchen box, you get the full version including stove, grill plate, crockery etc., all packed away in the smallest of spaces.
• You can easily transport the Layzee mobile kitchen box from A to B, so you can decide whether you want to cook in the awning, in front of the camper or on the beach, depending on the weather. The Layzee box has no storage space for crockery, making it a perfect addition to the kitchen cupboard.
• If you already have a kitchen cabinet with a suitable worktop, pots and crockery, all you need to do for your DIY camping kitchen is choose the right hotplate (electric or induction) or suitable gas stove. As a double induction hotplate, the Severin is a somewhat higher-priced and high-quality model.
• Also from Severin, as a single electric plate with 1,500 watts, this model is recommended as an inexpensive alternative from our own experience.

To be on the safe side, there is one tip we would like to mention: If you are cooking in the awning, please always make sure that there is enough fresh air coming in during the cooking process. You should also have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket to hand in case of an emergency.

Lighting

Several light sources are available to provide your awning with a cozy yet sufficient light. If you need a lamp for reading or playing cards together in the evening, for example, it should provide sufficient light, while a smaller light source or even a string of lights is sufficient for sitting comfortably. In the following, we present variants for different requirements.

Table lamp

If you don’t want to spend a fortune, but want targeted lighting for evenings in the awning, the Fuyo LED table lamp is the perfect choice: the battery-powered lamp creates a warm, cozy light and you can even choose from eight colors. The lamp is dimmable and rechargeable via USB. If you need an even brighter light for support, you can also use the outside light of the caravan or motorhome (awning light) as a bright light source in the awning.

Fairy lights

This type of lighting is also available as a battery-powered version or with a power cable. As you are very flexible in terms of power supply in the awning, you have the choice. If you are more into lanterns, the Paulmann light chain is a recommended choice, if you prefer a pure light chain, this LED chain is an inexpensive and at the same time generous version with 100 LED lights.

Solar glass

As a purely decorative light for cozy hours in or in front of the awning, the solar glass, a fair trade solar lamp produced in South Africa, is a very special highlight: The solar glass is made of sustainable real glass with a high recycled content and, depending on the charge, has a light capacity of up to 60 hours. If the power of the sun is not enough, you can also charge and use the glass via the integrated USB port if necessary.

The universal genius: solar lamp, hanging lamp, table lamp, flashlight and power bank

Harnessing the power of the sun is a widespread way of generating green electricity when camping: solar lamps are now also available as a combination of solar charging and – if the sun is not shining – charging via a USB connection or a small hand crank if nothing works at all. You can hang this lamp from Mesqool, stand it up or use it as a portable flashlight – it also doubles as a power bank in case you run out of cell phone battery on the go and there is no charging option nearby.

Heating options for the awning

Heating options for the awning are available in numerous variants and with different energy sources. Below we have put together a brief overview of common options with their respective advantages and disadvantages:

Decoration and extras

Hooks and hook systems

You can never have enough hooks when camping, be it individual pieces or entire hook rails. There are also numerous ways of attaching them: gluing, sticking, Velcro, hanging on a frame or in the keder strip. Seamless and residue-free versions are of course our favorite when camping. The tent hook strip from Brunner is an inexpensive option for less than ten euros (as of February 2024) with eight hanging options, which you can attach anywhere using Velcro tape or directly to the tent profile on its own piping (6 millimetres).

Organizer

Plenty of space for all the little things you have with you when camping: From a notebook to a tape measure to a flashlight, everything is neatly organized and always to hand.

Organizers for camping are available in different sizes and price ranges. An inexpensive, compact version is the wall organizer from Rierousy, while a larger version measuring 80 x 215 centimetres is the Isabella organizer, which you can attach to the FixOn profile using TermoFix fittings.

Cover picture: kievith / Depositphotos.com

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