Measure for a full awning

Full Awnings are, as the name suggests, a caravan awning which inserts all the way around the caravan awning rail - this is the measurement you will need to ensure you buy the perfect fit. Get this measurement wrong and it could prove to be an expensive mistake. Too small and you’ll find it impossible to pitch and peg out properly, too large and the awning will be flapping around on the side of your caravan. 

Taking the measurement:

The Easy Way

1. Take a look inside your caravan instruction manual and turn to the page which gives all the caravan dimensions.
2. Normally listed under either ‘awning size’ or ‘A measurement', this is your full awning size.
3. Put your caravan manual away in a safe place.

The Hard Way

1. You will require a length of string, or equivalent that you can easily feed from one end of the awning rail to the other (with a bit to spare).
2. Knock a tent peg in the ground parallel with the back edge of the awning rail directly under the caravan, shown as point ‘C’ on the diagram below.
3. Secure one end of your measuring string to the tent peg, and feed the remainder through the awning rail and all the way around the caravan (shown as point 'B'), back down to the floor at the other side.
4. Once at the front of the caravan, make sure you continue with the string all the way to the ground, shown as point ‘A’ on the diagram. This is important as all modern awnings have a built in panel to accommodate the return curve of the caravans shape.
5. Once you’re happy that point ‘A’ is touching the ground and point ‘B’ is still secured to the tent peg, cut the string at point ‘A’ as close to the ground as you can.
6. Remove the cut piece of string from the awning rail and measure it in centimetres. This will be your full awning size.

Diagram showing an ‘A-measurement’

Manufacturers and sizing:

Some awning manufacturers give their awnings a size number (e.g size 8 or size 16). However, not all manufacturers work with the same size ranges. For example, a Size 8 from manufacturer X is not the same as a Size 8 from manufacturer Y. This is why it’s much easier to have the size recorded in centimetres, as the true size can then be found for a particular make of awning!

All full caravan awning manufacturers make their products to fit a size range:

• An ‘A’ Measurement of 917 cm would require an awning size of 900-925 cm
• An ‘A’ Measurement of 1042 cm would require an awning size of 1025-1050 cm

Dorema Size Chart

If you have any concerns about getting the correct size, our awning specialists are always on hand to give expert advise and assistance.  

Your awning usage:

One final point to consider before you purchase is the awnings intended usage. Some full awnings are only suited for touring use, so if you are considering seasonally siting your awning, then you should be looking for one that is advertised as suitable for permanent pitch, seasonal siting or all season, but are not suitable for Winter use.