Car Awnings for Camping, Vanlife & Overlanding
A car awning creates a sheltered area directly next to your vehicle within minutes, providing protection from sun and light rain. Whether you're travelling with a rooftop tent, exploring off-grid, heading out on a camping trip or enjoying an overlanding adventure, a vehicle awning extends your campsite with a comfortable space for cooking, eating and relaxing.
At VICKYWOOD, you'll find different car awnings for a wide range of vehicles and camping setups – from compact side and rear awnings to large 180° and 270° awnings that provide extensive coverage around your vehicle.
Side Awnings for Cars & Roof Racks
A classic side awning is mounted to the side of your vehicle, usually using a compatible roof rack or mounting system. Once opened, it creates a covered area directly next to your car, providing shade and protection from light rain.
Depending on the size of your vehicle and the amount of coverage you need, you can choose between different awning widths and extensions. This makes side awnings suitable for compact cars as well as larger SUVs, vans and overlanding setups.
180° & 270° Awnings for Maximum Coverage
If you need significantly more sheltered space around your vehicle, a 180° or 270° awning can be the better choice. Their larger coverage extends along the side and, depending on the design, around the rear of the vehicle to create a spacious protected living area.
Some models feature a freestanding awning design, allowing for particularly quick setup while reducing the number of support poles required. This is especially practical for road trips and overlanding adventures where your campsite needs to be set up and packed away frequently.
Rear Awnings for Extra Shelter
A rear awning creates a sheltered area behind your vehicle. This is especially useful if your camping kitchen, storage system or frequently used equipment is located around the tailgate.
It allows you to cook, organise your gear or access the rear of your vehicle more comfortably when the sun is strong or the weather becomes unpredictable.
Which Car Awning Is Right for My Vehicle?
The right vehicle awning depends mainly on your vehicle, your existing roof rack or mounting system and how much sheltered space you want to create.
Important factors to consider include:
- awning width and extension
- vehicle and roof rack length
- required coverage
- vehicle side and mounting position
- overall weight
- packed size
- setup and opening mechanism
- available mounting options
For compact shade directly next to your vehicle, a traditional side awning is often sufficient. If you want to cover a larger area around the side and rear of your vehicle, a 180° or 270° awning may be the better option.
Extend Your Car Awning with Side Walls & Awning Rooms
Many car awnings can be extended with compatible awning side walls, wall sets or complete awning rooms. A single side wall provides additional protection from wind, low-angle sunlight and unwanted views while keeping your campsite open and flexible.
Multiple wall panels or a complete awning room can transform the open space underneath your awning into a much more protected living area. Depending on the system, this can provide additional privacy, shelter and usable space directly next to your vehicle.
Explore compatible extensions in our Awning Side Walls & Rooms category.
Car Awnings for Rooftop Tents & Vehicle-Based Camping
A car awning is a practical addition to a vehicle-based camping setup. While your rooftop tent provides a comfortable place to sleep, the awning creates a sheltered living space next to your vehicle for cooking, eating and relaxing.
Complete your outdoor living area with our camping chairs and camping tables for a comfortable setup on road trips, camping holidays and overlanding adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Awnings
What is a car awning?
A car awning is a portable shelter that is mounted to a vehicle or roof rack and opened when you arrive at camp. It creates a covered area next to the vehicle and provides protection from sun and light rain.
How is a car awning mounted?
Depending on the model, a car awning is usually attached to a compatible roof rack, crossbars or another suitable vehicle mounting system using dedicated brackets. Before choosing an awning, always check that the mounting system is compatible with both your vehicle and roof rack.
What is the difference between a side awning and a 270° awning?
A traditional side awning mainly covers the area along one side of the vehicle. A 270° awning extends around a large part of the vehicle, often covering both the side and rear to create a significantly larger sheltered area.
What is the difference between a 180° and 270° awning?
A 180° awning provides wide coverage along one side and part of the vehicle, while a 270° awning extends farther around the rear. A 270° awning is therefore particularly useful when you want to create a large outdoor living or cooking area around your vehicle.
Can I add side walls to a car awning?
Yes. Many vehicle awnings can be extended with compatible individual side walls, multi-piece wall sets or complete awning rooms. Always check that the side walls or room are designed for your specific awning model and size.
Which car awning is best for overlanding?
The best option depends on your vehicle and how you use your campsite. A compact side awning is practical if low weight, small packed size and quick setup are priorities. A 180° or 270° awning provides substantially more covered space and can be particularly useful for longer stays or larger vehicle-based camping setups.