How to calculate your caravan awning measurements
Awning suppliers typically provide a ground-to-ground measurement for each awning size guide, known as the caravan’s ‘A-measurement’.
You can identify a caravan A-measurement by calculating the distance in centimetres from the ground up to where the awning rail starts, right around the awning rail and back to the ground at the opposite end.
If you have the rail length in your caravan handbook, measure the distance between the ground and the start of the rail at both ends — then add the three numbers together to get your A-measurement.
If not, grab a tent peg and a ball of string.
First, peg the string into the ground directly below one end of the awning rail.
Then, feed the string around the awning rail to the ground at the other end of the caravan.
Finally, cut the string where it meets the ground at both ends and measure the entire length with a tape measure.
This is your A-measurement and should fall into a set of standard sizes shown in the following awning size guide chart:
Table: standard caravan awning measurements
For example, if the measurement is 910cm, you should choose a 900-925cm awning or a size 11.
Top Tip! Choose the larger size if your A-measurement falls between the two options. For example, if your A-measurement is 800 cm, choose an 800-825cm awning rather than a 775-800cm awning. The larger size gives you more flexibility, especially if you pitch on an uneven surface.
How to measure for a porch awning
A porch awning doesn’t feed around your caravan’s awning rail like a full-size awning, so the measurement method is different.
In this case, we must measure the height and the desired length.
The height is measured vertically from the ground to the awning rail. However, remember that a fully laden caravan sits lower on the suspension. So, take this measurement before loading the caravan to ensure the awning always reaches the ground.
The length is the straight section of the awning rail, which needs to account for the position of the door, windows and vents.
For example, in the following illustration, we show how a porch awning that runs the entire length of the top rail will prevent the front and rear side windows from opening.
