Can I fit an awning to my car?

The short answer is yes! As long as your vehicle can accommodate roof bars or a roof rack, you can mount an awning to your car, truck, van, or SUV. Our awnings are designed to be versatile and compatible with a wide range of vehicles, making them a great addition to your adventures.

Key considerations…

  • Vehicle roof bars/rack – Ensure your vehicle is equipped with roof bars or a roof rack. These provide the necessary base for attaching your awning securely.
  • Weight range – Our awnings weigh between 9kg and 25kg, depending on their size and style. Be sure to choose one that suits your needs and preferences.
  • Weight limits – Check your vehicle’s roof or roof bars’ maximum weight capacity to ensure it can safely support the awning’s weight. Most vehicles are designed to handle the weight of an awning with ease.

 

With the right setup, you’ll be ready to enjoy the convenience and comfort of a car awning, whether you’re planning a weekend camping trip or embarking on a long overland journey. For any questions or advice, feel free to get in touch with us!

Where can I get roof bars?

If you’re looking to purchase roof bars or a roof rack for your vehicle, there are some excellent options available in the UK. Here are two of the most trusted sources to consider:

Halfords is one of the most well-known and accessible resellers in the UK. They offer a wide range of roof bars and racks suitable for various vehicles. A significant advantage of purchasing from Halfords is their fitting service, which ensures your roof bars or rack are installed securely and correctly.

If you prefer shopping online, The Roof Box Company is an excellent choice. They specialise in roof bars, racks, and other vehicle accessories, offering one of the largest selections for nearly every make and model of car. Their website features a fantastic look-up tool that allows you to quickly find the compatible roof bar or rack options for your vehicle.

Once you’ve chosen and installed your roof bars or rack, you’re ready to mount your roof tent or side awning. At Tent & Trail, we supply all the necessary fittings to make installation quick and hassle-free, especially if you’re using aluminium bars with a T-track channel.

Need advice or assistance? Reach out to us, and we’ll guide you through the process!

Roof bars on the roof of a car in the UK.
How a side awning attaches to roof bars via brackets and bolts on an estate car.

Choosing the right roof bars.

If you’re planning to buy roof bars to mount your awning, you’ll generally have two options: steel bars or aluminium bars. Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice:

Steel roof bars

Steel roof bars are durable and often more affordable than their aluminium counterparts. However, they usually require drilling and fixing to mount your awning securely. While they are a good option for those on a budget, they may not be as versatile or convenient for accessory mounting.

Aluminium roof bars (With accessory T-Track)

Aluminium roof bars, especially those with a T-track channel on the top, are the best option for mounting an awning. Here’s why:

  • Ease of mounting – Our awnings come with fixings that slide directly into the T-track channel for quick and easy installation. This makes attaching or removing your awning a breeze.
  • Accessory compatibility – The T-track channel is versatile and can accommodate additional accessories, such as ski racks, bike racks, or canoe mounts, giving you extra functionality.
  • Design options – Aluminium bars come in two main styles:
    • Aero bars – These are streamlined and minimize wind resistance and noise.
    • Wing bars – Shaped like an aeroplane wing, they offer a sleek design and are highly aerodynamic.
 

Which roof bars should you choose?

While steel bars are sturdy and cost-effective, aluminium bars with a T-track channel are the superior choice for convenience, versatility, and compatibility with modern accessories.

Fitting an awning to your vehicle.

All our side awnings are designed with convenience in mind, coming fully equipped with a complete fitting kit that includes bolts, brackets, and even tools. Additionally, we provide detailed instructions to guide you through the fitting process, ensuring your awning is securely mounted to your vehicle.

Every vehicle is different, which is why our awnings feature continuous twin channels on the back. This design allows the awning to be mounted at any two points along its length, making it adaptable to a wide range of vehicle shapes and sizes. Simply measure the length of your vehicle and choose the awning size that suits your setup.

For more information, check out our awning size suggestions for vehicles article, where we guide you on selecting the ideal awning length for your car, truck, or van.

With our all-in-one fitting kit and flexible mounting options, setting up your car awning or vehicle awning has never been easier. Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure or a longer overland trip, we’ve got you covered with durable and easy-to-install awnings!

Need help? Contact us for advice, and we’ll help you find the perfect awning for your vehicle.

Car roof rack awning fitted with t bolts in the UK.

Our side awnings.

Find out more about our Tent & Trail side awnings for vehicles. Instant shade or shelter. Free delivery to mainland UK.

How does an awning fix to my vehicle?

Vehicle awnings FAQs

You’ve got questions, we got the answers. If you can’t find the specific answer you’re looking for then contact us at support@tentandtrail.com and we will be happy to talk through any questions you may have.

Yes, all our awnings are crafted with 100% waterproof Ripstop Polyester Oxford fabric. This premium-grade fabric is not only waterproof but also UV and mould-resistant, ensuring your awning stays in excellent condition and looks great, no matter the weather.

The awning’s frame and legs are constructed from sturdy aluminium, while the fixings are made of rust-proof stainless steel. This combination guarantees long-lasting durability and reliable performance, giving you peace of mind during every adventure.

Designed for both style and functionality, our awnings are built to handle the unpredictable UK weather while offering you reliable shelter on all your outdoor journeys.

Yes, our vehicle awnings are designed to handle rain, but it’s crucial to position the awning correctly to ensure water runs off effectively. To prevent heavy rainfall from pooling on the canopy fabric, lower one of the front legs slightly more than the other. This simple adjustment allows rainwater to run off the front side of the awning canopy, protecting it from potential damage caused by pooling.

However, in extreme weather conditions, we highly recommend taking down your awning and packing it away. This precaution helps prevent unnecessary strain or damage to your awning, ensuring it stays in top condition for your next adventure.

Side awning heavy rain position to prevent pooling on the canvas.

Our vehicle awnings are designed for effortless installation and come with a complete fitting kit, including bolts, brackets, and even tools, to make the process as simple as possible. To ensure long-lasting performance, all fixings are crafted from premium stainless steel 304-grade metal, providing exceptional resistance to corrosion and rust while adding extra durability and strength.

For step-by-step guidance, check out our comprehensive setup and install guide for attaching a side awning to your car, complete with helpful pictures to make the process smooth and straightforward.

Need a hand with installation? We’ve got you covered! We offer a professional fitting service with the purchase of any of our products. Simply contact us at support@tentantrail.com, and our team will be happy to assist you in getting your awning securely and correctly installed.

 

All our products, including roof tents and vehicle awnings, come with a comprehensive 2-year warranty that covers any manufacturing defects (though these are extremely rare). Should you encounter any issues, simply reach out to us at support@tentandtrail.com, and our team will respond promptly to resolve the matter.

For full details, please refer to our warranty policy page. We’re committed to ensuring your roof tent camping and car awning experiences are hassle-free!

We’ve got you covered.

At Tent & Trail, we understand that accidents can happen during your adventures, but there’s no need to stress about your roof tent or vehicle awning. We stock a wide range of spare parts for all our products, including travel covers, window rods, brackets, and fixings, to ensure you stay on the road and keep your roof tent camping experience seamless.

If you need a replacement part, simply contact us with the details of what you require, and our team will get back to you promptly to help you get back to exploring. 

Free shipping service is available to the vast majority of UK customers. However, certain UK postcodes do not qualify for our free shipping service and customers in these areas may be required to pay a supplementary delivery fee. The current free shipping exclusion zones include postcodes in the following areas: Channel Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Scottish Highlands & Islands.

Consequently, if your postcode falls within one of the free shipping exclusion zone(s), please email support@tentandtrail.com confirming your full address details and we will be in touch with a quote for delivery. We can also arrange delivery to Europe – please contact us for a quotation.

Vehicle access restrictions to your property may mean additional costs or delivery failure. If you are concerned this may apply to you, then please be sure to email us before you complete your order at checkout.

Ready to look to pick your awning?

Awnings will fit any vehicle not just a 4×4.