Use a Pole & Clamp Drive-Away Kit to connect to the roof gutter rail. Alternatively, use Figure of 8 Awning Channel hooked over the edge of the gutter rail.

This method does rely on the awning tunnel fabric to be tensioned properly to stay attached.

It is possible to slide the awnings connection beading (Kador strip) directly into an awning rail, however, it is very difficult to detach from the awning if you want to drive out for the day and even harder to reconnect.

A drive-away kit allows one person to easily detach and reconnect an awning to a van in just a couple of minutes.

Older style tents and awnings had one thick sewn-in groundsheet that meant the whole thing needed to be turned over, cleaned off and dried before being packed away.

Awning manufactures now use a two-groundsheet system where the main sewn-in groundsheet is kept clean and protected by the footprint (secondary groundsheet).

As the awning doesn’t need to be turned over to clean the main groundsheet, the upper fabric doesn’t come into contact with the ground and the awning can be packed away immediately. The footprint can be simply shaken off and packed. A footprint also helps to mark out the awning position when pitching.

A Vango SkyLiner is a ceiling curtain that can be drawn to cover the awning skylight, it also creates a thermal layer of air between the living space and roof to reduce condensation. After the SkyLiner is initially fitted, it can be packed away in position with the awning.

We include Skyliner curtains free with all our Vango Awning Bundle Deals.

If your van has a C-channel awning rail or Reimo Multi-Rail fitted, a Debus, Vango, Kampa or Outdoor Revolution canopy will slide directly into it.

If your van doesn’t have an awning rail fitted, we would recommend fitting one to create an easy to use weathertight and 100% secure connection. To find out which awning rail is compatible with your van - please see the section below.

Without an awning rail fitted the only alternative is to tie the sun canopy awning to a roof rack/roof bars or some other part of the van.

Debus sun canopies have 3 x guyline tabs (3 x spare guylines included) sewn-in to the connection edge, these can be tied to roof bars/racks or extended to peg down on the opposite side of the van.

However, we do recommend fitting an awning rail as it makes the connection process much easier and faster creating a more weatherproof seal at the van edge. Awning rails for every type of VW Transporter can be found in our Awning Rails & Drive-Away Connection Kits category.

If you have VW T4 van without an elevating roof or roof bars - our T4 C-Channel Awning Rail can be fitted in the roof gully in a concealed position.

If your VW T4 van has an elevating roof ourC-Channel Awning Rail for VW T4/T5/T6 with Elevating Roof can usually be fitted at the edge of the roof and is hidden under the pop-top when closed.

The Reimo Multi-Rail is compatible with every type of VW T4 van and fits just above the top of the door line at the corner of the roof.

If you have a VW T5/T6 van without an elevating roof or roof bars - our T5/T6 Pre-drilled C-Channel Awning Rail can be fitted in the roof gully in a concealed position.

If you have a VW T5/T6 van with roof bars - our T5/T6 Pre-drilled C-Channel Awning Rail for Roof Bars can be fitted in the roof gully.

If your VW T5/T6 van has an elevating roof our C-Channel Awning Rail for T4/T5/T6 with Elevating Roof can usually be fitted at the edge of the roof and is hidden under the pop-top when it’s closed. For more information about fitting an awning rail under an elevating roof - see our How To page.

The Reimo Multi-Rail is compatible with every type of VW T5/T6 van and fits just above the top of the door line at the corner of the roof.