If you're new to caravan awnings, "porch" and "full" can sound like two sizes of the same thing — they're not. The difference comes down to how much of your caravan they cover and how much usable space you get.
What a porch awning actually gives you
A porch awning runs along part of your caravan's side, creating a proper usable room rather than just a small extension. It's sized by the straight length of your caravan's awning rail, in centimetres, with options running from compact touring sizes up to larger seasonal-grade models.
Best for:
- A smaller, more manageable footprint than a full awning
- Quicker to pitch than a full-length awning
- Anyone who wants real usable room without the size and weight of a full-length awning
What a full awning actually gives you
A full awning runs the entire length of your caravan, giving you the largest possible living space — room for furniture, storage, or a separate sleeping area if you add a bedroom annexe. It's sized using your caravan's A-measurement (the total ground-to-ground distance around the caravan, following the awning rail).
Best for:
- Maximum usable space alongside the caravan
- Families or groups who need more room than a porch awning offers
- Anyone prioritising space over a compact, easy-to-manage footprint
Touring or seasonal? That's about the fabric, not the size
Whether an awning is suited to short trips or a full seasonal pitch comes down to the fabric it's made from, not whether it's a porch or a full awning, and not how big it is. Lighter, more packable fabrics are built for touring, while heavier-grade fabrics are built to withstand months in the same spot. Always check the individual product's description to see whether it's rated for seasonal use, since this varies model to model.
Shop Seasonal Caravan Awnings →
Air vs poled — a separate decision, either way
Both porch and full awnings come in poled and air/inflatable versions. Poled awnings are usually cheaper upfront; air awnings pitch faster with a pump and no poles to assemble. This choice is independent of porch vs full and independent of touring vs seasonal.
Getting the size right
Whichever type you choose, sizing is the step most likely to go wrong if you guess rather than measure. Porch awnings need your straight rail length; full awnings need your A-measurement.
Measure along the straight edge of your caravan (A) to find your porch or full awning size — see our full sizing guide for step-by-step instructions.
Full instructions for both are in our Caravan Awning Sizing Guide.
Ready to browse?
Shop our Porch Awnings or Full Awnings range, or see our full caravan awning collection.
Still not sure which is right for you? Get in touch with our team — tell us how you camp and we'll point you to the right type, fabric and size.