Get a tent NOT an Awning!

Are you sick of wrestling with flappy awnings that barely keep the drizzle out, and wondering if a tent is the smarter hack for your van life setup? Well, after years of wrestling with awning rails, positioning the van correctly and wind-induced panic, I’ve finally seen the light – and I’m going to let you into a little secret!

Why Choose a Tent with Side Door and a Flat Front?

Let’s be honest – awnings look the part on Instagram, but in the real world? They flap, they leak, and unless you’re a pro at origami, they’re a faff to set up. Enter the tent with a side door and a flat front! (these bits are really important, I’ll explain in a minute..): a proper, self-standing tent that sits flush against your van, gives you a real door (yes, you can actually get out when you park up close!), and doesn’t turn into a wind-catching parachute at the first sign of a breeze.

I’ve tried everything from budget awnings to those fancy roll-out jobs with more moving parts than my camper. None of them compare to the sheer practicality of a tent with a flat front and a side door. The difference it makes to your camping experience is night and day – especially when you’re trying to sneak out for a 3am loo dash without waking the whole campsite.

Specs & Honest Commentary

Side door access (because climbing through your van to exit is just ridiculous )
Flat front edge (lets you snuggle your van right up – forget those awkward gaps)
Freestanding and Fully windproof and waterproof once zipped (no more puddles)
Stands alone when you drive off (so you can nip to the shops without packing up camp)
Quick setup, even solo (unless you count the time I pegged the door shut from the inside… genius at work)
Big enough for a table, chairs, and all your muddy boots (but not so big you need a festival crew to pitch it)
Can be used as just a tent! (2 for the price of one!)

Aren’t Awnings the Same?

If you’ve ever shopped for an awning for your van, you’ll know there’s a bewildering range out there at double the price of a tent and usually designed for specific vans. But here’s the trick: A tent fits all vans and works as a … well, as a tent! You can’t just buy any tent, most don’t have a proper side door, so when you pull your van up close, you’re stuck. That’s why I’ve picked out a few links to the type of tent I’m talking about that might work for you, featuring that all-important side door and flat front. Trust me, after you’ve tried to squeeze out the back of the van, you’ll see why this matters! Here’s 2 I found:

Does it seal perfectly against the van in the rain? No – but here’s the thing: awnings don’t either! They need underskirts, they never seal well at the sides, the connector to the van puddles during rain because you just can’t get the correct distance when parking the van to get a tight fit (you could move the awning but that’s a lot of work!) and you’ll still end up with drips at the connector somewhere. The beauty of this tent is that, once you shut the main door, you’ve got a proper windproof, dry interior. It’s a much more habitable space, especially when the British weather does its thing.

Real-World Setup: The Good, the Bad, and the Windy

Setting up this tent is refreshingly straightforward. No faffing with rails or fiddly clips – just peg it out, zip it up, and you’re done. First time I tried, I got a bit cocky and pegged the wrong side down first, so the whole thing did a lovely impression of a windsock. Lesson learned: always start at the van side, or you’ll be chasing your tent across the pitch like a Benny Hill sketch. Ours is inflatable which takes away the pole hassle(and no longer available)

But here’s the joy: unlike awnings, this thing stands up on its own PROPERLY. You can drive off for supplies and come back to find your camp exactly as you left it. No more collapsing structures or grumpy neighbours. And when the wind picks up, it doesn’t flap around like a demented flag – the flat front means it doesn’t catch the wind, so you’re not up all night listening to that dreadful flapping noise. The only cup you want should be filled with coffee, not acting as a wind scoop!

Living With It: Life Upgraded

After you’ve looked at the price of some awnings, let me help you consider a few things. This tent gives you a genuinely usable living space, somewhere to dry your boots, cook in the dry, or just sit and watch the rain without feeling like you’re in a wind tunnel. And when you want to pack up, it goes down in minutes – no wrestling with a wet, muddy awning bag that never fits back in the van.

Is it perfect? Of course not. Nothing is. But after two years of use – through rain, wind, and one memorable incident involving a flock of very curious sheep – I wouldn’t go back. The side door is a revelation, the flat front means you’re not losing half your pitch to awkward gaps, and it just works. If you want a truly habitable space next to your van, this is the upgrade you need.

One problem I have foreseen (but it has never been proven!) is the fact that it IS a tent and when booking pitches, some pitches say they only allow awnings so I got a vinyl sticker printed for mine to say it’s an awning (pic below) . argue with that Mr Campsite owner (as he pulls up this page lol).

Final Thoughts (And One Last Tip)

If you’re on the fence, just think about your last camp? Did you sleep well, with no flapping, did you have hassle when leaving the pitch and trying to anchor the rest of the awning so it stood alone? or were you up at 2am re-pegging guy lines in your pants? I know what I’d rather be doing. A tent NOT an awning is the way to go – you’ll thank me later.

Ready to banish the flapping, leaking, freestanding awning blues? Here are some affiliate amazon links to some tents that lend their selves to being used as a better replacement to an awning.