Rear and Tailgate Awnings for Campervans and SUVs: How to Choose

Rear and tailgate awnings turn the back of a campervan or SUV into a sheltered extra room: somewhere to kick off muddy boots, cook when the weather turns, or store gear without filling the van. They pitch in minutes, attach directly to the rear (and on several models the side) of the vehicle, and many can be left standing while you drive away for the day.

In this guide we compare five rear and tailgate awnings from our range: the Kampa Tailnest SUV Awning, the Vango Tailgate Hub II Low, the Vango Tailgate AirHub II Low, and the Vango Arden and Vango Arden II. Availability and prices can change, so check each product page for the latest details.

What to check before you buy

• Attachment height. Measure from the ground to where the awning will connect on your vehicle. The Kampa Tailnest is designed to fit over the rear of most cars and SUVs with connection heights of 160-190cm, while the Vango Low models in this guide are designed for attachment heights of 180-210cm.
• Connection width. The Vango Tailgate Hub II Low attaches to a range of low-height vehicles with connection widths of 120-190cm using adjustable tension straps, and the Tailgate AirHub II Low and Arden II list connection widths of 120-190cm. The Tailnest lists a connection width of 210cm. Always check your vehicle's measurements against the listing before ordering.
• Poled or inflatable. Poled awnings are straightforward and dependable; inflatable (air) awnings pitch quickly without rigid poles and usually include a pump. The Tailgate AirHub II Low is the inflatable option here.
• Drive-away use. If you want to unhook and drive off for the day while leaving the awning standing, check how the model detaches. The Vango models use a roll-away connecting tunnel with the addition of a Drive Away Kit, which is sold separately; the Tailnest attaches with external straps and internal clips for quick removal.
• Weight and pack size. If the awning will live in your vehicle, compare packed dimensions and weight in the table and listings below.

The range at a glance

Kampa Tailnest SUV Awning (2026)

The Kampa Tailnest SUV Awning converts an SUV or hatchback into a practical basecamp, with a sheltered space for dining, relaxing or storing gear. It is built from 75D polyester on a fibreglass pole frame with pre-angled poles for extra interior space, and pitches in around 13 minutes.

• Designed to fit over the rear of most cars and SUVs with connection heights of 160-190cm (connection width 210cm)
• External webbing straps secure to wheels or doors, with internal clips fastening to the rear of the vehicle, and an integrated draught skirt and surrounding baffle to reduce airflow beneath
• Drive-away friendly, so the vehicle can be moved without dismantling the awning
• Three access doors, crystal-clear PVC windows and toggle-up curtains, with optional canopy poles to extend shelter or shade
• Size 290 x 270 x 210cm, weight 13.13kg, pack size 67 x 23 x 21cm
• Optional fleece carpet and footprint groundsheet available separately

Vango Tailgate Hub II Low

The Vango Tailgate Hub II Low fits on the rear or side of low-height vans and SUVs, and unlike many tailgate awnings it does not require the tailgate to be open for support. Simple pegging straps at the front of the vehicle and tunnel area handle attachment, with traditional options such as kador, roof bar attachment tabs and a pole and clamp sleeve also included.

• Sentinel Active 75D fabric with a 3,000mm hydrostatic head, fully wind and rain tested to European standard EN5912
• Adjustable tunnel width for low-height vehicles with connection widths of 120-190cm (attachment height 180-210cm)
• Two doors in the connecting tunnel for convenient access to the front or back of the vehicle, plus a mesh front door and diamond clear windows
• SkyTrack II flexible hanging system for lighting and storage, and a linked-in groundsheet that can be detached for cleaning
• Roll-away connecting tunnel for drive-away use with the addition of a Drive Away Kit (sold separately)
• Around 8 minutes to pitch, size 250 x 250 x 215cm, weight 11.4kg, pack size 70 x 30 x 28cm

Vango Tailgate AirHub II Low

The Vango Tailgate AirHub II Low is the inflatable option in this guide: Vango's AirBeam structure inflates through a single valve using the supplied pump, with no rigid poles to wrestle with. Sentinel Active fabric with a 4,000mm hydrostatic head is designed for UK touring in changeable conditions.

• All-in-one single-valve inflation, pitching in around 8 minutes, with the AirBeam pump included
• Attachment height 180-210cm (Low) with a connection width of 120-190cm
• Pre-angled beams maximise internal space and wind resistance; ventilation panels help airflow and reduce condensation
• Flat easy-access doors, a mesh front door, diamond clear windows and toggled privacy curtains
• Roll-away connecting tunnel for drive-away use with the addition of a Drive Away Kit (sold separately)
• Size 250 x 250 x 215cm, weight 15.0kg, pack size 75 x 36 x 36cm

Vango Arden

The Vango Arden is a lightweight poled tailgate awning for low-height campervans and SUVs, aimed at quick pitches and short stops, and it is the lowest-priced model in this guide.

• Sentinel Active 75D fabric with a 3,000mm hydrostatic head, fully wind and rain tested to European standard EN5912
• Attachment height 180-210cm (Low), with multiple attachment methods including pre-attached 6mm kador, 8m over-vehicle straps, roof bar attachment tabs and a sleeve for a pole and clamp kit
• Can be pitched on the side or rear of your campervan
• SkyTrack II hanging system, mesh front door, diamond clear windows and toggled privacy curtains
• Around 5 minutes to pitch, weight 7.9kg, pack size 55 x 24 x 22cm

Vango Arden II

The Vango Arden II updates the tailgate awning concept with Vango's Dynamic Weave 100 fabric, a cross-hatch construction with a 4,000mm hydrostatic head and a strong strength-to-weight ratio.

• Attachment height 180-210cm (Low), kador length 210cm, connection width 120-190cm
• Pitched on the side or rear of your campervan, with a straightforward poled structure in around 5 minutes
• SkyTrack II hanging system supplied with Sky Hooks for lights or storage
• Linked-in groundsheet that can be removed for easier cleaning after muddy trips or beach days
• Diamond clear windows, ventilation, toggled privacy curtains and clear visibility guylines
• Weight 7.9kg, pack size 60 x 25 x 25cm

Which should you choose?

If you drive an SUV or hatchback with a connection height of 160-190cm, the Kampa Tailnest is the purpose-built choice. For low-height campervans and vans, the Vango Low models cover different priorities: the Tailgate Hub II Low for a poled awning that attaches without needing a kador rail and does not require the tailgate to be open, the Tailgate AirHub II Low for the quickest pole-free pitching, and the Arden or Arden II for the lightest, most compact tailgate options.

Frequently asked questions

What is a rear or tailgate awning?

A rear or tailgate awning attaches to the back of a campervan, van or SUV to create a sheltered living or storage space. Several models in this guide, including the Vango Tailgate Hub II Low and the Arden range, can also be pitched on the side of the vehicle.

Will a rear awning fit my vehicle?

Check your vehicle's attachment height and connection width against the awning's specifications. The Kampa Tailnest suits connection heights of 160-190cm, while the Vango Low models are designed for attachment heights of 180-210cm with connection widths of 120-190cm. Measure before ordering, and contact us if you are unsure.

Can I drive away and leave the awning standing?

Yes. The Vango models here use a roll-away connecting tunnel, detached with the addition of a Drive Away Kit, which is sold separately. The Kampa Tailnest is drive-away friendly, attaching with external straps and internal clips so the vehicle can be moved without dismantling the awning.

Do I need to leave my tailgate open?

The Vango Tailgate Hub II Low does not require the tailgate to be open for support, according to its listing. Check each model's listing for how it is supported.

Poled or inflatable rear awning?

Poled awnings, such as the Tailgate Hub II Low, Arden and Arden II, offer straightforward, dependable pitching. Inflatable awnings like the Tailgate AirHub II Low pitch quickly with no rigid poles and include a pump. Choose based on how often you pitch, your budget and your preference for speed versus simplicity.

What is the difference between the Vango Arden and Arden II?

Both are poled tailgate awnings pitching in around 5 minutes and weighing 7.9kg. The Arden uses Sentinel Active 75D fabric with a 3,000mm hydrostatic head, while the Arden II uses Dynamic Weave 100 fabric with a 4,000mm hydrostatic head and comes supplied with Sky Hooks for the SkyTrack II system.

If your vehicle's connection point is taller than the ranges covered here, our mid-height drive-away awnings guide compares options for taller campervans and high-roof vans.

For higher attachment points on motorhomes and tall van conversions, see our tall drive-away awnings buying guide. It compares side-connected High and Tall models rather than rear/tailgate designs, so check the attachment position and exact height range before ordering.