How to Pack Down Your Awning Quickly and Tidy Every Time

The trip’s over, rain’s starting… and you need to pack up fast. You’ve had a great time at the campsite, but now comes the bit every camper dreads: packing down the awning. It’s muddy, it’s wet, and the clock is ticking before the next downpour hits.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Packing up your campervan awning can feel like a chaotic scramble — especially when you’re tired or trying to beat the weather. But with the right method, a calm head, and a few clever tools, you can pack down your awning quickly, neatly, and without the usual stress.

This guide walks you through a reliable step-by-step process to get your awning down and packed away efficiently — even in the rain — with practical campervan awning storage tips and helpful product suggestions to make the job even smoother.

Step-by-Step: How to Pack Down Your Awning the Easy Way

Tip: If you’re a visual learner, we recommend filming a time-lapse of your own pack-down to help refine your technique. Even better – follow along with our YouTube video on how to pack away an OLPRO awning.

Step 1: Clear and Dry as Much as Possible

Start by removing everything inside your awning. This includes:

• Camping furniture

• Mats and flooring

• Cooking gear and other loose accessories

Use a microfibre cloth to wipe down any damp or muddy surfaces. The drier your awning is now, the lighter and less messy it will be to pack — especially useful if you're packing up awning in rain or early morning dew.

Step 2: Drop Tension and Deflate (If Inflatable)
Gradually loosen all guylines, storm straps, and pegging points. Avoid pulling too hard, especially in windy conditions.

• For inflatable awnings: Open each air valve slowly to allow for even deflation. Press down gently to help the beams deflate fully, but don’t sit or stomp on them. See OLPRO’s Inflatable Campervan Awnings for examples that are easy to deflate and quick to store.

• For poled awnings: Disassemble in reverse order to how it was set up. Always dismantle poles one at a time to avoid any snapping or confusion.

Step 3: Pegs First, Then Panels

Pull up all pegs before removing the fabric panels. Have a small dry bag or OLPRO peg bag ready for muddy stakes — we recommend keeping these separate to avoid transferring dirt to the rest of your gear.

Once pegs are out, start unclipping or unzipping the panels in sections. Fold or loosely roll each piece as you go so nothing ends up tangled.

Step 4: Roll, Don’t Fold (If Wet)

One of the most common mistakes is trying to fold a wet awning — it creates creases, traps water, and makes mould more likely.

Instead, roll:

• It naturally pushes out excess water

• Prevents deep creases

• Makes unpacking smoother next time

If your awning is soaked, roll it loosely and plan to air it properly at home. Set it up in a garage, garden, or over a clothes airer within 24 hours.

Step 5: Bag It Smartly

Time to pack it all away:

• Start with the main fabric — fold up so that it is the correct width of the awning bag

• Add poles or any loose air beams/storm bars, secured in their own bag or lay flat onto your folded canvas ready to roll 

• Put pegs into a peg bag (ideally washed or dried first)

• Use extra zip pouches for storm straps, clips, or spares

Avoid stuffing and ensure you roll up your canvas encasing any poles, beams, pegs and pump as you roll your awning - see our YouTube video: How to Pack Away an OLPRo Awning. 

Browse OLPRO’s full campervan awning range to find models that are simple to pitch and pack away.

Top Packing Hacks for Stress-Free Awnings

Here are our top tried-and-tested tips for a quick, clean awning pack-down:

• Use a dry bag or heavy-duty sack for muddy gear

• Label your storm straps and guylines (colour-coded tags or tape work well)

• Keep ziplock bags for small items like hooks or tensioners

• Pack a microfibre towel or cloth to dry surfaces fast

• Invest in a larger awning bag if the standard one feels like a squeeze

• Keep spare tent pegs and guy ropes in a side pocket for emergencies

• Use awning footprint groundsheets to keep the base of the awning dry and clean during takedown

Want to upgrade your gear? OLPRO’s awning accessories include everything from extra peg sets to storm protection kits that keep your setup organised.

Packing Up in the Rain: What to Do

Bad weather? No problem — just adjust your method:

• Don’t panic – your goal is to get packed, not perfect

• Clear the inside first – pack away furniture and valuables

• Roll wet fabric loosely, don’t fold tightly

• Skip the final pack if needed – place everything loosely in a large waterproof bag or boot space

• Dry it properly when you get home — within 24 hours if possible

Dry it somewhere well ventilated:

• Garden washing line

• Garage

• Spare room with windows open

Never store your awning wet in a sealed bag. This causes:

• Mould

• Bad odours

• Fabric delamination

To avoid damage, keep the bag unzipped until you’ve got the chance to dry everything once you return back home.

Leave the Stress Behind

Packing away your campervan awning doesn’t have to be the worst part of the trip. With the right system and a few smart accessories, it becomes just another step in the adventure — not something to dread.

Recap your new how to pack away campervan awning routine:

• Clear it first

• Deflate or dismantle gradually

• Roll, don’t fold

• Use labelled bags for easy organisation

• Dry properly once home

By following this plan, you’ll pack down the awning quickly, even if you’re packing up awning in rain. You’ll be tidier, calmer, and more confident every time you camp.

Explore More from OLPRO
Discover awnings that are easier to pitch and pack down:

• Campervan Awnings

• Motorhome Awnings

• Caravan Awnings

• Inflatable Awnings

Let OLPRO make the end of your trip as easy as the start — because your final day should be about soaking up the last moments, not struggling with soggy canvas.

Happy packing – and happy camping!