Awnings added to your your van or RV can give you more useable space in sunny or rainy weather. Some nomads report that it's the single greatest thing that they've ever added, while others have said that after adding it that they barely use it. Your mileage may vary. They do require some care and must be retracted in high winds.
Low and medium roof vans usually need an awning that is mounted to the roof, to clear the side door opening. Custom mounts can take advantage of the factory roof rack mounts, or they can be attached to an already existing roof rack. The F80s is an example of a roof-mounted awning.
High roof vans typically use a wall-mounted awning to the side of the van. It's possible to use a roof-mounted awning, but the height of the vans can make them difficult to operate. has probably one of the best installation guides on how to install a side-mount awning to a Ford Transit, but similar brackets are available for Ram ProMasters and Sprinters.
Depending on your budget and what type of vehicle you're attaching it to, there are a few different styles of awning.
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Other options
Another option is a shadecloth or tarp; these sheets of fabric or plastic are typically not permanently mounted to the vehicle but must be reattached to your vehicle or other objects each time you want to use them.
