There are two types of retractable awnings: those which are operated by hand (manual) and those which have a motor (automatic). Both of these types of awnings are assembled by hand and are considered permanent installations. The manual kind of awning is opened (extended)and closed (retracted) through the use of a hand wheel, which moves the gears. The automatic type is opened and closed by a motor that pushes the gears.Many motor homes have retractable awnings to add living space to them. They are attached to one side, usually the right side that has the entrance door. They can be either closed or open. The closed types have plastic or fabric along the front and/or sides, giving both privacy and protection when it is in use. Many times, electrical lines will be installed to allow the area to be used at night.

A motor home can be a camper, a trailer, or a recreational vehicle. There are three kinds of motor homes, at least in the United States. A Class A Motor Home is specifically constructed on a strong chassis that is either a truck chassis, a bus chassis, or one designed for the motor home. A Class B Motor Home is really a standard design van, but modified to contain a raised roof, or a lower, aerodynamic body. The last type is the Class C Motor Home, which is a body placed upon a truck chassis.

Though some motor home owners do travel a lot, many of them prefer to stay at a motor home park for extended lengths of time. In this way, the motor home actually serves as a vacation cabin. The parks provide all the amenities, such as electricity, water and sewer hookup, cable T.V and, nowadays, even Internet availability. Some motor home parks are like small resorts where guests can use the pool, recreation room, tennis courts, etc. Some offer additional activities such as horseback riding or boating. A motor home with a retractable enclosed awning, in a location with all these facilities, is really like another home! Needless to say, these types of locations are expensive, and so many people opt for the less expensive campgrounds which may not have many facilities.

A motor home awning for the most part must be made to fit the length of the motor home it is being made for, unless the motor home already had one factory installed on it. These types of retractable awnings come in both manual or automatic styles.