Caravan Cover

[dan_5122667]

Hi all first post,

Does anyone have any experience of caravan covers, best make, damage to caravan etc due to rubbing.

Cheers

Dan

 

[Anita_5109950]

Hi Dan, Sorry to hi-jack your post but I was just going to post a question about the very same thing.

I've only got as far as looking at Pro-tec covers, any comments anyone?

Anita

 

[Giles_5119239]

Have seen a number of comments about the covers scratching perspex windows (use clingfilm or old pillowcases to cover then are current sugestions).

Our new (to us) van has a cover with it but i've yet to get it out of it's bag so i can't comment any further.

Giles

 

[popupJohn]

I asked about this 2 weeks ago I think and the replies pointed towards Pro-Tec.

Prices vary consierably but it depends how much you want to spend I guess.

Hadnt thought about window scratches tho.. thanks for the handy non scratching tip

 

[popupJohn]

I asked about this 2 weeks ago I think and the replies pointed towards Pro-Tec.

Prices vary consierably but it depends how much you want to spend I guess.

Hadnt thought about window scratches tho.. thanks for the handy non scratching tip

My post is back on page 3 now dated 24/06/06 if it helps

 

[dan_5122667]

Hi Giles

Had it been used on the caravan before you bought it? if so does it look like it protected it. I know serval people who use covers with mixed results, seems to be the specialised accesories one comes out the best(tailor made). May ring them for a price!

cheers dan

no worries Anita

 

[petercoachman]

hi dan i have had a pro-tec cover for my van for 3 years its great no problems at all nice to un cover it at the begining of each season with no grime etc regards peter

 

[rob_jax]

Dan,

We had a Protec cover for our previous Eriba - the protec covers are tailored for the individual van, fit perfectly, and have a nice soft fleecy interior to reduce scratching.

I'm sure that other similar priced covers would work just as well.

But in full sunlight don't expect the cover to last much more than 5 or so years - over on the Eriba forum people have reported that the silver coloured fabrics seem to last longest and the green or brown "camouflage" coloured covers last just past the manufacturers' warranty.

And "breathable" means that water can get underneath and turn the caravan roof green.

If your caravan is stored in a barn or under cover, and you just want the fitted cover as a dust protector, then they should last as long as the van. So that's 40+ years for an Eriba and next week for...

Robert

 

[Giles_5119239]

I have no idea (yet) as to the make of mine, all i know at the moment it it's in a huge bag filling the whole wardrobe up. It has 2 long extending poles with it and a fury lining.

I can see no obvious damage on the windows but don't know how much the cover had been used, the van is a 2004 model and i assume the cover the same age.

Not even sure if i am going to use it yet as we are away normally once a month in the caravan except during Nov/Dec/Jan when it's typically too wet out to do anything outside. I guess it depends on how easy it is to get it on and off and if i can be bothered to do it (it only takes 15 mins to wash the van with a long brush). I guess it would stop UV damage though which has to be a good thing.

Giles

 

[rob_jax]

Giles,

It's quite important that there is no dust on the windows when you pull the cover over the van - even those with a fleecy inner lining - otherwise scratches occur.

Robert

 

[trevor123]

We did think about the Caravan Cover, But we use our van all year round, So we did think about having a Car Port on the side of the garage for the van 24 ft long, off we go to find a price guide, Carport and fitted guess how much WAIT

 

[Anita_5109950]

Thanks for your advice everyone. The reason I'm looking for a cover is that we store our caravan in a barn with a worsening rusty roof, and the caravan suffers from rust-flakes on its roof. It actually stained the roof of our old van in places. From what rob jax said, it looks like a Pro-tec cover may not be suitable. Any other options anyone.

Anita

 

[popupJohn]

Quote from rob_jax... '"breathable" means that water can get underneath and turn the caravan roof green.'.......

Would it be worth laying a thin sheet of polythene on the roof before covering it up for the winter then?

 

[rob_jax]

Anita,

Sorry you misunderstood slightly - a Protec cover would be as good as, if not better than, any other breathable cover.

You store you van under a slightly tired barn roof - then a Protec cover will do a fine job - and it will stop the rust staining the roof.

If you store the van outside, in full rain and sun, then the covers tend to degrade in UV light and the breathable nature means that water will get underneath - mixed with the sunlight green stuff grows.

Never, ever, use a non-breathable cover - unless you like the smell of mould.

Robert

 

[bill_5078178]

Hi, Had an interesting conversation with the manager of the storage site we use. I have just taken delivery of a new twin axle and I said that I was considering a complete cover. He said they still have mould after use and are difficult to put on single handed. When I looked at the adverts in my monthly caravan mag three people were selling covers that were only weeks old. In my mind big question marks arose. Decided to use Fenwicks winterising solution.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

There was a guy in Brittany with a new Indiana and he said that he had paint coming off after using a cover.

Its now a contest between the cover maker and Bailey as to who is responsible .

Mind you the same bloke was flying the Royal Standard and when asked said that HRH was in residence!!

I like Fenwicks over wintering but don't tell OMF

 

[andrew_5125638]

I have had a purple line cover in the past that tore very easily even in its first season and after 3 years is virtually useless.

I now need to replace it for a new caravan

Are pro-tec covers stronger and more durable - any comments?

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Andrew

We bought a Pro-Tec cover three years ago. The first year it was great and lovely to take it off to a clean caravan in the Spring. The second winter when removing, the van was covered in shiny and dull patches all over, a bit like a leopards skin effect. More or less polished off but still slightly visible. This year all was ok but there are one or two points to consider.

Firstly they are not very easy to put on, especially on a windy day. We use two poles which have tennis balls stuck onto them and place one in each front corner and 'walk' the cover over towards the back of the caravan. This is easier with two taller people.

Secondly, if you have any awning rail ends which stick out and are sharp, cover them with something like a cork or similar, as we did incur two small holes from this.

Covers have their uses but I personally find them a bit difficult to use and they would not be my first necessary bit of kit. Conversely, when the weather is bad there is a measure of reassurance knowing the caravan is covered, so generally it is somewhat difficult to give precise opinions.

Hope this helps!!!

Chris

 

[Damian]

We have a ProTec cover, which is very good quality and certainly keeps the van clean when in storage. ProTec supplied some pipe lagging to cover the sharp "bits" on the van, like awning rail ends, window gutters, and advised that if we had any areas of concern, to use the same kind of pipe lagging to form a cushion for the cover.

 

[vernon]

I've used a Protec cover for the past two winters with no problems whatsoever, and have bought another for our new caravan, I wouldn't be without one.

DON'T ever cover the windows with clingfilm.

The way to put them on, is to lay the cover inside down (on a clean surface), then roll the sides in to form a "sausage" with the inside showing. Pull the cover up over the centre of the caravan and unroll the sides down.