caravan cover?

[dogscenturion]

Hi All,
I have been reading other forums and found alot of people are talking about damp and how to prevent it. I am looking toward getting a caravan cover for the winter, but I have read that caravans have vents that need air to flow through to keep the caravan from getting damp, musty etc. I havent seen many with covers used on the storage site were we are, but if the british weather is to blame then would a cover do the job or make it worse.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello dogscenturion

There are pros and cons to covers, but first lets consider the reason you are thinking of one - damp

A caravan should not suffer from damp, sadly some do but that usually means the caravan is leaking. Using a cover does not cure the leak, and when you are using the caravan, then the leak path is exposed.

So the solution is to get the leak sorted.

Even dry caravans can suffer from condensation, and that occurs naturally from using the van, when we breath we exhale water vapour, when the cooker is used the gas flame produce condensation, boiling a kettle will add moisture to the atmosphere inside the caravan, so the fixed ventilation is designed to allow the proper exchange of stale and fresh air, including the moisture laden air.

You will never eliminate condensation when in use, but with properly maintained ventilation the problem is completely manageable and normal.

So covers are not a solution for damp, but they do offer protection from the worst the weather can throw at them and dust etc, but equally some covers may cause the caravan to 'sweat' and if they flap in the wing, they can also scratch the windows and paint work.

Now its up to you.

 

[Dustydog]

Hello dogscenturion

There are pros and cons to covers, but first lets consider the reason you are thinking of one - damp

A caravan should not suffer from damp, sadly some do but that usually means the caravan is leaking. Using a cover does not cure the leak, and when you are using the caravan, then the leak path is exposed.

So the solution is to get the leak sorted.

Even dry caravans can suffer from condensation, and that occurs naturally from using the van, when we breath we exhale water vapour, when the cooker is used the gas flame produce condensation, boiling a kettle will add moisture to the atmosphere inside the caravan, so the fixed ventilation is designed to allow the proper exchange of stale and fresh air, including the moisture laden air.

You will never eliminate condensation when in use, but with properly maintained ventilation the problem is completely manageable and normal.

So covers are not a solution for damp, but they do offer protection from the worst the weather can throw at them and dust etc, but equally some covers may cause the caravan to 'sweat' and if they flap in the wing, they can also scratch the windows and paint work.

Now its up to you.

I fully Agree Prof John
I've never wasted my money on a cover.
The Manufacturer gave me a six year water ingress guarantee so that implies the caravan can withstand anything the UK weather can throw at it , floods etc excepted.
In fact in 34 years of caravanning I have never bothered with a cover.
I assume Prof you too have never bothered?
The newly introduced 10 year guarantees make no mention at all about covering the caravan.

 

[Gabsgrandad]

I'm a bit like 'Dusty' really - my philosophy is that 'aren't caravans designed to be outside? Bit like the car really - I used to religiously garage mine, then realised I was spending months away in the van each year with the car stood outside so now it's outside permanently, so I freed up alot of garage space for things and activities that couldn't be outside. I haven't noticed any reduction in the life of the car!

 

[ProfJohnL]

I assume Prof you too have never bothered?

Correct, But there are circumstances when I would consider one. Some trees have quite messy resin droppings, which if you are forced to park/store under them, a cover can help to keep the caravan/trailer cleaner. Same can apply if you have trees where a flock of birds tend to roost, or even under the eves of a house where House Martins tend to pepper the ground with droppings. But in general just a roof taup is sufficicnt.

 

[dogscenturion]

Thank you all for your replies. I am not bothering with a cover, I will get a damp meter and check and having the usual years service should help to get on top of damp if and when it occurs. So this will save me £100 in the long run and a struggle putting the thing on too!
Maybe it is another way of making money, so keeping the cash to myself, just for a little while. lol
Thanks again
christina