Caravan covers, aerials and flues

[DavidS1]

Please bear with me as I expect this has been asked before.

On all the adverts for caravan covers the illustration shows a person or two pulling on a cover of what is always a flat-roofed caravan. In my experience most caravans have a tv aerial and a heater flue sticking up. So, doesn't the cover get snagged on them or they get damaged. As removing them is not an option how does the cover fit over them? If I order a cover do I have to take into account the height to cover the aerial and flue and order a longer one?

As an older caravanner, climbing up some stepladders might prove difficult. In short, what to do about the flue and aerial?

Thanks for help in anticipation.

 

[Damian]

David, if you get a tailor made cover from , for example Protec, they come with extra "pockets" to accomodate flues and the status aerial.

Putting them on is done with long poles.

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi David

We have had caravan covers and the first question I would like to ask is what size caravan you have?

 

[DavidS1]

About 20ft for cover purposes.

So if I buy a cheaper cover I have to drag it over aerial and flue as ther will be no 'pockets'?

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi David

On a previous caravan which was 4.7 metres we had a Protec cover made to size. The main thing with this and others made from similar but cheaper quality fabric is the weight of them.

It takes two if not three to put them on and you do this with long poles with tennis balls on the end to prevent puncturing. To do this we needed step ladders and although my husband could manage it, I couldn't handle the weight. We also had a bad reaction on the body of the van from the cover and Protec didn't want to know, although they did admit it had happened once before.

We now have a larger 6.3 metre caravan which is stored under trees and we felt it needed a cover. I found a site on the Internet called Speedwell Star and they do covers which are made from lightweight tent material. We decided to chance one of these as they are comparatively cheap, but very lightweight.

We put it on still with the long poles but it was SO easy and up to now it is doing a good job, even in these strong winds.

We did alter the straps slightly and tied extra ones to those supplied and threw them right under the van which is better. We also covered the flue with bubble wrap and covered the sharp bits of awning rails with drilled golf balls or you could use something similar.

There is now no way we would struggle with a heavy fitted cover and when this one is removed it could be washed and hung over a washing line to dry, and folds away very small for storage.

Hope this helps. Ask if you need any more information.

 

[Tankie]

Hi David

On a previous caravan which was 4.7 metres we had a Protec cover made to size. The main thing with this and others made from similar but cheaper quality fabric is the weight of them.

It takes two if not three to put them on and you do this with long poles with tennis balls on the end to prevent puncturing. To do this we needed step ladders and although my husband could manage it, I couldn't handle the weight. We also had a bad reaction on the body of the van from the cover and Protec didn't want to know, although they did admit it had happened once before.

We now have a larger 6.3 metre caravan which is stored under trees and we felt it needed a cover. I found a site on the Internet called Speedwell Star and they do covers which are made from lightweight tent material. We decided to chance one of these as they are comparatively cheap, but very lightweight.

We put it on still with the long poles but it was SO easy and up to now it is doing a good job, even in these strong winds.

We did alter the straps slightly and tied extra ones to those supplied and threw them right under the van which is better. We also covered the flue with bubble wrap and covered the sharp bits of awning rails with drilled golf balls or you could use something similar.

There is now no way we would struggle with a heavy fitted cover and when this one is removed it could be washed and hung over a washing line to dry, and folds away very small for storage.

Hope this helps. Ask if you need any more information.

Hi Chris

There are a couple of manufacturers who make covers for just for the roof, I thought these may be better in your case where you park under trees!

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Tankie

Thanks for your reply. We did see one of these on site done by Protec but it still looked a bit awkward to fit, but we haven't ruled it out for the future. Touch wood this one seems ok up to now - husband just gone up to check it over after last night's wind!