Caravan Covers

[blackrat]

Hi, lucky enough to be collecting a new Bailey Pageant on Friday and am inclined to buy a cover for it for winter storage. Any advice would be gratefully recieved, particularly with respect as to the best one to buy. Thanks

Gary

 

[CliveV]

Whilst my caravan is not new - like you i wanted to protect it. I was told by an experienced caravanner that he used one once and the small movement of the cover marked the windows in a couple of places and also tended to make it "sweat".

So I didnt bother getting one. I spent the money on resealing all the joints (not something you will need to do) and then giving it a damn good polish so that water should be repelled.

I check it regularly and on good days give it a good airing. So far all is well. Try not to park under trees as bird poo is not nice at the best of times but in the middle of the roof is a definate pain. Also aphids in the spring poo a sticky sap that is again a real pain to get rid of. If I HAD to store it there again I would consider a cover for the Spring/Summer if just to stop me having to deal with this.

I was told that putting clingfilm on the windows protects them from being abraded by the movement of the cover. Never done it though.

 

[rob_jax]

Gary,

We bought a breathable Protec cover and it worked, but decided against buying another for our new van.

Why? Well the van still needed just as much cleaning when we took the cover off - it may be the breathable nature of the fabric - so in the Spring there was a fine layer of "dust" stuck on the roof.

We did get a few minor scratches on the windows - we did clean the van before covering - and these did polish out.

To prevent any fading of the interior we cut some loose-fitting cardboard masks for the windows.

Robert

 

[RayS]

I have a Specialised Accessories cover for my van and find it excellent. Clean the van and polish if you must before fitting the cover. Follow the instructions, particularly about fitting some protection on gutter-ends etc. SA provided a perfect fit including a door opening in exactly the right place. You can leave windows on a "night vent" position if you wish and even use the fridge on electric (our van is stored at home).

Getting it on is not so easy, as it is a 520v. We cover from the front, using a soft broom in each rear corner of the cover, door flap unzipped, and "walk" the cover as far back as we can in one go, then by sucessive pulling. Not good in anything above a mild breeze. Getting it off is much easier.

Have had not trouble or marks on windows over several years use. There was a thread some months ago about the possible problems of putting clingfilm on the windows - as i remember not recommended.

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi, we used a Pro-tec cover very successfully the first year, but this year upon removal, the van was covered in blotches just like a leopard!! Protec are supposed to be investigating but I,m not holding out much hope. Anyway the marks more or less polished out but this still meant hard work, which we don;t mind under different circumstances. Don;t know what to do this year so can't give you a definite conclusion.

 

[Simon_5041570]

Hi Gary, we were also lucky enough to pick up a new Bailey Pageant Bretagne earlier this year - our first caravan. We also purchased a cover from Protec. The thinking behind the cover was that leaving anything outside for long periods tends to have a detremental effect on them. I had noticed black streaks down the side of many vans and reckoned a cover would help protect against this. We use the cover year round so we have built up some experience but time will untimately tell if it was a good idea. Some pros and cons follow:

Pros:

1. It fits like a glove. The service from Protec was excellent - I gave them the make and model - no measurements were required as they had the details on their database. The cover arrived in good time and appears to be well made. So top marks there.

2. The caravan does seem to stay clean but I'd like to get a winter under my belt before giving it the total thumbs up - having seen some of the other threads to your post, I am slightly alarmed and am watching with interest.

3. It's easy to remove.

Cons:

1. We have had mixed experience with puting the cover on. The first attempt was a bit fraught due to the breeze, the second went like a dream and the last was back to square one. The Bretagne is quite long but I reckon with practise and by avoiding prevailing winds, it will be relatively easy.

2. We do wash the van before puting the cover on but I guess we would do this with or without a cover - hopefully the cover reduces washing to a minimum.

3. You need to store the cover when not in use so if you keep the van in a secure compound, this presents a small problem with what to do with the cover when we are away. We usually remove it and take it home a day or so before departure.

My conclusion so far is that it has been a worthwhile purchase but time will tell - I have not noticed any scratching of the windows and I think the cover will prove more useful over the winter.

Hope this helps.

Simon

 

[petercoachman]

hi we bought a protec cover for our van at the nfol saved

 

[blackrat]

Thankyou all. It seems that, on the whole, a cover is a good idea. This is my first new 'van and it will have to last, so I want to protect it the best I can. I did not have the opportunity to use my old one this year, and when I took it out of storeage it was in quite a state. I used to keep it at home and this wasn't so much of a problem, but I now use storeage that is only 1/4 mile away. There are no trees or indeed anything that overhangs the 'van, so a cover is just to protect it from the elements. It will get a good polish in any case.

I am aware of the possible problems with using cling film on the windows, perhaps an old blanket or sheet may be better?

I like the idea of the cardboard masks, I did not want to use the blinds for fear of them losing their tension, and not using the curtains will save them from fading.

Thanks

Gary

 

[Ron_5041484]

Hi before fitting your cover I use 2 layers of garden fleece , can be obtained from any garden centre to cover the windows , the fleece is so soft and thin that you can fix it by opening the windows , wife inside the van to close them while you hold the fleece in place, having 2 layers allows it to move without causing any damage , I use this method with good results no scratches on any glass , 1 roll will do a large van . Ron.C