Caravan Roof Cover

[GeorgeandAde]

Hi.
Been reading lots of threads on here and other forums regarding pros and cons of the above.
Having recently visited our van after a few months,its in a horrible state(exterior,especially the roof).
We were contemplating purchasing a Pro Tec full cover but would possibly need both of us to put on and remove.
Plus the hassle of buying a thief proof box,chain and lock to store it whilst away in the van.
People next to ours have one and he said its slightly oversize to help cover the front windows and rear a little when its fitted.
Only problem I'm wondering about is the solar panel.
I would aim to cover the panel with a heavy blanket first,then fit roof cover and then bring battery home to keep it "conditioned" with ctek charger.
Will there be any problems with the panel when I return to van,re-fit battery,then remove roof cover?
Should the panel start to do its job with no adjustments required?
I know I could hunt around for the in-line fuse,but feel the method I described would suffice.
Grateful for any members ideas please.

 

[Buckman]

Do you have an alarm in the caravan? If not then no issue with insurance company taking battery home. Why would you want to cover the solar panel with a blanket as it is very robust? Normally the cover would have a see through panel to allow the solar panel to keep charging the battery.

Caravans are designed to be left outdoors. We had ours done with Paintseal just over 3 years ago. Once a year at the beginning of the season we pay a handy man at the storage compound to give the caravan a quick wash at the beginning of the season. When he is finished one would think that we had polished the caravan as it looks like new.

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Thank you Buckman.
No,there's no alarm on caravan.
The roof cover I've been looking at doesn't have a clear panel in it for the solar panel and has 3 soft breathable layers.
Were going over to van later today to bring curtains home to (gently) wash so will take a few photos of the van so you can see just how mouldy and the amount of black streaks that have formed.
We have trees both front and rear of van and the roof is covered with "muck" that has obviously run down the rest of the van.
I've got the yellow protective strips in both awning rails, but the muck on the roof has washed across to both edges and so the dirty water just runs down the sides of the van.
I just feel the an oversized cover would at least keep the roof clean and most of the upper sides,front and rear of van.
There are washing facilities at the compound but it means towing the van about 500 yards,cleaning (if no one else is using it),then returning to its storage space.
Anyway,will post some pics later so you can see what I mean.
Thanks again.

 

[Buckman]

Thank you Buckman.
No,there's no alarm on caravan.
The roof cover I've been looking at doesn't have a clear panel in it for the solar panel and has 3 soft breathable layers.
Were going over to van later today to bring curtains home to (gently) wash so will take a few photos of the van so you can see just how mouldy and the amount of black streaks that have formed.
We have trees both front and rear of van and the roof is covered with "muck" that has obviously run down the rest of the van.
I've got the yellow protective strips in both awning rails, but the muck on the roof has washed across to both edges and so the dirty water just runs down the sides of the van.
I just feel the an oversized cover would at least keep the roof clean and most of the upper sides,front and rear of van.
There are washing facilities at the compound but it means towing the van about 500 yards,cleaning (if no one else is using it),then returning to its storage space.
Anyway,will post some pics later so you can see what I mean.
Thanks again.

Maybe try and source a cover with a clear panel for the solar panel. If a member of the CAMC then some manufactureres of covers give you a discount. Also I would think that an over size cover may flap too much in wind causing damage to the caravan as it rubs up and down.
I would think that you really need a cover that is a tight fit, has a clear panel for solar panel and also allows you to enter the caravan without having to remove the cover. Specialised covers do that sort of cover and may offer a discount for being a member of CAMC.

 

[Beachball]

My caravan is 13 years old soon and I prefer to have a breathable cover on ours and when we take it off for beginning of a season it looks lovely from roof down to each its own

 

[otherclive]

There is a new Bailey caravan that I see on my daily circuit. It has a very good fitting roof cover that comes down to just above the side windows. The aerial must have been detached as the surface covering the has no protuberances except for the normal roof skylights. It is well strapped down and a good conformal fit. I’ve never noticed and flapping etc. The van is always connected to the domestic power but I’ve no idea how often it is switched on. No idea though if it has a solar panel or not.

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Thanks for all replies.
Just returned from caravan with a few pictures.
This is the horrible mess its in since September when it had a wash and full polish with Auto Glym.

 

[otherclive]

I woulds set about it with Fenwicks caravan cleaner, first at normal strength; let it soak for five minutes, then where you have more stubborn stains it can be use at a stronger solution (as per instructions). I always use Overwintering fluid as it coats the van with a thin waxy layer and it really does help the spring cleaning. The proximity to trees doesn't help in your case. Mine is miles away from any trees, and when I went over last week it looked very good with minimal black streaks or verdigris.

 

[Hutch]

My caravan is 13 years old soon and I prefer to have a breathable cover on ours and when we take it off for beginning of a season it looks lovely from roof down to each its own

I didn't realise that there was a Caravanning season, we go away all year round, as far as I can remember. 😎

 

[Beehpee]

Hi G & A I can see what your referring to but none of it looks really ground in so I wouldn’t expect it to be a majorly hard slog, depending on your health and mobility and where your going to be doing the clean, how about doing it a stage at a time, start with the roof, then following day do front and rear and when recovered from doing that do the sides and if needed do each side on separate days, I know when mine has got mucky by the time I’m finished I’m done in so you have to spread the job out to your own health etc, failing that then it’s get someone in to do it, any close neighbours with kids in early teens who might be interested in earning a few quid? if you’ve got a hand car wash locally you could try getting one of the lads there to come and do a job, with another person doing it you can supervise and be sure they do it right, best of luck getting it up to scratch. I expect this idea will be scorned on but I’ve used cheap tesco own brand of cream cleanser, I’ve seen here people saying CIF cream cleanser can mark the paintwork, tesco own is no where near as gritty as CIF but still fetches off the black steaks with little to no effort, try it some where inconspicuous and use it with a damp cloth, I’ve used it loads of times with no regrets at all.



BP

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Unfortunately,I would have to wash it all in one go with the distance from the hosepipe etc.
I suppose after its thorough wash,I could tackle one section at a time.
Just wish we were able to park it at home then maybe I could get an army of helpers.

I have actually ordered a roof cover (oversize) to help cover the front windows a little and partly down over the rear.
At least if the roof stays relatively clean,it should be just the front,rear and sides.
What it should look like

 

[otherclive]

Hi G & A I can see what your referring to but none of it looks really ground in so I wouldn’t expect it to be a majorly hard slog, depending on your health and mobility and where your going to be doing the clean, how about doing it a stage at a time, start with the roof, then following day do front and rear and when recovered from doing that do the sides and if needed do each side on separate days, I know when mine has got mucky by the time I’m finished I’m done in so you have to spread the job out to your own health etc, failing that then it’s get someone in to do it, any close neighbours with kids in early teens who might be interested in earning a few quid? if you’ve got a hand car wash locally you could try getting one of the lads there to come and do a job, with another person doing it you can supervise and be sure they do it right, best of luck getting it up to scratch. I expect this idea will be scorned on but I’ve used cheap tesco own brand of cream cleanser, I’ve seen here people saying CIF cream cleanser can mark the paintwork, tesco own is no where near as gritty as CIF but still fetches off the black steaks with little to no effort, try it some where inconspicuous and use it with a damp cloth, I’ve used it loads of times with no regrets at all.



BP

Silky is quite a gentle cream cleaner once you have 90% of the streaks removed. But like any cream cleaner or polish use judiciously to prevent damage to paint surface.

 

[Beachball]

I didn't realise that there was a Caravanning season, we go away all year round, as far as I can remember. 😎

Hi Hutch you can but from October - March i prefer to stay where it warm and it suit my needs more

 

[Beachball]

Thanks for all replies.
Just returned from caravan with a few pictures.
This is the horrible mess its in since September when it had a wash and full polish with Auto Glym.

A good wash with the Fenwicks caravan cleaner and it will come up like new

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Yes we've just washed our curtains after not opening up the van for about 6 months.
Lowest temperature,shortest wash,straight out to dry.
We used a little "vanish" in the wash and its removed about 95% of the mould.
Hopefully, with just a roof cover with a silver outerlayer,it should reflect some of the heat and uv rays,it won't affect any air flow and hopefully, I can visit the van to open it up more regularly soon.

 

[Beachball]

We bought a protech cover and the curtains got mildew on them by the spring. Sold that van the following summer, wouldn't bother with a cover again.

Hi Richard and Ann some people prefer breathable covers on i have used them for 31 years and so far we love seeing it coming out of the cover lovely and shining to each its own

 

[Robert_374373903]

Our Topaz is twenty one years young I do the cleaning at first with my garden sprayer with caravan cleaner doing the roof and sides , leave for few minuets and in my case hose it down. I do get up level with the roof now and again but as our caravan is on the front garden patio with grass other side ,when up the ladder the legs sink in some times , so it gets interesting. Never the less it very rarely looks dirty apart from front panel and bottom rear panel in dirty weather. As for trees, we have three in the front and other side of road they are all sycamore which home in on my garden , even the boot of our car gets laden with them and today vacuumed the locker of caravan as they had got inside that as well.

 

[Buckman]

Although we have Paintseal applied to our caravan in April we pay the resident caretaker at the storage compound to give the caravan a wash. At £40 for wash and dry we think is money well spent.

 

[Beehpee]

Sounds a bargain, you’d be daft not to go for that.

BP

 

[Beachball]

Sounds like a great deal