Caravan Towing Cover

Jan 25, 2012
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I think these things look awful! It seems only the Brits use them as I've never seen one on a Continental van. However, I get the front of my caravan filthy just getting to the Channel port in January and have to wash it on arrival in France. The dirt is generally only as high as the front locker so I'm thinking of getting a cheap cover and cutting the top part off, just covering the front locker below the front windows. Has anybody tried this or have any recommendations?
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Looks seem pretty irrelevant to me if you are ensconce in your car and towing. Cannot really see the point of cutting a full size one down to half size. Just to cover the bottom half of the caravan front. Why not go the whole way which will protect the higher level from dirt, road debris and insect spats in summer.
By the way I don’t use one.
 
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Jul 18, 2017
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I'm a big advocate of the tow cover,I use it to try to limit any damage however small.I don't use it to keep it clean( although a bonus) as I try to give the caravan a quick swill off when pitched up.
I appreciate they are very marmite,but it's a big thumbs up from me,so much so I've just ordered one for new van( not due till Feb/March)
 
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Jun 16, 2020
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In the past I have had two physical damages to the front of my van. One was a hole, luckely for me it was in the fender of a Bailey Unicorn. So was changed for about £130. In a conventional van it would have been mega bucks.

So I do use one. I used to have a universal but that took ages to put on. Now have a model specific, quick and easy. Also keep the front clean.

John
 
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Jan 31, 2018
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WE never bothered till a fellow holiday maker told us he'd had 2 new front windows on a Bailey unicorn due to stones flicking up-he'd never travel without one after that and nor would we-high cost hassle too!
 
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Jan 3, 2012
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We brought CPL front cover pro towing cover for our caravan .
Designed to cover and protect the front of the caravan when towing in use this cover keeps the front of the caravan spray, and bugs and insect free You never know when stone chips occurs .
So far it kept it clean
 
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Feb 23, 2018
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I'm also in the towing cover club. A ProTec Towing Jacket in a rather fetching blue.

Plus points are your spotless front and windows upon arrival.

Minus points is the extra faff pre-tow and making sure the front panel/window is clean prior to fitting to prevent damage.
 

Sam Vimes

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Sep 7, 2020
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Judging by the amount of stone chips and bugs I accumulate on my car and having just bought a new van, the extra cost of the towing cover seemed a good investment. I got mine from Specialsed Covers. Fits well and easy to put on.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Judging by the amount of stone chips and bugs I accumulate on my car and having just bought a new van, the extra cost of the towing cover seemed a good investment. I got mine from Specialsed Covers. Fits well and easy to put on.
Your cars doing a good job then. Fit mudflats and roof box for 95% probability of protection to the caravan. 🙈🙈
 
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Feb 23, 2018
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I think the higher roofline of the XC60 vs saloon/estate cars deflects a lot of air and crap + the OEM Volvo mud flaps. But the cover gets quite dirty when towing in the rain and through tractor/quarry traffic deposits. The Sunroof gets bug splats though.
2018-09-02 14.57.09.jpg
 
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Jun 20, 2005
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I’m a convert! Used a full one for last four years. Brilliant. Even mud flaps don’t stop the spray, grit, mud , stones and other debris smashing the front windows and locker box etc.
It takes 5 mins to attach and remove. Whilst you can wash the dirt off at the end of a journey I know my cover has not only kept the front clean but protected it from damage. Remember the sticky tar spots🤪🤪
 
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Jul 18, 2017
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We never bothered with one until the front of our caravan was damaged and had to be re-skinned. Council like to put stone chippings down for motorist to grind into the original tarmac.
Over a mile or two on the way to a campsite and again on the return the front of the caravan was subjected to loads of stone chippings hitting the front.
We have has towing covers ever since and at present have the Specialised Elite towing cover with foam backing.
 
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Jun 16, 2020
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What’s an average price for a front cover, ball park?


We have Specialised covers Tow Pro. Plus. And find it works fine and is easy to put on its now £299. I would avoid the Tow Pro Lite. Good idea being universal, but a pain to put on. The basic tailored Tow Pro at £199 is fine but does not allow access to the front locker when towing. So we paid the extra as less hassle when having the gas checked for using the channel tunnel. It also give access to the front handles which can be useful.

I thought the Tow Pro Elite is overpriced and might be bulky to store, but others recommend it.

Other companies make them but I have no experience of them.

I first bought the Tow Pro Lite and was disappointed and suspected it rubbed against the body. Specialised covers were not interested in my complaint but as I bought through Amazon I could return it easily, also they gave me £20 compensation.



John
 
Mar 27, 2011
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I’m seriously tempted John (JC) what is the difference between the Tow Pro and the Plus, you mentioned the lack of access to front locker but the GT70 doesn't have a front locker, checked their website and they currently have a £25 discount so the pro is 174 or 274 for the plus, I’m more tempted now than previously because caravan is the newest we’ve owned but a big reason is we are hoping to get away in cooler months than we’ve done previously and cooler months are usually muckier months, how about fitting it, how long does it take and steps needed etc?
BP
 
Jun 16, 2020
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I’m seriously tempted John (JC) what is the difference between the Tow Pro and the Plus, you mentioned the lack of access to front locker but the GT70 doesn't have a front locker, checked their website and they currently have a £25 discount so the pro is 174 or 274 for the plus, I’m more tempted now than previously because caravan is the newest we’ve owned but a big reason is we are hoping to get away in cooler months than we’ve done previously and cooler months are usually muckier months, how about fitting it, how long does it take and steps needed etc?
BP

As far as I can see and remember, they are both tailored for specific vans, but the plus has extra zips to allow access, (if needed) to the locker. Also there is a choice of colour and grab handle access. So as I see it, there is no great advantage for you in getting the plus.

Fitting is sub 1 min when you get the hang of it.
  1. Spread over the ‘A’ frame, inside up
  2. Insert near side most of the way
  3. Unzip offside and insert right up
  4. Start zipping up which will make it taught
  5. Pull nearside up to the top
  6. Zip offside right up
  7. Clip in the top two straps
  8. Clip the hooks under the front skirt
  9. Cilp the stars under the ‘A’ frame taking it above the brake bar.
  10. Jobs a good un.



John
 
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Nov 6, 2005
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My car got mudflaps protection for caravan

I find that conventional mudflaps only protect a few inches of the sill behind the wheelarch - and does nothing to keep mud off the caravan - what's needed are rally-style mudflaps which reach right down to the ground.
 
Jan 3, 2012
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Hi RogerL Mine are proper volkwagen tiguan mudflaps and let me tell you i do not get any spray off the wheels at the back on the caravan
 
Jan 31, 2018
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Spray no but a stone can be flicked from your tyres front or rear or a lorry or oncoming vehicle and the trajectory is tally unpredictable. Every broken screen we've had I've wondered how it happened, vehicles in front are the risk more than your own car.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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I find that conventional mudflaps only protect a few inches of the sill behind the wheelarch - and does nothing to keep mud off the caravan - what's needed are rally-style mudflaps which reach right down to the ground.
The big issue with those type of mud flaps is that if you enter for example a steep driveway from a road they will catch on the road and may break or even damage the mudguard. No good for many 4x4s unless the rear has a very short over hang.
 
Nov 6, 2005
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The big issue with those type of mud flaps is that if you enter for example a steep driveway from a road they will catch on the road and may break or even damage the mudguard. No good for many 4x4s unless the rear has a very short over hang.

I've just learnt to live with the fact they don't work very well - I use a towing cover on the caravan - the doors open below the sills on a Touareg so there's no mud when the doors are opened (excellent design feature).
 
Nov 11, 2009
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I've just learnt to live with the fact they don't work very well - I use a towing cover on the caravan - the doors open below the sills on a Touareg so there's no mud when the doors are opened (excellent design feature).
Doesn’t Land Rover do that too. My Forester has mud free sills. Any self respecting vehicle designed for off road should have that sort of feature. Even my old 95 Pajero did.
 

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