Covers

[pensioner]

We collect our new van tomoro and planned to buy a cover with it,,,but noticed as we drive around how few we see with covers on,,,
Are they a bad idea and if so why,,the one we'd planned on is a breathable one.

 

[Damian]

There are differing views about covers.
If you decide to get one you should look to spending quite a lot of money for the best with a fleece lining, Protec are the best,BUT,whichever you get, they deteriorate over a short period of time and expect only 3 to 4 years at most out of them.
The van MUST be absolutely clean when they are put on or you will end up with scratches from any debris on the van , and of course the inner surface of the cover must NOT touch the ground and pick up damaging sharps.

If storing under trees they are a good idea as you will not get tree sap on the van which is difficult to remove.

You must use something like pipe lagging on sharp edges of the van such as awning rails, flue terminations, aerials etc as they will rip the cover, and unless tailor made for the van, if they flap about in wind, they will cause damage to paintwork and windows.

I have never used a cover, bought one but never used it, as a caravan is built to be in the open air and has a lot of fixed ventilation which is compromised with a cover.
I have worked on a lot of vans which have used covers and seen a lot of unnecessary damage caused by the covers.

Are they worth it,,,,,,a personal thought is no,but I am sure others will see them differently.

 

[Martbo]

We have a Specialised Tow Pro Elite Towing Cover which is at the higher end of quality from what I can tell and it certainly keeps the van clean during towing.

We remove it when we get to site to enable us to use the near-side awning rail and we fold it neatly in the back of the car to keep the inside clean. We wipe the front of the van clean before re-fitting and it goes on within a couple of minutes and fits like a glove.

In truth, we could probably do without it, but the van was brand new and it keeps my OH happy and you can't put a price on that!

Cheers,

Martin

 

[rosies]

Hello Pensioner ,
I've had a cover for my caravans for 13 summer seasons now , 12 years . My first caravan cover was made to measure by Specialised accessories up in North Yorkshire costing £ 350 + then in 2002 , Lasting 5 summers until the fabric was worn through on the front roof area , although the a frame cover has finally given up this year . After that cover I purchased a much cheaper one off the shelf , still breathable in a grey colour , that lasted for 4 summer seasons . Again I bought a green breathable cover off shelf size, very similar to the 1st , this I got from the Lawns show in Cottingham Hull . This one I'm still using and maybe will last till next year , It cost me £ 75 .
Don't forget that as well as protection from wind , rain and snow they protect from UV light in the sunshine ( seen on occasions which faded one of my previous caravan on 1 side . Ok you may say its a disadvantage to wash , dry and sometimes polish the caravan before fitting the cover but please remember that after winter when you removed the cover then the van is immaculately clean and ready externally to go touring . The only slight trouble I've had is very minor small scratches on some plastic windows which polish out immediately with autoglym resin polish . I always ensure the cover its fitted correctly , sharp edges covered and secured properly against wind . I have a large flowering cherry tree either side of my van where its stored at the end of my garden so the cover is a god send . Don't forget these covers ARE breathable so ventilation within the caravan is NOT impaired but gives a additional garaging affect but with air flow .
I will certainly will be buying another one next year , hopefully one with a a frame cover too .Steve .

 

[RobKnapp2]

Hi There,
We used to have a universal cover for our first caravan. As others have said, they are wonderful at keeping environmental fallout off of the van, and indeed keep it clean, but as mentioned, a little bit of grit or a picked up thorn can easily damage the van particularly the windows. I didnt have any problems with damp or air not circulating etc, BUT we found it to be a monumental pain to put on. (The first awning Mrs K and I put up seemed like a doddle in comparison!) We found two approaches worked the best:
1, make up some form of pole (i used two old decorating roller extension poles) with old tennis balls on the end to lift the cover front to back. It becomes quite heavy about half way down the van though! If you have straps that go under the van from side to side, the poles also help for this, but be aware that it can be easy when tensioning these to damage wheel arches/skirts etc on the van.
2, roll up the cover, and using steps place it on the roof of the caravan and unroll.

Our cover used to catch on absolutely everything, to the point that when the booster on the Status 315 packed up, I removed the aerial all together to save getting up above and removing the pinnacle. (two guesses what i Used to forget EVERY time we went away too!)

We were quite lucky inasmuch as we could store the cover at out storage site (family owned) but if we had to take it home, without the storage bag it would consume vast amounts of space in the car!

Our cover met an untimely demise when the electric fencing fell down, and a horse decided it was the opportune spot to deal with the itch on its rear end - suffice to say, it snagged the awning rail that you put the draft skirt into, and ripped.

We bought a newer van, and essentially keep it at home now and isnt so susceptible to sap and suchlike.We also go away quite often usually atleast once a month.
Overall, if we werent able to go away as often, I would be tempted by a custom fitting cover, atleast to save the paintwork, but not for how we use the van currently, as I couldnt muster the effort to replace the cover every time we came back! Appreciate this is an 'on the fence' post, but might have some helpful info for you.

Another member mentioned UV protection - for what its worth, I use some covers for my tyres for when the van is parked to try and slow the UV damage to the tyres - might be worth looking at too?

Cheers
Rob

 

[FrintonMike]

As Damian says caravans are made to be left in the open. How many cars are covered when left in the open ?

We have never had a cover but after driving over a recently resurfaced road and getting the front of the caravan splattered in tar we invested in a front cover for towing and now arrive at sites with a clean front.

 

[rosies]

I wonder why people buy carports and garages ?

 

[intransient1]

Hi Penshioner,
You don't say what you are thinking of using the cover for, if it's to keep the van clean in storage, then as others have stated you needto clean the van properly before fitting also the way it fits is important as a cover that flaps around can damage you van.
If you only want to keep the roof clean you can buy a roof cover.
I personally don't use one as we tour all year long and we clean the van every time we use it.
I would recommend a towing cover as it not only keeps the front clean it also can stop damage, I use a protec towing cover which covers the front of my van to nearly roof level.

 

[pensioner]

Oh I have a garage for my trike,,tools,,tents,,freezer,,clothes dryer,,all sorts really,,but certainly not a car !! :woohoo:

 

[pensioner]

The idea was to keep off the bird droppings,,heavy dust,,and a nutty neighbour who chooses to paint the adjoining fence when I have the car and now the van in situ without advising me or suggesting I move it. The car took 2 days with tee cut and polish to sort out.