to cover or not to cover?

[ww2nut]

this is a simple one and one that has probably been covered before? but should i buy a caravan cover, my van is used as a tourer but for 4 months of the year gets stored in tenby to take full advantage of the summer season,cant decide whether or not to use a cover as i have had so much conflicting advice???

 

[UKHunk]

I almost got one when i got my van new in 2009,but to be honest,they do damage and scratch paintwork and windows all you need is a small bit of grit under them and hey presto there is a big scratch,The wind blows also with them on and again they will flap and do damage.and i seen even ariels damaged and a flue pipe knocked off by them,i prefer to wash and polish,but every one is different..

 

[BigTim]

Hi
I would like to give a STRONG VOTE FOR caravan covers
We have had a Protec cover on our Bailey Arizona for 3 winters now.
Pros
(1) It's a good fit
(2) Keeps the caravan beautifully clean and dry
(3) Acccess to the caravan even when covered
(4) Allows enough light in to work by inside
(5) Wheel covers protect tyres from sunlight
(6) Curtains and upholstery are protected from sunlight
(7) Excellent customer service - twice sent out replacement buckles by return, free of charge
(8) Green colour blends into garden well
(9) Hopefully might discourage a potential thief a little, ie, disguises 'van and would have to be removed before 'van can be moved
Cons
(1) Expensive
(2) A bit of struggle to fit/remove, especially if it's windy
(3) Fitting/removal really needs 2 people in my experience
(4) Susceptible to damage from protrusions. Make sure all protrusions, eg aeria, chimney, jointing strips are covered
(5) Time it takes to fit/remove if the 'van is used frequently
(6) Bulky to store when off the 'van
One of our roof jointing strips wore a hole in our cover during the first winter. My wife repaired/reinforced it with a piece of the extra fabric they include. I now "pad" ALL protrusions very carefully with pipe insulation foam secured with gaffer tape and thick rubber bands. I, also, gently rounded of the corners of the aluminium roof strips with a file.
I would recommend the optional storm straps, especially if your 'van would be stored in an exposed area. The optional large storage bag is, also, useful although ours had to be replaced when it tore near the handle almost immediately. The replacement was reinforced with additional material.
I do wash the 'van before putting on the cover but it does NOT need to be dry. It means that when I remove the cover the 'van is still clean and sparkling.
My cover's instructions did NOT tell me to cover the windows in any way and I have never done that or suffered any damage to the windows or paintwork. Our 'van is kept covered in an elevated position in the windy north west but still has not suffered any sort of paint or window abrasion from the cover.
Although our 'van is quite large, 7.2 metres long, my wife and I can fit the cover between us even on windy days. Our cover came with telescopic aluminium poles to help with fitting.
There is no need to get the securing straps greasy - it's just a matter of routing them sensibly.
On balance I strongly recommend Protec caravan covers. (I'm not, unfortunately, on commission from Protec) and I speak from 3 years experience.
Don't just take my word for it. If you search on ukcampsite.co.uk you will find a lot of other posters who favour caravan covers.
Tim

Regards
Tim

 

[ValA.]

We have a cover - not a ProTec one, but a much cheaper version, and we think it's great. We can still get in the van when it's covered - and we've done all the things Tim mentions - filed sharp ends, etc. It's absolutely wonderful taking off the cover to see the van just as clean as when you put it away. It also must protect against damp, which Tim hasn't mentioned - as water isn't getting on to the van itself. The van always smells fresh and clean when we take it off. Just like Tim, we've not suffered scratching or paintwork damage - and our van is stored on an exposed open area near an airport, when believe me the wind can blow. It does need two of us to put the cover on, though one person can take it off! We put ours on from the front now, rather than the rear as suggested by the manufacturer, and find that it slides on much more easily - in fact OH did wonder if he might be able to manage it himself from the front.
We do wash and dry our van before putting on the cover - choosing a dry, sunny, but not windy day to do it.
It's absolutely great and there's no way we'd go back to all the black streaks, dust, dirty roof, and so on!

 

[ww2nut]

im sold be getting one asap before the winter takes hold! cheers

 

[Essexeddie]

I agree. We have had our's for about 4 years now. Wouldn't be without it now. Saves all that cleaning in the Spring.
You have to prepare the van first, and take precautions. but its well worth it.
Its almost as clean as when we put it away.

 

[RegandPat]

This has all been some help as when I got my old van there was a large bag under the rear seats and low and behold it was a cover, dark green and looks new.
When I get rid of my shed from the garden and other obsticals I am going to put the van in and use the cover over winter plus there is a blossom tree very close by and the cover hopefully will protect it.
I was all for choppin the tree down but it is not mine.
I was a bit concerned about the ariel but have been told before that I can remove the tip.
Reg and Pat