Although a caravan cover will keep the caravan clean during winter months etc. the caravan does need to breathe which a cover can trap damp moist air leading to damp problems in the future. Also, if the caravan has a fixed TV roof aerial then it can be a problem to avoid the cover ripping when pulling it over or removing it and it has been known for some to have to remove the aerial then refit it again at the start of the season. It's down to personal choice but I prefer not to use one.
Sorry Sparktwinkle, but I have to disagree, most if not all the covers are "breathable", I cover my van every winter and have never had any trouble with damp.
In the years before I started using the cover, after only three weeks the dreaded "black streaks" started to appear. As we all know the longer the streaks are allowed to remain, then the harder they are to get off.
It is great at the start of the season it is really great to remove the cover and find a bright CLEAN van underneath. In addition there are no little presents present from our feathered friends.
Although I DO agree that covers are very much a matter of personnel choice, I for one would never dream of leaving my van uncovered throughout the winter
Do a search on here and you will find loads of threads about caravan covers. Some are for them, and some against. At the end of the day it is something you have to decide for yourself, having whiled away several hours looking at all the threads.
Dear Sja thank you for your input and advice, as we are newbs, we welcome the priceless advice from you all x
So these black streaks are they dirt that stains? And I'm guessing bird poo harms the paintwork as it does a car!
Could you recommend a make for me - I'd like to cover all options
( ps what do you do with the cover when you take it off if it's damp and you're off on holiday in the van? ... Bin bag? Replace or just washing machine ) x
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( ps what do you do with the cover when you take it off if it's damp and you're off on holiday in the van? ... Bin bag? Replace or just washing machine ) x
You can't drive around with a cover on the van until you reach your destination, so I'm assuming you mean taking it off before you go, at home. Drape it out in a shed or the living room even (as you won't be using it while you're on holiday) - to dry out while you're away... don't put it in the washing machine (I doubt it would fit into one anyway) as it will destroy the layers and the waterproofing. Mine is stored in the loft over the summer and used over the winter.
I don't take it on and off every time I use the van during the summer, it's just used for overwintering. I usually take it off a few days before I go away for the first time, so plenty of time to drape it out in the garden or the shed and leave to dry if it's wet.
I have a Kampa cover and am very pleased with it. It is an "off the peg" (at a very good price) cover and the only drawback is that you cannot open the door of the van while the cover is on, whereas a customized one comes with a Velcro flap over the door to allow access. (I think the big drawback with these is A) the PRICE and B) being so customized, they probably will not fit your next van, as the door will not be in the exact same place)
My van is only covered during the winter months, come the spring, I watch the weather forecast and when the cover is dry I remove it, fold it and store it back in the large cardboard box that it was delivered in, until the following winter.
I purchased mine of Ebay, and they are sized as per the length of the van.
A caravan is designed to be expsoed to the elements 365 days a year. I think most people have covers on to save them washing down the caravan before the next seaason. We have never botherd as too much hassle to fit the cover especially if you intend to use the caravan all year around.
You never said where you were.This might sound daft but the air in Scotland is different from England.Our air here is mostly damp unless when the sun is out.
Ive said this before on here i agree with Tango i dont like covers as one year i bought one only to find condensation was dripping from the ceiling.And before some one says you could not have your van well ventilated it was.
During the day when the sun is out it heats up the inside of your van.When it goes down the warm air turns to moisture.Unless theres a wind outside to cause a vacuum effect the moist air remains in the van.
Without a cover and the windows on the night catches the air will still heat up but when cooling it will escape through the gap in the windows.
I had a few water ingress problems when I first got my used van. Issues fixed. I now keep the cover on in winter when it's in storage away from my house so I don't need to worry about water ingress, when I have the van at home I don't leave it on. Downside is a had I little bit of mould appear on some of the sufaces, I think this is because the cover keeps the van dark and even being "breathable" must reduce air flow. I just make sure I visit the van monthly and clean and air it. But I don't have to worry about getting a leak and have a months worth of water running down my walls!
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Topic: Caravan cover
