I know caravan covers is a done to death topic.
I know people love them or hate them.
The fact is we have a massive cedar tree in out frint garden that drops catkins full of luminous green powder for part of the year and it gets into everything, ever last nook and cranny and causes mould to develop of not washed off on a very regular basis. We also live in a area prone to heavy snow. We have a old van (1992) and we don't want to risk any serious unseen water ingress via her aging body over the winter turning her into a big soggy heap by springtime. We love her and want to take proper care of her.
So, we need a cover (with all its rumoured inherent evils). This is our first caravan so are still learning how and what and why (I still can't fathom what that fuse on above the water pump switch is actually for....).
I am not sure how best to measure the caravan to buy the right size, we have left it waaaay to late to buy a specially fitted cover and I dont think the expense is justified on an caravan in her 'autumn' years such as ours.
I've been looking at a maypole one. Anyone got anything positive to say about these? or should I steer clear.
Hope although this is a frequent topic some of you will be nice to the newbie and help me out.
Measure the body length outside, from the rearmost point - to the front of the 'van but not including the A frame. Silver covers are said to be more resistant to UV than green ones and it needs to be breathable. Make sure you cover up/pad the sharp bits!
All I did was phone protec covers. tell the my caravan details they asked a few questions , door side of van, chimney, stylus etc and they gave me the opportunity for back velcro'd on to make it easier for me to help Bob in my wheelchair or the all over one which is okay for those standing. We got the open back one which is easier to seal up. Put our van to bed couple of weeks ago.
Its a breathable cover, more expensive than a lot of others but thats up to the individual .
Phone and ask for a few swatches to see for yourself what the material is like.
I used a cheapo £99 cover for 3 years & it worked well. but you must remove the arial spike,& I used a cut down bottom half of a 2ltr coke bottle to cover the heater chimney outlet. I also used old sheets to cover the windows to preventpossible[/I scratching
I have had a Maypole Cover for my 1991 Wisp for the last 3 years and it has been fine, no problems at all. If you go on the adverts for covers on e-bay most will tell you how to measure your van to get the correct size. Also for putting it on read JenniferB's topic "Top tip -putting on a caravan cover" works really well takes the hassle out of it. (I'd put a link in to it but dont know how to do it, but you can find it if you go into search).
Quote: Originally posted by rose+max on 10/11/2012I have had a Maypole Cover for my 1991 Wisp for the last 3 years and it has been fine, no problems at all. If you go on the adverts for covers on e-bay most will tell you how to measure your van to get the correct size. Also for putting it on read JenniferB's topic "Top tip -putting on a caravan cover" works really well takes the hassle out of it. (I'd put a link in to it but dont know how to do it, but you can find it if you go into search).
cannot find it anywhere no matter what or where it was put.
Cheers for all the tips. I had a good shop around online today and almost went for the maypole one but it didn't have many reviews whereas a kampa one (same price bracket) did and people seemed very positive about it and the rating were better than for the maypole one.
I will search out the putting on tips thread for definite. I envisage another team effort not unlike the one we have getting our 'van on and off our sloped driveway (where Mr MSA drives it off and I faff about moving sleepers and planks about to prevent grounding out). It will give the neighbours something else to laugh at.
I shall tell how good the cover was come spring. We live in an odd place weather wise so will endure endless rain, high winds and snow this winter.
Excellent tip about covering the chimney! I wouldn't have thought of that.
Just measured our 1994 Elddis 16ft, was looking at the Maypole and Kampa 14 - 17 ft covers on ebay basically £74 or £83 respectivally, can't decide.
Will we find that size a tight fit and need the next size up??
This will be our first year of using a cover but when we had a service back in March we was advised that on a caravan of our age it would benefit from one.
------------- "Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"
Mine measured 530cms which is 17ft ans something inches and I went for the 17-19ft one. I've ordered a Kampa from Duncan Camping and it was £78 quid. Delivery only about 5 quid.
We had a Kampa cover for our first 'van. It did the job well although it wasnt easy to put on. Saying that, it did the job we wanted it to and the 'van stayed clean and dry - inside and out - all winter.
Hi Chrissie. I've tried to do a link to it but cant get it to work. Anyway if you go in search, in search for put jenniferB, change search in to Author, Seach forum to Caravan and caravanning and it will give you a list of what she's posted and it's Good tip-putting on a caravan cover. (Not Top tip as I put previously,sorry)
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