I dont think ill bother with anything on windows then.We havent had a problem with scratches just a few marks that look like the pattern on inside of cover.
lol,looks good jeff good but a long way off.wonder if you can get it here.
Has this happened to you ?
thanks for the warning
no it was some years ago someone had a van in storage and when they got it out for the season start there was patches of crazing on two windows after using clingfilm,its something to do with a chemical reaction .think jeff has the right idea finding a product that will not have adverse effects on the polyplastic windows.think i will contact polyplastic today to ask as it will be worth knowing for many users of covers.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
I think maybe my question re : does the caravan have to be dried after cleaning and prior to fitting the cover has been missed amongst the answers to Michael's question about the use of clingfilm. Any thoughts anyone?
not the roof but i always dry all round after washing.the reason it needs to be clean is because of any grit/dirt left on could possibly scratch the paint which is only microns thick by the cover rubbing against it.or windows. i would make sure there is no water welling on the roof before fitting the cover.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by Muleskin on 27/10/2011
I think maybe my question re : does the caravan have to be dried after cleaning and prior to fitting the cover has been missed amongst the answers to Michael's question about the use of clingfilm. Any thoughts anyone?
On specialised covers web site they say the cover can be put on when caravan is wet due to it being breathable fabric.
We've just fitted our Protec cover to our Bailey Senator Arizona last night. It will be on now until the February Half Term next year. We use our 'van for outings during school holidays and put the cover on at all other times throughout the year. This is our 4th winter with the cover on.
The cover keeps the 'van lovely and clean, especially the roof. We keep the 'van on our drive and overhanging trees mean leaves and birds' mess on the roof of the 'van if it's not covered. There, also, seems to be a lot of airborne dirt in St Helens!! I suffer with an arthritic knee and climbing my step ladder to clean the roof has become increasingly difficult.
The first winter we used the 'van the sharp ends of the metal jointing strip at the front of the roof rubbed small holes on both side of cover. Cary patched the cover with pieces from the large piece of spare fabric that came with the cover. I subsequently gently rounded the ends of the strip with a file.
I now cover the TV aerial, jointing strips, front marker lights, door hold-open catch and gas fire chimney with pieces of foam pipe insulation secured with loops of elastic and silver duct tape. The tape stays secure but pulls off without damaging the painted/plastic panels. I, also, unscrew the top from the chimney before covering it.
This winter for the first time I have stuck some pieces of foam on the roof near the TV aerial so that the rainwater runs off as it tended to pool on the cover there.
The cover is large and a bit awkward to fit on for the 2 of us. We use the provided extending poles, be careful they can bend/break, one of our's did, but I managed to push the break inside the pole. We, also, use a step ladder to help us position the cover.
We have the optional tyre covers to protect the tyres. We, also, have the 2 optional weather straps which wrap right round the 'van as we live in an elevated position in the windy North West!
Fitting the cover, including fitting the foam padding straps and wheel covers took the 2 of us the best part of 2 hours last night, but it was very windy which didn't help. We use elastic loops to keep the straps rolled up when stored off the 'van and this helps with rolling the straps under the 'van when securing it. We then use the loops to hold the ends of the straps rolled-up off the ground.
We have the large, optional, storage bag to store the cover when it's off the 'van. The bag is made of the same material as the cover and it not really very strong. We've twice had the bag tear where the handles are stitched on. The first time it was replaced under the guarantee as it was only a few days old. The replacement came with reinforcing pads where the handles were stitched on. However, a few weeks ago our son tripped over the handles and it tore again - it's now awaiting repair by Cary!!!
It's quicker taking the cover off but it's still large to handle. We now take our cover out onto the road in our quiet cul-de-sac so that we have the space to lay it out and fold it up to put it in its bag. As mentioned previously we keep the straps rolled with elastic loops. The large storage bag is very good as it's large enough to hold the cover and all the poles, straps, etc.
We try to put the cover on when the 'van is dry but the instructions say that it can be put on when the 'van is wet as it is breathable. We, also, try to take the cover off when the cover is dry as it very hard to dry it when it's wet, off the 'van, because of it's large size. We did once dry it by hanging it over the top of home rotary clothes line but it was a struggle and not ideal.
Protec's customer service is EXCELLENT. They replaced the bag without a quibble. Protec have, also, twice by return post sent our replacement plastic clips for the straps, when I had broken them. without charge.
All in all the cover is a bit of a faff to put on/off but VERY worth it for the protection it affords the 'van. It definitely does need TWO people to fit it.
Thank you especilally Michael and Tim and Cary for your very detailled experieneces of living with a caravan cover. You have raised other problems that I had not thought about such as space to lay out the cover to fold and store it, protecting the cover from the sharp bits on the caravan and last but not least the time it takes to put on and secure. I think having looked at the discussion in this topic that I will live without a cover as I keep my caravan in a storage compound away from trees, which makes cleaning the caravan difficult at this time of the year and there is insufficient space to lay out and fold a caravan cover on ground free from goose droppings which the owner of the storage area uses to keep the grass short. Having looked very carefully at the discussion it seems covers are good but create a lot of extra work.
We once stayed at a 5 van site near macclesfield and the owner had flocks of wild geese on his land. He found them a nuisance as they ate his pasture. He wouldn't ever kill them but had been told they were no good for the table either. They are so noisy.
One thing I think a cover will help with is protecting the van from the elements. It stands to reason that a van exposed to rain for 52 weeks of the year is more likely to suffer damp compared to one out for only 5 weeks of the year.
I accept your point Brian, re protecting a caravan from the elements but I would only use a cover for the winter storage months. From March to the end of October our caravan is in very regular use and putting on and taking off a cover every time we use it would I become too much bother plus I think a potential paint scratching activity.
While I recognise your problems Muleskin I must say that I feel that although work is involved in putting the cover on and off it still takes a lot less time than I used to take cleaning the 'van in its pre-cover days. The 'van is, also, protected from the elements and that includes sunlight fading the curtains and upholstery.
However, each to their own. Thanks for saying thanks too. I went on a bit but putting on the cover was still fresh in my my mind as it was less than 24 hours since I did the deed!!
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Topic: Caravan Covers
On MIL's drive now so her neighbours can start moaning.
