Whilst visiting my van at our storage facility I noticed a number of vans with a front towing cover in place but cant help thinking this might possibly be detrimental to the van if left on for weeks or months during the winter? Anyone got any thoughts on this?
Front cover protects hitch/hitchlock & jockey wheel shaft directly from weather so leave on. The air will circulate from underneath so condensation should not be a problem if thats what you are worried about? Also a good idea to arrange electrics cables underneath cover with plugs pointing down.
Hi Roger, thanks for that but I was thinking of the front towing covers that seem so popular these days. These cover the whole front of the van including the windows to protect from stone chips, flys and mud etc!
Ah see what you mean, It depends whether cover is breathable or not I suppose, otherwise it might trap wet underneath? Its intended to be for protection while towing, I can't see the point of leaving it on otherwise.
The only advantage I can see of leaving a front cover on permanently any time of year is to protect the front of the caravan from bird droppings or protect the front windows from strong penetrating sunshine.
With just a front cover and not a complete one, water and grime from roof runs down behind the cover and when windy has the potential for the grime to chafe away at the window surface and panel gloss coating making them become dull.
Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 23/12/2014
With just a front cover and not a complete one, water and grime from roof runs down behind the cover and when windy has the potential for the grime to chafe away at the window surface and panel gloss coating making them become dull.
Thats what I was thinking would happen with a partial cover.
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Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 23/12/2014
With just a front cover and not a complete one, water and grime from roof runs down behind the cover and when windy has the potential for the grime to chafe away at the window surface and panel gloss coating making them become dull.
Not if you had the van raised at front for water to run off the back.
But what I would be worried about is the wind getting underneath the top bit, turning it into a sail, and ripping it off the awning rails. Potential for a good bit of damage.
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Thanks birdman101, thats what I was thinking - Since I have invested in a Pro-tec towing cover I will use it like it was intended.. as a towing protector. The rest of the time it can stay in its storage bag till the next outing!
I'm aware this is rather an old thread, but surely it would be OK to keep a front cover on in storage if used with a roof cover only. The roof cover would go over the top of the front cover and therefore stop any water, etc, from getting behind. I used a top cover when in storage last winter, but the front of the van got rather dirty with leaves, etc, which the front cover would avoid. I had minor problems with the top cover straps slightly marking the front windows when used. Having a front cover on would avoid this and the straps being in front of this cover and also help to keep the front cover from movement in windy conditions. I have used a full cover for previously but found it very difficult to fit single handed. Any comments please.
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Topic: Towing cover left on in storage
