I've been caravanning for over 10 years now (still a newbie compared to some on here I know). I have never felt the urge to use a caravan towing cover in this time despite having towed some longish distances (eg 1800 miles on Summer trips to the continent).
Should I really get one? Have I been riding my luck all this time? If so what should I look out for when choosing one? Any brands that stand out (good or bad)?
All advice appreciated.
TC
PS I am sure this has been covered before on here, but with the Search option being broken I couldn't look to see what people had said in the past.
You get what you pay for in terms of towing covers as this has been covered on this forum many times. I opted for a 'Quest' brand which was cheap at £80 but practically it wasn't up to the job because where the plastic connectors were situated the material started rip due to the poor quality material. The rips eventually got longer where it wasn't taught any longer so ended up taking it to the tip for scrap. I had it just over 12 months but due to the age of my caravan it's wasn't viable to splash out £300 or more for a good quality one.
Thanks, Tango55. I was sure this topic would've been on here before but as the Search isn't working (assume it isn't failing just for me?) I couldn't find what people had said before.
So avoid Quest.
But would you recommend having one? Do they do their job? I have heard of windows still being cracked by stones being thrown up etc.....
I had one from Specialised, not cheap but seemed very well made.
The particular caravan it was made for we p/x after a year, then sold the cover on.
Would I have another one, probably not.
And yes there are loads of posts, if the search was working.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
I think aerodynamics of tow car-caravan play a huge part on the value/need of a towing cover!
I tow with a tallish MPV with a squarish back giving minimal gap between car rear and van front, and quite simply I don't get noticeable bug splat or seen a stone chips on the front of my van, there is sometimes a little bit of 'buggyness' at the very top, more roof than front, just ahead of the joint strap. TBH I don't get much bug splat on the windscreen of the car either, it's quite steeply raked, think the whole outfit is really quite an aerodynamic unit.
Done thousands of miles in all weathers and it never seems to make a lot of difference, don't even get an excessive amount of wheel/road splash on lower front of van.
Did consider a towing cover when I first got van 6 years ago, but now, not sure I see any point, and probably a greater risk of chaffing damage from cover than from any other cause! Of course you have to clean the van BEFORE fitting a cover to avoid scratching the finish, which is a chore I could do without.
Pretty sure it's a horses for courses thing, as I've seen other peoples vans absolutely pebble dashed! - so some may definitely benefit, but whether anyone can give you certain guidance on experience with a different outfit is doubtful IMHO.
What seems to be beyond doubt is that quality counts in many cases, think the majority of users have either had short lives with cheap universal covers or found issues with straps and fitting, whilst the expensive covers tend to be van specific giving a good fit and prove durable.
Before splashing out on a cover - Does your caravan have awning rails on both sides? If it doesn't, and you still want a towing cover, you will have to attach one side with limpets.
Quote: Originally posted by thechief on 15/4/2024
Thanks, Tango55. I was sure this topic would've been on here before but as the Search isn't working (assume it isn't failing just for me?) I couldn't find what people had said before.
So avoid Quest.
But would you recommend having one? Do they do their job? I have heard of windows still being cracked by stones being thrown up etc.....
I had been towing for about 16 years but that's what prompted me to buying a towing cover in the first place as I was returning home with caravan in tow and it wasn't till I returned to the caravan storage that I noticed that the outer half of the front nearside window was missing. There was an object that had collided with the bottom right hand corner which obviously the wind had forced itself between the two halves and lifted the outer half into the sky somewhere. Personally, I thought it was a pain staking process taking it on and off each time plus the extra space needed to store it away when on site but when I binned the towing cover like I said in my first post I didn't bother again and put it down to bad luck on that day. Since then it's never been a needed item and an unnecessary expense but that's my own personal opinion. However, there are several YouTube videos on this topic which may be helpful to make a final decision.
Always had specialised covers and recently bought a winter cover from them and they fit perfectly as they are van specific.
Look on selling sites as you may be able to get one secondhand for a good price.
We always use a towing cover, saves a stone cracking front window, and does keep it a bit cleaner.
Towed caravans over 50 years and would never bother with them, to much faffing about.. They only came on the market around 2010 when Bailey bought out Alutec bodies and the fronts were getting dented with stone chips. First of all they supplies sticky plastic sheet to stick over the area. Now they fit a plastic moulding over the top of the panels. When we first started caravanning in the 1970’s caravans were Aluminium fronts and people just towed them,
Have had one for four years.
Can fit and strike in ten/four minutes.
Noticeable difference between using and not using to dirt etc on front panel of van.
I would def recommend.
Got an inexpensive one from Towsure ... not caravan model specific ... fits many sizes, easily adaptable.
On the plus side:
They help keep your caravan clean(er) when being towed.
They give *some* protection to the front of the caravan when being towed.
On the negative side:
They can be expensive.
They are big (to store when on site)
The cover itself can get filthy and may need cleaning.
There's a risk that trapping anything between the caravan and the cover can cause problems.
They way I look at it had 10 previous caravans over 50 year period without one,all were bought brand new. Present caravan now just 1 year old so why treat it any differently to the other 10. And now in my 80�s do not just want to have the latest of things. I do always fit mud flaps on our motors.
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Topic: Towing Cover for Caravan
via mobile 16/4/2024 at 7:09am
