What is the point of a hitch cover?

Hoodmansion

Apart from covering the hitch when on site!

At least 90% of caravans arrive on site and religiously cover up the occassionally damp hitch area with a cover. This can be after travelling a number of miles in wet weather which leaves the hitch, handbrake, jockey wheel and breakaway cable wet and dirty.
Rather than letting air circulate these components, they are covered up. Why?

Can anyone provide a good reason for these covers?

scoutman

In 99% of the time to provide free advertising for the dealer!!!

IanH

Nope. No point at all in them.

KeithandMargaret

It's a religious thing!

They do it religiously like their father did before them and his father before that.

I religiously put the kettle on when we park up just as my dad did before me and his ….....

KjellNN

I only use the one the dealer supplied when the van is parked at home.....if I remember.

sailorgirl2

You could do what my OH does when he has been forced to buy a plastic bag when shopping and that is turn it inside out. He refuses to pay to advertise the  name of the store.......SG2

Wildwood

If the drawbar area is dirty it should be wiped down first but the cover then protects the hitch and handbrake gear from the weather, keeps the plug or plugs dry and in my case hides the converter as I have a 13 pin plug on the caravan and twin plugs on
the car.

EasyT

With Alko atc the led light on top is I beleve susceptable to damp. Hence I normally cover on site and when parked up at home. We are sited for a third of the year on tour usually

IanH

It's a religious thing!

They do it religiously like their father did before them and his father before that.

I religiously put the kettle on when we park up just as my dad did before me and his ….....

Raher like putting an awning up......

commeyras

Last time (about 4 years ago) I didn't put the hitch cover on the next morning, after a heavy dew, when I turned the  lights on it blew the car main fuse as damp had got into the 13 pin.  Now always cover hitch and no problems since.

JVB66

Ours as supplied by the dealer is turned inside out and put on to protect the hitch ,the act las the Elin plug whenever we park up on site or in storage

EasyT

Gawd your tying is as bad as mine! 

huskydog

The reason some for hitch covers it then gives us something to discuss on CT 

i have a MotorHome ,what's a hitch cover??

JVB66

Gawd your tying is as bad a

...it's called senile shake on
my tablet and not checking before sending ,please read atc and 13 pin plug

JVB66

The reason some for hitch covers it then gives us something to discuss on CT 

i have a MotorHome ,what's a hitch cover??

...Is it gathering dust somewhere

EasyT

Gawd your tying is as bad a

...it's called senile shake on
my tablet and not checking before sending ,please read atc and 13 pin plug

Ahh all is clear now 

hitchglitch

If the electrics etc. can stand towing for several hours through heavy rain then I'm sure they can withstand being pitched up and static for a few weeks. I used mine for winter storage out of habit but can't see the point for anything else.

Pauljw

Well it takes a minute to put on and as others have said if wiped down prior to fitting , it can only help .

Paul

JVB66

Well it takes a minute to put on and as others have said if wiped down prior to fitting , it can only help .

Paul

...what!!!

Pauljw

Ok depending on how the cover is put on its as quick as a condom ......... It stops dampness getting on the hitch

Goldie146

I'm not sure why, but my husband usually puts on our very posh cover (a calf rearing  nuts bag).

SteveL

Always wipe down hitch and fit. It keeps 13 pin plug clean and dry and protects the ATC LED. Can't see any reason not to fit, area under cover is well ventilated from beneath, and always clean and dry when we remove.

Pauljw

Ok more correctory put if You wear a shower cap correctly Your hair doesn't get wet . It's the same as the caravan hitch , protection is good . 

Paul

IanH

Are we sure that a cover doesn't just hold moisture around the sockets?

Pauljw

As Steve L said , the dampness should dissipate.

Paul

SteveL

Are we sure that a cover doesn't just hold moisture around the sockets?

That certainly isn't our experience. Perhaps it would depend how your van is stored. Ours is in a compound with no trees and gets a fair amount of the available wind. As long as it is put on when the hitch is dry, it has always remained bone dry underneath. Even if it did not keep it totally dry, it would prevent snow and ice build up on the ATC LED during the winter. I understand they are rather susceptible to this.

IanH

I wrap the two leads around the hitch and ensure that they hang vertically, with the pins downwards. Never put them in the moulded 'wells' on the triangle. Not had a problem yet.

We don't have ATC but can see that could be a problem if not covered.....

JayEss

You don't see them on the used caravans at the dealers. 

We don't use one. Can't see the point personally 

sailorgirl2

There is another positive aspect from having one one and that is it can delay anyone from nicking the caravan as it slows down the access to the hitch. I tie mine with so many different ties  it is a killer for me to get off when we come to move the van
so for a potential  caravan thief it will delay him and set the security lights on and then I can see them on camera...SG2

..

IanBHawkes

I have had my 'van for 20 years, never bought a cover and the caravan has been out in some appalling weather. Never had any problems. Hasten to add that it is stored under cover.

Metheven

It stops my hitch lock from rusting.