Easy to use cover to protect from sun and rain

JulesandPhil
JulesandPhil Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited May 2016 in Storage #1

Our plans for a car port have been thwarted due to planning restrictions so we're looking into a cover for our newish to us Lunar 524.  The chap who does our servicing has suggested keeping the van on our drive, subject to the ever changing weather can damage
the sealant on the van, direct sun/heat dries it out etc. Has anyone any experience of this?  Would a cover be a worthwhile investment in helping to prolong the life of our van?  We're fairly new to this mode of breakaways, loving it so far, and almost at
retirement age so want to make the fun last a long time!  Any advise gratefully received...thanks in advance.  Jules & Phil :-)

Comments

  • kenexton
    kenexton Forum Participant Posts: 306
    edited May 2016 #2

    We had Protec covers on two  caravans,prior to taking up motorhoming.They fitted well and kept the vans in pristine condition.Disadvantages are having to clean the van before fitting the cover,they are awkward to fit /remove in freezing conditions and,as
    the fabric starts to deteriorate after approx three years,they can rip during fitting/removal.As stated they have a usage life of 3/4 years but their sacrifice to the elements is what saves the van's exterior from the ravages of the climate.Ours had a a flap
    at the door to allow access to the interior when the cover was in place and internal condensation was minimal providing we vented the van from time to time.We have a garage for our PVC which makes life so much easier but our Council obviously have a different
    attitude to yours

  • wye
    wye Forum Participant Posts: 241
    edited May 2016 #3

    I have the easy fit design , pretty straight forward , would recommend .

  • JulesandPhil
    JulesandPhil Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited May 2016 #4

    Thank you both, we'll investigate covers etc

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #5

    I would certainly advise for one. Breathable covers these days are excellent and the comment regarding 'sun and rain' is spot on. I worry far more about UV light and heat than I do rain. Rain does its damage after the sun has been at work. Good idea to cover
    it but try to get as light a cover as poss (colour not weight) If you get a really hot day the heat can build up under the cover quite dramatically. A light coloured cover will reflect the heat much more efficiently.

  • Robster2007
    Robster2007 Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited August 2016 #6

    The roof of my van is rather 'busy', it has an ariel, solar panel, auto sat finder and finally an air conditioner.

    I am assuming this will make it difficult to find a cover to suit?

  • wye
    wye Forum Participant Posts: 241
    edited August 2016 #7

    Protec will make the cover to suit yr van , ie plastic clear area for yr solar panel , they will need measurements , for it and also your sat dome ...

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #8

    Interested in a protec cover and understand how they fit etc. But am intrigued how one would fit my 2014 model coachman.

    That year they fitted a pretty useless single "Spike" TV aerial on the roof, a bit like the old style car aerial. I dont see how a cover could fit over that without bending or breaking it. Any other owners experienced fitting a full cover over it?

    TF

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #9

    Interested in a protec cover and understand how they fit etc. But am intrigued how one would fit my 2014 model coachman.

    That year they fitted a pretty useless single "Spike" TV aerial on the roof, a bit like the old style car aerial. I dont see how a cover could fit over that without bending or breaking it. Any other owners experienced fitting a full cover over it?

    TF

     

    The "Status" aerial we had had a "spike" that unscrewed......

    The cover went over easily & smoothly once the spike was removed.

  • Kerry Watkins
    Kerry Watkins Forum Participant Posts: 325
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #10

    We have an aerial fitted to the top of the receiver on the van roof. We simply unscrewed it and fitted the cover over the top.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #11

    Thanks for the info.  Very unsure what to do. Getting very tired these days and half of me says call it a day. The other half does not want to give up.  Hate having a scruffy van so have invested in a paint scheme finish, but the last trip out took a lot
    out of me.......

    Maybe a seasonal pitch, but why put off the inevitable?  This is a hard one.

    TF

  • davida71uk
    davida71uk Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited November 2016 #12

    Will probably make a Protec purchase now I have the measurements of the solar panel location. I've invested in four large moisture traps also. If it weren't for the tracker and alarm there'd be no need to have the solar panel section fitted in the cover,
    but the battery needs topping up. I was going to remove the battery and take home until I found out about the tracker and alarm. Being stored under a electricity pilon probably means more bird droppings and dirty rain water. Hopefully we can move it to a clear
    spot soon.