To cover or not to cover!

pointthefingerman
pointthefingerman Forum Participant Posts: 23
edited December 2018 in Parts & Accessories #1

No doubt there are some polarised views on this one, but it would be interesting to hear opinions / reasons from Caravan owners who choose not to cover their vans whilst in storage. Also any problems encountered from those who have opted to cover vans but have had problems and if so, what they are/ were  TIA  Regards, Dave   

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited December 2018 #2
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  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #3

    My Lunar may have many problems but it doesn’t leak (yet) and as we use the van all year it’s not worth buying a cover.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,863 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #4

    We had a whole series of well built UK vans which were never covered and we never had an issue over a period of 23 years with four caravans. Our neighbour along the road always covers his. It might depend whether you use your van all year as we tended to do so to cover it might be a bit inconvenient but if you don't use it for a few months at least it will keep it clean.

    David

  • pointthefingerman
    pointthefingerman Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited December 2018 #5

    Thanks David (and all)..be interesting to hear if anyone has encountered any problems as a result of covering their van

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited December 2018 #6
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  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #7

    In the winter months, when covers are wet and it freezes they can be very difficult to remove indeed they can stick to the article being covered. I would only cover a van if there was a real need e.g. stored under trees and I didn't intend to use it in the winter months.

    peedee

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #8

    We have used a fitted Protec cover on our caravan and have done for 7 years now.  Never had any problems or issues at all.  

  • Kerry Watkins
    Kerry Watkins Forum Participant Posts: 325
    100 Comments
    edited December 2018 #9

    This is our third winter using a cover. Bought a cheaper one from Halfords for £75 to see how it went. Best thing we have ever done with no problems at all.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2018 #10

    Have never seen the need to use one I would rather get the air and Sun?to the vehicle than have it in the dark inside,,and as we also now use our c/van all year, a quick rinse when on site keeps it clean

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited December 2018 #11
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  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited December 2018 #12

    JV has special dispensation DD😂😂

  • pointthefingerman
    pointthefingerman Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited December 2018 #13

    Thanks for the replies so far all - in answer to some comments: Yes the Storage area we use is  very leafy and there are some overhanging trees near to the van hence the thought about a cover.

    Weather lately has been very damp to say the least and the site is surrounded by a ditch on our side and railway the other (Good for security!). 

    Cleaning on our site is not a problem and indeed there is a pressure washer near the entrance for owners to use (although I would not not a pressure washer myself!) - but it gets a bit weary keeping it clean during the colder months, especially by hand! 

    Taking all into account a Cover seems to be a good option for the 2 or three months over the winter period, but just wondering if there are any downfalls in using one and if so what others have experienced...Thanks all

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2018 #14

    Where do I mention cleaning,?as that involves the use of other than waterwink

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2018 #15

    As does ‘rinse’. 

    Only light and window cleaning/washing/rinsing is allowed on site, JV. Best check with your friends.

     

    rinse
    /rɪns/Submit
    verb
    1.
    wash (something) with clean water to remove soap, detergent, dirt, or impurities.
    "always rinse your hair thoroughly"
    synonyms: wash, wash out, wash lightly, clean, cleanse, bathe, dip, drench, splash, hose down, swill, sluice; More

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2018 #16

    Oh dearundecided

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited December 2018 #17

    We used a so called breathable cover for a season but found it created a lot of mildew spots within the van, they wiped off OK but never bothered again.  We have a drive sloping to the rear offside which seems to be beneficial in so much water is laying on the roof for any length of time. Covers flap in very strong winds no matter what you do.

  • crown green bowler
    crown green bowler Forum Participant Posts: 407
    100 Comments
    edited December 2018 #18

    Never had the need to use a cover. We are fortunate  in the respect that we have always stored the van in the rear of our house, so if it's a dry day I sometimes open all the windows and hatches and get plenty of dry air inside. Maybe we have been lucky because we have never had a damp van.  We now have a German built van so let's hope our luck does not run out.

  • crown green bowler
    crown green bowler Forum Participant Posts: 407
    100 Comments
    edited December 2018 #19

    Not checking what I had said until to late. We do not store the van in the rear of the house, but of course the rear garden.  undecided. O' dear 100 lines again.