Front Towing covers
I am considering purchasing a Front Towing cover for my new (to me) 2015 Lunar Clubman SB. I appreciate the protection they give, but I have some questions.
Which make would be best and at what cost?
How do you store them if you’ve travelled when it’s raining and it’s wet and dirty?
How easy are they to clean?
Many thanks in advance for your replies.
Comments
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We have Specialised Covers and just ordered another for our new van, it’s a middle range which enables access to the lockers without complete removal and costs £299.00
If wet when we arrive on site we hang it in the shower cubicle. They are easy to clean.
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We have a Specialised Tow Pro that came as part of the show offer. There is a tread running in accessories that gives details on the Specialised web tool to determine which one fits your caravan. Think the Tow Pro is £199 from memory.
If it gets wet whilst en route to site or home it gets hung in the offside awning channel to dry, then fold and stored in the front nearside locker in its storage bag.
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We bought a cheap Rhino one for about £45, being new to caravanning and not sure how good front covers are. We are very pleased with it. It can be easily put on single handed and covers well. No doubt for four to six times the price you get something special but we're happy with our cheap one.
We just give the front of the van a quick wash down to make sure any abrasive dust is cleaned off before putting it on.
Last time out it got soaked, but the weather was dry on arrival so we put it over the bonnet where the engine heat dried it in no time. To wash it a cool wash at home and no spin worked perfectly, especially as all the straps unclip.
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have to agree, personal preference of course but time on site is too short, bad enough having to set up with water, electrics... before that first drink
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If you van all the year round and you live in a sugar beet growing area a cover is a definite boon at harvest time. I have mud flaps on the CRV and whilst they are ok in wet weather they are about as useful as a chocolate fire guard in mud. The cover is the best accessory we purchased for the van.
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We bought a cheap one off Ebay and it didn't fit properly and was a bit of a faf to put on. I looked at the expensive ones like Specialised but with our van being 10 years old they no longer made them.
We found a site on Ebay "gerryshops" who if you give him your make and model and 3 measurements will make one fit perfectly all for £100.
We are very pleased with it and just give the front of the van a quick wipe down with a damp cloth before fitting it.
So far its not been wet when we have arrived on site or home.
It takes minutes to fit and saves the front of the van from stone chips, tar spots and mud. I think its worth the 5 minute extra wait for my first drink!!
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We have used the same cover (Protec) for 8 years now on 2 Elddis vans and would not travel without it fitted.
A simple wash/wipe down before fitting and then away we go. I am not sure as to comments about 'scratching' as when driving the wind seems to 'mould' the cover to the front.
We use the van all year and if its wet when we arrive we hang it in the awning until dry or in the garage if wet when we arrive home.
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We did buy a front cover, but returned it because it was a poor fit. Our decision then became one of, "why bother?" The towcar cost quite a bit more than the caravan, and we don't have a front cover for that. When towing, the front of the van is largely protected by the towcar in front of it. When selling the van, buyer/dealer is less interested in a front cover having been used than in the price they will pay for the van. So, in spite of protecting the van, the benefits of buying it, fiddling about with fitting and removal, all go in favour of the next buyer. You can buy a hell of a lot of good wine for two or three hundred quid!
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my thoughts exactly. I often see folk whose first thing after setting up is to wipe (I would say wash but of course that is not allowed) the front of their van down when it really doesn't need it.
Having said that if doing this gives them pleasure or fills a need then it's their time so that is fine by me. Same with fitting towing covers. I suppose folk think I'm daft for cleaning boots after each climb.
It would be awful if we were all the same.
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And front covers are definitely hazardous😄
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Hope you don't mind me carrying on this conversation. In August we are going on our longest journey yet (first year in van) and my service technician has advised me several times on getting a towing cover. The main reason being that my Bailey Ranger has a single large window that would cost £500+ to get replaced if it got scratched, chipped, etc.
So I am considering the costs. Is it worth getting a cheaper one line a Rhino or to go to specialised coves / pro-tec where it lots more, but seems to be a better fit? Our caravan is 2008 so they don't hold the exact models now.
In addition do I need to make sure the front 2 van lights are visible on the side?
Many thanks for your thoughts.
Phil.
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It's not so much the small muck thrown up by the tow vehicle wheels, but when the lorry in front throws up a brick that goes right over the tow vehicle!
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On buying a new Coachman at the show in February, a ‘free’ Elite Tow-cover was part of the deal. I had to wait for several weeks but when it arrived it was the best tow cover by far that I have ever owned. Made of something like neoprene and a 1/4 in thick, it fits snugly to the van and looks amazing. It protects from flying grit and stones. It’s very easy to clean as it’s a plastic type material on the outer skin. I have had two previous tow covers one from Specialised Covers and one from Protec. I wouldn’t be without one and I’m a little confused over the comment that they are ‘definitely hazardous ‘ - news to me!!
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Are you trying to tell me that a cover will protect you against a flying brick?
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There are a number of reasons why we have never bothered with one! Firstly, the reports that they have caused scratching. Secondly, it's just another thing to do when arriving on site after a (sometimes) long journey - I know someone said 3 minutes, but it always seems to take me at least twice as long as anyone else, having poor shoulders and knees etc. Thirdly, it's extra weight in the caravan - may be not much, but it all adds up - that extra tea towel, let's take an extra hand towel each, we need to take the fans with us this time as it'll be warm in the van, what about the fairy lights - they're only in a small box etc, etc.
David
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