All weather covers

AnneGary
AnneGary Forum Participant Posts: 17
edited February 2020 in Parts & Accessories #1

Sorry if this has been asked before but my search cant find anything.  

 

Had a day at the NEC today looking at (amongst other things) all weather caravan covers from Pro-Tec and  Specialised. Both seem very similar in performance and approach but one is a little more expensive than the other, including show discounts. Also the Pro-tec has a removable rear panel to aid fitting where the Specialised just opens the door velcro to allow fitting.

 

I guess I'm interested to hear about peoples experience with these covers or even if people think they are a waste of time.

 

Our caravan is brand new and stored outside in a grassy area of a local caravan site but exposed to the elements with nearby trees possibly dropping sap during the warmer months

Thanks 

Comments

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited February 2020 #2

    We have a Protec cover, with the easyfit rear panel.  It’s absolutely great and wouldn’t be without one.  We don’t use the caravan from November to March so the cover is used for 4 months every year and it’s been great.  Protec manufactured it for us with a clear section for the solar panel and that works well too.  We have never had any issues with scratches on windows or paint, or mould inside the van either.  The caravan is fresh and clean after its lay up.  We removed the cover yesterday, actually, ready for our first trip of the year in a couple of weeks, as usual all great.  We originally bought a Protec cover in about 2012 for an earlier caravan but without the roll-up back panel.  The current design makes it VERY much easier to fit and our present cover has been used on two caravans now for a total of 6 years.  Our previous storage site had a lot of trees nearby and the cover saved a great deal of cleaning.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2020 #3

    caravans are made to be lived in for weeks/months at a time so why would you want to cover it up. I have read on forums that when windy they can scratch the windows. can you not move to a different location away from the trees. All my vans have been left outside in storage without a cover and are always reasonably clean even after winter. I do fit awing rail protectors and this does cut down on a lot of black streaks. personal choice of course but also before fitting the cover the van needs to be clean weather it's a full or just a towing cover.  

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2020 #4

    Your choice, but I don't bother with a cover. It's parked up from November to April and I just bring it home 4 days before our first trip out, when it gets its annual spring clean, plus I like washing and polishing the caravan anyway.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2020 #5

    could you nip up to the Blackpool area next month and clean mine as I hate doing it. Hope your cheap. wink

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2020 #6

    Awh sorry, I'm busy next month innocent

  • KeithL
    KeithL Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited February 2020 #7

    Just make sure the van is clean before putting the cover on. Any grit on the van will cause scratching as the cover moves slightly in the wind.

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited February 2020 #8

    We used to store (outside) our previous van on a site in Newton Abbot. Generally, our last outing would be in October. We wouldn’t use it again until about March/April, by which time it was filthy and covered with algae. Fortunately, the site had a cleaning service, costing £45, which I was ok with. I did consider getting a cover, but was put off by a friend who suggested that covers can cause condensation. I of course have no idea if that’s true, just what I was told. Not a problem now, as the van is stored under cover.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited February 2020 #9

    Used a pro-tec for a year but found it created a lots of mildew spots inside which did wipe off easily. Bit of a faff putting on and off but sap from trees is a nuisance so maybe worth your while.

  • AnneGary
    AnneGary Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited February 2020 #10

    Thanks for all the above - fairly evenly split between for and anti.

     

    Still undecided........