We use our caravan all year round, so don’t use a cover. However, no matter what time of year, every time we leave for home, I open all the lockers, and the wardrobe, and the fridge.
I wish i had it 10 days ago when there was hail here and like almost distroy my caravan, i had no idea that caravans are so wornable to hail which is not unusual in summer here
I clean mine like new inside and outside, take all the upholstery out ,use a good car wax on the outside but don't polish it off , buy at least 10 moisture traps spaced around inside, lift the caravan up on axle stands so tyres are off the ground legs down and take the handbrake off
Hi Mark, great video as usual. The one thing you missed by having a full cover is that it protects all the plastics round the lockers and handles from UV and yellowing. We always use fitted covers from Specialised and yes they are pricey but you get what you pay for. I use Beach balls which I put through the roof skylights and then inflate creating a sloping roof. It works like a treat. Having the slope also allows you to open the roof windows slightly. I also use a roof cover if there is a short gap between uses and as you say, that is a great option as well.
My caravan is 20 years old, I've never had a cover on it & just had a service & I asked was it worth upgrading electric cables etc & he told me I have a van better than some new ones, it's got no damp & it's solid 😊 however I'd love a newer one for a build in bed , because of disability & making the bed can be a little painful, but I've never covered my van 😊 I do have a cover but I just can't be bothered because no way to get in 😂 awesome vlog 🎉
Great advise Mark I have my Caravan in Storage I will be fitting a caravan roof cover because you are right the van needs to breathe just like your home no one like to see damp .
You should still take your battery home if your laying up the caravan for the winter,don't rely on the solar panel to look after it,i recently paid £195 for a 120ah battery and the caravan shop told me to still disconnect it
Hello Mark, we put a full cover4 on our last caravan and I have to say I liked it . but with our new caravan I don't think that we will bother as we intend to use it all year round.
I don't really like full covers., whether breathable or otherwise. Any condensation or damp in the van (all vans have a certain amount of damp somewhere in my opinion), takes a brave man to suggest otherwise, will be sealed in over winter that's not ideal. Moisture traps as discussed previously, are a necessity of using a cover or not. Just my experience. We sold our cover. 🤷
Coincidently we bought ourselves a top cover & fitted it about a two weeks ago, looked good and is a good make but we have been called to the storage yard as it has blown of the top & is now apparantly held with one strap lying between ours & the next van. Don't know yet if its a problem with the cover or operator failure? We followed all the instructions but site can be very windy so perhaps top cover is just not suitable? We will find out tomorrow!
@@thecaravanplace yep just the straps came loose instructions were not helpful saying tight but not to tight which is a bit wooly! I'm going to get some more straps to tie under the van from one side to the other. Hope that will work!!
I like the idea of a cover or poss a top cover but don’t think I need one. I’ll try keep it muck free with a wash&wax car shampoo or Bobby dazzler. Just don’t want to exacerbate chances of damp and I’ll let the caravan breath. Just my opinion. A proper cover will prob keep the van vented.
Hi mark was told not to use a cover on our van as it would invalidate the warranty on the caravan as they said it could rub on the body work and mark it or at worse cause a leek and i would have to pay for the repairs after warranty it would be my choice then if i wanted one
Hi Janet, I would say speak to your caravan manufacturer as I have always had new vans and been advised to use a cover not the other way round, but use a good fitted one. Sounds more like a dealer trying to get out of a warranty repair to me.
Hi mark I have a slight issue with leaving my caravan with the window on the second latch for ventilation. That issue is security it makes the windows venerable for people breaking in is there any security items to stop people opening windows when on first and second latch Steve
Not really, the only other way it to do all the roof lights on vent, but if they are going to go under the cover to try and get in, not much you can do to stop them getting in really.
Hi Ann. If you use a fitted cover made for your specific van that reduces and movement of the cover against the van. We use Specialised covers and they provide small foam protection strips that you slip into the awning rail which prevents any rubbing on the corners. If you do go for a "universal" cover then they do flap about a bit and could cause rubbing. But the benefits of a cover far outweigh the negatives.
If you have the ability to constantly supply power, put a cover on and run a dehumidifier 24/7 through the winter and use the drain hose instead of the tank and have the water running outside, never worry about any of the issues and the dehumidifier uses pennies each day
We have a top cover on our caravan as it is stored between two high hedges and so all sorts of bird muck and tree/hedge droppings make such a mess, so the top cover is needed in our case. We also have a small solar panel (can be used internally or externally). Initially we had the panel inside the caravan but since fitting the top cover, we have now propped up the panel on the a-frame between the hitch and the front locker and it works well :)
We use our caravan all year round, so don’t use a cover.
However, no matter what time of year, every time we leave for home, I open all the lockers, and the wardrobe, and the fridge.
Great tip thanks Ann.
I use a roof cover. Mainly to protect from bird droppings and tree debris ....
👍
I wish i had it 10 days ago when there was hail here and like almost distroy my caravan, i had no idea that caravans are so wornable to hail which is not unusual in summer here
I clean mine like new inside and outside, take all the upholstery out ,use a good car wax on the outside but don't polish it off , buy at least 10 moisture traps spaced around inside, lift the caravan up on axle stands so tyres are off the ground legs down and take the handbrake off
Sounds like pretty much what I do. 😊
Good plan 👍
No cover! I absolutely agree. A roof is the only alternative to a real shelter.
You’re a really clever chap, Mark! Thx
👍
Hi Mark, great video as usual. The one thing you missed by having a full cover is that it protects all the plastics round the lockers and handles from UV and yellowing. We always use fitted covers from Specialised and yes they are pricey but you get what you pay for. I use Beach balls which I put through the roof skylights and then inflate creating a sloping roof. It works like a treat. Having the slope also allows you to open the roof windows slightly. I also use a roof cover if there is a short gap between uses and as you say, that is a great option as well.
Good points 👍
My caravan is 20 years old, I've never had a cover on it & just had a service & I asked was it worth upgrading electric cables etc & he told me I have a van better than some new ones, it's got no damp & it's solid 😊 however I'd love a newer one for a build in bed , because of disability & making the bed can be a little painful, but I've never covered my van 😊 I do have a cover but I just can't be bothered because no way to get in 😂 awesome vlog 🎉
Yea they won't stop damp so don't change what your doing 👍
Great advise Mark I have my Caravan in Storage I will be fitting a caravan roof cover because you are right the van needs to breathe just like your home no one like to see damp .
Glad it was helpful! 👍
I think your great, we were going to buy a full cover, but after watching this I think we will just go with you're preference 😊
Hi mark, we use a full cover just the way you suggest. People tell me I’m wrong but it’s a 1999 Fleurette. It’s still going strong 👍
Like the idea of the roof cover, Mark, however any cover is going to stop any trickle charge getting to your battery from solar panel.
You should still take your battery home if your laying up the caravan for the winter,don't rely on the solar panel to look after it,i recently paid £195 for a 120ah battery and the caravan shop told me to still disconnect it
Hello Mark, we put a full cover4 on our last caravan and I have to say I liked it . but with our new caravan I don't think that we will bother as we intend to use it all year round.
Thanks the best plan 👍
I'm going to use a roof cover to make cleaning easier as it's stored near trees. I will take all cushions out.
Good plan 👍
We used a roof cover last year thought it was brilliant
We also put on all year rounded
Thanks Craig
Fenwick bobby dazzler...worked well through the winter months...
Thanks 👍
I've seen quite a few covers torn to shreds at the storage place where my caravan is stored. living near the coast is quite windy.
Ohh yes it does happen a lot. 👍
I don't really like full covers., whether breathable or otherwise. Any condensation or damp in the van (all vans have a certain amount of damp somewhere in my opinion), takes a brave man to suggest otherwise, will be sealed in over winter that's not ideal. Moisture traps as discussed previously, are a necessity of using a cover or not. Just my experience. We sold our cover. 🤷
Thanks Grant 👍
Coincidently we bought ourselves a top cover & fitted it about a two weeks ago, looked good and is a good make but we have been called to the storage yard as it has blown of the top & is now apparantly held with one strap lying between ours & the next van. Don't know yet if its a problem with the cover or operator failure? We followed all the instructions but site can be very windy so perhaps top cover is just not suitable? We will find out tomorrow!
Oh no 🙈🙈🙈 I think the straps need to be fairly tight and secure.
@@thecaravanplace yep just the straps came loose instructions were not helpful saying tight but not to tight which is a bit wooly! I'm going to get some more straps to tie under the van from one side to the other. Hope that will work!!
I like the idea of a cover or poss a top cover but don’t think I need one. I’ll try keep it muck free with a wash&wax car shampoo or Bobby dazzler. Just don’t want to exacerbate chances of damp and I’ll let the caravan breath. Just my opinion. A proper cover will prob keep the van vented.
Yea stick to your routine if its what works for you👍
Hi mark was told not to use a cover on our van as it would invalidate the warranty on the caravan as they said it could rub on the body work and mark it or at worse cause a leek and i would have to pay for the repairs after warranty it would be my choice then if i wanted one
Hi Janet, I would say speak to your caravan manufacturer as I have always had new vans and been advised to use a cover not the other way round, but use a good fitted one. Sounds more like a dealer trying to get out of a warranty repair to me.
Hmm interesting, not seen that before. 👍
I put a big plug in sink and shower, but have heard that I shouldn’t.
Good call 👍
👍
Hi mark
I have a slight issue with leaving my caravan with the window on the second latch for ventilation. That issue is security it makes the windows venerable for people breaking in is there any security items to stop people opening windows when on first and second latch
Steve
Not really, the only other way it to do all the roof lights on vent, but if they are going to go under the cover to try and get in, not much you can do to stop them getting in really.
Should I leave windows cracked open while In storage. Bearing in mind insurance
If cover is on yes, as long as the windows are secured it's OK.
We are having storm Babet at the moment.
Could the wind not rattle the straps, and cause rubbing and scratching?
I have the same concern living in windy West Wales. Also caravan paint seems to be very thin compared to car bodywork.
Hi Ann. If you use a fitted cover made for your specific van that reduces and movement of the cover against the van. We use Specialised covers and they provide small foam protection strips that you slip into the awning rail which prevents any rubbing on the corners. If you do go for a "universal" cover then they do flap about a bit and could cause rubbing. But the benefits of a cover far outweigh the negatives.
Yes you do have to be careful with the rubbing etc.👍
@@britsd6397 Thanks
If you have the ability to constantly supply power, put a cover on and run a dehumidifier 24/7 through the winter and use the drain hose instead of the tank and have the water running outside, never worry about any of the issues and the dehumidifier uses pennies each day
Good idea 👍
If you leave the windows on vent, do you need to put the fly screens down?
No need for fly screen
If you use a roof cover, what do you do with the sola panel?
The made ones have a window for the solar panel. 👍
Might be a good idea to leave the covers off , in the Spring you might have a few more baby two births.
👍
I have a roof cover but I have fitted a solar panel.
Will it hurt the panel if it stops charging over winter?
Thanks Mark.
ProTec do a cover with Perspex section for your solar,I’m definitely getting on. You know it’s protecting the roof and keeping battery topped up
It won't hurt the panel. But as mentioned, they do 1 with a panel in.
1:43 1:44
I have a solar panel so covers are a waste of time
You can get covers with transparent areas for the solar panels.
As below 👇👍
@@thecaravanplace wow! Thankyou
We have a top cover on our caravan as it is stored between two high hedges and so all sorts of bird muck and tree/hedge droppings make such a mess, so the top cover is needed in our case. We also have a small solar panel (can be used internally or externally). Initially we had the panel inside the caravan but since fitting the top cover, we have now propped up the panel on the a-frame between the hitch and the front locker and it works well :)