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Are Caravan Covers A Good Idea?

You’ve invested thousands of dollars in your caravan , and as with any other investment, you’ll want to maintain it in the best way you can. Similar to a mobile phone, you don’t want your screen to break, therefore you buy an iPhone case as well as a screen protector. Therefore, why not make the same for your caravan , to safeguard your bodywork from damage by buying an enclosure?

It’s important to keep in mind that there are times when you believe you’re doing a good job, it could result in a poor choice.

There are plenty of opinions that are mixed when it comes to buying the right caravan cover. Some claim they are essential however others state you must stay away from them. They also say they are meant to be outdoors, so let them to.

In this article, we will go over the advantages and disadvantages of having a full-coverage caravan cover to help you make your own decision on whether to go with the cover or not.

Covering a caravan or not cover it, that’s the issue.

The pros and cons – Why you should invest in an RV cover?

1. Guards against dirt, rain trees SAP and Animal droppings

As with all covers, the function of any cover is to cover the property or item to protect it from damage or dirt and that is precisely what caravan covers are designed for. It is likely that you have heard about how bird droppings that fall on your car could damage the paintwork, and that’s the same for caravans. This is among the primary reasons that caravanners opt for a protective cover that shields the exterior from unsightly scratches and also to keep the exterior clean.

Many campers choose to use the cover because they believe it can help prevent damp from the cover stopping water from getting to your caravan’s exterior. However, there are some views and situations where this may not be 100% true.

2. Protects from UV fade.

UV rays may fade the painting on the exterior of your vehicle. Additionally, intense sun rays could damage the seals on the doors and windows. Additionally, they can also cause the paintwork to peel or crack in the event of exposure to extreme heat. Therefore, using a cover for your caravan can help protect you from harmful UV ultraviolet rays and prevent damage to the bodywork on the outside. There is a counter argument to this, and that a cover can cause more damage from UV rays than it actually stops it. We will go over this more in depth in the next article.

3. Protects against scratches when traveling.

While driving , it could protect your vehicle from damage caused by road debris flying across your caravan as you travel along the motorway, or on any other road that have loose surface. There are arguments against covering your vehicle because the cover is scratching and scuffing itself which is something we will discuss later in the article.

4. Security

Another benefit of using a caravan cover is that thieves won’t be able to easily determine which model of caravan you own, nor will they be able to see what you’ve stored inside the caravan. It also stops thieves from snatching your caravan when driving by.

The Cons – What you should not do to get an RV cover?

1. The caravan can overheat and , in extreme situations, cracks.

As we mentioned previously the concept behind coverings is to shield the caravan’s bodywork from damaging UV ultraviolet rays. But there’s negative side to coverings for caravans. The majority of covers for caravans don’t have the breathable materials that cause an effect of greenhouses inside the caravan. This causes destruction of electrical components within the vehicle, such as batteries for leisure. While heat can cause problems for electrical components, but they can also cause harm the exterior of the caravan creating cracks on the bodywork.

2. The pain can be painful and cause damage to the process

The average height of a caravan is about 8 feet and a half which is a lot higher than the average of people. Therefore, trying to put a complete coverage cover on roof of the caravan will be nothing short of an issue in the event that you don’t have appropriate equipment or poles aid you. And even more so if working on it yourself.

If you’re not careful , you could effortlessly remove any outdoor items from your caravan like the TV antenna or solar panels. Trust us, this is more frequent than you’d think.

3. Causes scratches.

Although an RV cover is designed to guard your caravan from scratches and scuffs should you select one that isn’t worth the cost, it can cause scrapes and scratches. This occurs when the cover flaps when there are strong storms.

You might believe that an expensive and higher quality caravan cover would do the job, correct? But, even the best covers could cause scratches if not handled with care. Before fitting any cover for your caravan, it is crucial to cleanse the outside thoroughly and eliminate any grit that might be accumulated between the cover and the vehicle. This is because it may affect the wear of the finish of the caravan if there is movement within the cover.

This seems to defy the goal I’d say that it defeats the purpose.

4. It is known to cause damp.

There are many debates about whether or not. However some people believe that their cover for their caravan has resulted in their caravan becoming dampness due to the cover’s non-breathable material , and also not being waterproof. The water does manage to enter the cover, and the condensation isn’t able to escape and remains trapped between the covering and caravan.

5. Mouldy caravan

Similar to the third point, where the cover may cause scratches, it also can cause the caravan to develop mildew and mould problems. This could be due to many reasons: the vehicle is damp and dirty prior to placing the cover on and the cover doesn’t have breathable fabric to let condensation or moisture out, or to let the condensation escape. lastly as we’ve described with the condensation in the event that the cover isn’t water-resistant it could keep the water in between the cover and the caravan and cause mold in the course of time.

What is the best way to select the correct one?

If you’ve read about the pros and cons and it didn’t discouraged you from purchasing a caravan cover , what’s is next? Making the right choice is the next step to take.

There are various types of covers, including full coverage covers hitsch cover, towing covers, but when we talk about full coverage covers , we will look at the different kinds of full coverage covers.

There are generally to be three types of covers that are full coverage. Apart from the various brands and models, there are Covers that are ready-made, semi-tailored, and custom-made caravan covers.

The most important thing to remember with any caravan cover is to select the correct size cover. It is crucial to accurately measure your caravan.

Ready-made covers:

Also called the universal covers for caravans. If you were to go to cover your caravan, we recommend staying clear from those. They come in various sizes, and can be secured by securing them with straps underneath with an elastic skirt on the bottom.

They do tend to be more affordable and fall within the PS70 or PS150 price range, however this is the area where you’re more likely to cause damage to your caravan instead of preventing the damage. Because the cover doesn’t fit the specifics of your vehicle, it could be susceptible to scratches while applying the cover or flapping in the winds. Don’t forget that If you buy an inexpensive cover, it’s likely to be a poor quality product that allows water to enter the cover.

If you decide to go for this option, opt for the smaller size of cover for your caravan if it falls somewhere in the middle of the sizes available. If you choose to go too baggy, you’ll find that the cover can break in wind if the cover is flapping.

Semi-tailored covers:

Semi-tailored covers are likely designed for a specific model of caravan. It won’t match perfectly with the model of your caravan as they are designed to cover a range of different models of caravans but you could choose a cover that is more suitable to the profile of your caravan which will reduce the risk of causing damage on your home.

Made-to-measure covers:

Finally, made-to-measure. If you’re sold on the concept of having the cover, we would suggest for a tailored caravan cover. It might be more costly, but it can reduce the negative aspects of having a cover for your caravan by making sure it is tailored to the specifics of your caravan.

Conclusion

In the case of caravan covers, there’s always some disagreement regarding the use of an RV cover. There is either a caravaner believing that their caravans were designed to be outdoors or you’re the person who believes it is their sole secure place to shield it from weather as well as bird droppings, as well as general wear and wear and tear.