Caravan Covers UV all weather Pros & Cons

Rangefinder1 · Newbie

Caravan Covers UV all weather Pros & Cons

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

From my perspective this is like putting a cover over your house when you go away.
Our OKA MH is outside all the time.
The caravan is designed to be outside. Covering it with something will cost a pile, the cover will need regular replacement and will likely rub spots on the van and be a PITA to put on and to remove every time you want to use the van.
If you really want to cover it for some reason, build a simple carport.
Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 29th of August 2021 06:57:09 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have had two cars for 18 years each parked on the street near the ocean. Weather was not an issue in their aging.

Wax it once or twice a year if you feel the need.

StewG · Senior Member

Our van is four years old and never covered. The downside is that some accessories just are not made to perform well in the weather. My main beef is with plastic items with little resistance to UV. I have replaced two roof vents and an outside power point simply because they yellowed/faded and fell apart. I've repainted two jerrycans due to the paint fading. The caravan manufacturer's plastic stick-on logos and decoration have bubbled and faded and have been removed - never liked them anyway! Give the exterior panels a good waxing and cover up the potentially weather-affected accessories and the van should be good for many years out in the open. Peter n Margaret gives good advice.

bomurra · Veteran Member

Hello Michael,

I always cover my van, currently using a waterproof cover from "Aussie Covers" (https://aussiecovers.com.au/collections/caravan-covers) No Affiliation, that seems to work well as far as water proofing goes. Most others that I have tried have not been waterproof, if that is important. This cover allows a small amount of light through to the roof mounted solar panels to keep the battery charged, others have not.

My experience with covers indicates that in Perth WA (harsh UV sunlight) covers last max 3 years before they disintegrate.

I am lucky in that my van is quite sheltered from the prevailing winds and the cover does not flap around, so has never chaffed any of my vans. Both of my son in laws use covers in less sheltered conditions, and they have not experienced chaffing either, but I have read on forums that it can occur.

Getting the cover on and off is easy for me as I have a retaining wall on one side of the van, and ladder access on the other, so it is a simple, single man operation. However I do understand that others do not find this task so easy, so this needs to be considered.

We use our van quite consistently through out the year, and when not in use it is covered so the the outside always stays in good condition. We sell our vans privately (sometimes at a profit), and usually to the first person that looks at it. I put this down to careful washing of the van after each trip and keeping it covered while in storage. I have never polished a van in 41 years of van ownership, never needed to.

I have never replaced an awning, hatch, exterior light, power inlet/outlet, handbasin, shower cubicle or fridge vent on any of my vans, and put this down to keeping them protected from the UV when not in use. Decals on my vans usually stay on good condition also.

I am not able to build a cover over my van, as I will exceed the "Roofed Area to Plot Ratio" gazetted by the local council for my parcel of land, so a cover is the next best thing.

As I have hopefully pointed out, there are pros and cons, like everything else.

Hope this helps.

Bob.

-- Edited by bomurra on Wednesday 1st of September 2021 07:17:29 PM

Cupie · Guru

I'm firmly with the 'cover it up' group.

I have had the same caravan since 1999 and when I take it to the repairer to get the regular dents repaired they always comment on how well it looks. I think so too & believe that the covers that I always use when at home are a major factor.

I do not use the commercial Caravan Covers but have perfected a system using 3 broccoli boxes on a rope across the front & rear of the roof & another on top of the A/C unit. This gives an essential air gap and stops the cover from rubbing on the paintwork.

The primary cover is the best/dearest heavy duty silver tarp that I can find. It is held in place with a UV treated rope that runs along each side through slots in the chassis crossmembers. The rope is looped up at every tarp tie down point and attached via large rubber bands cut from old inner tubes and S hooks made from wire coat hangers. Of course there are front & rear tie downs too. I fold the ends just like wrapping a boxed present just to make it look a bit neater.

To extend the life of the tarp & provide extra hail protection I put my shadecloth floor mat over the tarp.

To prevent the covers lifting in strong winds I throw a rope over the middle and tie it down with a truckies hitch to the chassis.

Works well and allows me to leave the van's windows & door open in all but stormy weather. Just make sure that the tarp is long enough.

Tarps last about 4 years & cost about $110; shade cloth 20y+.

BUT It would be far better to build a carport.

PS. edit 2 .. I connect 240v and leave the battery on float.

-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 10th of September 2021 03:59:53 PM

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 11th of September 2021 10:52:29 AM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Even under some form of sun . Shade cloth . If mine was parked in driveway ? Already have plastic sliders on ends of solar panels etc . So I throw a rope over and pull shade cloth over . Turn fudge freezer off . Theres enough sun getting through to keep batteries charged . I have a few squares cut out with hot wire . So it doesnt need hemming !!