A caravan cover is a very important accessory for your caravan that ensures its protection and safety over a long period of time if it is parked in the same spot. However, when it comes to buying the caravan cover, many caravan users have difficulty figuring out what size cover they need for their specific model. With so many brands of caravans and so many brands of covers on the market, it can get quite confusing. In this blog post, I will be explaining how you can measure your caravan and see what size cover will fit your caravan model.
In the blog post below, I will be discussing the following:
- Measuring your caravan
- Tips to get a cover that fits well
- Features to look for in a good cover
- Caravan cover recommendation
- Conclusion
Measuring your caravan
To get the correct measurement for your caravan cover, you need to ensure that you measure your caravan’s external length at its longest points. It’s important that you measure the external length of your caravan yourself and not rely on the measurements provided by the manufacturer of your caravan. This is because the measurement provided by the manufacturer is usually the internal length which can differ quite a lot from the external length because of of factors such as wall thickness, or added storage compartments.
The width comes as standard the most commercial caravans, therefore, if you’re measuring for a universal caravan cover then you don’t need to measure the width, just the length is enough.
It’s important to keep in mind that caravan cover sizes are based on the external length of your caravan and are available in different sizes up to nearly 8m in total length. These universal covers also have adjustable straps that can shorten the cover by up to 2 feet in case you need it tighter. Depending on your caravan, you may be able to get away with stretching the cover over smaller accessories on your caravans such as the gas bottles or a spare tyre. It is easier to do this if your exterior length is slightly shorter than the limit of the caravan cover length.
Tips to get a cover that fits well
If you want to make sure that your universal caravan cover fits as well as possible, then it’s important to understand that the less extra material there is flapping around in the wind, the better it will protect your caravan. Therefore, it’s always best to opt for a cover that is smaller. For example, if your caravan is just below a step in sizing (i.e. your caravan is 13′ 11″ and the size step is at 14″, choose the smaller size at 13″. If you go for the larger size the cover will be very difficult to fit, and the excess material will need firmly strapping up to prevent any flapping and tearing if the winds get really strong. This being said, if you have a large satellite dish that is permanently mounted to the roof of your caravan, then you may need to opt the larger size.
Another tip is to get a second opinion if you are unsure of which size to go for. You may want to contact the manufacturer of the caravan cover to ask for help with measurements and they should be able to guide you on what is the best size for your caravan.
Features to look for in a good cover
When looking for a good quality caravan cover there are certain features to look out to ensure you are getting the most protection out of your cover for your caravan. Here are some of the features of a high-quality caravan cover.
Accurate size
As previously explained above, if the fitting of the cover isn’t right, then it can result in causing damage to your caravan. This is because the flapping can easily cause damage to your caravan. It can also tear if the wind is really strong. Another thing that ensures a good fit is having features to keep the cover secure. This can include features such as buckles that make sure the cover doesn’t move around too much.
Simple to use
A good caravan cover should allow you to cover your caravan quickly and easily, even if it is a full universal caravan cover. This is because all high-quality covers have features such as zips, Velcro, or straps that make it eater to get over the caravan and make the fitting process much easier and simpler.
Breathable fabric
The majority of full caravan covers are usually designed with a number of layers consisting of a softer inner layer that protects the caravan from scratches and damages, and then a breathable-material membrane and finally, a UV resistant and water-resistant on the outer layer. Having breathable is very important as it prevents condensation from building up underneath the cover.
Caravan cover recommendations
Here are some of my favourite universal caravan covers. All of these covers are made from high-quality breathable material that ensures your caravan is well protected. I have set out a table that includes all the key information about each caravan cover and where you can purchase them from.
| Air Awning Model | Width | Height | Price | Rating out of 10 | Link to purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quest Caravan Cover | 230cm | 250cm | £153.00 | 9 | gooutdoors.co.uk |
| Kapma Superior Caravan Cover | 400cm | 450cm | £184.99 | 10 | campingworld.co.uk |
| Kampa Prestige Ultimate 3 Layer Cover | 579cm | 640cm | £139.99 | 9.5 | campingworld.co.uk |
The Quest Caravan Cover is made from breathable material that prevents condensation that usually occurs during winter. This cover is made from heavy-duty material that ensures longer life, but in addition to this it also offers UV protection and the entire cover can be packed down in its own handbag for easy and safe storage.
The Kampa Superior Caravan Cover is very impressive since it is UV stabilized, which works to reduce any internal heat build-up in the caravan and protects internal furnishings from the fading effects of the sun.
When it comes to the Kampa Prestige Ultimate 3 Layer Cover, one of the most impressive features it has to offer is the tough interlocking 4 ply seams with rot-proof thread. This ensures your caravan stays safe from any damp or mould issues, which can be common with some caravan covers.
Conclusion
Measuring your caravan is a very simple step, but using this measurement to find yourself a suitable caravan cover is the difficult part. Hopefully, after reading through this blog post you have a better understanding of how to measure your caravan and what size caravan cover you need based on the size of your caravan and any extra parts that may be on the exterior of your caravan such as a satellite dish.