Many worry about protecting their caravans properly, but there’s a lot of discussion over whether caravan covers are a good idea or not. After purchasing my first caravan, I wasn’t sure whether I needed a storage cover or not so I decided to research it and find out.
Is a caravan cover a good idea? A caravan cover is a good idea. However, you must ensure the cover is suitable and your caravan is in good condition to avoid problems with condensation, mildew, and paintwork damage.
It’s natural to feel the inclination to protect any big purchase. However, opinion really is split over whether or not a caravan cover is a good idea, as there is a lot of discussion around whether using a cover can damage your caravan more than not using one! After thoroughly researching the topic, I’m going to break down both sides of the argument and try to conclusively determine if you should use a caravan cover.
The Pros And Cons Of Using A Caravan Cover
Some argue furiously that you should always use a caravan cover, whereas some caravan owners say using a caravan cover is the last thing they’d do!
After a bit of research, it’s clear that caravan covers evoke heated debate. It’s almost a 50-50 split, as revealed in a Caravan Guard survey. According to the survey, 53% of caravanners use some kind of cover whereas the other 47% use nothing at all to protect their caravan.
Looking at this objectively, what are the pros and cons of using a caravan cover?
I’ll explain these pros and cons in a bit more detail, because they might be a bit misleading. For example, you won’t have to worry about damp, mould, and mildew with all caravan covers. I’ll clarify what all these pros and cons mean, starting with the pros.
The Advantages Of Using A Caravan Cover
The majority of caravan owners use caravan covers. Here’s why.
Protects caravan from UV fading
Caravans can suffer damage because of sunlight. UV rays can fade the paintwork of your caravan, or damage the seals on your ‘vans windows.
Using a cover when you’re storing your caravan can prevent it from being damaged by UV rays. Some believe that manufacturers design caravans to weather the elements, such as UV rays, so a cover isn’t necessary. However, it has been proven time and time again that too much exposure to UV can damage a caravan’s paintwork, windows, and doors.
Protects against rain, dirt, and tree sap
The primary pro of a caravan cover is it… covers your caravan. A caravan cover protects your ‘van against rain, dirt, and tree sap amongst other natural things that could damage your caravan.
It’s well known that mould can be a serious problem for caravans due to water ingress. Covers are often waterproof, which prevents water from damaging your caravan. The last thing you want is a mould problem in your ‘van, so a cover offers essential protection.
Just make sure you choose the right cover and use it in the correct way, or you could inadvertently cause a damp problem. More on that later…
Protects against bodywork scratches
One tiny scratch on your caravan can cause its value to plummet. Fortunately, a cover can protect your caravan from scratches when its stored but also when you are towing it.
When you’re travelling, all it takes is a stray piece of debris to scratch your caravan. And it goes without saying that your caravan can easily be scratched, even when it’s stored and stationary. A caravan cover can protect against unfortunate accidents that reduce the value of your caravan.
Acts as a deterrence to criminals
A caravan cover can act as a deterrence to criminals in several ways. Firstly, criminals can’t tell what model of caravan you have. And secondly, they can’t see what belongings you’re storing in your tourer.
Although a cover won’t deter a determined criminal, a covered caravan is a less desirable target than an uncovered one. Any kind of deterrence is obviously beneficial, so this is a pro to keep in mind.
The Disadvantages Of Using A Caravan Cover
There are also reasons that you shouldn’t get a caravan cover. Or rather, reasons that you shouldn’t use a poor-quality cover.
Is a pain to put on and remove
Putting on a caravan cover can be a big challenge for anyone. After all, caravans are tall, long, and wide. And it’s not like the surfaces of your caravan are completely flat either; all caravans have bumps and bits that stick out, like the TV aerial.
On average, it will take 2 people 20 – 30 minutes to put a cover on a caravan. One person really doesn’t stand a chance, unless they know what they’re doing and have a lot of experience.
Taking the cover of your caravan isn’t just as simple as pulling it off, either. If you don’t remove the cover from your caravan correctly, you can end up doing some damage.
Basically, it’s a pain in the backside to use a caravan cover. It might protect your caravan, but it’s an awful lot of hassle.
Can scratch the caravan paintwork
It may seem counter-intuitive, but a caravan cover can actually scratch your caravan! Yes, the item designed to protect your caravan from scratches can scratch it!
This is a well-known problem with cheap caravan covers or caravan covers that are put on a caravan without adequate preparation of the caravan.
Even the most expensive of caravan covers can cause scratches if you don’t fully clean the caravan before putting the cover on. The caravan must be thoroughly cleaned externally, or grit can be dragged across the paintwork by the cover. This grit, trapped between the caravan and the cover, is likely to scratch the ‘van’s paintwork.
Can cause damp
Yet another thing a caravan cover is meant to prevent! A caravan cover can actually cause mould, rather than preventing it.
A caravan cover is likely to cause mould if:
- A) The cover is made out of non-breathable materials that don’t allow moisture to escape;
- B) The caravan was wet when the cover was put on it and water/condensation cannot escape;
- C) The cover is faulty, lets water through, and ultimately traps water between itself and the caravan.
That’s a whole lot of points to be aware of, so it’s easy to see how a caravan cover can cause mould, rather than prevent it.
So, Should You Use A Caravan Cover?
After carefully considering the pros and cons of using a caravan cover, you’re probably still questioning whether or not you should use one.
I personally do use a caravan cover. I believe that it protects my caravan from the elements, maintaining its excellent condition and therefore prevents its value from free falling.
That doesn’t mean you should use a caravan cover; it’s all down to personal preference. You either fall in one camp or the other. Only you know which camp that is based on the pros and cons I’ve listed here.
If you want to use a caravan cover, you’re probably wondering which caravan covers are the best. If you are, I’ve written a blog post that should help you: Best Breathable Caravan Covers. You’ve undoubtedly figured out what the post is all about: the best caravan covers out there. I talk through the types of caravan cover as well as the best caravan cover manufacturers. The post will also give you a good idea of how much a caravan cover is actually going to cost. Give it a read by clicking here.