Help with motorhome covers (1 Viewer)

Jun 22, 2012
231
130
Ebbw Vale Gwent
Funster No
21,580
MH
Rapido 9048df A class
Exp
seven
Good afternoon everyone,


I’m considering buying a motorhome cover for my van when it is in storage, my question is do you use one or do you know of anyone that is using one, if so are they any good and what make do I need to consider buying.
 
Jan 29, 2014
1,310
969
Scunthorpe
Funster No
29,917
MH
Autotrail Apache
Exp
July 2013
Good afternoon everyone,


I’m considering buying a motorhome cover for my van when it is in storage, my question is do you use one or do you know of anyone that is using one, if so are they any good and what make do I need to consider buying.
Na dont bother spend the money on a ferry tickets and put some sun on it's back instead.
 
OP
OP
Hydrocell
Jun 22, 2012
231
130
Ebbw Vale Gwent
Funster No
21,580
MH
Rapido 9048df A class
Exp
seven
That’s what I normally do; unfortunately my wife has been diagnosed with lung and kidney cancer so things are a bit all over the shop at the moment, however we will be off as soon as possible.


Just thought a cover may help keep my van Clean until we are ready for the off, this is only going to be possible after her treatment which my take a few months.

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9

9526

Deleted User
A common theory on here is that they can damage your paintwork and cause damp.

A regular rinse down (once a month) and a good layer of polish will probably be better for your vans paintwork.
 
OP
OP
Hydrocell
Jun 22, 2012
231
130
Ebbw Vale Gwent
Funster No
21,580
MH
Rapido 9048df A class
Exp
seven
Thanks for your reply Mick
I already do that at the moment, it was just i could do without at the moment but unless you ask theses question you'll never know.
 

Forestboy

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 31, 2007
5,023
8,338
Forest of Dean
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46
MH
A Class Hymer B694 tag
Exp
9
Don't waste the money.
We went to buy a van that had been covered. Covered in scratches from the cover moving in the wind and mould inside it was horrible.
Would never put one on any vehicle of ours.
Sorry to hear about your wife.
Best wishes.

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Aug 10, 2012
831
881
cambridge
Funster No
22,344
MH
Globecar
Exp
since2001
Love my cover
No damage, no water sitting on it
No damp inside
Comes out gleaming and ready to go
Best £400 spent
Taylor made, breathable , recommended
 
Dec 6, 2011
11,430
24,958
South Wales
Funster No
19,136
MH
Coach built Adria
Exp
Since 2007
dont do it.... even though they say they are breathable they aint. had one.... caused lots of condensatttttiiiooon and flapped artoubnd like a good un even when properly fitted and secured.

ohhh and around £100 for the trouble..

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Feb 18, 2009
573
247
Guisborough North Yorkshi
Funster No
5,677
MH
Malibu T410
Exp
Since August 2008
Our experience with a cover is good.
We clean and polish the van making sure no grit or dirt can get onto inside of cover and van is dry.
Takes a bit of time to get it on - use of 2 lots if steps either side to pull it over.
We have added extra security to stop any flapping in the wind.
The van is at home so we can keep an eye on it.
We regularly open the cover and the van up to keep aired.
Had no problems and certainly keeps the van clean.
Wouldn't put it on if it was in storage.
 

Carol

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 2, 2007
14,034
111,143
North Wales.
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519
MH
A class
Exp
18 years s Motorhome (33years caravans)
Hope your wife goes on all right and you can continue with your travels, I have just tried putting ' motorhome covers ' into the search at the top and there are a few threads on it could be worth a look through.
 

Daveo2006

Free Member
Jan 25, 2013
1,164
998
kent
Funster No
24,423
MH
Apache 700
Exp
3 years
I bought one for my 1st van of 3 years, it never came out of the bag and went off with the van when i changed it

]

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Wombles

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 28, 2013
10,778
11,020
SW England
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28,783
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
A few years now
You'll get loads of replies on this one as covers are like Marmite to Funsters! Over many years with caravans & now our motorhome we have tried with & without covers & would always use one where possible. We are happy with our breatheable 4 ply Maypole cover & always wash off the motorhome before covering (can put on wet) & fix the straps so no chance of scratching or rubbing. Our Chausson is well ventilated so never had any damp or condensation inside plus the outside needs hardly any cleaning even after a whole winter undercover :xThumb: See here for more info. & a photo of our covered motorhome http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/motorhome-covers.116881/#post-1572025
We wish you & your wife well & hope you can get out & about again soon.
 

wingman

Free Member
Feb 10, 2013
1,217
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Romford, Essex
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Coachbuilt Lo-Profile
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Since 2012
@Hydrocell
Firstly, I am very sorry to hear about your wife. I hope that these dark times will soon pass and my wife and I send our love and best wishes.

Seems trivial in the light of the above, but here's my take on covers. Another vote for covers here, but they are a marmite thing.

PRO's...
  • Keeps bird droppings off
  • Wards off small debris hitting the van in high winds
  • Keeps leaves off
  • No green algae on the jointing mastic
  • Keeps the frost off (when we actually get some :D)
  • Obviously keeps van clean
  • I don't get scratched paintwork
  • Security - Too much bother for someone to nick the van!
CON's
  • Solar panel won't work when covered
  • Takes time to put on
  • Takes time to take off
  • No point in having one if the van is in constant use during winter
That's being objective. Like I say, Marmite!

My van doesn't sweat under the cover, though I do ease the cover and air the van now and then. Even when I didn't have a cover, I needed cat litter in a few bowls to keep moisture at bay.

It's true that vans aren't covered at dealerships, but unlike most of us, they have a team of faces to constantly tend to them, run the heaters periodically in winter and give them TLC. Some are sold with damp anyway!!

If you want a tip when you buy a cover, buy yourself two decorator's extendable poles and a few tennis balls. Slit and put the balls atop the poles and use them to ease the cover along the van in stages. This saves climbing on two ladders or dragging the cover over obstacles like rooflights and flues. It needs two of us to do this on my van which is 24' long.
Perhaps this would be a consideration if there's only your ill wife and you.

Best wishes and hope this helps
James
 

GWAYGWAY

Free Member
Sep 6, 2014
4,213
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Hymer ML I 580
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4 years
I have one to stop water getting in along the seams but I have never had it dry enough for long enough to wash it wax then when completely dry put the cover on, it always get halfway there then rains or is too damp. I want to use the van it means take it off pack it away to renew the process when it comes back again , in the rain. What I WANT is a barn to drive into and park under.

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FJmike

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Jul 17, 2014
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over ten years
Some members think that I only post to boost my business, but I have to say that covers CAN cause damage and if not aired properly CAN cause mold problems, even the breathable ones. I see this every spring. But if the van is thoroughly cleaned before covering, the van is aired on a regular basis and is in a sheltered position then they can help.
 

Wombles

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 28, 2013
10,778
11,020
SW England
Funster No
28,783
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
A few years now
I have one to stop water getting in along the seams but I have never had it dry enough for long enough to wash it wax then when completely dry put the cover on, it always get halfway there then rains or is too damp. I want to use the van it means take it off pack it away to renew the process when it comes back again , in the rain. What I WANT is a barn to drive into and park under.
If we ever have the money (we can dream) a motorhome size garage or barn would be the ideal solution :xgrin:
In the meantime we use a Maypole cover - it can be put on a wet motorhome :xThumb: We wash off, quick spray of Bobby Dazzler using a garden spray & on with the cover with no waiting for it to dry - being wet actually helps it slide over the roof better.
Would recommend the idea from Wingman of decorators poles & tennis balls as no risk of damage when lifting it on & you do need 2 people just for that part - can be pulled along easily from the ground once on the roof. Have used this method for around 8 years now on both our caravan & motorhome so tried & tested. The Maypole covers aren't expensive considering the time & effort that they save - around £105 for up to 6.1m & their sizes go up to 8m. Do use these clamps (51mm) http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10/Clamps/sd10/Roughneck+Spring+Clamp/p94684 to hold up the side of the cover when need access to the motorhome doors & garage without having to remove the cover. We can't get the benefit of the solar panel when covered so on hook up for the alarm & batteries but if anyone has a suitable company locally (we can't find one near us) think it would probably be cheaper to have a clear section added rather than buy a bespoke cover from the specialist providers who do this. We tend to replace the cover every 2 years (lots of birds bombard ours plus neighbours have commercial quality fireworks for every occasion:() but can usually still sell it for a bit of cash towards the next one. Currently we have no visible yellowing of the plastic bits or discolouration of the sealant after 2 years but it has mostly been under its cover as can't get away as often as we like yet...

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