Windscreen cover on or off

[Ode]

Should I put a screen cover on my motorhome while it's in storage and leave it on during the winter as it has EHU and and oil filled heater in there on a thermostat

 

[AJM2]

I put mine on, a lot of heat escapes through the windscreen. Obviously it might depend on how secure your storage is because the good ones do get stolen.

 

[63720]

While we're away and living in it yes, with the van furloughed while parked on the drive no, temperature inside will stabilise with or without it imo. Having heating on may make a difference but I don't heat our van.

 

[TerryL]

We don't heat our van in storage - after nearly 12 years never had a problem.

But if you are going to heat it use the screen cover - no point in wasting energy being lost through the only bit of your van that isn't insulated.

 

[Garfields]

If outside its liable to get weathered over time
Not sure what snow sliding of the roof may do depending on the design of your van
I'm in the unheated camp

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[Stealaway]

I would say ON but make sure the intake air vents are clear and leave a rear roof vent slightly open - No heaters

 

[Speve]

We put our on it stops any condensation and helps keep the van a bit warmer, and keeps the windscreen a bit cleaner

 

[TinaLes]

This is a good question, thanks to all that have responded thus far regarding winter storage.
Fact is, the manufacturers of the good ones that we all know about, clearly state in their usage instructions, NOT to use for long term winter storage, as damage to paintwork by trapped moisture between cover and coachwork can occur and damage the van. Although some regular users may challenge this I bet.
I only know this as I was looking to buy a cover for overwintering, as others have said the glass areas are the coldest uninsulated bits of the van.
Some funsters have two sets of covers though, one old set to use for long term storage, and a newer to use when they go away.
Having read this, although we do use the van over winter for short times away, I didn't place an order for a Silver Screen, just yet, as we just use the normal Remis internal screens we have when away, and mop up any small amount of condensation, if any we do get .
Less stuff to carry, but I may change my mind if they were to keep heat out when touring in very warm foreign climates, which we haven't endured as yet.
So yes I am still on the fence, thanks for your personal experience on this subject.
LES

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I wouldn't use a cover whilst it's parked up and disused. Rainwater is going to get between the cover and vehicle, will be trapped there and can't naturally dry again so probably give you new issues of potential damage to paintwork, seals and stuff.

Not sure that it is necessary, or desirable, to heat the van whilst parked up. Better to let it acclimatise with the ambient weather outside, leaving some ventilation from the front vents and ideally any roof vents - my rear rooflight even when closed, seems to have trickle vent built into it's surround (it's a definite grille, rather than just poor fit before anyone asks) and there is the shower/wc mushroom vent. If you do heat the warmer air will have higher humidity increasing a risk of condensation issues. Just leave internal cupboard doors and suchlike ajar so air can circulate.

For me a cover is a temporary thing, for on site use. It makes a big improvement to comfort when you are in the van on cooler days of Autumn through Spring, especially the longer type that would extend over the front vents. Much better than relying on the Remis blinds.