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I don't have a caravan, but seeing some damage to some cars with winter covers on, personally I wouldn't bother. A good wash, polish and wax.

Avoid cheap covers but a good breathable cover will not damage the van and will help protect the van from the elements. 

Definitely use a properly designed for your caravan cover that uses breathable material....and place a damp buster in side. Check it regularly over winter and turn the wheels every month or so.

That's just my view

Definitely do not use a caravan cover breathable material or otherwise....and forget the use of a damp buster in side. Forget the wheels they will be Ok  next spring.

That's just someone else's view.

That is how these threads go......it's personal choice at the end of the day. If you use a cover there are certain principles that you need to observe...like it being breathable...like how better it is if your van is under a tree..

Phil

Get anything as bad as last year and brush the snow off the top just in case it gets too deep. Whilst the weight is spread the roof should be able to take a good old covering of snow it helps to keep the drifts as small as possible. Park up with the van angled to assist the run off rather than have water/snow standing on the roof.

Phil

Personal choice of course, but we don't have one.  It's not covered all year while we are using it, so for the couple of months it's standing, why bother.  I've never had any frost or snow damage on a caravan, so we don't see it as a plus to cover it.

Jim

Our van is now over 5 years old.  We did consider a cover, and I rang the caravan manufacturer's customer services dept to ask for advice.  The guy who answered the phone was also a caravanner, and he said caravans were designed to stand outdoor weather conditions, so we didn't buy a cover.

I shampoo the van, then polish it with Mer.  This year, at one site, we were asked if the van was new.  Rather answers the query, I think!

Bertie.

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 05/12/2011

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Check it regularly over winter and turn the wheels every month or so.

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The guy who answered the phone was also a caravanner, and he said caravans were designed to stand outdoor weather conditions,

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We use a Protec custom fit breathable cover and really rate it, takes 5 minutes to get off and around 10 to put on all strapped up properly.  We use it all year round removing and replacing it before and after trips.  We do have blossom trees but we also like the fact that a would be thief can't easily find out the make and model while its on our drive plus it blends in with the tall privet hedging. 

A company who repair damp caravans featured on the Caravan Channel recently and they recommended that all caravan owners should cover their vans to avoid the dreaded damp - they seemed to know what they were on about.   We just put two small rechargeable dehumidifiers indide over Winter to combat any potential condensation.

a Maypole breathable cover came with the van we've just bought. We dont know if we should put it on or not. Is it a decent make? Ideally I'd like one which would let us access the caravan door so we can check the van reguarly throughout the winter.

Quote: Originally posted by vernon87 on 06/12/2011

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The guy who answered the phone was also a caravanner, and he said caravans were designed to stand outdoor weather conditions,

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Why do they get damp,then?

I've used Protec covers on the last two 'vans for the past 9 years with no problems.

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When a van cools during the night, due to change in ambient temperatures, the cooling draws air (which is usually damp) into the van.  Because covers are breathable, this will still happen.   We use a 2-foot tubular heater (120watts) which is permanently on from around the end of October; earlier if weather conditions are wet.

this has been our practice with two vans over a 10-year period, also with no problems.  There are often several ways to be 'right'.   In this case your way and ours are two of them.

Bertie.