Caravan Covers?

[Coastrunner]

Hi guys.

A mate of mine has just received a quote to repair water damage to his van. His isn`t an Expanda {poor Buggar} but is only 5 years old and has a timber frame. Water has made its way into the cladding and began rotting the timber along the entire side of his van. The quote has gone well into the thousands.

I thought it`s time I thought about a caravan cover for my 14.44.2 Outback, at least get the roof protected. I see all the nice silicon sealing around the roof and am now worried about the sun gradually damaging it by baking it in the sun day in day out. So what sort of cover do I get?

I`ve seen the site storm covers.com.au where these very high quality covers come in around $1220 or $750 to protect the roof only.

I`ve looked at cover world.com.au and seen some that go from $100 to the $1500 storm covers.

I`ve seen other sites including ebay where you can buy covers from $100 to $200?

I`ve even thought about tying down one of those good silver tarps to protect the roof, running cords through all the eyelets.

Any advice/ experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bushman]

If you want it water proof then you'll have to pay for the quality ones, the cheapies aren't waterproof, or as you said a silver tarp over the top, but I would also put a cover over the tarp.

 

[Coastrunner]

Thanks Bushman.

It`s more the sun I`m concerned about, baking the silicon seal around the top of the roof, although after reading other older posts that I couldn`t bring back to the top and comment on, I did hear comments about mould and discolouration from the use of covers?

Maybe condensation occurs on the walls creating mould and mildew?

So I`m actually thinking about the storm covers.com.au options. Theres a type of cover that covers over the roof, and around 700mm around the top. I think this might be the go. I imagine it`d be easier to put on, only covering the roof top, where leaks occur by damaged sun baked seals. See pic below.

View attachment 10615

I think I like this option. Still easy to get inside the van, not as hard to put on {I imagine}. Covers the vunerable roof seals.

Another point with the Expandas is that the exterior walls are all one piece fibreglass finish, so there`s no cladding for water to penetrate between. If we keep the van polished all year round, then that should be enough to protect the fibreglass coating.

These are referred to as "Storm Caps" on the website http://www.coverworld.com.au/acatalog/15ft-caravan-cover.html and cost $729 for my 14.44.2 Outback, which even though is quite expensive, still alot less than the complete roof and side wall cover referred to as "Storm Cover" pitured below at $1225.

View attachment 10616

Still very keen to hear feedback from anyone with these or cheaper van covers.

 

[Coastrunner]

Just to add, the second pic I put up shows the storm cover with door access included {zipped section for door access}.

These cost an additional $250 from memory.

 

[Coastrunner]

http://stormcovers.com.au/#nogo

See website above for all pics.

 

[Burnsy]

I have only ever paid around the $300 mark for covers....reluctant to pay 1k+ for a cover. I think regular inspection of roof is important. A repairer told me a while ago he would recommend a roof reseal after 5 years, you can only hope that a leak becomes evident before too much damage has occured. I had my 16' resealed and it was a much better job than factory, I also always carry a roll of white duct tape incase!

A decent tarp would ensure no water gets through but a pain to put on, I guess it depends on how much effort your prepared to go to.

Cheers.

 

[Coastrunner]

Thanks Burnsy.

I`ll see how the tarp goes today with a few cords through it.

I definitely like the idea of the roof being exposed to the sun 4 weeks a year instead of 52 weeks a year.

Just out of curiosity, how much were you looking out for a complete roof reseal?

 

[Burnsy]

Hi Coastrunner, to do the job properly and remove all the old sealer and reseal....ballpark $1200. I agree the sun is the killer!

Cheers.

 

[Antman]

Hi Guys

Im like Burnsy, didn't want to pay a great deal for mine. I skimped further however at $105 delivered from ebay:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Heavy-Duty-Caravan-Campervan-Cover-Zips-16-18-ft-/350641079517?pt=Caravan_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a3d644dd

Thought i would just see how the cheapy went for the first 12months, as I had a lot of costs at the time of purchase, and then reassess. Im only 3months in but im actually quite pleased with it. It does not let any water through at all. Obviously not hail proof and the like but certainly is waterproof. My father in law spent $350 in his from Camec and it has not shown to be waterproof even though they say it is... he is going to take it back i think?

Anyways, just my 2 cents worth. Good luck.
Ants

 

[Coastrunner]

Thanks Ants.

I just spotted yours again on ebay.

Reading the specs, it says the cover has a width of 230cm. I just measured my van [14.44.2] it is also 230cm wide. So does the van cover easily fit over the van for you or is it a bit tight? I notice all the covers are 230cm wide.

 

[relgate]

Hi Guys

Im like Burnsy, didn't want to pay a great deal for mine. I skimped further however at $105 delivered from ebay:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Heavy-Duty-Caravan-Campervan-Cover-Zips-16-18-ft-/350641079517?pt=Caravan_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a3d644dd

Thought i would just see how the cheapy went for the first 12months, as I had a lot of costs at the time of purchase, and then reassess. Im only 3months in but im actually quite pleased with it. It does not let any water through at all. Obviously not hail proof and the like but certainly is waterproof. My father in law spent $350 in his from Camec and it has not shown to be waterproof even though they say it is... he is going to take it back i think?

Anyways, just my 2 cents worth. Good luck.
Ants

Hey there Ants
I was just about to get a camec cover ($250 after some haggling) but after reading your post I've ordered the ebay one for $99.
We can compare notes in 12 months!

 

[Bank of Dad]

We have a "Coast to Coast" cover and it has done the job.

Cost $300ish.

 

[Xpandafan]

Happy with my Coast to Coast after nearly 12 months.

 

[Spot]

Hi guys
Are these covers of expensive nature typical covers required for aluminium claded vans, hence I brought a Jayco fibreglass caravan because it’s hail & dint resistant. I choose to buy a breathable cover so moisture will escape through the cover and not rot or support mould growth and as the cover deterrents replace it, am I going in the right direction also?

 

[Xpandafan]

Hi guys
Are these covers of expensive nature typical covers required for aluminium claded vans, hence I brought a Jayco fibreglass caravan because it’s hail & dint resistant. I choose to buy a breathable cover so moisture will escape through the cover and not rot or support mould growth and as the cover deterrents replace it, am I going in the right direction also?

First one I've had Spot but neighbour has one for years. And yep it's breathable and no mould or such. Zips to access van with cover on. Certainly streets ahead of poly tarps I used on Swan and Flamingo. Quite pleased. Hassle to get on but improves with practice. Easier to get off, battle to get back in bag. Protects $40+K investment so around $300 not bad. I always leave one or two window ajar for ventilation as well.

 

[Spot]

Thanks Xpandafan, appreciate all the advice from you southern experienced expanda peers. Thanks Coastrunner & expanda land for the chat.

 

[jdove]

I have the same cover as ants also,for $100 I thought it would be worth a try before I buy a expensive one. I am close to the beach so it cop's heaps of wind and salt spray.
So far so good (only a month) no problems with the wind and I pulled the cover off yesterday to get ready for a weekend trip and the van is spotless no trace of any water or salt spray.
The only thing I can say is the van gets hotter with the cover on. I have been in the van a few times and thought this,so today the van sat in the same spot without the cover and it's much cooler inside (and today is hotter ) I thought it would be the other way around but I guess the darker colour of the cover must absorb the heat.??

 

[Antman]

Thanks Ants.

I just spotted yours again on ebay.

Reading the specs, it says the cover has a width of 230cm. I just measured my van [14.44.2] it is also 230cm wide. So does the van cover easily fit over the van for you or is it a bit tight? I notice all the covers are 230cm wide.

Hey Coastrunner
I have a 16.49-3 and don't have any issues with the width at all. When it is on the van I have enough room to walk between the van and cover if I need to get into it and don't want to unzip either end of the cover.

Hope that helps.
Ants

 

[Antman]

Hey there Ants
I was just about to get a camec cover ($250 after some haggling) but after reading your post I've ordered the ebay one for $99.
We can compare notes in 12 months!

Sure can. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

I also store the van with the roof up whilst under the cover. It comes down to around the top of the tyres. I also got the one that I linked which says goes up to 18" so I could cover my gas bottles too which it does also with the roof up.

Will be interesting over time.

 

[Coastrunner]

Thanks again Ants.

I just bought the same one for the 14.44.2 {14 to 16 foot} for $85.

Like yourself, I`ll see how it goes. If we get 12 months out of it then I think its more than paid for itself.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.