The question on covering caravans has been a hot topic for years.  The damage caused to both caravans and the reputations of the companies that manufacture the new generation covers stems from the old-style tarpaulin covers.

A common conception of a caravan cover is a bulky, plastic affair.  The reputation of such covers is rightly bad.  Plastic covers don’t allow moisture to escape from underneath the material and cause a great deal damage.  Moreover the material is extremely tough and often scratches windows and bodywork.

Thankfully caravan covers have come a long way in the last decade.  The breakthrough came with a material that was originally developed for the roofing industry.  The material needed to be lightweight, durable, breathable and waterproof…no mean feat.  The material was then developed working in conjunction with companies such as Protec Covers to be adapted for the caravanning market. 

The material used nowadays is a triple layer spun bond material which keeps the water out and lets moisture and humidity escape from under the cover.  The top quality covers also carry warranties and are UV stabilised.

Why such a difference in price between the covers on the marketplace?

The covers available can be broken into two categories, being fitted and non fitted covers.  Fitted covers are quite a bit more expensive due to the fact that they are made to measure.  The market leader Protec Cover has a database of thousands of caravan and motorhome patterns on file and cut the covers to fit the contours of the vehicle as well as fitted door access allowing you to get in the van without having to unbuckle the cover or take the cover off.  The more expensive covers also carry long warranties on the material.

The cheaper covers such as the Purpleline Caravan Covers are not fitted.  They come in a standard shape which is broken down into different lengths, for example 20 to 22 foot long.  They are cheaper as they can be manufactured in bulk and don’t carry the same warranty as the more expensive covers.

So which is the cover for me? 

Well if price isn’t an issue then the more expensive covers are not only more aesthetically pleasing but moreover the bet fit means that the cover is less likely to move around in windy conditions meaning they will last longer.  If this is not an issue then the cheaper covers would be the option for you.

What are the advantages?

We all know that cleaning a caravan is a laborious chore and even more so if the caravan is stored under trees or an area with a lot of birds.  So the immediate advantage is it keeps the van as clean as when you fit the cover.  The covers also keep the caravan and its contents under wraps from unwanted prying eyes but the biggest advantage is the overall protection.  Just as a car in a garage will be better preserved from UV damage and general wear and tear then the same goes for a caravan under cover.  Caravan covers keep your investment looking cleaner and newer over the years.

What are the disadvantages?

The only complaint about new generation covers is that they can be a touch tricky to fit for one person until you get the hang of it, though Protec Covers have the option of buying a top cover which covers the roof only, making it more lightweight and easier to fit.

Where can I buy a cover online?

The only website that offers the possibility of buying both Protec and Purpleline caravan covers online securely is our own site Intacaravans which can be found at http://www.intacaravans.co.uk/acatalog/Caravan_Covers_.html