Not all caravans can fit in a garage and not all caravan owners even have a garage. So caravan covers can be the ultimate solution to protect from the elements and other damage while your caravan is not in use.

Although it’s often argued amongst the caravan community whether a cover is even necessary, there are normally two sides to the story.

Those who are pro covers will say it offers protection from mould formation, tree sap, UV degradation and helps improve security.

Those who oppose a cover say they cause dampness, window and paint damage and are generally inconvenient.

So who is right? Are caravan covers worth it?

What happens if you buy the wrong caravan cover?

In this article, I’ll talk about the benefits of a good quality cover and what to look for when choosing the right cover, because buying the wrong cover could lead to these outcomes:

A waste of your time – Knowing what to look for will help you home in on the right cover for your caravan preventing you from wasting time searching for the wrong type of cover. 

If your cover it’s doing what it’s meant to then it will be protecting your caravan properly from weather and animals, keeping it clean and preventing you from wasting time cleaning it just before your next holiday.

A waste of money – buying a wrong, incompatible, or poorly designed caravan cover will end up costing you more because you’ll have to buy a new one.

The wrong one could even cause damage to your caravan and result in repair costs.

Damage your caravan – Caravan covers are meant to fit and tighten around the contours of your caravan and should be made with non-abrasive materials to prevent damage. 

A cover with incorrect fixings can cause wind or other elements to bash into your caravan, leaving dirty marks and even wearing off the paint!

Any damage from an incompatible caravan cover will cost you in time and money.

What to look for when buying a caravan cover

Owning a caravan is an exciting process and you’ll want to make sure you take good care of your purchase so you can enjoy family caravan holidays for many years to come.

One great way to keep your caravan in the best shape when it’s not being used is with the protection of a caravan cover.

Take a look at these top tips when looking for the best caravan cover:

Opt for a high-quality caravan cover

You should always ensure your caravan cover is of top quality. Cheap and poorly made caravan covers won’t stand the test of time and can often rip in bad weather. 

Invest wisely here and you’ll find something that will last for many, many years. To know if a caravan is of top quality, you should take note of the following factors:

• Warranty – premium quality caravan covers always come with a warranty. A cover that comes with a two-year warranty or more is generally considered good quality.
• UV-resistant material – good caravan covers are made using UV-resistant material that will give a good level of protection from the sun, whilst allowing moisture to escape and prevent water and dust exposure.
• Non-abrasive materials – Good quality materials will prevent rubbing and chaffing on your caravan which can cause damage.
• Durable straps – a good quality cover will have durable straps that are strong yet lightweight.
• Reviews – as always, it’s important to thoroughly read and assess reviews online to help in your decision-making.

Make sure your caravan cover is the right size

The size of the cover is important because it needs to be long enough to reach down over all four sides of the caravan and wide enough to cover both sides at once.

The width of the cover also needs to be large enough so that it doesn’t flap in strong winds or touch the ground.

Don’t worry if you can’t find the perfect fitting cover for your caravan. There are custom-fit covers available out there for the perfect fit. Outlets like RV Parts Express offer a range of caravan covers that come in universal sizes that can provide a snug fit.

A good caravan cover will take into account the weather

Your caravan cover of choice should be water-resistant and breathable. This means that water molecules will not penetrate your cover, whilst allowing air to circulate within the cover which prevents moisture build-up which causes mould to form.

A good caravan cover should also be all weather-resistant. It should be able to withstand hail, ice, and snow while still being breathable.

Weather-resistant caravan covers are good at ensuring that your caravan does not experience staining or discolouration.

As the sun during summer can be harsh, it is a must that your caravan cover is UV-resistant.

Don’t forget about your caravan accessories

You should consider your accessories and their placement. You should ensure that the caravan cover of your choice can accommodate them.

Many accessories will be removed when not in use but some of us may decide to leave them in place and use the cover to protect them. 

Bike racks, roof racks, water storage units, stands, stone chip protectors, wind deflectors and more may make a difference to the type and size of cover you buy so bear this in mind.

Consider a long-term solution instead of a caravan cover

As well as looking into fabric covers, you should also consider planning for your long-term needs, especially if your caravan will be stood standing for a long time not being used.

If you have the space, you can look into caravan shelters.

Caravan shelters can be made of steel or wood and some models come in portable versions. Portable caravan versions are made of durable PVC and frames made of steel.

A caravan shelter will be good in the long run because it will allow you to truly house your caravan in a practical and convenient way.

Portable shelters do need regular maintenance. You always need to check if its tension is sufficient and if it is firmly grounded. You wouldn’t want your portable shelter to be blown away in the wind!

Caravan cover buying checklist

Hopefully, the above points will help you in your search for a caravan cover that isn’t a waste of money and doesn’t damage your caravan.

Here’s a checklist of some of the most important questions to ask of a product before you buy a caravan cover:    

That pretty much covers the covers! 😊

In general, if a cover is much cheaper than the rest, the chances are it’s going to be poor quality. 

Remember that this is an investment to protect your caravan for years to come so look for a high-quality cover that’s a good fit.

When shopping for a new caravan for the first time, make sure you also look for a high-quality caravan cover to protect it and keep it looking new for as long as possible.