I'm looking for any GN's experience in finding a reliable Van cover, I purchased a new ADCO cover 10 months ago for around $400. In the recent high winds we have had in Perth the straps that hold the cover in place around the front , back and underneath all ripped away from the cover causing it to rip along half the length of the van . I contacted the suppliers... Coast to Coast who inform me it isn't covered by Warranty. Strange to find a cover that is supposed to protect your van from the weather is not covered by damage to it by the weather. Any GN's with experience of having durable covers in high wind areas would be appreciated.
Cupie said
02:38 PM Aug 18, 2017
SWMBO is often at me to get a nice looking van cover but I look at the prices & just buy another heavy duty silver tarp.
I should have built a carport over the van when I first got it in 1999 but I was a cheapskate even then.
As a result I have had a succession of $100 silver tarps, each lasting 4 or 5 years but they get a bit tatty for the last year or so when the silver goes grey in parts.
I tie 3 brocolli boxes at the front & back as well as one on top of the A/C. This creates an air gap between the van roof & Tarp that sits on top of the boxes.
To hold the lot down I run a length of rope through the slots in the van frame & pull out a loop at each securing point of the tarp. Hooks made from clothes hangers & 'springs' (rubber bands) made from old car inner tubes complete the tie down.
You can make the ends look nice by wrapping them like XMAS present parcels.
Then I put our shade cloth 'floor' over the tarp to reduce exposure to sunlight & give extra strength. This increases the tarp life by a couple of years.
A rope thrown over the lot at the centre & tied off with truckies knots to the suspension dramatically reduces the effects of wind getting under it.
As the van is parked near the house, I hook up a section of the tarp near the van door to hooks on the house to allow ease of access.
I leave all windows up a bit and the door open (but screen door locked) to allow a constant breeze to flow through. Just pull the curtains back first to stop them getting too dirty.
The roof vents are left closed. Cooler that way.
To complete the task I lift the van on to axle stands & plug it into 240v (thru a 15A socket of course) to keep the battery on float.
A bit of mucking about but it works for me.
Should have built the carport 20 years ago!!!
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 18th of August 2017 02:39:38 PM
Desert Dweller said
04:07 PM Aug 18, 2017
Caravan covers are all pretty similar. They don't last forever & they don't cope well with extreme weather because all caravans have sharp edges. The more expensive ones sometimes last a little longer than the cheapies. Tarps can chafe paint & fibreglass in windy weather.
Possum3 said
04:30 PM Aug 18, 2017
A high top Carport works out best/ cheaper if you have space to put one in - looks neater, gives access, can assist with security (if building new pad consider an Anchor-Block imbedded under for chain) can also be fitted with panel for solar entry.
PeterD said
08:21 PM Aug 19, 2017
My recommendation is not to waste your money on them.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:13 PM Aug 19, 2017
I bought a "cheapie" off eBay ($145 delivered from China to Townsville). Have used it once but found the van was hotter under the cover than without. Have some white spray paint to do the top of it but so far it is in the "Gunnado one day" list.
Warren
Ron-D said
06:59 PM Aug 20, 2017
You get what you pay for ,the coverworld cover is tremendously thick made of three different layers ,and it's tremendously pricey,but worth every cent if you can afford it ....
I'm looking for any GN's experience in finding a reliable Van cover, I purchased a new ADCO cover 10 months ago for around $400. In the recent high winds we have had in Perth the straps that hold the cover in place around the front , back and underneath all ripped away from the cover causing it to rip along half the length of the van . I contacted the suppliers... Coast to Coast who inform me it isn't covered by Warranty. Strange to find a cover that is supposed to protect your van from the weather is not covered by damage to it by the weather. Any GN's with experience of having durable covers in high wind areas would be appreciated.
SWMBO is often at me to get a nice looking van cover but I look at the prices & just buy another heavy duty silver tarp.
I should have built a carport over the van when I first got it in 1999 but I was a cheapskate even then.
As a result I have had a succession of $100 silver tarps, each lasting 4 or 5 years but they get a bit tatty for the last year or so when the silver goes grey in parts.
I tie 3 brocolli boxes at the front & back as well as one on top of the A/C. This creates an air gap between the van roof & Tarp that sits on top of the boxes.
To hold the lot down I run a length of rope through the slots in the van frame & pull out a loop at each securing point of the tarp. Hooks made from clothes hangers & 'springs' (rubber bands) made from old car inner tubes complete the tie down.
You can make the ends look nice by wrapping them like XMAS present parcels.
Then I put our shade cloth 'floor' over the tarp to reduce exposure to sunlight & give extra strength. This increases the tarp life by a couple of years.
A rope thrown over the lot at the centre & tied off with truckies knots to the suspension dramatically reduces the effects of wind getting under it.
As the van is parked near the house, I hook up a section of the tarp near the van door to hooks on the house to allow ease of access.
I leave all windows up a bit and the door open (but screen door locked) to allow a constant breeze to flow through. Just pull the curtains back first to stop them getting too dirty.
The roof vents are left closed. Cooler that way.
To complete the task I lift the van on to axle stands & plug it into 240v (thru a 15A socket of course) to keep the battery on float.
A bit of mucking about but it works for me.
Should have built the carport 20 years ago!!!
-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 18th of August 2017 02:39:38 PM
Warren
You get what you pay for ,the coverworld cover is tremendously thick made of three different layers ,and it's tremendously pricey,but worth every cent if you can afford it ....