To cover or not to cover?

[Seababa]

Had a trawl through search but just after some other opinions really;

Going away for 5 months (not prison! ) over winter. Have had a cover previously that ripped so I binned it but now wondering whether to get another one or not?
I put about 5/6 water absorber thingies inside to keep the damp out and both batteries come out and go on a trickle charger but what do other owners think about covers?
Any advice welcome before I possibly shell out some cash! (+ if a cover is a winner, then has anyone got a recommendation? High top Komet btw)

Thanks

[Titus A Duxass]

I'd just give it a damn good polish with something like Autoglym SRP and then good waxing (2 coats) with something like Autoglym HD Wax (other waxes and polishes are available.

Is it standing outside or in a garage?

[Seababa]

Yeah, good question, it's going to be outside, sheltered a little from the wind but outside.

[SamsBus2012]

What Titus says, don't cover, pressure wash it outside and under if you can, give it a damn good airing out then wax it to death instead! Put mine under a cover over winter and he just sat there sweating. Didn't really keep things very weather tight either. Ended up with a fair bit of rust bubbling up too.

[itchyfeet]

not cover

leave handbrake off too and get some vents to go in the front windows, nothing like some airflow to stop it getting damp inside

[300CE]

Yep, don't cover for reasons stated above!

[moggymorgan]

i see that like me you live on the coast.you have to think that there is a lot of salt in the air and that is not good.i cover my van in the winter and the cover get a coat of the white stuff every time we have bad weather.depends on how close you are to the sea though,we can hear the surf from the garden so a cover is best for us.

[clift_d]

Just a silly reminder. If you leave the handbrake off make sure you leave it in gear.

[Sir Brixalot]

use it.

[Ant-t]

I've ditched my cover, going to wax and use the bus more this winter

[bernard1973]

I cover mine with a caravan cover. It's too big for the van but it means that I've never had a problem with it trapping in the moisture.

[Seababa]

Thanks for the advise. Always useful stuff from this forum.

I'm about 10 minutes from the sea so don't get salty spray really, plus the bus is kept in the back of the house and is sheltered.

Would love to use it but I'll be about 4000 miles away so no chance of that (plus the wife is scared to drive it!)

Polish and wax I think

Thanks again y'all

[keynsham1]

Covers are definitely a good idea as they will keep the majority of dirt and water off. BUT...I strongly recommend removing the cover at least fortnightly and let the van have a good airing for a few hours. Leaving a cover on for a long period will cause trapped moisture and lead to other problems. Leaving uncovered for a long period of time without use is not good either though. If I was leaving mine I would not cover it. If I was present but not using it, I would cover and remove as mentioned.