To cover or not to cover (that is the question)

[Billleivers]

So we've reached the time of the year that I begin my annual obsession about whether or not to cover the van in bad weather.
We run the van year round and use it for day trips now and again plus a run out at least once a week to keep things ticking over and to air the van.
I've got a breathable cover which I stick on when really dire weather is forecast but otherwise keep it off. Can't be arsed to keep on taking it off and putting it back on again every few days.
However, when a few days of heavy rain are forecast I always obsess about whether or not to cover her up. I keep the paintwork well waxed so rain doesn't stick around on it. I hear conflicting views about whether to cover or leave open to the elements.
Any advice?

[shaky]

I bought a cover when I first bought my van... 5 years ago and it still hasn't been taken out of the bag. It just seems so much faff.

[R0B]

Two words.Carnuba wax.

[JonW]

I plan on protecting mine with wax and using it throughout the winter. Steve at Gasure was asked about this on the training day last Sunday. He is definitely not a fan of covers and just recommended using your vans as much as you can.

[kevtherev]

X2 on carnuba wax
I use Auto Glym Hi Def, it's applied twice a year, after 6 months the rain still beads up on the paintwork.
I also use a detailing spray after its weekly shampoo wash to top it up.

When the rain has stopped the van dries naturally and quickly.

Covers get dust under them, mix in a bit of moisture/condensation and you have a perfect abrasive.

[slowcoach]

Weekly shampoo wash!? Crikey..mine doesn't get that much love

[kevtherev]

Weekly shampoo wash!? Crikey..mine doesn't get that much love

Some rivers run deeper.

[Mr Bean]

To be honest I think we would all be better shoving a garden sprinkler under the van for a few minutes after running on salted roads although puddles of frozen water everywhere could be a problem. Covers are too much of a faff for me but I can see the deleterious effects of constant sun exposure from one direction and that happens year round. I don't know what they have done with modern paint finishes but my runaround Focus rarely gets washed and frankly you couldn't pick it out as dirty in a car park full of what must be mostly regularly washed vehicles. In my view too much faffing can subtract from the utility factor of vehicle ownership. What say you?
Cheers
CS

[Ant-t]

I've never got on with covers, haven't got one for my van and won't be getting one. I think that you'd use the van less if you use one which isn't a good thing in winter.

[iamtheactor]

Hi - i am a first time owner (my 1st camper and 1st 4 wheel vehical!).

I was planning on getting a cover for the camper for the winter - is it just the faff factor that is putting people off, or is there something actually negative / detrimental about using a cover?

[mr_nunn]

People seem to report condensation/moisture getting trapped under the cover and sitting against the paintwork etc, causing damage. Also big faff and discourages driving regularly which would give everything an airing (and good to keep the mechanical parts moving as I don't suppose they like sitting unused for weeks/months...).

For the reasons above I didn't buy a cover and went with the wax advice - I used Collinite 476 classic car wax(which contains carnuba wax and is meant to be long-lasting).

[kevtherev]

Collinite is good wax how has it been?

Re covers.
If you have naff paint, and a rusty van the covers won't help anything.
If you have nice paint and want to keep it like that, a cover won't help either.
Covers prevent natural drying, trapped condensation mixes with dust, sand etc.
Throw in a breeze and goodbye shiny paint over time.
Even breathable covers prevent air flow (draughts ) through the vans interior to keep it fresh inside.

T25s tend to be troublesome after a long lay up.
Connectors corrode, carbs gum up, gaskets leak.
Best to use it or at least start it up and run it for 1/2 an hour.

[mr_nunn]

Collinite is good wax how has it been?

Been very happy with the Collinite. I put a coat on around this time last year and the nice shiny paint seemed to fair well over the winter (it had been freshly resprayed before I bought it a year ago, so I wanted to look after it) . The Collinite is claimed to last 12 months. In the ideal world I probably would have re-coated at 6 months to be sure but never managed to get round to it. It's just had a new coat last weekend for this winter. It's pretty straightforward to apply - I used an applicator pad to put it on and then a buffing towel, both (and the wax) from polishedbliss.co.uk but all available widely I think. Leaves a nice deep shine. After two full coats there's still a fair bit left in the tin, which was ~£19 so good value.

[Moonrakers]

Mould. Covering the van for weeks at a time is sure to create the ideal conditions for mould to begin to infest your interior fabrics.

Other than to perhaps deter thieves or vandals if parked on the street long-term in a bad area, a cover will not help preserve a vehicle... bird-poo and dust are not nearly as bad as mould, abrasion and rust.

As others say, run the van all Winter unless you have a dry, warm garage and don't mid risking things going hard or seizing up.

[Billleivers]

Thanks for the great replies everyone. Cover consigned to garden shed. Bus waxed to within an inch of it's life!
Been using it once or twice a week and will continue to do so throughout the winter.
To be honest, I get twitchy after just few days of abstinence and just have to take her for a good old spin.
One useful tip - in addition to regular running and airing, I'm using a Unibond Aero dehumidifier in the van. So far everything is nice and dry!
Cheers
Bill