Winter covers

Advice required please on winter cover for Nuevo

Short answer is don't bother.

Keep it moving - it’s a motor vehicle.

While you’re waiting for other replies why not introduce yourself as per the New Member info?

To avoid confusion and duplication, I suggest we concentrate on using this thread rather than the other 

Hi Gabby
Get yourself a good thermal screen cover suitable for permanent use and forget about a full cover. Spend the money you save on a winter trip to France.

I'm with everyone else.  I wouldn't bother with a full cover but, as Tinwheeler says, take it for a run every couple of weeks over winter, helps prevent brakes seizing, the tyres from getting 'flats'  and keeps the engine lubricated.

Another tip, park it in gear with the handbrake OFF and if necessary chock the wheels if left for a long time.

The only covers I use when the motorhome is out of use are wheel covers to protect the tyres.  I only use cab window covers when the van is in use and its cold.  When out of use its worth tipping the motorhome slightly so that water doesn't pool on the roof.

Thank you for your advice

I will be using a cover on my Nuevo as from later this week as I  have problems where it’s parked at home being under a tree which constantly causes issues trying to keep it clean and the build of debris on the could cause damp issues.

So we will see how it goes.

Terry

Winter covers general advice: Don't put on a wet vehicle as moisture will get trapped and any movement in wind will chafe the paintwork. Ensure that there is ventilation (usually from the bottom as covers don't go underneath). Vehicles that are covered often rot from the bottom up, as wet driveways or concrete allow moisture to evaporate upwards but that could into the inside of your cover. I would agree with others here however - I wouldn't cover. Windscreen cover maybe, to prevent grit and dirt building up and subsequent scratching when next cleaned or wipers activated. You could go bananas and have the vehicle Ceramic coated but it will cost.

The problem I have is where the motorhome is parked is directly under three tress and build of leaves, seeds all drop on the motorhome roof and somehow in to the inside around the roof vents.

They then get wet and remain damp 

So I have bought what I believe to be the best cover PROTECH having throughly washed a dried before fitting the cover.

All mattresses are upright, all cupboards open so air can circulate everywhere.
roof hatch and bathroom slightly open as is the heki 

I will check it a few days, and take handbrake of which I forgot to do 

Terry

I used this in the past when I put my caravan away for the winter:

https://fenwickscaravan.com/product/overwintering/

I have also just used it on the roof which is the hardest to clean.  However, as others have said, using the motorhome over the winter and cleaning it regularly is by far the best option.  We have had some really good short winter breaks in the UK and look forward to them again this winter.  IMO the longest a motorhome should be left out of use is 3 months.

Agreed with all stating take it for a run regularly throughout the winter...BUT....

It MUST be a proper run 40+ miles at motorway speeds if at all possible, no dithering around the countryside at 40 in 6th, nothing worse for the engine than that, even not using it.

Everything needs to get fully hot, as in normal distance use, so use the opportunity to go to the coast or wherever, have lunch, in it, then back home. That's what it needs IMHO.....

Unfortunately at the present time with an old Border Terrier on a special diet and medication three times a day he would not be able to cope with the constraints motorhome life at this time of year.

It would be unfair of me to leave it all to my wife at home while I’m away.

So for the time being there’s not a lot i can do.

Thank you again we are going to continue using the  Motorola as advised, treat it with the overwintering solution and look at just a roof cover as we too have trees.
Good luck with the Border Terrier

Been an interesting read. We have the ES and a cover would be impractical for us two to put on.  
Never thought about the dirty windscreen causing scratches so that a really useful tip to take on board.

gabby wrote:Advice required please on winter cover for Nuevo

Hi gabby,I cover my my Burford with a Royal 4 ply cover all winter,it stops the roof going green,black streaks down the side and the van is completely
covered including the wheels.I don't want to take my van a run down the road in winter,getting it muck up plus salt on the road.I give it a good clean
before i cover it and the cover has side zips to enter the van if need be.If i am not going to use the van for any length of time in the summer i cover it again this stops the paint fading in the sun.My wife and i can cover the van in about 15 minutes but it's difficult to do alone,almost impossible although i can remove it
alone no problem and it cost me less than £200 from Leisure Depot.

The more you wrap it up the less you use it.

Having a cover will not make any difference whatsoever in how often I use the motorhome.

It’s a ten minute job to put on or off the cover and £100 I don’t have to pay to have the motorhome professionally cleaned and the inconvenience of a day I could be doing something better.

I also presently don’t tax the motorhome all the year due to other commitments and hobbies

I've used covers on caravan drawbars and caravan and now motorhome wheels and have found the combination of UV, brittleness in cold weather and general rot means they never last.  I would have thought the same applies to covers that go over the entire caravan or motorhome and they are more expensive to replace.

Guess it’s like any other product, you get what you pay for.

A guy down the road from me has had PROTECH cover on his caravan for a few years and still looks as new as the day he bought it.

This will be my 3rd winter with the cover on and it is as good as new,it's breathable not brittle anywhere and was nowhere near the most expensive i could of bought at less than £200.It is not taylor made for the van but is a good fit and reversible so the habitation door can be accessed from either side.