Caravan storing

Submitted: Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:22
ThreadID: 105060 Views:3625 Replies:7 FollowUps:10
This Thread has been Archived
Hi all.

What do you do when you store your van. We have recently covered our van and turned everything off. We are in port Hedland. The inside if the van gets boiling hot. Will this ruin the inside of the van if left for months at a time.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Chris_K - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:32

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:32
Hi Rob

Obviously the best place is out of the sun and weather...perhaps the second best is to get one of these made up. Seems to keep things cooler - and is supposed to be hail proof. Obviously the weather & heat will make everything deteriorate, but if things are covered and maintained - they will last much longer. We are lucky enough to have undercover storage and the cover...so it's out of the weather and sun. Additionally it's important to cover the tyres...they seem to deteriorate quite badly if left exposed to the elements.



Cheers

Chris
AnswerID: 521170

Follow Up By: Rob d b. - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:43

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:43
Thanks Chris.

We have a cover but no under cover storage. Last few years we have had someone in it so air cond was always on. Went in last night to get something and it was absolutely boiling. Tried to turn the air cond on but lifted the cover to see how hot the roof top air cond was and it was too hot to leave on with the cover on. I might cut a hole in the cover for the roof top motor and leave the air cond on. What do you think. I could probably tape around the section I cut out so it is still protected.
0
FollowupID: 801824

Follow Up By: Member - Chris_K - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:20

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:20
Hi Rob

If you have a roof top a/c unit, cutting a hole in the cover might do more harm than good, as the rain, dust etc might also get in. And then you need something to protect the a/c unit from the elements. I did see someone the other day that had a caravan cover - then they had shade cloth over that. They had those foam pool noodle things that kids play with between the cloth and the van to let air circulate - and the shade cloth was then pegged down. Seems like a lot of effort - but given the cost of the van - maybe worth it. You'd have to replace the noodles every now and then as they would deteriorate...

Chris
1
FollowupID: 801837

Follow Up By: Rob d b. - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:38

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:38
Thanks for the tips.
0
FollowupID: 801838

Follow Up By: Road Warrior - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 12:36

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 12:36
Do you have a pop up roof vent you can replace with one of those solar powered fans? Looks like a normal vent but has a solar powered fan it it, might help extract some heat on hot days.
1
FollowupID: 801875

Reply By: Member - Odog - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:01

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:01
Bloke at work had new caravan, purchased a cover for it to protect it from the elements. Left it for couple of months, when he took cover off, not sure if it stuck to the van or not, but left the blue colour off the inside of cover on the van. Supplier of cover didn't know what to do. Insurance ended up paying out a heap for repair. Think the figure was up around the 20k mark? This was in Canberra, can get pretty warm in summer, very dry heat. Cheers. Odog
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 521174

Follow Up By: Rob d b. - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:03

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:03
Thanks dog. I'll check regularly in case this happens.
0
FollowupID: 801829

Reply By: Member - Wamuranman - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:11

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:11
If you have enough room where you live this is a good solution. I see it as an investment for our new caravan's protection...after all a new caravan is anywhere up to $100,000 outlay. This colourbond caravan cover cost about $2000 but will last for decades and also keeps the full heat out of the van. We bought ours as a display unit at a show so we had to dismantle and rebuild (after marking and numbering every piece). Ours is also larger than the photo....double size (6.5m x 6.5m). Ours is from a company called shadycharacters (no association to them).
We also put Colourbond sheets along the sides for extra protection from early morning and afternoon sun.




AnswerID: 521181

Follow Up By: Rob d b. - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:13

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 15:13
Great set up thanks for the photos.
0
FollowupID: 801836

Follow Up By: Ron N - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 01:52

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 01:52
This is the only way to go, if you want to preserve your van in tip-top condition.
1
FollowupID: 801865

Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 20:28

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 20:28
Ours is out in the elements when we are travelling and is out in the elements at home, where it doubles as our guest room. The solar panels keep the batteries topped up and there is always plenty of power for guests to use the lights, their computer and any other small appliances.

Motherhen
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 521193

Follow Up By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 07:29

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 07:29
Motherhen

Ours is also left outside at all times and batteries stay charged and while it gets warm inside it is not boiling hot.

Roof has good insulation and is covered in solar panels

Alan
1
FollowupID: 801868

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 08:47

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 08:47
I should have added, I leave the four season vents open in the 'rain' position for ventilation in summer, and the bathroom hatch also slightly lifted, shutting the latter if strong winds are forecast.


Mh
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

1
FollowupID: 801869

Follow Up By: Rob d b. - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 10:17

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 10:17
Hi motherhen

I have just done the same. 4 seasons hatch open all 3 hatches open a bit as well. Will leave it for a week then inspect it. Big issue for me is the port headland heat. I'll see how it goes.
0
FollowupID: 801874

Reply By: raincloud - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 07:59

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 07:59
I use a 'storm cover' brand cover for mine but leave the all seasons hatch vents and shower vent open. I also partially open most of the windows.This seems to allow air to circulate between van and cover and keep the inside cool and mould free. Unzipping the cover around the door and opening same occasionally all helps with allowing air to circulate through van. The van is not stored under any other cover structure.
AnswerID: 521200

Reply By: jimbo qld - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 10:17

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 10:17
We store our van at Eastern Downs Storage at Clifton on the Darling Downs. This is a first grade facility and the owners are terrific people.as we are overseas for portion of the year, we don't have to worry about storms or hail damage occurring. For what you get, it is very economical.
AnswerID: 521206

Reply By: Rob d b. - Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 11:17

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013 at 11:17
Thanks guys for all the tips.
AnswerID: 521210

Sponsored Links