Need help choosing a cover?
How to Cover a Vintage Caravan
How to Cover a Vintage Caravan: What You Need to Know
Vintage caravans have an unmistakable charm – from their rounded edges to their unique proportions, they carry a character that modern vans simply can't replicate. But when it comes to protecting them with a caravan cover, their non-standard shape presents a challenge.
Unlike today’s caravans, where the roof length is typically shorter than the base length, many vintage models feature roofs that are equal to or even longer than their base. This difference in geometry means that modern caravan covers rarely provide a proper fit for these classic vans.
Why Standard Covers Don’t Fit Vintage Caravans
Modern-day caravan covers are manufactured to suit the clean, angular lines of contemporary designs. They’re shaped and proportioned based on the typical modern layout — shorter roofs, flatter profiles, and consistent dimensions.
Vintage caravans, on the other hand, often have:
- Rounded or curved profiles
- Roofs that extend beyond the base body
- Custom features that don’t match modern templates
As a result, standard-fit covers often fall short — literally. They may be too tight across the roof, or too baggy around the base, increasing the risk of damage due to wind flap and poor weather protection.
How Caravan Cover Shop Can Help
At Caravan Cover Shop, we specialise in helping caravan owners across Australia find the best possible fit — even for hard-to-cover vintage models. But because these classic caravans vary so widely in design, we’ll need a few key measurements from you to ensure we can recommend the best-fitting option available.
The Four Measurements We Need
Please supply the following four metric dimensions:
-
Base Length
- Measure the body paneling only (exclude the drawbar and any accessories fitted forward of the caravan body).
-
Roof Length
- This is often longer than the base in vintage caravans. Measure the roof from front to rear, not following the curve — use a straight line measurement.
-
Width
- Measure across the rear panel.
-
Height
- Measure the side panel height only. Please exclude ground clearance and any rooftop accessories like air conditioning units or solar panels, (if applicable).
With these details we will match your caravan to the closest-fitting cover option available from our range, and provide tips on how best to have it fitted to protect both the caravan, AND the cover itself.
The Likely Outcome: A Longer Base Cover
Because your vintage caravan has a long roof length, we have no option but to recommend a cover with a longer base length than your caravan's actual base. This is the only way to ensure the roof is properly covered and protected from the elements.
However, a longer length cover at the base means there will be excess material at the front lower section of the van.
To avoid this excess fabric flapping or billowing in the wind (which can cause premature wear and tear), we recommend using additional securing methods such as non-abrasive ropes or straps — to ensure the cover is secured well around the body.
A secure fit not only protects your caravan more effectively but also extends the life of the cover itself.
ℹ️ Need help with your measurements?
Our team is happy to guide you step-by-step. Just reach out and we’ll walk you through it.
ℹ️ Already have your dimensions but need help getting moving?
Contact us with your dimensions using any of the below contact methods and let us help to protect your vintage caravan the right way.
Click the “Chat” icon bottom right of screen (available during business hours)