Caravan Cover Buying Guide

Choosing the Right Caravan Cover

Selecting the correct caravan cover is one of the most important decisions in protecting your recreational vehicle during storage.

A well-fitted cover helps reduce exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, rain, dust, bird droppings, tree sap and other environmental contaminants while minimising unnecessary movement in windy conditions.

Choosing the correct cover is about much more than simply matching a caravan length to a cover size. At Caravan Cover Shop, every recommendation is based on achieving the most secure overall fit for your caravan while considering how you intend to use the cover.

Step 1 — Identify Your Vehicle Type

The first step is identifying the type of recreational vehicle you own.

Caravan Cover Shop supplies covers specifically designed for:

Conventional caravans
Hybrid caravans (‘pop-top’ style)
Pop-top caravans
Camper trailers
Motorhomes (‘A’ and ‘C’ class)

Each category has different body dimensions and design characteristics, so covers are not interchangeable.

Step 2 — Measure Your Caravan Correctly

Accurate measurements are the single most important factor when selecting a caravan cover.

Many manufacturers advertise ‘internal’ body lengths rather than the external body dimensions. For example, a caravan marketed as 19’6" may refer to the internal length, and once the true external body length is measured, the cover required may end up being a 20’-22’.

Do not rely on advertised caravan lengths found online, in AI search results, in sales brochures or in Owner’s Manuals. Most manufacturers refer to ‘internal’ specifications when advertising their length dimension, and there is no standard way in which these dimensions are advertised. Caravan Cover Shop follows the ‘MMM’ principle — Manual Metric Measurement is KEY. Always measure your caravan manually, in metric, using a tape measure.

Step 3 — Decide What You Want the Cover to Protect

Before measuring, decide whether you want the cover to protect only the caravan body or whether you would also like it to cover accessories fitted to the front or rear.

Examples include:

Front storage boxes
Spare wheels
Bike racks
Jerry can holders

Caravan Cover Shop recommends fitting a cover to the body panelling only wherever possible. Covering the body panelling only achieves a more secure fit against possible movement in windy conditions, which should achieve a longer cover life as it is not moving across the various surfaces around the caravan, particularly the corners and edges of storage boxes and similar accessories. If there is a gap of approximately 50mm between an accessory and the body panelling, the cover can slide down between them. If no suitable gap exists, or you would simply prefer your accessories to be protected, these need to be included in your overall length measurement.

Neither option is right or wrong, but these considerations should ideally be made when deciding on a cover size.

Step 4 — Look for Available Gaps

If your caravan has a front storage box, check to see if there is an available gap between this and the front body panel. Repeat this process at the rear of the caravan if accessories such as spare wheels or bike racks are fitted.

If a suitable gap exists, the cover can be fitted to the body panelling only while leaving those accessories exposed. If not, a larger cover size will be necessary so it accommodates the additional length required.

Step 5 — Measure Accordingly (Metric Only)

If suitable gaps exist and you intend to leave the accessories outside the cover, measure only the external body length of the caravan.

If there are no suitable gaps available, or you would simply prefer the cover to protect those accessories, include them in your overall measurement.

TIP: Always add an additional 150mm–200mm to your metric body length measurement when choosing a cover size to ensure the fit won’t be too tight. Doing this will also allow for an easier fitting / removal experience.

The objective is to recommend the cover that provides the best overall fit for the way you intend to use it.

Step 6 — Covering Accessory Areas

Covering front or rear accessories increases the overall length required from the cover.

Because caravan covers taper from the roof down over the body, increasing the required base length also increases the amount of fabric extending beyond the roofline. This may result in additional fabric extending forward off the caravan roof, particularly above front storage boxes.

After installing a new cover, Caravan Cover Shop recommends observing it during the first windy day. If excessive movement or billowing is noticed, an additional securing strap can usually be fitted to improve tension and reduce movement. Caravan Cover Shop can recommend an inexpensive securing strap option if needed.

Step 7 — Protect Sharp Edges

Sharp corners and protruding accessories are among the most common causes of premature cover wear.

Before fitting a cover, inspect the caravan for areas that may rub against the fabric during windy conditions.

Common examples include:

Awning brackets
Storage box corners and edges
Spare wheel mounts
Roof ladder mounts
Sharp body mouldings

Consider placing something soft over any sharp corners or edges to help protect the cover in areas at risk of rubbing and abrasion in windy conditions. A cut-off section of a ‘pool noodle’ is ideal for this — pool noodles are inexpensive, readily available, and can be easily cut to size and placed wherever you feel the cover will benefit.

Roof-Mounted Accessories

Customers often ask whether roof-mounted accessories require purchasing a larger cover.

In most cases, roof-mounted accessories do not require a larger cover. Modern caravan covers are manufactured from flexible materials that naturally conform over common roof-mounted accessories such as air conditioners, solar panels, TV antennas, satellite dishes and roof vents. These accessories may slightly raise the fabric immediately beneath them, but not so much that the side panels become exposed.

Consider Where Your Caravan Is Stored

The storage environment plays an important role when selecting the most suitable cover.

Consider whether your caravan is stored:

Outdoors all year
Under a carport
Inside a shed
In a coastal location
In a rural or dusty environment
Beneath trees

Each environment places different demands on the cover.

Customers storing their caravan outdoors throughout the year generally benefit from heavier-duty materials than those storing under permanent cover.

Choosing the Right Material

Different caravan covers use different fabric constructions.

When selecting a cover, consider:

Durability
Breathability
UV resistance
Water resistance
Ease of installation
Weight
Storage environment
Budget

Chapter 6 — Fabric & Cover Comparison explains the differences between the various fabric types and cover constructions available.

Protect More Than Just the Caravan

Additional protective products can help safeguard areas that may remain exposed.

These include:

Drawbar covers
Gas bottle covers
Hose bags and cable bags
Heavy-duty tarpaulins
Canvas Magic Mould Remover
Canvas Magic Waterproofer
Curtain Magic Mould Remover

These products complement your caravan cover and help maintain both the caravan and associated equipment.

Maintaining Your Caravan Cover

Proper maintenance will maximise the life of your cover.

Caravan Cover Shop recommends:

Cleaning the cover before storing it
Allowing it to dry completely before packing it away
Periodically checking securing straps
Removing accumulated leaves and debris where practical
Monitoring for pooling water and addressing this if found
Following the manufacturer’s care instructions

Canvas Magic cleaning and waterproofing products can also assist with the ongoing care of outdoor fabrics. Full care and maintenance guidance is provided in Chapter 9 — Care & Maintenance.

Need Assistance?

Every caravan is different.

If you are unsure which cover is most appropriate, please provide the following metric measurements:

External body length (excluding front / rear accessories where possible)
External body width (excluding the side awning)
External body height (excluding roof-mounted accessories and excluding ground clearance)
Details of any front and rear accessories, including whether there is a gap between these and the body panelling
A few photographs, if you feel these will help to better illustrate your setup

These details allow your measurements to be compared with the dimensions of the available covers so the most suitable size can be recommended.

We’re here to assist, 7 days a week from 9am to 6pm (NSW).

Phone: 1300 044 965
Email: info@caravancovershop.com.au
Online Contact Form: https://caravancovershop.com.au/pages/contact-us