Post by Brian M on Jan 31, 2009 23:02:48 GMT
From: talltrees122 (Original Message) Sent: 05/05/2005 22:23
Just wondering about the best way to protect our safari from the elements whilst being stored over the winter months. Cant decide whether a large tarp (or specialist covering) would protect our safari, or infact encourage mildew/damp/condensation etc. Any advice/opinion gratefully received. thanks. jayne n neil
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From: OliverShaw1 Sent: 06/05/2005 13:04
I have always fought shy of using a basic tapaulin, or indeed any other cover that lies on the van, because of the twin problems of damp/mildew and chafing the paintwork, although I am aware of the existence of at least one brand of purpose made zip-up caravan covers. I think I have seen the latter advertised in The Caravan Club Magazine, but I have no experience of them. The problems of damp and chafing can probably be avoided by erecting a frame, to keep the cover well clear of the 'van, but this is quite a major undertaking and turns the cover into effectively a tent, and I have never known anyone actually go to the trouble and expense of doing this!
Years ago I periodically saw firms advertising in the vintage and classic car press, who supplied special inflated covers; a continuous supply of blown air into the cover keeps it off the vehicle and also maintains ventilation. Again I don't know of anyone who uses these for a caravan although I have no doubt that they find a market for the more valuable of vintage and classic cars.
The ideal luxury solution is storage under cover, but most of us don't have that luxury available and as long as the 'van is sound and watertight it is built to survive without it; most owners store their 'vans in the open throughout the year, and if well cared for it can still both last well and look good. If you are unfortunate enough to find a problem of water ingress, which I hope you won't, that will need sorting out anyway.
The exterior can be protected for the winter by washing down in the late summer or autumn and then applying any good brand of car polish, and if you have the time and energy a repeat application in the spring keeps it looking good. I use Autoglym, but use whatever brand you prefer.
Ensure the interior is adequately ventilated. There is quite a lot of fixed ventilation (bottom of door and elsewhere; on the 12/2 I think the opening for the forward floor level ventilator is a gap between the chest of drawers and the bunk bases, but there may alternatively be vent grilles in the bunk bases and the base of the wardrobe). As a minimum, ensure that this is unobstructed.
The early (single glazed) roof lights were plain glass, and for these it is a good idea when laying up the 'van for the autumn to slack off the screw adjuster in the locking mechanism so that when sut they are not quite fully closed; re-tension it when you start using the 'van the following season. Later double glazed roof lights, (which I am sure yours will have if you are right in identifying the year as 1978) have a row of holes along the bottom edge as permanent ventilation, in which case you may feel that this annual adjustment is unnecessary.
Some owners use dehumidifiers over the winter; chemical ones are very cheap and do not require an electric power source. Electric ones are better (if power is available) but quite expensive - unless you happen to have one available anyway.
Leave the fridge door open, preferably propped wide open, and leave the freezer compartment door open.
Remember to drain the water system before the winter! Open all taps, open the drain tap (if fitted), and drain down the water heater (if fitted) - this latter should have a drain point and may (depending on make) also have a vent point to assist draining. Also empty the loo, including the header tank, or alternative put some antifreeze into the header tank.
Some owners put heat on from time to time during the winter; if you have electric power available this can be done easily and at reasonable expense by a convector heater run via a timeswitch, but if not I don't regard it as important. Once you have found your way around the 'van and know what you are doing, if the bug bites and you have the time you may find yourselves using it throughout the year anyway ... ...
Hope this is helpful,
Oliver
Just wondering about the best way to protect our safari from the elements whilst being stored over the winter months. Cant decide whether a large tarp (or specialist covering) would protect our safari, or infact encourage mildew/damp/condensation etc. Any advice/opinion gratefully received. thanks. jayne n neil
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From: OliverShaw1 Sent: 06/05/2005 13:04
I have always fought shy of using a basic tapaulin, or indeed any other cover that lies on the van, because of the twin problems of damp/mildew and chafing the paintwork, although I am aware of the existence of at least one brand of purpose made zip-up caravan covers. I think I have seen the latter advertised in The Caravan Club Magazine, but I have no experience of them. The problems of damp and chafing can probably be avoided by erecting a frame, to keep the cover well clear of the 'van, but this is quite a major undertaking and turns the cover into effectively a tent, and I have never known anyone actually go to the trouble and expense of doing this!
Years ago I periodically saw firms advertising in the vintage and classic car press, who supplied special inflated covers; a continuous supply of blown air into the cover keeps it off the vehicle and also maintains ventilation. Again I don't know of anyone who uses these for a caravan although I have no doubt that they find a market for the more valuable of vintage and classic cars.
The ideal luxury solution is storage under cover, but most of us don't have that luxury available and as long as the 'van is sound and watertight it is built to survive without it; most owners store their 'vans in the open throughout the year, and if well cared for it can still both last well and look good. If you are unfortunate enough to find a problem of water ingress, which I hope you won't, that will need sorting out anyway.
The exterior can be protected for the winter by washing down in the late summer or autumn and then applying any good brand of car polish, and if you have the time and energy a repeat application in the spring keeps it looking good. I use Autoglym, but use whatever brand you prefer.
Ensure the interior is adequately ventilated. There is quite a lot of fixed ventilation (bottom of door and elsewhere; on the 12/2 I think the opening for the forward floor level ventilator is a gap between the chest of drawers and the bunk bases, but there may alternatively be vent grilles in the bunk bases and the base of the wardrobe). As a minimum, ensure that this is unobstructed.
The early (single glazed) roof lights were plain glass, and for these it is a good idea when laying up the 'van for the autumn to slack off the screw adjuster in the locking mechanism so that when sut they are not quite fully closed; re-tension it when you start using the 'van the following season. Later double glazed roof lights, (which I am sure yours will have if you are right in identifying the year as 1978) have a row of holes along the bottom edge as permanent ventilation, in which case you may feel that this annual adjustment is unnecessary.
Some owners use dehumidifiers over the winter; chemical ones are very cheap and do not require an electric power source. Electric ones are better (if power is available) but quite expensive - unless you happen to have one available anyway.
Leave the fridge door open, preferably propped wide open, and leave the freezer compartment door open.
Remember to drain the water system before the winter! Open all taps, open the drain tap (if fitted), and drain down the water heater (if fitted) - this latter should have a drain point and may (depending on make) also have a vent point to assist draining. Also empty the loo, including the header tank, or alternative put some antifreeze into the header tank.
Some owners put heat on from time to time during the winter; if you have electric power available this can be done easily and at reasonable expense by a convector heater run via a timeswitch, but if not I don't regard it as important. Once you have found your way around the 'van and know what you are doing, if the bug bites and you have the time you may find yourselves using it throughout the year anyway ... ...
Hope this is helpful,
Oliver