Caravan Towing Cover - Yes or No?

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Caravan towing covers - or towing jackets. Are they worth it?
00:00 - Introduction - what are the advantages of a towing cover?
00:59 - Which cover? A look at the Specialised Covers Tow Pro +
01:32 - Towing cover basics and a closer look at the cover
03:26 - Removing the towing cover & storage - one person
04:39 - Fitting the towing cover - one person
05:48 - Towing cover in use on a long multi-stop journey
07:17 - After one month - how it has performed and where to get one
09:20 - Is it worth the faff?
10:16 - Outro. He NEVER smiles!
A big THANK YOU to Specialised Covers for providing the cover and sponsoring this video without interfering with the content.
Please check them out at:
www.specialisedcovers.com/car...
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Опубликовано:

7 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 111

@davidlindley485 Год назад

I have towed caravans for over 45 years without using a front cover and have never had any damage either to the windows or bodywork. I may have been very very lucky or it may be that I have always had mudflaps fitted to the rear of the cars I've towed with.

@AlexYeets Год назад

Yeah - to be fair, nowadays, more modern car designs have less prevalent mud flaps. They tend to flick up more stones nowadays. Plus the state of half the UK's roads, there's plenty of loose gravel to throw around as well. But yes, I understand where you're coming from as ive also been quite lucky.

@brianschlaadt4382 Год назад

We bought a brand new caravan. Took 2 weeks to get home and by then it had stone chips.

@RHJ-29-6 Год назад

Delighted with my cover from Specialised. Congratulations to all those lucky people who have survived for so long without one.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Great to hear! Cheers.

@Erin-Thor Год назад

Towing trailer covers depends on the trailer (window glass or metal like like airstream), the tires on your vehicle (more tread, more rocks thrown up), and the roads you drive on. In the US, we have some gravel roads and driveways. If you drive on one, your tires pick up stones in the tread, and then when you get going on paved roads the stones release at speed. I’ve had my front windshield cracked several times from vehicles in front of me. Great video Sir! Give Dougal a hug from us please! ❤

@annehoog Год назад

This mostly makes me wonder why caravans aren't designed with a front that doesn't need protecting. Our teardrop has a aluminium front with the lower part heavy duty diamond plate. I love that.

@andrewjditton Год назад

A very good point, and many non-UK caravans don't have a front window. But the UK market is 'unique' and most buyers love a front window.

@Dusty2feathers Год назад

I've towed for 25 years to Devon and Cornwall respectively ( 3-400 miles) and never even thought about investing in one. From touring with my parents in the 70s and 80s where most new arrivals got a bowl of soapy water and chammy out to wipe away the dead flies. However with the wafer thin front panels being prone to foreign objects piercing through them, bailey found this out the hard way, a decent cover is a good investment.

@RailAdventUK Год назад

Excellent video as always Andrew. Keep up the good work

@nannyogg2586 Год назад

We had one as part of the package when we bought our Bailey Unicorn; it's a perfect fit and works brilliantly. Got a few stone chips on my windscreen, but none on the van, and it saves washing all the road dirt off the van after a rainy journey! Fab video as always. Please give Dougal and Teddy a cwtch from me 🥰

@robforrest12739 Год назад

Love our Specialised cover. Agree with you on the quality and simplicity of use. That strap under the A-frame does look a bit long though. I shortened mine 👍

@chrishealey3410 Год назад

I've been caravaning for 6 years and never had one or felt the need, if I'm honest. However, after purchasing a brand new coachman 630 in May, I thought I would invest in an elite and a roof storage cover, both from specialised and both excellent fit and quality. Great video as usual Andrew, keep up the good work.

@lindakirk698 Год назад

Anither great vid. We wouldn't be without our Tow Pro cover. We have no front locker so we have a zip in the middle. My hubby always does this by himself. Love that the handles & lights are under that clear protection.

@britsd6397 Год назад

Great video Andrew. Having used my van for many years on my own and used many "universal" covers, I have found Specialised Covers fitted one to be the best and easiest to put on as they are made for your van and fit like a glove. I think it boils down to risk and reward, of course you dont need one but you only need damage to a window to get your money back and all the "faf" of replacing it. Its not just the big stones it protects, but the sand particle size that sand blasts your van front every time you tow that you can hardly see. I also have their full cover which is just fantastic and fits so perfectly, again I can put it on myself.

@momarsden3053 Год назад

Thanks for a great review MrD. Given me food for thought. My only experience with Specialised is a motorcycle cover l picked up from the NEC in 2008! Used it on my last 3 bikes and it's still as good as new! Says something about the quality 👌. Best regards to you and 'the boys' 😊👍

@andrewjditton Год назад

Cheers Mo! Yes, I was delighted with my bike covers.

@GaetanHobby Год назад

Hello Andrew. I only have one awning rail on my caravan 😆 Thank you for the review 👍

@patriciagill9663 Год назад

Sadly our Bailey Orion only has one awning rail too.

@peterlane1510 Год назад

Good informative video Andrew. After caravanning for a good few years we bought a towing cover for our new caravan. The main reason was peace of mind when towing, when travelling over newly laid loose chippings i would be worrying if damage was being caused to the van. I did suffer stone chips & tar stains over the years. So now when travelling with the cover on i feel so much more at ease, that alone makes it a so worth while purchase. Obviously we are all different so its down to personal choice, thanks again for a great video.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Peter!

@davegibson2478 Год назад

To stop the strap from fluttering and making a noise in the wind, try putting two twists into the strap before attaching it at both ends. Great video thanks.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Great tip!

@sylviapage8572 Год назад

Great review. Thanks for sharing.

@KnightsOnTour 5 месяцев назад

This has been very helpful. Been looking at a cover for a good few months. With a trip to France coming up in the summer I dont fancy all the dead insects on the windows or pano roof so I think it would be a perfect addition.

@garydavis1528 Год назад

Never used one for years then on way to site arrived with a 4-5” crack in the front window from debris, stone hit from other vehicles around me as happens with car front windscreens on travels but they are much stronger so impact off with no damage normally. Half of trip was motorway so high speed 60mph. One new large single front window ordered and fitted at £1,401.00 in 2018 so bought one and would never tow without now. Bought a new cara in 2019 buying another made to measure specialised cover to fit it, quality and service excellent. Very quick and easy to fit and does a great job of keeping front of caravan clean and spotless, zero damage to caravan that looks like new at front, service engineers notice saying you use a cover and of we course do. Money and little time very well spent.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Great to hear of your experience, thanks Gary.

@ln-jpa3206 Год назад

very good for my weinsberg. Thank you very much Andrew and Dougel.

@iainmclean8509 Год назад

Have never used one in a lifetime of caravanning but one comes with my soon to arrive new Bessacarr so will give it a try

@craigchristensen6854 Год назад

Hi Andrew from Craig & Wendy from New Zealand we have the the top of the line caravan cover for our Swift Sprite Major 4EB and we say it is great.As our roads are not the best at the best of times with a lot of road works around the country. We do a lot of travelling and I found I can fit the cover by myself or Wendy can help and it only takes a minute or two we have recommended this cover to all our friends that have caravans.We got our cover from the dealership in the Uk 🇬🇧 as it was cheaper to get it from them than to buy it at a dealer in New Zealand cheers mate we are big fans of your channel and look forward to your new videos every week safe travels.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Thanks Craig! All the best.

@alexperry3861 Год назад

Hi Andrew thank you for excellent video and over view agree to protect to prevent any damage. Keep the great videos coming thank you keep safe.😀

@andrewjditton Год назад

Thanks Alex!

@trevorpougher2575 Год назад

Thanks for the useful video Andrew. On our previous van we had a Protec jacket which zips up the middle of two halves. Not so good single handed and windy. The dual zips up the awning rail on each side looks much easier. Also Specialised do a version that extends upwards to cover the front curved sun window on our new van that looks a good idea to me. Without your video I would have gone ahead and bought another Protec jacket and missed out on these useful to me features. Our Ruby sends licks and wags to Dougal and Ted.

@davidcoatham7832 Год назад

Hi. When I purchased my caravan in 2016 Swift gave one of these as a show incentive. Have used it continuously and still in very good condition and looks good too despite having covered over 30000 miles. If wet when arriving on site I thread one side into the offside awning rail and attach other side to two pegs knocked into ground. Soon dries

@andrewjditton Год назад

Great tip! Cheers David.

@tonybumbly93 Год назад

After caravanning since about 1976, about 10 years ago I unwittingly drove through some diesel/oil spills in the M25 and it made an awful mess of my caravan. After getting it professionally cleaned through an insurance claim, I was advised to use a tow cover. Since then, and with a couple of changes of caravan, I have covered some 30+K miles and have never had to worry about the front of the van. I find TowPro covers very easy to install and remove single handed. I agree that the mid-range is a better buy as it is lighter and has the access zips for the front handles and/or locker. Despite my experience, I was interested to read the comment from Ian Mackenzie as I had never thought of using the back of my van (the current van has no rear windows) to dry the cover out after a wet journey. Thank you to Ian and Andrew both.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Great to hear, thanks for watching!

@martinkitchin6204 Год назад

Now that's a lovely yellow microfibre Andrew. No seriously the cover does look a cinch to fit even for someone like me who struggled with anything bigger than a pillowcase 😉

@andrewjditton Год назад

Cheers Martin! Dah! I could have used that as a strap line: 'Easier than changing a Duvet Cover!' ;@)

@sallydavidson2390 Год назад

Cannot agree more - the cover is so easy to fit, we have the Elite version and even that is easy enough for one person to fit despite its heavier weight. Also, and I cannot emphasise this enough, make sure you fit it EVERY time even for a short journey. The one time the OH did not fit the cover as only going 5 miles to the dealer for its service one of the front windows was damaged costing us several hundred pounds to replace. Won’t make that mistake again hopefully!

@andrewjditton Год назад

Ouch! Yes, I find I now fit the cover even for short trips.

@nigelhutson6532 Год назад

I am a towing cover convert. After one absolutely filthy journey I decided to give it a go. I’ve had three Tow Pro Elite covers now (one for a Lunar and two for Coachman models), and have found them all easily manageable by myself. Excellent products!

@andrewjditton Год назад

Praise indeed coming from THE Mr H! Cheers Nigel!

@nigelhutson6532 Год назад

@@andrewjditton 🤣 👍🏻

@johnwalker6710 Год назад

Everyone has there own opinion it's a personal choice. I bought one several years ago after suffering 2 cracked front caravan windows on different vans they were much more expensive to replace than a towing cover cost .always had mud flaps on my cars AFTER watching this video I have ordered a new specialized one to replace my Pro tec one what has not lasted long

@andrewjditton Год назад

Nice one John, hope you enjoy the new cover!

@robmoore2780 Год назад

hi Andrew, another great video. Just a suggestion for that elasticated strap that clatters in the wind, before you connect it to the top right, try twisting the strap at least twice and then connecting it. It’s an odd aerodynamic effect that you may see being used by lorry drivers on their straps. Please give it a go and let everyone know how you get on.

@andrewjditton Год назад

That's a great idea! Cheers Rob.

@erinmcgrathejm4985 Год назад

Great timing. On one of your last couple of videos, I was going to ask you if you ever thought of getting a towing cover. Either I’m clairvoyant, or you’re that good!

@andrewjones-productions Год назад

Once the US dollar has weakened and the Japanese yen has strengthened again, I will be finally importing my caravan from the UK. Being in Japan with no real support network, I intend to purchase the front cover as getting a replacement window seems to be taking more than 12 months at the moment according to some Japanese caravan vloggers and they have the more popular European brands whereas UK caravans are very unpopular here. Despite Japan also driving on the left and everyone moaning about the entrance doors of their caravans being on the driver's side. Furthermore, we tow here in snow (with winter tyres or snow chains on both car and caravan/trailer as is required by JP law). The wheel wells of cars become full of snow, so you can but imagine how much is thrown up behind you. Towing your caravan to a ski resort and staying overnight in the carpark is a common thing to do here (UK caravans tend not to have onboard water tanks - hence one reason for not being popular). Therefore, I honestly think that for me and people like me, tow covers are a necessity.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Very interesting! Cheers AJ.

@martinkeen2502 Год назад

I have one, it is specific to my caravan.I would not necessarily use it in the summer unless it was raining or making a 3 or 4 hour trip. My first caravan was about ten years old and the front of the van was dull due to the battering it took, no matter how much I tried to polish it. So my view is yes they are worth the faff but not on every occasion. Only takes five mins to fit but can take a while to dry out when it gets wet.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Cheers Martin!

@anneshirley1748 Год назад

Hi Andrew, loved this! Well, I love all your videos!! These covers seem to be totally worth it if they're going to protect the front of the caravan and the windows! What was it like before they introduced them to van owners? I suspect the front of the vans got very scratched and dirty and greatly affected resales! You love using that word 'faf' you use it a lot! Bless! Take care! Off to mum's again tomorrow, she had another fall, took them 2 days to send a district nurse to dress the wound on her face! This country's gone to the dogs!! Sorry for the rant! How's Ted the little rascal?!! Go to decide whether to go to the Nec by the middle of the week, otherwise I won't get in! If you're going, enjoy and I may see you, if not catch you another time! Sending love and hugs xxx 😘🥰🐶🐕

@andrewjditton Год назад

Hi Anne, sorry to hear about Mum. Hope she's alright. Ted is still a little rascal but settling in. I don't think I will be at the NEC. The phone didn't ring unfortunately.

@noproblem2big337 Год назад

Here in Australia a front cover is a must, too many dirt/gravel and sandy secondary roads...

@broadsword6650 11 месяцев назад

You can greatly reduce any strap drumming or vibrating in the wind by putting a twist or two in it. That helps stop it acting like a wing or sail.

@kimac0 Год назад

Wouldn't be without ours, Andrew. We have the very basic model with no access to front locker, so it has to come off at the end of every journey even if only to turn the gas on, but it's so quick to remove it doesn't matter. Top tip if it's soaking wet and filthy dirty when you arrive on site:- rather than trying to wrestle it back into its bag, getting it and yourself even muckier in the process, you can attach it to the back of the van for temporary storage & to dry out. (I think you have a bike rack, though, so this might not work for you.)

@andrewjditton Год назад

Top tip thanks Ian! Maybe I could just hang it over the bike rack? Cheers.

@kerringalvin1240 Год назад

Hi Andrew, if you put a couple of twists in the elastic strap before connecting the second end, it will stop or at least minimize the strap slap. Same applies if your awning has straps for storm guys, nothing worse than getting woken in the middle of the night to the vibration they setup! Cheers Kerrin

@andrewjditton Год назад

Cheers Kerrin!

@yaminthegrey Год назад

Hari Om Nifty bit of kit...though it was the lovely yellow cloth that caught my attention - microfibre, I presume? I am such a fan of my towels and cloths made from that recycled plastic; they are like magic!!! YAM xx

@andrewjditton Год назад

Hi Yam, I think it is something like a densest microfibre you've ever come across. It can dry off an entire car without the need to be wrung! A total life changer :) xx

@suecharnock9369 Год назад

my little Jack Russell is beginning to have leg issues on long walks, so apart from shorter walks, I now use the 'Dougal carry' method!! I have a bad back and for some reason, this way of carrying him does not give me any issues. I have tried all sorts of on-body carriers and they have been awful. Next step is his own pram...........

@andrewjditton Год назад

Sorry to hear of the back issues Sue. I do notice Dougal's weight now at 10kg, whereas little Ted down the front of my coat is a mere 3kg!

@robertclarke7711 Год назад

Does it not allow you to adjust the cord under the caravan? Suppose like all things the answer to your question is personal choice but if it saves the main window while on travel it makes sense. Love the video editing as always specially the speeded up bit on fitting the cover, air of carry on camping movie. Hi to Dougal and young Ted. I have an unrelated question, why is motorhome insurance a rip off for over 70's and more so for over 80's and I am surprised and shocked at the caravan and motorhome insurance response. When I asked the response, just is and not ask for a review. Are they trying to drive these two groups of the road, considering they are the industries biggest customers to all sites and income. Air of ageism through the back door.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Glad you like the 'Carry On' Robert. Was not aware of a sudden hike in premium when you get to 70 - nobody has mentioned that to me before. Will keep a tab on that, cheers.

@peterlooper7956 8 месяцев назад

I lost a front centre window when I was towing my caravan, without a cover. It took two years to find a replacement.

@TheBlueOwl21 Год назад

Personally, I wouldn’t have one, ok in fine weather but when it’s wet through and covered in mud then it’s messy to handle and dry out. It’s much easier just to wash the caravan if it’s dirty.

@andrewjditton Год назад

It's personal choice Dave. A lot of people do swear by them... generally those who have replaced broken front windows!

@protonneutron9046 Год назад

In the USA trailers sold with front window come with a hard fiberglass rock guard.

@PaulPearson-bg1ig Год назад

You should be able to stop the overnight elastic strap from 'vibratiing' in the wind by putting 2 or 3 twists in it!

@koksy Год назад

The thing is, where do you draw the line? You cover the front up, then the side gets scratched on branches driving down country lanes. Are you going to cover the whole van in a cover just in case it gets damaged? Seems like more trouble than it's worth.

@tdinnes5602 11 месяцев назад

hi Andrew which brand is the car cleaning towel please

@overthehill1986 3 месяца назад

Andrew Quick question what number is the cover tp??? I'm looking for one for my 504. Steve

@alanjackson4646 Год назад

The elasticated tape at the top may stop flapping in the wind if you put a couple of twists in it.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Cheers Alan, will give it a go.

@jamesdecross1035 Год назад

One question I have is do any new caravans allow for the view through from the rear view mirror in the car, that you used to get with older 'vans when towing? These would block that.

@andrewjditton Год назад

A good point James, but I cannot think of one new caravan that allows view-through. I last had it on my 1973 Sprite!

@heyholetstow Год назад

Was considering a towing cover for our 304 but that Specialised one doesn’t seem to cover the whole front window. The top is exposed (I’ve heard the top corners are prone to cracking)

@andrewjditton Год назад

Well, as you can see on mine, it reaches the top of the window (just!)

@heyholetstow Год назад

@@andrewjditton ah, thought there was a bit of a gap. must have been a trick of the light. or my bad eyesight :)

@colinmew7139 Год назад

I have often thought the strap under the A frame was too long. Yours is same must be a reason

@andrewjditton Год назад

Apparently it's the same strap for all caravans. Even though it's long, it's never dragged or been an issue, so they don't need to introduce a shorter one. I think that's what they said, Colin!

@colinrimmer789 Год назад

Hi Andrew re the flapping strap how about placing a big fat car sponge under it to stop the noise? ❤️ to Dougal and Ted 🐕🐕xx

@andrewjditton Год назад

Cheers Colin. A few people have suggested putting a couple of twists in the elastic so I'll try that as well. All the best.

@barryelstone8431 Год назад

Try twisting the top strap this should stop it vibratig

@mrgari189 Год назад

Bought a cover but honestly it was just another thing to faff around with when I justed wanted to head off. Current caravan (pop top) is only 30cms higher than the car and almost the same width, so probably not worth the bother. Some towing covers can be fitted if you only have one rail. You can buy "limpets" This video shows you more ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1bYT23gftlg.html

@ManxAndy Год назад

Good evening Andrew…..if you need to attach the elastic strap over the window, when leaving it open for one night, put a couple of twists in the strap, it will stop it flapping annoyingly 👍🇮🇲

@andrewjditton Год назад

Cheers Andy, will give that a go!

@kevcargill Год назад

I too have never had a problem in 36 years of caravanning. So £300 versus a quick brush down with a basin of clean water. Hmmm! I think I know what I’ll be doing. 🙄😃

@johnwalker6710 Год назад

A quick brush down with a bowl of water? Will that stop stones and other loose particles from the roads damaging your windows £300 is nothing compared to the price of a replacement window

@perbjorndahl6023 Год назад

I would never think of buying it. My parents had a 1969 Swift Hunter (bought that year) with 3 front windows all having toughened glass and in the first year of travelling one of them was hit by a stone on a road in France. A template was made and an acrylic glass was bought in Paris - my father was lyric for years about the store person at the department store Samaritaine who knew about another small store that carried that type of glass. That caravan had excellent through-sight I have driven it a lot after getting my license in 1973. 1998 it however was sold for scrapping still only having that one front window destroyed in 1969. I and my wife ordered a new caravan and one item on the "requirement list" was through-sight. This of course doesn't mean that you can forget about proper towing mirrors, but it is for sure an advantage to see through the caravan.

@andrewjditton Год назад

I do love 'view through' on a caravan. But I cannot think of one single 2023 UK model that offers it...

@georgelamb9873 Год назад

Only issue I have found with the towing cover is when the rain was particularly heavy the towing cover had soaked up so much water I struggled to lift it and clearly had affected the weight on the towball, I hadn't realised this issue until I went to remove the cover. I do still use the cover but am loathed todo so in the rain.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Very good point George! Will revisit that when the heavens open.

@Jock55 Год назад

Where's Ted?????

@andrewjditton Год назад

The clue is in the date... October 2022! He was only born later that month ;) The video has been held in the vaults for a few weeks.

@markrae1317 Год назад

Bellingham, near Hexham, is pronounced "BELL-ing-jum" 😀

@andrewjditton Год назад

And how was I meant to know that? ;@)

@markrae1317 Год назад

@@andrewjditton I thought you knew everything!

@MrCrunchbucket Год назад

I always use one but the biggest bugbear is when you arrive on site with a soaking wet and dirty cover and then have to find somewhere to put it and dry it.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Hi John, there are some great suggestions in the comments here. Some folks thread in one side and peg it out, another mounts it to the back of the caravan... A faff, but overall the impression I get is that once people use one, they don't want to go back to not wanting to use one! All the best.

@tonysutton6559 Год назад

A journey from the Midlands to the Scottish islands and back in May or June leaves my motorhome looking like the results of an insects battle of the Somme with gory mess all over the place. Assuming that they splat a caravan in the same way, how would you clean the cover off or do you just leave the mess on the cover?

@andrewjditton Год назад

I'd rinse it off once home I think.

@allenmclaughlin5283 2 месяца назад

what is the world coming too when you have to show someone how to fit a very basic cover ?

@andrewjditton Месяц назад

Do you caravan on your own?

@peterallen2904 Год назад

I’ve never, ever had damage done to my caravan ove4 many years. £300 for something that is not necessary. I don think so. You are obviously doing this video to earn more money.

@andrewjditton Год назад

Ha ha! Thanks for watching.