Do you want to protect your caravan from the sunshine and the rain?
Australia is a stunningly beautiful country but we all know how harsh the weather can be. That’s why it’s important to shield your van from the elements when you’re not using it.
The best way to do this is to invest in a decent caravan cover.
Any high-quality cover will reduce the risk of UV and water damage to your camping vehicle. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some different brands available today.
Hopefully, you’ll find the best caravan cover for you and your vehicle.
| ADCO 18'-20' Olefin HD Caravan Cover | Camec Caravan Cover (C20CCV) 18-20' | Weisshorn 5.4 - 6.0 m Heavy Duty Caravan Cover | Outback Explorer Caravan Cover 18-20ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Our pick  |  | Best Value  | |
*Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | *Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | |||
Olefin and polypropylene | Two synthetic materials | Polypropylene | Synthetic | |
5.51-6.12m | 5.4-6m | 5.4-6m | 5.4-6m | |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
3 years | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | |
Best Caravan Covers Australia
ADCO 18'-20' Olefin HD Caravan Cover
Runner Up
This is one of the best caravan covers on the market today.
Everything about this ADCO cover screams quality and convenience. The side panels are polypropylene. However, the top section is made from Olefin, an enhanced version of the same material, increasing UV resistance.
ADCO claims that this caravan cover will block over 99% of damaging rays. Meanwhile, it has breathable air vents to reduce the chances of mildew and moulding. It beads water without retaining it.
Furthermore, it has reinforced corners to avoid annoying tears when it inevitably gets caught or snagged. The clinching system ensures that this caravan cover won’t billow in the wind.
You can also convert it into a sun awning by opening the eyelets in the door flaps. With multiple zippers, it’s easy to enter the van without any issues.
It’s an incredibly durable cover but it is expensive.
At over $400, it’s at the top end of the market. Many potential buyers won’t want to spend that much. However, when you consider how much your caravan cost you in the first place, I’m sure that you’ll agree that it’s worth spending a couple of hundred dollars to keep it in good condition while you aren’t using it.
It also comes with a superb three-year warranty which shows how much ADCO stands by their product.
Overall, this is a great cover for your van if you'll be putting it into caravan storage in Brisbane, as the UV ray blocking will keep your caravan safe from the harsh sun.
Camec Caravan Cover (C20CCV) 18-20' (5.4m-6.0m)
Our Pick
Camec offers a very similar caravan cover to the ADCO for about $100 less.
It also has a reinforced roof section for improved UV resistance. This is crucial in Australia because of the intensity of the sun.
Another nice touch is that it’s designed to resist external pollutants like dust, weather damage, and bird droppings. It’s easy to keep clean so that it always looks good. The non-abrasive ensures that it doesn’t damage the exterior of your caravan.
This waterproof caravan cover also has breathable side panels to reduce condensation. It’s a key feature to reduce the risk of rotting over time. However, it’s worth noting that it’s water-resistant rather than repellant.
At $320 or so it’s expensive but not unreasonable. Like the ADCO, it also has a three-year warranty.
Weisshorn 5.4 - 6.0 m Heavy Duty Caravan Cover
Honourable Mention
If you’re looking for a cheaper option then Weisshorn has you covered.
This caravan hitch cover is substantially cheaper than the others mentioned above, but it’s still a very decent option. It does the job without being spectacular, but that’s what most people want.
Like the other options in this article, it’s UV resistant. Similarly to the Camec and ADCO caravan covers, it’s also made from breathable polypropylene.
However, it is water-resistant rather than repellant. This means that it is less effective at dealing with heavy rain.
Another downside is that it has a relatively short one-year warranty.
Outback Explorer Caravan Cover 18-20ft
Best Value
One of the best caravan covers available today, the Outback Explorer is worth every cent of the $180 cost. It’s easy to tell that it’s made in Australia because of its main features.
A key benefit is that it repels water. This gives it an advantage in monsoon conditions over some rival pop-top covers.
Outback added an underbelly anti-wind strap so you don’t have to worry about your cover blowing away. It has four layers of material for enhanced protection and breathable panels to prevent the growth of mould.
Meanwhile, it has five zippers for increased accessibility and improved convenience. It’s also easy to set up. There’s no denying that this is a great caravan cover.
Despite the price, it’s more-or-less the same size as expensive covers like the Camec. It has a two-year warranty which is decent considering the low cost.
At just $30 more than the Weisshorn, it’s a better option.
What To Look For In A Caravan Cover
Let’s look at the points to consider when you’re buying a caravan cover.
Water-Resistant v Water-Repellant
Many caravan covers claim to be water-resistant. This is great but it doesn’t guarantee total protection. Unless it says that it’s waterproof, it isn’t.
Water repellant covers are better than resistant ones because they receive extra treatment. Hydrophobic coatings, like the one on the Outback Explorer, reduce the chances of rain soaking through the caravan cover.
Everybody thinks about the sun but it’s important to keep all weathers in mind. Many parts of Australia can receive heavy rain in a short period of time, especially tropical areas like Darwin that endure a wet season. Keep your van safe with a water-protected caravan cover.
UV Protection
It’s essential to protect your caravan from excess UV rays. These can be damaging when combined with bird droppings and pollution.
Prolonged exposure to the sun will fade your vehicle’s paintwork and seals. It can also cause flaking and chalking over time which can lead to even more damage. This can affect its resale value.
Unnecessary exposure to the sun when not in use can prematurely degrade your caravan solar panels, TV antenna and any other gear on the outside of your van too.
A UV-resistant cover will preserve the external integrity of your caravan.
Breathable Materials
A good caravan cover should have breathable panels to reduce moisture retention.
This will reduce the chances of bad smells in the short term and the possibility of mildew and mould forming over time.
Once you are ready to take your caravan back out, make sure that the cover is dry before you stow it away in a bag or dark corner. Otherwise, it won’t be as effective when you go to use it again.
Scratch Resistant
Don’t buy the cheapest caravan cover without checking if it's scratch resistant. Many lower quality products can cause cosmetic damage to the outside of the van because of their components.
Even expensive ones can do so if there is grit or dirt trapped underneath. Be careful when you’re taking it off or you could be in for a nasty surprise.
Additional Benefits
Caravan covers provide a couple of useful benefits. Take a look these:
Security
Covers can be an additional deterrent against thieves. Obviously, they won’t stop anybody who wants to get inside but they make it more difficult to identify the model of the van.
It’s also more challenging to look inside. Most criminals are opportunistic. If they can’t see any valuables (like your caravan TV) right next to the window, they’ll likely move onto an easier target.
Mobile Protection
If your caravan cover has an underbelly clip or a clinching system like ADCO, you may be able to use it while driving. This will add increased protection against flying grit, dust, and stones when you’re on the move.
It won’t be possible to do this with all pop-top caravan covers because they may fly off. However, more expensive options will usually have this benefit.
Dual Function
A lot of caravan covers can be converted into sun awnings. This is convenient because it saves you half of the time. You don’t have to deal with the stress of packing up your cover and separately setting up your awning.
Final Thoughts
It’s possible to buy a great caravan cover without spending a fortune. Along with a proper stone shield, they're a great way to keep your vehicle safe.
If you’re looking for a premium option with a long term warranty, the Camec caravan cover is a great option. You can see substantial savings by purchasing it instead of the more expensive ADCO.
However, there are bargains to be found.
For the price, the Weisshorn is decent but the Outback is brilliant. It’s Australian-made but is water repellent and has a longer warranty. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that it’s the best option on the market.
If you have any questions about caravan covers, please leave a comment below.
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Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.
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