Malc Edge Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Buying a new to me Bailey Senator Indiana. ..best caravan I have ever owned and wanted to keep it nice. . looking at those front covers to protect the front when travelling,what do you kind people think of them are they worth it. ? We travel to France and Spain for a month and travell around 1500 miles and we get bugs and exhaust black soot on the front so I am tempeted to buy one. Are they easy to fit and remove when you get your site ? thanks, malc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Next door neighbour has one. Still have to wash the cover though! The world is split into the two camps. I'm in the waste of money camp! Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langers8 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I use to have one until it disintigrated at the top edge after a quick spin to Switzerland and back then got my money back thing is you need to keep it clean especially if its been raining as grit from the road gets everywhare get it underneath after you have stowed it and you ar likely to get gravel rash on your windows I use to carry a small pump up garden spray to fill up on arival to wash the grit off before removal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz40 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) I bought one to protect the soft alloy front skin of an Alu-Tech but other than that I personally wouldn't bother with one, You have to keep them clean (especially the underside) and dry them out on site when wet (total pain) also put them on in the rain on site (even more of a pain) I think regularly waxing the front panel gives good protection and better aerodynamics (Less drag than the material) A quick wash of the front panel once pitched and jobs a good'n. Edited February 8, 2014 by Gaz40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laney16 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I have one that we had for our old bailey pageant and am now using it on our Abbey Spectrum. The new van is a little wider than the Bailey and on motorway trips the bottom side flaps sometimes come out from under the front cover. I does keep the front of the van clean from diesel soot, mud and flies etc. I don't find it hard to fit and remove - about 5 mins and I just fold it up with the inside kept off the ground and folded on the inside. So, overall, I think it was worth the money and is not a pain to use. I leave it on when the vans is in storage and it's ready to go. You can still access the front locker by just undoing 2 clips each side and the one under the a frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hells9369 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) I does keep the front of the van clean from diesel soot, mud and flies etc. I don't find it hard to fit and remove - about 5 mins and I just fold it up with the inside kept off the ground and folded on the inside. So, overall, I think it was worth the money and is not a pain to use. I leave it on when the vans is in storage and it's ready to go. You can still access the front locker by just undoing 2 clips each side and the one under the a frame. We are looking at getting one for our Bailey Verona not just to keep the font clean but also to protect from stone chips. We have seen more and more vans on the road with the covers on lately. Edited February 8, 2014 by Hells9369 Quote Cleaning the House while the kids are at home is like clearing snow with it still snowing VW Touareg + Bailey Verona = Happy Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglumps Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I'm somewhere in the same camp as Gaz40, I have a Protec one for my Olympus. The van is waxed with Collinite 845 so it washes easily (not done the roof yet!) but it's as much to stop the aluminimuminimuminuminium from getting dented by stones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Edge Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Thanks Everyone, Still not decided,will wait until the season starts then reconsider. malc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Kid Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 We have seen more and more vans on the road with the covers on lately. It's a fashion thing . . Keep caravaning simple . . Quote Roughing it . . but in comfort . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smax Jonny Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 My opinion is that if you have time to put the cover on then you have time to wash the front part of the van !! Isn't it mainly Baileys that have them - what does that say about them ?? Quote Land Rover Discovery Sport 180 SE Tech 2016 - Fuji White Coachman Festival 640/6 - 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian dunning Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 My opinion is that if you have time to put the cover on then you have time to wash the front part of the van !! Isn't it mainly Baileys that have them - what does that say about them ?? Agreed. I can certainly give the front a wipe in as much time as it takes to take off a cover properly and not just rip it off and leave it in a pile on the ground. Regarding dents in the front of Baileys, my 2 yr old van is available for inspection as there are none. must be lucky I guess unlike the idiot who arrived in a cloud of dust along a stony drive and then was dumbstruck when he looked at the three 'ding's' on his Pegasus. None on mine as I said I must be lucky, Regards, Ian. Quote Bailey Unicorn Vigo and a 2017 Ford S Max and a Mercedes SLK AMG Sport 9 speed, my mid life crisis solver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pebble Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 £300 for a tow cover or £??'s for a cracked front window that may not be covered by insurance? Quote 2019 Adria Adora Thames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian dunning Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 £300 for a tow cover or £??'s for a cracked front window that may not be covered by insurance? I'm not saying it won't happen but at this time I've never had a cracked window nor know anybody who has under those circumstances ( cue my mate/fella on site, who had a cracked window stories to shut me up ). Seriously I have never seen the need for one but I'm not going to be critical of those that do use front covers, we are all different and do different things in our lives, Regards, Ian. Quote Bailey Unicorn Vigo and a 2017 Ford S Max and a Mercedes SLK AMG Sport 9 speed, my mid life crisis solver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Edge Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 My opinion is that if you have time to put the cover on then you have time to wash the front part of the van !! Isn't it mainly Baileys that have them - what does that say about them ?? Smax, Pray tell what does it say about Bailey owners,have I joined a club of dubious pretentiousness Smax, Pray tell what does it say about Bailey owners,have I joined a club of dubious pretentiousness Ah on review its the caravan not the owners !!! phew had me worried for mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durbanite Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 So, overall, I think it was worth the money and is not a pain to use. I leave it on when the vans is in storage and it's ready to go. Is that such a good idea as while it is in storage surely dust, leaves, twigs etc could fall down between the cover and the front of the caravan and then when travelling scratch the front of the caravan due to the front cover rubbing against the front of the caravan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midsman1 Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 (edited) Three Star- The cover is only used for travelling. It is not intended or designed as a storage cover. We have just bought one from Specialised, one of the Elite models. We tow with a Range Rover Sport fitted with mud flaps and still the front of the caravan becomes mucky, especially if the roads are wet and dirty.( Try driving past a construction site in your spotless caravan ). I know that we would have to clean the cover, but with the state of UK roads, building contractors not cleaning the road after muddy lorries have used it, and general deterioration of the road surface, on balance we decided to buy a cover. If the cover stops small dents we will be well pleased. Edited March 1, 2014 by Midsman1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkymarsh Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 We have one to tow with. Just protects the front of the van from chips etc, as when we had a s1 alutech, it looked like someone had peppered the front if the van with a 12 bore. Don't take chances now, even if it means a couple more mpg. Cover takes me 5mins to fit now I've got used to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanT599 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I had a cracked window on my last caravan window from a stone chip. It was right in the field of view and there was a haze on the front windows from years of towing. On getting our new caravan (Bailey Unicorn) we ordered a tow cover. Takes minutes to fit. Windows and aluminium panels are protected. The caravan is fully polished so any marks that we do get or bugs can be quickly cleaned off. When at home we have a full size to protect the caravan from the elements and UV. I'd expect both to last about 5 years and for me it's a small price to pay to protect my investment. Quote Car - Range Rover Autobiography and a Range Rover VogueCaravan - 2015 Compass Rallye 644 with Isabella Commodore, Isabella Magnum Coal 250 and Isabella EclipseTrailer - Sankey Mk3 Widebody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) If you use one, ensure its correctly fitted, ive spent hours removing scuff marks on edges, in one case it was so bad it was beyond my capability and required specialist treatment. In my view its a novelty accessory and in years to come will be replaced by an ultra lightweight whole front end moulded carbon fibre front cover that will be fitted in seconds and will double up as a side canopy, and everyone will be raving about it. Royalties most welcome !!!! Phil Edited March 2, 2014 by Phil O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smax Jonny Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Three Star- The cover is only used for travelling. It is not intended or designed as a storage cover. We have just bought one from Specialised, one of the Elite models. We tow with a Range Rover Sport fitted with mud flaps and still the front of the caravan becomes mucky, especially if the roads are wet and dirty.( Try driving past a construction site in your spotless caravan ). I know that we would have to clean the cover, but with the state of UK roads, building contractors not cleaning the road after muddy lorries have used it, and general deterioration of the road surface, on balance we decided to buy a cover. If the cover stops small dents we will be well pleased. Midsman - were you at Ferry Meadows over half- term ? Just that there was an outfit just like yours and also had a front towing cover ? Quote Land Rover Discovery Sport 180 SE Tech 2016 - Fuji White Coachman Festival 640/6 - 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hells9369 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 £300 for a tow cover or £??'s for a cracked front window that may not be covered by insurance? Thats the other reason we are looking at them I would hate to get to a site and find a cracked window due to a stone flying up and then find not covered on the insurance. Quote Cleaning the House while the kids are at home is like clearing snow with it still snowing VW Touareg + Bailey Verona = Happy Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hells9369 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Three Star- The cover is only used for travelling. It is not intended or designed as a storage cover. We have just bought one from Specialised, one of the Elite models. We tow with a Range Rover Sport fitted with mud flaps and still the front of the caravan becomes mucky, especially if the roads are wet and dirty.( Try driving past a construction site in your spotless caravan ). I know that we would have to clean the cover, but with the state of UK roads, building contractors not cleaning the road after muddy lorries have used it, and general deterioration of the road surface, on balance we decided to buy a cover. If the cover stops small dents we will be well pleased. Quote Cleaning the House while the kids are at home is like clearing snow with it still snowing VW Touareg + Bailey Verona = Happy Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkymarsh Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Thats the other reason we are looking at them I would hate to get to a site and find a cracked window due to a stone flying up and then find not covered on the insurance. HellsProtec have 10% off their towing covers at the mo. just got an email from them today Enter the code: followthewhiterabbit And if you buy a full cover as well, then you'll get a third off the towing cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midsman1 Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 We have taken delivery of our Specialised Elite and it is so easy to fit. Even believe the blurb that one person could fit it. Must admit that it gives you a reassuring sense of security when towing, knowing that you do not have to worry about the front of the caravan. Keeping the front clean was a bonus. Will use it every time in the future. Guess it"s a price thing that puts a lot of people off buying one, but would have no hesitation in recommending one. Midsman - were you at Ferry Meadows over half- term ? Just that there was an outfit just like yours and also had a front towing cover ? I can't believe that someone else has the great sense of style and sophistication that we have in selecting an outfit!!! Alas it was not us, but would like to meet up with these other caravanners some day. Did pitch next to another RRS owner in Broadway last week. Had a great chat about the cars. ( My wife called me an anorak ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Guess it"s a price thing that puts a lot of people off buying one Not at all !!! the cost of repairs certainly do. Please ensure that the van front is free of dirt/grit before fitting, and also that the inner side of the cover is kept free of grit, folding it up and storing under the van is asking or trouble, if staying on site for any length of time (area days or more) then clean the van front prior to fitting cover, believe me, I've seen the damage caused all too often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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