Handle with care

Whether you’re counting down the weeks waiting for your next vacation or having to endure a lockdown, here’s how to store your caravan

Most campers only pull their caravans out a few times a year, but when you’re forced to forfeit a couple of camping trips due to a global pandemic, you may need to revisit exactly how to put your trailer into storage safely.

We spoke to industry experts who helped shed some light on how you keep your precious leisure vehicle in relatively good nick, whether you’re an old hand with years of camping experience or a newbie.

Like a glove

Although the first prize would always be for your caravan or off-road trailer to be garaged, everyone’s parking arrangements differ. Some might be able to park theirs in a dedicated spot in a garage or under a carport and then there are a few that probably stand exposed in the back yard.

If the latter is how yours is stored, you should consider investing in a cover. Avoid the thin and flimsy stuff, because after a season or two exposed to the African sun and the occasional thunderstorm, these become brittle and will tear. Even the silver reflective type that you use in the Kruger isn’t recommended for long-term storage, because those are more suited for short stays and even then the caravan can get quite hot underneath and that can cause condensation when

the temperatures drop.

Wesley Dempster of Tygerberg Caravans recommends a durable ripstop canvas cover with zipped sections over doors and windows. Although these tend to be expensive, they allow the caravans to breathe underneath.

“Ideally, you’d want to store your caravan inside, but nine times out of 10 a caravan is stored under a carport. Even in those circumstances, we recommend that you try and drop the nose ever so slightly so that any build up or condensation can run off,” says Wesley.

Also, any caravan that’s left outside to the elements without any form of coverage or ceiling can be expected to have some or other form of damage going forward. While a carport might not be on your family agenda or in your budget, a cover could be a worthy alternative.