COVER?

If you have the room I would suggest a VersaTube Carport. I have had one for the past 10 years and it works great. My MH is currently in mine out of the sun, and I store the MH in it during the Winter.
http://www.versatube.com/building-kits/classic-carport#prettyPhoto
Mine is similar to the picture with the Fifth Wheel, but both sides go down to the ground. I use 10'x12' Silver tarps over the ends to enclose. I would suggest if you erect one, to pour a concrete floor, as mine is gravel and I regret not using concrete.

Also I would build it longer than your current MH, so if you upgrade to a longer RV it will be long enough in the future.

mchero wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
I remember a post awhile back where a poster had damage to his coach from a cover. Wind slapping the cover onto the coach caused damage to the paint. I can't recall if the wind had caused the problem are if the cover was put on wrong?

Sounds like the cover was not installed\secured properly.

Older covers (like mine) didn't have as many straps or had none at all on the sides to keep it from slapping in the wind. The new ones are made with this in mind and are constructed better, though I still don't know if they are advisable in an area that gets severe wind storms.

J-Rooster wrote:
I remember a post awhile back where a poster had damage to his coach from a cover. Wind slapping the cover onto the coach caused damage to the paint. I can't recall if the wind had caused the problem are if the cover was put on wrong?

Sounds like the cover was not installed\secured properly.

Lou,
That is exactly right, the MH gets driven thousands of miles down the highway and is subject to all of the dirt and debris that Mother Nature can throw at it. You are also right that we are not talking about a trailer queen show car, where ANY scratching from the cover is readily apparent, and this was from using one of the most expensive covers available, under ideal conditions. If a cover will scratch the paint in a temperature controlled garage, it will do the same, only worse, outside.
I am just giving my decades of experience with paint, on various vehicles. What you do with it is naturally your choice. As you say, there is risk vrs benefit. I was just commenting on the poster that says that there is no paint damage from using a cover, which is entirely false.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I've used a cover since new and my TT looks as good as the day we brought it home. The cover is not going to act like sand paper - sorry but that just doesn't happen - it's a great theory but not real life.

It is always great to hear from someone that has the ability to tell when their paint is losing a microscopic layer of paint on a very gradual basis.
The facts are there is NO WAY that a cover will remain free of debris on the inside surface. This dirt accumulates when the cover is in use as well as when you remove it and fold the cover for storage. This dirt and debris WILL act as sand paper and will eventually work it's way through the paint layer and cause permanent damage, as some have already mentioned on this topic. You can deny it all that you want, but it will happen and you will not know it until it is too late. I do know that most trailers have prefinished siding as opposed to the very expensive full body paint used on most class A's but the point is that debris will damage all paint surfaces over time.
With the Classic Cars that I had, I would not even use a cover INSIDE the garage, because just the removal and installation is enough to damage the paint. When you add wind and an outside environment, it will eventually destroy your paint.

Let's see, wear and tear at the microscopic level vs. snow/ice freezing and expanding on every crack and crevice on the roof plus the added damage from sun and wind driven particles all winter long. Just like everything else it life, it boils down to risk vs. benefit and based on my experiences (8 years of RV and 20+ years of sailboat ownership), I'll continue to take my chances with a good quality cover.

Remember, we are not talking about a trailer queen show car here, it's a MOHO that gets driven down the highway many miles each year. However, we all have the option to do what makes us comfortable so good luck and safe travels to all.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

ScottG wrote:
I've used a cover since new and my TT looks as good as the day we brought it home. The cover is not going to act like sand paper - sorry but that just doesn't happen - it's a great theory but not real life.

It is always great to hear from someone that has the ability to tell when their paint is losing a microscopic layer of paint on a very gradual basis.
The facts are there is NO WAY that a cover will remain free of debris on the inside surface. This dirt accumulates when the cover is in use as well as when you remove it and fold the cover for storage. This dirt and debris WILL act as sand paper and will eventually work it's way through the paint layer and cause permanent damage, as some have already mentioned on this topic. You can deny it all that you want, but it will happen and you will not know it until it is too late. I do know that most trailers have prefinished siding as opposed to the very expensive full body paint used on most class A's but the point is that debris will damage all paint surfaces over time.
With the Classic Cars that I had, I would not even use a cover INSIDE the garage, because just the removal and installation is enough to damage the paint. When you add wind and an outside environment, it will eventually destroy your paint.

I've used a cover since new and my TT looks as good as the day we brought it home. The cover is not going to act like sand paper - sorry but that just doesn't happen - it's a great theory but not real life. The only time I would advise against one is if you live in an area that gets a lot of wind storms. They can be torn up by those but otherwise hold up well - or at least our 9 y/o ADCO has (which is filthy BTW).
The more you can keep the elements off your RV the longer it will last.

Well Gang,

First off, I think this is actually pretty simple. First, if you have the land, square footage, etc. to install a drive under cover, and, you can afford one, no matter what type, and the permit process doesn't have you commit suicide, then you build one. Waaaaaay better than a "throw over cover" in every way.

But, if there's any speed bumps in any of the above, can't afford one, not enough land, don't own the land, permit process too much of a pain and restrictions, and more, and you still want to cover it, then a throw on might have to be your answer. Any cover is better than no cover when it comes to protection against the elements.

Now, one thing here, there is/was a difference of opinion as to whether a throw over cover will or will not convey "dirt" and dust etc. to the inside of the cover and therefore, will eventually damage the coach. Well, yes and no. You see, if you don't use a cover, your coach will get dirty, correct? So, now you wash your coach, and put on your brand new cover, however much a pain in the a.. it is.

Then, obviously if your coach is in a normal environment, that new cover is going to get dirty. Now here's where the "YES" (it will convey dirt to the inside of the cover and to the coach works. If you roll or, in any way, fold that cover up as you remove it, so that the inside comes in contact with the outside, guess what, you're transferring dirt from the outside to the inside. Now, when you "unroll" or, un fold that cover again to re-install it, you'll be DEPOSITING dirt/dust/debris/ etc. right under that cover, in between it and the surface of the coach.


But, here's where the "No" way comes into play. If you fold that cover, all the way from one end to the other, you're trapping the accumulated dirt, in between the two halves of the "top side". Now, you can roll it or fold it any way you want to finish securing it while it's not in use. Now, when you go to re-install it back on to the coach, you un roll or un fold it, to that point at which it has on big fold left. And that one will unfold in such a manor that it will keep the "already" accumulated dirt/debris/dust on the top side and not trap it in between the cover and the coach.

But, doing it in that particular manor, is seriously hard and just about no one does it that way. So, again, a drive under cover is superior but, the logistics are the factor. Good luck.
Scott

I've always cover mine in the fall before the leaves fall and keep it on during the winter months. If sized correctly and properly secured you will not have a problem with the painted surfaces. They do a good job keeping the snow and ice off the top and let the moisture pass, so no mold problems in the spring. I have had good luck with the ADCO Aqua-shed covers. The first one was sold with the MOHO after 3 seasons and the one I currently have is on it's fourth year and still looks good. The next (retirement) home will have an RV garage, but until then I will continue to use a cover.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

rgatijnet1 wrote:
The only time a cover provides some protection is when it is new. Once the cover has been taken off, or has been in use for a short time, it will start to get dirt that will accumulate on the inside of the cover. This dirt will act like sand paper and when the cover is moved by the wind, it will eventually sand away the paint surface.
Even in my coastal Florida home, I will not use a cover and if the manufacturer used a good quality paint, it should last for a long time exposed to the elements.
On the other hand, I do enjoy watching my neighbor struggle whenever he puts on or takes off his cover. I always wonder when the cover will win. :B

Im not sure I totally agree. If you make sure the inside never touches the ground it will stay fine. I find the easiest way to keep it is with a large trashcan on wheels. Brand new and never used. I store the cover in it in such a way that it allows me to "feed" it on the rv, and I put it back in the can with the back first. Sort of like packing a huge parachute. And then I wheel it in the garage and it stays free of dust until I am ready to "deploy" it again.