Cheap AND easy UV protection? Canopies, sprays, covers, etc.

Terryallan wrote:
Easiest cheapest way, and one of the best ways. Just wax it with a good wax. Don't make this harder than it has to be.

I think you're right. I have chronic fatigue so I'm always looking for investments that mean minimal effort. But by the time I buy a canopy or carport I could have paid someone to wax it several times.

I think you have covered all the ways to do it. There cheaper the material that covers your frame, the less time it will last. Since I like to only have to do something once, I would go for a metal cover.

UV fading and damage used to be a big concern to me as well. If I had a garage our camper would fit in, I'd do it in a minute! However, I found with my prior campers that tinting the windows with a high-quality window tint, keeping the curtains/blinds closed, and waxing the camper regularly kept it looking new. Black streaks would just wash right away even. I tend to wash the camper after every so many short trips and just got used to applying a spray on carnuba wax after washing (been using Eagle One Nanowax as it's cheap and works great). It literally is just spray on, wipe off. I can wax the entire camper myself in an hour. Doesn't require waiting for a haze and buffing at all.

I have several different sizes of shelterlogic canopies.
I want to make one taller for my RV too.
I asked the previous owner(who was also using one over it)How he got a taller one?
He told me to measure the pipes the legs are made of.
Most are the same diameter as chain link fence top rail.
It comes in 12 foot lengths.
I have 2. I am going to just cut them to the height I want, and make the legs taller.
The extensions will be galvanized not white, but save my TT from the Florida sun, I'm OK with that.
Shelter logic doesn't have, or sell anything to do this, but there is a cheap, easy fix.
If you do it before me, please Pass on any hints you learn. I'll do the same if I'm first.
I need to get another replacement cover before I do it.

Our Experience:
We purchased a car canopy from Costco. ~#200 then got some thick walled pipe and cut to fit inside the frame tubes of the canopy. Raised the canopy high enough to clear RV. Then purchased some concrete fence post bases (had metal frame for post). Bolted the pipe ends to the post base (added some weight) then anchored the concrete bases to the ground. It was just wide enough, and long enough to cover most of the RV.

The cover only lasts about 3 years. Replacement covers are about $150. Couldn't get exact replacement from Costco so had to find another which was slightly larger. This required some extension tubes as the frame had to be 6in longer and 6in wider than original. This was actually a good thing. Provides better coverage.

Total initial cost (with extension tubes) was about $240. For six years of protection it has cost $430 (more extension tubes $40 + replacement cover $150).

Need to secure the frame as wind can rock it around a bit. Have some lines that anchor from the top of the frame as well as anchoring the tubes to the ground. Have made it through some 50 mph gusts with no damage.

Would like to get some metal type roofing to screw to the frame but that may be more trouble than its worth. If I get tired of replacing the cover might just spring for a metal cover. That would probably be about $2000.

Very glad we have a cover for our RV. It was quite an investment for us and we want to protect our investment. Only have to wax it once a year, don't have to worry about leaks when stored, less issue with uv damage to seals, plus the finish stays looking new much longer. We do a roof and joint inspection every six months to fix anything that looks questionable.

For us some type of cover was mandatory.

Cheap and quality don't usually go together. We live in extreme hot temps and I wanted to get as much protection for my roof as possible. The best way for "me" was to spend the money once and be done with it. Since you are always replacing the fabric on the canopies I went with a metal carport similar to this:
Carport
Check locally. Not in your budget (wasn't mine either) but worth it(IMHO) if you plan to keep your trailer any length of time.
If you do go that way, consider future RV's and make sure you get it high enough the first time. I learned the hard way!

Easiest cheapest way, and one of the best ways. Just wax it with a good wax. Don't make this harder than it has to be.