It's not a matter of voting. It's a matter of understanding what you're dealing with.
The issue with using a standard tarp is that it is a moisture barrier on purpose. However, moisture in the form of humidity, mist, etc will find its way between your PUP and the tarp. If you have done a good job and pulled the tarp snug, you have just made a green house environment where water will stay and during the warmer months before and after winter, will promote the growth of mold as well.
If you keep the tarp off of the surface and allow airflow between the tarp and PUP's exterior, there is no problem using a tarp. Most people can't or won't do this. They will just strap it down nice and tight, even just across the roof. That's where problems begin. Some are lucky and have no problems but I have read too many accounts here and elsewhere when an owner has pulled the tarp off in the Spring only to find standing water on the floor inside the PUP, ceiling and roof damage and no clue how it got past the tarp.
A breathable cover is designed to let water vapor escape and reduce trapped moisture. It has a way of getting out across the entire surface of the cover instead of a few little spots where the tarp makes a gap. With PUPs, it is inevitable that moisture will always find a way in. It is how easy it is for it to get out that can make or break your PUP.
So, you see that there is science behind those recommendations in the manuals from the PUP manufacturers warning against the use of tarps. I have seen people make custom-built frames for tarps to go over their PUPs, much like a mini-shed or simply as Beer Belly suggested, a commercially available "instant garage".
And on page 96 of the 2006 Jayco owners manual, you will find the following information:
Store your RV indoors, under a roof or purchase a tarp to cover your RV during storage. Make sure you invest in a good tarp that can "breathe".
(I added the emphasis.)
In my opinion, Jayco did a disservice to owners by using the word tarp instead of cover but the last sentence is the critical part regardless.
You're talking about a presumably several thousand dollar expenditure for this PUP. I would not recommend going cheap on protecting it.
Also, if you get much snowfall, you will want to periodically clear the snow off of the roof so that it does not collect too much weight. My manual states a maximum of 250 pounds should be on the roof. Ninety eight pounds are already eaten up by my air conditioner unit and it doesn't take long over that amount of surface area to accumulate 150+ pounds of precipitation. Northern Wisconsin was a tough place for me to have a PUP outside during winters. The same page of the owners manual has the following:
Remove snow loads from the top of your RV to prevent damage to the unit's structure.
Caution: Excessive snow, 8" or more, or ice, 2" or more, places excessive weight on roof. Remove excessive snow or ice as needed. Care MUST be exercised to not damage the roof material when removing snow & ice. Excessive weight can damage the roof, seals, etc. Water leaks and poor fit or operation are the results of this damage.
(I did not add the emphasis.)
Here is a link to your
owners manual if you don't have a copy already.
By the way, that's a really nice camper. I loved our Jayco. It was light, easy to move around by hand and reasonably well-built. A front deck would have been awesome. I hope you get lots of enjoyment out of yours.
