Is a cover necessary ?

Been using covers since we bought our rv in 2002. We get intense sun here in central California. I have found the best covers that last the longest are the ones that use the white Tyvek as the top material. Our rubber roof is still in good shape and all of our decals still look great!

Grit dog wrote:
Heard all the arguments in another thread about how covers are stupid.
They’re not. They will preserve the RV better than uncovered but the owner mustn’t be stupid about the cover and it will last a long time and serve the purpose it was intended to.

Unless the full Alabama sun hits it all day. After about 4-5 years the cover becomes so brittle from the UV rays that you can easily poke a hole through it with your finger without much effort. Which, lets me know that it is doing its job by being a barrier to the camper from the damaging UV rays. But yes, when placing a cover on a camper, you must not get in a rush and yank and pull on it. And you must ensure all sharp corners are covered/cushioned to prevent premature tears and rips and the cover is tightened properly.

Heard all the arguments in another thread about how covers are stupid.
They’re not. They will preserve the RV better than uncovered but the owner mustn’t be stupid about the cover and it will last a long time and serve the purpose it was intended to.

I've done both. I don't bother with a cover any more. I do, however, religiously clean and caulk(that spreading kind) every year at least. If it looks like **** in between cleanings, who cares? Only a trucker is going to see the roof anyway, at best.

I leave my seasonal uncovered in Northern Minnesota all year round. I do plan on replacing the roof in another year or two because of age.

I personally feel if your futher South the sun is more intense and can damage the roof and caulking along with the plastic from UV rays and a cover would be more beneficial.

My RV I keep in Kansas is kept in a covered shed when not in use and looks like new. Graphics look like new as well as the roof and plastics.

In the past we covered, then we didn't, then we did, then we didn't. Why?

Well, if you use the camper over the ice and snow months (like we did), then putting on and taking off that cover when it's covered with snow and ice is a very hard job. After the first time removing and it laden down with ice, and then you get it off the camper, and then figure out where to put it to dry out, well ... too much work.

So, those winters we planned the week of Christmas to Florida or South Carolina, we did not cover. Those years we stayed home all winter (Indiana), we covered. ..... until ... the RV simply got too long. Now at 41 feet long, we don't cover any more. BUT ... we also winter camp now too. Covering is just way too much in zero degree weather and 6 inches of snow on the ground and on the roof already!

If you plan on using the camper over the winter months, it's a LOT of work. If planning to store the camper only, covering is a good thing.

I keep my trailers (3) covered (roof area only) when not in use year around, only because I don't want any surprises when I need to use them. Better to have it and not need it. jmho

I agree with Liberty Man.
If you want to keep it nice over the years, use a cover.
Another benefit is RV's like to suddenly start leaking. If it's got a good cover on it, you wont be surprised by a rotting mess in the spring and will hopefully find any leak druing use - before it's catastrophic.

Dealers dont keep anything around long enough to care about protecting them so that's not any argument.
BTW, there's almost nothing a dealer does that I would do.

This is what my 2004 Wildcat looked like after 13 years of covering (and waxing every year).

I've often pondered that point myself...

The single biggest reason I can think of to not have a cover is the wind. Although the material may be soft, I would think wind would be an issue. Not from the standpoint of keeping the thing on, but rather for potential damage from constant rubbing on the finished surfaces.
Wouldn't take long for it to start leaving rub marks.

How many covers do you see at an
rv dealer?? That should answer your question.