Hi all, I'm getting ready to purchase a new TT and trade my older one in. Unit already picked out, deposit put down everything.....I'm curious about covering the new one as I've noticed several issues with my old unit, decals deteriorating, bad/weak spots in roof, etc... Obviously a cover would help with these issues, but I've also heard negative comments years ago about covers. My new unit will be gray smooth sides with frameless Windows. I want to avoid the sun from fading it and deteriorating the decals, etc...What are your thoughts?Thanks in advance!!!!!

If you had a large garage or pole barn, you would keep it inside.My vote is for a cover.

A better question is, where are you parking it, and when do you plan to cover it?It's a chore getting a cover on and off. If you keep it covered and uncover when you use it, then cover when you come home again ... you're going to get very tired of doing this very quick!If you cover over the winter, and you live in a climate that's not pleasant in the winter, it can have advantages. If you winter camp often, it's all a matter of how often you put it on and take it off until you get tired of doing it.I see you are from SC. You're winters are much more mild than in the Northern States. I see no need to cover. I don't cover mine any more and I'm in a snow state. But, if you park under trees, the cover will do much to protect the camper from tree sap and falling leaves and such. The thing you need to ask yourself, how often will you cover and uncover. If you cover and uncover more than once a year, more than likely, you'll try it, and very soon get tire of doing it and then quit doing it completely.I ended up giving my last cover to someone else. I'll probably never cover again. Too much work and camper are made to be outside.... in spite of pealing graphics and fading paint.

For previous posts on this popular subject search this Forum for `RV Cover'.

If you can, a carport, such as those by Carolina Carports, will keep off the sun, snow, and rain, but won't flap around. It may cost a little more initially, but should outlast the trailer.

DutchmenSport wrote:It's a chore getting a cover on and off. If you keep it covered and uncover when you use it, then cover when you come home again ... you're going to get very tired of doing this very quick!If you cover over the winter, and you live in a climate that's not pleasant in the winter, it can have advantages. If you winter camp often, it's all a matter of how often you put it on and take it off until you get tired of doing it.I've owned a cover for every full height trailer we've owned and always use it for winter storage, putting it on at the end of fall and taking it off in early spring, so although it is a bit of a chore IMO it's well worth protecting the roof seams and awning from the effects of constant snow & ice melting / freezing we see here often in Ontario during the winter. However, it's far too much work to put on after each camping trip then remove for the next so I'd never consider using it during the camping season ... and the bigger the trailer the more difficult the task would be simply because there's just that much more material to deal with. I've never had to worry about the effects of blazing hot summer sun like that in S Carolina but I doubt even that would convince me to use a cover during the camping season as it's just too much work and that alone might convince me to instead pay for covered storage of some sort.

To cover, or not to cover? | Good Sam Community

TexasATM
Explorer
Mar 14, 2016
I cover mine after every use. It is 5 years old now and still looks new; much nicer than the one that it sits next to at the storage lot that is the same vintage. I think the Texas sun is much more harsh on things than wind/rain, so I keep mine covered. My trailer is 35' and I put it on and take it off in a little less than 30 minutes by myself.

I wouldn't waste my time/money with an Adco cover... I went through two of them in three years (I got one free under warranty). Both starting showing signs of wear almost immediately. After the second one was too torn to be useful, I bout a Carver and have been very happy with it. It is heavier, but it does a fantastic job of keeping everything nice and clean. No sun exposure, no pollen, no sap, etc, etc. Your vent caps and skylights will last much longer as well by keeping it covered.

I think everyone's first choice would be to park their trailer inside an enclosed climate controlled building... for most of us, that isn't an option (neither is building a carport, no matter how cheap they are). I think a cover protects better than a carport anyway because I get zero sun exposure.
bill-e
Explorer
Mar 13, 2016
Waxing does work and makes cleaning easier. Even here in New Hampshire where we don't have year round sun, plastic parts deteriorate. Plan on visiting Amazon.com in a few years and picking up replacement parts as well as inspecting all your lap sealant seams yearly. For me it seems the stink pipe vent covers are the first to go. Never had to replace a MaxxAir vent cover though.
spoon059
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2016
It will definitely help. But then your roof vents and all that plastic will also see a lot more sun and UV light and tend to break down quicker than if it had been covered. I would get some of those plastic sprays that are supposed to help protect against UV light and pay attention to the roof plastics too.
frontin40
Explorer
Mar 13, 2016
Just wondering if waxing the trailer 2 times a year will have any benefits from keeping it fading?
bill-e
Explorer
Mar 13, 2016
My cover came off today because I want to bring the camper in for warranty work. I simply lifted the front of the cover up to the roof and then was able to pull the whole thing off from the rear....no snags, simple and under 5 minutes of work.
temccarthy1
Explorer
Mar 13, 2016
Your TT is FAR more expensive than a $250 cover every 3 to 5 years! It will make a BIG difference on keeping snow and ice off the roof and keeping finish and decals bright! May be a little work but my investment in my new TT is worth a little elbow grease! JUST DO IT!
hbrady
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Everyone has their opinion but IMO the sun is the worst enemy followed closely by ice / snow. My plan, cover in winter, park in as much shade as possible when not in use during the season (under hardwood trees) and always cover tires when not in use. I didn't cover them this year because I'm replacing them this spring. It only took us about 25 minutes to install cover this past fall but as others have pointed out, get it sized correctly and secured well. 55MPH winds last week and no issues with mine (knock on wood). That said, if I could afford it I'd have it under one of those big shelters.
RooDude09
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Love ours. We have the exact same situation you have where trailer we just got rid of had faded and decals were an absolute mess. Now have a tan smooth sided trailer and got the cover. I put it on and off by myself between every trip and we go out once every month between February and October. That being said its here at our house and I was able to keep an eye on the cover as to how things were rubbing. Had to repair one spot and install a pool noodle. May be a little difficult if your trailer is in storage.
spoon059
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2016
If you are able and can afford it, a Carolina Carport is a fantastic option. No fussing around with it... back the camper underneath and its covered. Pull the camper out and its uncovered. No setup, takedown, storage, wet canvass, tears, rubbing on trailer, etc.

I paid about $2400 for mine (higher snow load in my area, so more expensive) and plan to stay at my house for at least 11 more years. At $2400 for at least 12 years of use, that is $200 per year to store it covered.
temccarthy1
Explorer
Feb 24, 2016
Definitely vote for a cover! Mine is just finishing it's 2nd winter season and despite a few tears at the rain spouts and on the roof from the antenna that are easily covered with patches that ADCO will send you for free, it definitely will keep the TT looking new and free from leaks and weathering.. If I get 3-4 years out of it for $250, that is a small price per year for the extra years it will give me on my TT and the fact the decals will not fade and caulk will not dry out. I keep it on from Nov to May and in between my camping trips in the summer. My TT is 30 ft long but I have learned to cover it in less than 45 minutes by myself... without going on the roof! I am certain my TT will last years more because of that small investment! Why be lazy when you spend so much for a TT?.. I want it to last a long time!

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