TT cover question

I like the covers, but my real world experience is they last about 3 years (and yes I bought the good ones) and then they're toast. I have never seen one (my own or anyone else's) that lasted much past 3 years. That being said, it's worth it to me for the approximately $75 - $100 per year I spend. Your results may vary.

If you use a cover make sure it's a breathable one.

DutchmenSport wrote:
Pros and Cons for using them. I've done both.

To cover or not to cover depends upon how you plan on using your camper. If you plan on using it often, then covering and uncovering is a LOT of work. But after a time or two, you figure out how to do it, it's easier, but still a lot of work. If the trailer sits long term, it's not bad to do once a year.

To cover or not to cover depends upon your location in which your camper is parked. If you are parking your camper under trees where birds, tree droppings are always making a mess, then covering is good. Better a $300 cover get nasty than a $3000 roof.

To cover or not to cover depends upon the climate condition where you park your camper. If the camper is subject to high winds with sand, then covering is a good thing. If in the baking sun, covering is good. If buried in the snow, ice, freezing, covering is a good thing. Covering helps protect the UV rays from cracking graphics and fading paint.

The number 2 downside of covering is the potential for the cover to rub the RV and rub the paint and graphics until there's nothing left. In order for them to work well, they have to be drawn very tight so there is no movement, even in the hardest of wind. Any rubbing will leave it's scar very quick.

Number 3 downside: The corner rain gutters will punch holes in the cover if they are not dealt with. If you radio antenna is on top of the trailer, you have to remove it, or tip it down to cover. Batwing antenna has to be protected or it can get caught in the cover and damaged when working with the cover.

Number 4 downside: If you plan on accessing the camper when covered, you can. They come with zipper doors. But things will need to be loosened up first (possible rubbing can occur). If you plan on using it when covered, the furnace, water heater, and refrigerator cannot be turned on, or it will burn the cover, as they need outside ventilation.

If none of the "down side's" affect you, then cover if you need protection of the elements, tree and bird droppings, wind sandblasting, and sun UV rays.

I've done both, covered and uncovered. And the driving factor for NOT covering any more is because we use the camper too much, even in the winter with snow on the ground. Uncovering with a foot of snow on top of the cover is not something on my list I want to do.

Campers are made to stay in the elements. Covers just keep them from getting so dirty. That's the advantage.

Yeah, I never experinced any of those cons but there are certainly some valid points there.
And I disagree that campers are built to be in the weather. They're built like junk and the weather ages them faster than using them.
Like anything else, the more you keep sun and rain off them the longer they will last and look like new.

YMMV

Pros and Cons for using them. I've done both.

To cover or not to cover depends upon how you plan on using your camper. If you plan on using it often, then covering and uncovering is a LOT of work. But after a time or two, you figure out how to do it, it's easier, but still a lot of work. If the trailer sits long term, it's not bad to do once a year.

To cover or not to cover depends upon your location in which your camper is parked. If you are parking your camper under trees where birds, tree droppings are always making a mess, then covering is good. Better a $300 cover get nasty than a $3000 roof.

To cover or not to cover depends upon the climate condition where you park your camper. If the camper is subject to high winds with sand, then covering is a good thing. If in the baking sun, covering is good. If buried in the snow, ice, freezing, covering is a good thing. Covering helps protect the UV rays from cracking graphics and fading paint.

The number 2 downside of covering is the potential for the cover to rub the RV and rub the paint and graphics until there's nothing left. In order for them to work well, they have to be drawn very tight so there is no movement, even in the hardest of wind. Any rubbing will leave it's scar very quick.

Number 3 downside: The corner rain gutters will punch holes in the cover if they are not dealt with. If you radio antenna is on top of the trailer, you have to remove it, or tip it down to cover. Batwing antenna has to be protected or it can get caught in the cover and damaged when working with the cover.

Number 4 downside: If you plan on accessing the camper when covered, you can. They come with zipper doors. But things will need to be loosened up first (possible rubbing can occur). If you plan on using it when covered, the furnace, water heater, and refrigerator cannot be turned on, or it will burn the cover, as they need outside ventilation.

If none of the "down side's" affect you, then cover if you need protection of the elements, tree and bird droppings, wind sandblasting, and sun UV rays.

I've done both, covered and uncovered. And the driving factor for NOT covering any more is because we use the camper too much, even in the winter with snow on the ground. Uncovering with a foot of snow on top of the cover is not something on my list I want to do.

Campers are made to stay in the elements. Covers just keep them from getting so dirty. That's the advantage.

Well worth it in my opinion but this is the kind of question that brings out the kind of people who will go negative because they dont have one and are antagonistic towards those who do. It's really quite strange.
Our experience; After 13 years our last TT still looked like new and the graphics were perfect because I kept it covered during the winter months.
The last winter I finally tossed the cover because it was nasty and we were selling the TT. During that time it aged considerably - especially the roof.
Because of the cover, we got thousands more for it than we would have if it looked like all the others I found on-line.
The only time I would not recommend one is if your in a very windy location. Otherwise it money well spent.

I cover mine when at home base for sun protection...no snow here. With my good collapsible ladder I can put it on by myself without going on the roof. Safer too. Easier with two people and two ladders however. I uncover my solar panels near the front every couple of weeks to top off the batteries. That's easy too.