My wife and I are about 2 months into owning our TT and loving it. Anyone use or have opinions on RV storage covers. I would love to have a more permanent enclosure from the weather but that ain't in the budget. Its a 33 footer. As always thanks for the help.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

TT cover question | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2017
Yes, the snow will just fall off but the rain will need to be drained.
denngeor
Explorer
Sep 09, 2017
I'm a newbie. I plan to purchase a fifth wheel trailer and store it outside during the winter months in Colorado. It will see a lot of snow! Will the snow just fall off? Must I be concerned about snow loads?
Vintage465
Nomad
Aug 10, 2017
Our trailer was a total cost of 28k out the door. I don't drop cash like that too often so we wanted to protect out investment. Just for kicks I checked on what a set of graphics would cost. $1000.00 plus shipping. Since the dang graphics are what go to heck and make the rig look funky, the possibility of fiberglass de-lamination and the rubber roof, I think the cover is well worth the investment. Yup it's a pain to put on..........and my trailer is short. But I feel real good after it's on while the sun is beating down on the rig. I still may get a set of graphics for the future, not sure if they have a shelf life expectancy.
wireman
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
Campfire Time wrote:
I used a cover once. It only lasted a few months. A big storm came through and tore it up. And yes, it was secured properly. Never again will I waste money one one. We bought our previous trailer new and had it for 10 years and never covered it. The only thing a cover would have helped would have been to keep the decals from fading. Other than that our trailer looked great.

I do cover the tires in the winter more to keep the wheels from rusting than anything else. I also cover the AC in winter.

Where I can see real value in a cover is in extreme climates like the SW or in Canada. There are lots of trailers and motor homes in my neighborhood and in the 28 years we've lived here we've never seen any of them covered. When all is said done, the best thing you can do is inspect and maintain your trailer. Covers are for the most part personal preference. I believe they help in some circumstances but not most.

Your right. Some situations it's not needed but here in the SW the sun is brutal and plays heck on fading and roof condition.

That's the main reason I can get only about 3 years from a cover.

For a little over $100/year I'll pay the price to help maintain my TT.
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
I used a cover once. It only lasted a few months. A big storm came through and tore it up. And yes, it was secured properly. Never again will I waste money one one. We bought our previous trailer new and had it for 10 years and never covered it. The only thing a cover would have helped would have been to keep the decals from fading. Other than that our trailer looked great.

I do cover the tires in the winter more to keep the wheels from rusting than anything else. I also cover the AC in winter.

Where I can see real value in a cover is in extreme climates like the SW or in Canada. There are lots of trailers and motor homes in my neighborhood and in the 28 years we've lived here we've never seen any of them covered. When all is said done, the best thing you can do is inspect and maintain your trailer. Covers are for the most part personal preference. I believe they help in some circumstances but not most.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2017
I get about 5 years out of a cover. I wouldn't want to do it in the middle of the season, but for winter hibernation it is perfect. just be sure to pad the corners and make sure it is tight.
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2017
troubledwaters wrote:
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.

I have been using the same ADCO cover, All climate designer series with tyvek which I paid about $270 for, on 2 different trailers for the last 6 years. Its on the trailer from mid Dec until Apr 1 in PA winters. No rips, tears, or any other problems. I have had up to 2' of snow on it at times.
babock
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
I am picking up my new travel trailer in a week and I am going to make my own cover out of Sunbrella. The cover I made for my boat 15 years ago is just nearing the end of it's life.

Yes, the cover will be heavier than most covers but it's going to fit like a glove and will have vinyl protection sewn in at all rub points. I will add vent material so that moisture can get out.
rbpru
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2017
We have used our TT cover because it helps keep the ice and snow from direct contact with the roof. It also keeps the dirt, leaves and pine needles off the roof.

The problem is we sometime leave for a week or so in the winter so we have to remove it.

Last year we parked the TT in November, then spent two week in FL in January, then went to KY in April. The weather in IN was mild so the cover was never installed.

I have found that proper fit and foam padding on sharp points such as the gutter tubes is very important.
wireman
Explorer
Aug 09, 2017
https://classicaccessories.com/rv

My preference. Save a lot off list price on Amazon.

I've tried numerous brands over the last 20 years and as stated 3 years is about max.

I'll keep covering as long as I can make it on the roof and feel safe.

Best one's are custom made and use the best materials. Never been that route. To many $$$$$.

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