Class C cover.....awning, full cover or ????

[Baja_Man]

Planning ahead for my used Class C 31' that I will be purchasing very soon. I would like to provide sun and rain protection as much as possible and am considering options.

I have room for a metal awning but it would hinder access to areas in front of my current metal garage. I have a 24'W area in front of my garage and a metal awning would take about 17'W (5' away from side wall per code. This is assuming a 12'W X 35'L awning covered on 3 sides.

OR

I can use those Costco type of awnings that use a polyethelene/plastic type of plastic cover with metal posts. Covers can be replaced.

OR

There are other type of awnings that utilize replacable type plastic covers and heavy duty poles (heavier wall) for the frame (better than the less expensive Costco type.

OR

Full Class C cover

Do the full covers provide UV and rain protection? What are some of better/best brands and fabrics?

Thanks!

[Gene_in_NE]

Baja Man wrote:
The $7200 cost is just killing me. I really like the convenience and permanence, but $7200 to cover a $30K RV....not sure about that.

Thinking of going with a custom fitted RV cover. I know there are issues and hassles with installing and taking down....but I can deal with it, especially at a savings of about $6400! This is assuming a custom cover cost of $800.

Baja Man - I had a short Class A and bought an ADCO tyvek cover. Never really thought through the problem of getting it on and off. You have to be a little acrobatic.

I climbed up the back ladder dragging this cover that weighed about 50 lbs. Walked to the front and then tried to find the front of this mass of material and carefully drape it over the front of the RV without falling off.

Then gradually worked my way back to the rear. Had to avoid stepping on the crank up antenna, the air vents, the tank vents, the air conditioner, the bubble top over the shower, etc. Now had to find the rear ladder while under the cover as you can't see the ladder if you are above the cover.

I brought the sides down and pulled them under the RV and attached them to the frame with strong "bungee cords". Seemed to protect very well all winter. Then came spring and time to remove the cover.

Had to climb the ladder while under the cover to the top of the RV. Then try to not fall off the side while pulling up the sides and tossing the cover forward until the entire cover could be tossed on the ground.

The second year, found some indoor storage a little ways away from home and that is where the RV got parked for the winter. Sold that Class A and made a present to the new owner of the cover.

Bought a Class C and it sleeps indoors for the winter. Also much easier to visit the RV, start and exercise the generator, plug in the electric heater, pop some pop corn, and watch a little TV.

[Baja_Man]

The $7200 cost is just killing me. I really like the convenience and permanence, but $7200 to cover a $30K RV....not sure about that.

Thinking of going with a custom fitted RV cover. I know there are issues and hassles with installing and taking down....but I can deal with it, especially at a savings of about $6400! This is assuming a custom cover cost of $800.

[Rolin]

Hi Baja Man,
I am always doing things the hard way. Purchased a 10x20 car canopy from Costco to cover my 23ft mh. It was not tall enough...so went to a pipe company and purchased some thick pipe that just fit inside the tubes of the canopy frame. Then adjusted it upward to the correct height and screwed it together. Then attached concrete blocks to the pipe and secured with concrete anchors in the driveway. Now have a 26ft motorhome that is not as tall so shortened the poles. It still covers the house portion of the motorhome...just the cab sticks out.

When the original cover needed replacing,Costco was not selling replacements so I purchased from a local vendor....cover too large so back to the pipe company and lengthened the pipes on top so now have a 11x21 ft carport.

We have had some 50mph windstorms and its still standing going on 7 yrs. In some of the stronger winds I attached some ropes to prevent as much side to side movement, but now don't even bother with doing that. The plastic cover attached to the frame adds a lot of strength. Replacing the cover every three to four years is about $250 or say $85/yr.

You need a larger cover so costs are considerably higher. Would really like the metal cover but for us space just does not allow for that option.

[Baja_Man]

well. after much consideration, I am left with 3 options:

1. Class C fabric cover....least expensive option ($500-$800), but can be a hassle to cover/uncover, and has potential to wear paint/gelcoat down at rub spots.

2. Canopy with steel poles and polyethelene plastic cover. ($1600 for fittings, cover, and fence posts...self installed) 14X36X12

3. RV Metal awning/carport ($7200 installed with added concrete area, permits, etc...all metal 24X36X12)

#3 provides me with not only coverage for the RV but for another vehicle right next to it with plenty of room between the two. It really is the nicest option, but.............$7200 is steep and about 20% of the cost of my Class C!!

[timmac]

If you wanted to use that than don't go with the sides, that will catch to much wind, just use the top for rain/shade and use sunscreen on the sides for shade so the wind can blow thru the structure without damage, winds can do damage easy and in your area you do have some bad winds when the Santa Ana winds kick up, I have seen those here with sides and they don't hold up well in the high winds above 40 mph.

[Baja_Man]

The one that I am considering is a 110 degree gable roof using 1-7/8" galvanized chain link fence pipe. I would have to decide how to anchor (core drill my concrete driveway and place inside 3'). I would also use the solid plastic tarp with sides going down to bottom (12') sides.
Basically..... 14'W X 35' L X 12' tall (14'-15' at peak).

This is one company I found doing a quick search...

Creative canopies

[timmac]

Baja Man wrote:
tinmac, thanks for posting.

How does that set up work in strong winds (30-50mph)?

It holds up very well even so far up to 55 mph wind, its been up for a year now and still no damage, 80 percent sun shade allows the most sun block with the best for high winds, 90 percent catches to much wind.

The setup your showing is fine but solid fabric in high winds will rip and can cause damage to the poles unless the poles were very strong and anchored down well, they also sell a fabric that is very thick {pricey} but holds up well under high winds.

Most of the kits sold are lite duty poles and fabric, beware when the winds come, that's why I built my own with strong poles and fabric that allows the wind to blow thru without worry's, my area only gets about 2 inches of rain so that was not my issue, its the hot hot sun 12 months of the year that will destroy your rv paint.

[Baja_Man]

tinmac, thanks for posting.

How does that set up work in strong winds (30-50mph)?

I was thinking of a gable style with the white/gray tarps so I can prevent both sun and water/rain damage. I like the idea of the sunblock screen, but want it to prevent both sun and water damage.

Somethings like this is what I was thinking......



Thoughts?

[timmac]

Use 80 percent sunblock sun screen like I did, wind blows right thru the material and keeps the sun off RV, does not keep the rain off but that does not do much damage as the sun does, you can build your own and have a custom size.

[Baja_Man]

Rolin wrote:
We tried the fabric cover and didn't like how difficult it was to put on and take off. Purchased one of those metal pole tarp covered units. It covers all but the cab portion. Have to replace the panels about every three to four years.

Would rather have a metal cover, but can get away with placing this one closer to property line because its not permanent i.e. temporary structure.

I really like the idea of the metal pole with plastic tarps units for the same reasons as you mentioned..... no permit required and can be placed closer to wall/property line than the 5' set back minimum. The cost is minimal compared to a metal awning that requires $1700 in permit costs plus the $3K-$4K for a 14'W x 35'L X 12'T tall unit

My concern is the wind and destruction of the plastic or worse yet, starts flapping against the RV causing paint damage and/or scratches.

Where did you purchase your? Any pics? Would like to hear from those that have used this set up.

[Rolin]

We tried the fabric cover and didn't like how difficult it was to put on and take off. Purchased one of those metal pole tarp covered units. It covers all but the cab portion. Have to replace the panels about every three to four years.

Would rather have a metal cover, but can get away with placing this one closer to property line because its not permanent i.e. temporary structure.

[Sam_Spade]

Dick_B wrote:
Sunshield tarp big enough to cover the roof and hang down a little on the sides.

Well that's an interesting option but..........
How would you attach something like that to prevent it from becoming a giant sail/parachute in a stiff wind ??

[Dick_B]

Sunshield tarp big enough to cover the roof and hang down a little on the sides.

[Sam_Spade]

Baja Man wrote:

Do the full covers provide UV and rain protection? What are some of better/best brands and fabrics?

Yes but......
A fabric that is heavy enough and tough enough so that you won't get serious rub holes from just moderate breezes would weigh a TON and be hard to handle (Impossible for one person).

After having done that one year, I'm pretty sure I won't be doing it again.