RV Cover

I am on my second RV that I have covered and my second cover. It is quite a bit of work to put on and take off but I think it really helps protect the RV from the harsh Iowa winters and also the hot sun in the summer. You need to keep the cover tight to reduce flapping and chaffing in the wind but I think it is worth the effort. I only cover it if I am not going to use it for an extended time. I am hoping to be able to store it inside this coming winter as I am not getting any younger :( BTW, my covers have both lasted several years.
Ed

Wax

We bought a custom made Adco cover back in 2006 for our 36' Diplomat. I put the cover on for the first year, but it was a nightmare. Mine was made from duck cloth like they use on boats. It was too heavy to carry up on the roof, so I had to drag it up from one end.

Eventually, I built a set of stilts behind the RV that supported a plastic garden box. The top of the box was at the same level as the RV roof. I could open the box and pull it right onto the roof. Even with making it easier to do, it was still a lot of work and I quit using it. It's still like new and stored in the same plastic box.

For us, we were using the RV once a month or more all year, so putting on and taking off the cover was too much. If I lived where I had to store it for the winter, I would cover it.

LongWeekends wrote:
I guess it also depends how you use your RV. I would imagine if we full-timed or even spent half the year in mild climates and out of the intense summer sun, I wouldn't worry about covering ours. However, since we don't do that, our RV might sit for a combined total of several months baking in our extreme heat.

The cover is indeed a complete pain to put on as our coach is 42'. That said, considering our financial investment in the RV I would argue that the hassle of covering it is very reasonable. I spend about 45 minutes covering it and about 15 minutes removing the cover. When I pull the cover off, I leave it rolled up nicely on the RV pad.

Where you live definitely makes a difference, not only in the need for a cover but in the ability to get it on and off and store it. Here in MD with occasional rain and snow it was just too much hassle. Trying to get it on and off in the snow can be deadly, literally. So if you have it covered and want to take a winter trip, good luck. Also it seemed almost every time I wanted to take it off for a trip, it had rained and you can't really store a wet cover without generating mold and mildew. That and the MH does not bake in the desert sun so the need is less also. So, the answer really depends. I will say when I covered it, it was nice to have it shiny and pre-washed. But I wash and wax it regularly so it still looks nice anyway.

I guess it also depends how you use your RV. I would imagine if we full-timed or even spent half the year in mild climates and out of the intense summer sun, I wouldn't worry about covering ours. However, since we don't do that, our RV might sit for a combined total of several months baking in our extreme heat.

The cover is indeed a complete pain to put on as our coach is 42'. That said, considering our financial investment in the RV I would argue that the hassle of covering it is very reasonable. I spend about 45 minutes covering it and about 15 minutes removing the cover. When I pull the cover off, I leave it rolled up nicely on the RV pad.

GPWayne wrote:
Don't bother with a cover. They are junk, hard to install and damage the finish. Most end up in the trash.... Check for past posts on covers here on the forum.

Agree, hard to get on the roof, hard to put on, no place to store when using the RV, RV wears holes in it when windy...or rub marks on the RV. I wouldn't have one.

To the OP - obviously opinions vary. I see you are in Nevada which presents the same harsh elements during the summer as I see here in AZ. Here are my thoughts FWIW(copied from a post I made in a similar thread.)

We cover ours as we can't build a permanent structure at our house. Yes it is a pain but I think it is totally worth it. Here is what I can tell you based solely on my experience here in Arizona:

I have yet to see an RV left completely exposed, long term to our intense sun that had a nice looking finish. Keep in mind, we have 5 months of 100+ degree days. Many of those 110+.

I have seen lot after lot of RV's in storage out here and almost everyone of them has faded or oxidized if they have been there long term. This is the case with full body paint(often faded and/or covered with paint checking from the heat) and also non-full-body paint coaches. Decals don't stand a chance!

We had our last coach covered for 5 years without any negative effects from the cover on the paint. Yes we have dust storms and monsoons but it never damaged our coach.

Believe me, I would LOVE covered storage but that would have to be offsite for us and we like having the coach at home.

Bumpyroad wrote:
sitting out in the sun/rain/snow/etc. takes its toll on RV roofs. that is why the manufacturers, dealers, etc. always put RV covers on all of their stock.
bumpy

:h

Being facetious?

sitting out in the sun/rain/snow/etc. takes its toll on RV roofs. that is why the manufacturers, dealers, etc. always put RV covers on all of their stock.
bumpy

Prior to building my RV garage, I used a cover every winter for 9 years and it didn't cause any damage to the rig. If secured properly it doesn't flap around or scratch the painted surfaces. I installed it myself by laying in out on the ground in front of the RV and with a rope attached to the cover just pulled it up and walked back on the roof. Obviously you need to be comfortable working up there, but it isn't nearly as difficult as many make it out to be. IMO keeping the snow and ice off the top of the RV is worth the effort. Good luck whatever approach you take.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy