To cover or not?

We got a cover with ours when we bought it. I took one look at the weight and hassle and decided not to use it. Our rig's manufacturer specifically said "DON"T walk on the roof". I was a rubber membrane type. Why they installed a ladder on the back to let you do just that was a puzzle!

In western Washington, fading due to sunshine isn't a problem. Mold and mildew are, and I figured there'd be more of that under a cover than if I let our semi-perpetual rain keep washing it off.

Bottom line - it depends mainly on the climate where your RV is stored. and whether it's under a roof or not.

When parked outside the wind takes a toll.

I found I would get about three years from a cover when outside, didn't matter if it was an expensive cover or a cheap one.

My first one was a Classic, I held it on with bungie cords run under the RV. The current on is an Adco and has attached straps that run under the MH. It is easier to put on and I like it better. It is also much better looking in a tan color with some swirl stripes on it.

I just use the Adco brand. The latest one I've purchased comes with tie-down straps and I further secured it underneath the RV with some bungie cords. It seems to be very tight against the RV and doesn't blow around like my previous ones. I think I picked it up for around $200 and it came with a 3-year warranty.

Thanks everyone for responding with replies on the cover or not question. Overwhelming advice is to cover. All of the points are well taken however as I have some paint scratched corners from the cover rubbing in the wind. I now cover those sensitive spots with duct tape before I cover.
Since the sun and wind destroy covers after only a few years, do those who cover have any suggestions on the best covers? I have been using the lightweight cover made by classic accessories and sold by many outlets at varying prices. The extra tall 40-42 footer is around $500+ when I last looked.
Any suggestions for a different brand?

Thanks again.

Arizona Clark

Here in the rain-forest anything not covered turns green in a hurry. I regularly use a stiff brush to scrub the algae off of the rubber parts on my cars. My van grows moss on the roof.

I can't imagine what the motorhome would look liked after spending the winter uncovered.

I agree with those that say to keep I covered. We kept our 2001 Winnebago Adventurer in a garage almost every day it wasn't on the road. The cost of a cover is far less than the cost of replacement parts for those damaged by the elements.

When we traded in our Adventurer with over 100,000 miles on the odometer it still looked like new. As such it commanded a much higher trade in value. Several friends decided not to buy covers or store their motorhomes inside. It was readily apparent after only a few years. Not only did they spend more on repairs, but they got far less at trade in time.

If you decide to sell your motorhome yourself you'll also likely see more cash in your pocket in a shorter time period. When we traded in our motorhome it lasted less than 3 weeks on the dealers lot. In the RV business that's like a revolving door. The new owner called us with a few questions. He also remarked that he was overjoyed with the condition of the motorhome given the fact that it was over 12 years old and had such high mileage.

I believe in covering them. I've been doing it for several years and am on my 2nd cover. First one lasted about 5 yrs. and would still work but not very pretty anymore. The current one is on it's 2nd year and still looks great. I will say that as I age it gets a little more difficult to put on every year. In a shed would be better.

You see relatively few covers on RV's here in my area of Florida. We have a lot of sun but we also have year round humidity issues and wind.
First advice I was given by the dealer when I bought my first FW was not to cover due to covers trapping moisture and scratching. The storage yard I am in is about 50 units and only one covered. Fortunately I have one of the five covered spots.

Ourhomeonwheels wrote:
Winnebago and many extended warranties forbid covering because of the risk of condensation under the cover causing interior rot in the coach.

The humidity in Arizona during the winter is only 8%, very low condensation! IMHO, somehow keep it out of the sun if it's stored outside!