Buying our first RV cover

[Scotty092278]

We're a young family in Idaho and purchased our first new travel trailer this year. We've enjoyed it and, of course, want to protect our investment. We wrapped up what will likely be our last trip of the season this weekend and are now beginning to think about winter storage.

Our trailer is parked outside of our home. Winters here produce some snow, which can stick for several weeks at a time. We have very sunny and hot summers, though I'm not sure I'll use a cover once the camping season begins. (It'll depend how easy it is to install, I suppose.)

All that said, I'd like to buy an adequate cover without going overboard. This is a new arena for me and I'm admittedly low on knowledge to buy with much confidence.

Any counsel would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[mgirardo]

We purchased a Camco Ultraguard cover for our new Bungalow. It will sit at our seasonal site all winter, so we wanted to cover it. I researched covers all summer long. Adco doesn't make one long enough for our camper and to have them custom make one was over $1,000. Camco doesn't make one for a 40' Travel Trailer, but they do make one for a 40'-42' Class A motorhome. Since our Bungalow is taller than a normal TT, I thought the Class A cover would work.

This was the first time we ever covered a RV. The wife and kids (14 yo and 16 yo) were on the roof while I was on the ground making sure everything was straight and properly placed. The key to keeping a cover from getting shredded is covering all sharp edges, we used cut up pool noodles, and to make sure the cover doesn't flap in the wind.

Our cover has straps about 8 feet apart on the sides of the camper. They attach to the skirting of the camper. All parts of the straps that may come in contact with an exposed part of the camper is covered with cloth. There are two straps that go across the front and the back (one towards the top and ones toward the bottom). They get tightened to take up all the slack. The only thing on our cover that flaps in the wind are the parts of the cover that go over the vents in the cover. Ours has several vents on each side of the camper to allow moisture to escape.

Only time will tell if the cover is effective. We will visit the camper in December, so if there is a problem with the cover, we'll take it off. If all is well, we'll leave it on. From our point of view, the cover is just another level of insurance. If it gets torn to shreds, we know it isn't worth it and won't buy another.

-Michael

[Padlin]

Cobra21 wrote:
The next winter, we tied 1 rope under the center so it couldn't blow off, then (this is the key) tie a rope all the way around the camper, right above the bumpers, and cinch it tight and walk away. Will do this again this year with our new cheap cover. By doing it this way, you don't have the tight pull at every corner and obstacle. Last one lasted 6 Minnesota winters.
Brian

That's what I used to do too, and it made a huge difference, no billowing at all. Doesn't work on the new trailer, the band around it slides off due to it's body shape. Like putting a belt on an egg.

[Cobra21]

We bought a cheap cover for our 21' class C 7 years ago. After 1 winter, areas
were wearing through from tieing every loop under it tightly. We thought we had it tight enough that it wouldn't wear so bad, it did. The next winter, we tied 1 rope under the center so it couldn't blow off, then (this is the key) tie a rope all the way around the camper, right above the bumpers, and cinch it tight and walk away. Will do this again this year with our new cheap cover. By doing it this way, you don't have the tight pull at every corner and obstacle. Last one lasted 6 Minnesota winters.
Brian

[Bmach]

Pool noodles work great for covering rain cutter extensions.

[Padlin]

I got 6 years out of the better Adco, then bought their cheaper one by mistake. Didn't make it 2 winters with that one. I now have a Calmark, top notch but quite heavy and bulky. My trailer is only 21', I wouldn't want to try it on a bigger trailer. Too much $ too.

I'd suggest the best ADCO, not too much $ for decent quality. Light enough to manage.

[jfkmk]

I've used an ADCO cover now for five years. I did need to make one repair where I messed up and didn't pad a sharp corner. The trailer looks brand new after 6 years.

[2012Coleman]

pianotuna wrote:
Do the RV stores cover the RV's? If they do not, why should you?

For a lot of reasons that you most likely would not understand... :h :? :R

[gbopp]

pianotuna wrote:
Do the RV stores cover the RV's? If they do not, why should you?

Car dealerships don't have a large garage for everything on their lot.
But, many people take their car home and park it in their garage.
Same theory, right? 🙂

[ScottG]

pianotuna wrote:
Do the RV stores cover the RV's? If they do not, why should you?

No becasue they dont care about keeping them nice for years nor would they spend the money.

[SoundGuy]

pianotuna wrote:
Do the RV stores cover the RV's? If they do not, why should you?

As I posted in another thread recently, yours is an irrelevant argument ...

"What dealer in his / her right mind would invest in hundreds of covers and have to pay staff to install & later remove each cover when the entire purpose of the business is to sell lot stock as quickly as possible? Hardly a rationale for an individual owner to not use a cover."

Common sense. :R

[pianotuna]

Do the RV stores cover the RV's? If they do not, why should you?

[ScottG]

I used an ADCO cover for 13 years on our last TT. Kept it fresh and clean over the winter. Cover paid for itself many times over at trade in.
Last winter I didn't put it on (we were trading TT in) and I was amazed at the wear to the roof. The difference was incredible.
I would not hesitate to get another one.

[Lwiddis]

Covers last me two years and worth the SoCal sun protection provided. ADCOs are ok but trying another brand currently...just purchased. Will report in six months or so. TT is 7.5 wide so I can cover alone with my extension ladder...don't go on roof.

[SoundGuy]

Scotty092278 wrote:
Our trailer is parked outside of our home. Winters here produce some snow, which can stick for several weeks at a time. We have very sunny and hot summers, though I'm not sure I'll use a cover once the camping season begins. (It'll depend how easy it is to install, I suppose.)

All that said, I'd like to buy an adequate cover without going overboard.

Some do, but installing a cover after every camping trip is WAY more work than I'd ever consider. 😞 Back when we owned popups I stored them in my heated workshop and as such they always looked good as new but when we moved into the world of full height trailers that was no longer possible. The first winter I rented indoor storage but it was so costly the next winter I bought an ADCO AquaShed cover and even though it wasn't rated as suitable for heavy snow as was the more expensive ADCO Tyvek it worked just fine. I've used ADCO covers ever since, no issues at all, no tearing as others sometimes report, and have had no complaints other than it's a PITA to install and the same to remove, meaning I'd only do it once in late fall and again in early spring but no way I'd do it during the camping season. Last winter I was offered the opportunity by a friend of a friend to store indoors but this winter I may have to store outdoors again and if so would cover it once again with an ADCO.