Cover, or not to cover..that is the question

[danrn]

I have used RV covers in the past; they can be hard to put on (windy days), some have been torn by winds, but I want to protect my new investment.

The dealer wants to sell me a product they apply to the RV that, "creates a transparent barrier of polymeric coating that protects and seals out the elements". It comes with a five year warranty which states they will repair any fading, or environmental damage.

OK, that's great, but I feel a cover would provide more protection. So, the possible problems with a cover is, as I mentioned earlier, they can be hard to put on, they can be damaged in winds, but the one thing I worry about the most is the rubbing of the finish. It has been many years since I have purchased a cover and wonder if they have improved over the years. Are they more durable, are they made to protect the finish?

Personally, I don't mind the effort to put on a cover, but would I be doing more damage to my finish, than I would be protecting it from the elements?

Thanks

[SH]

MitchF150 wrote:
To cover or not seems to depend on how much wind your rig is exposed to... In my case, I'm surrounded by trees and my house, so it does not get exposed to much wind at all, even when it's really windy out..

But, it sure helps with the trees dropping all their stuff on it!

I've had my ADCO cover for over 10 years and yes, it's a mess and looks terrible, but my 2003 trailer still looks great and I've never had any of the "bad" issues that trailer covers seem to have..

Mitch

Our cover is new so it looks nice but I'd much rather have the moss, mildew, slime & leaves etc. on the cover than on the rig! I think you got more than your monies worth in 10 years! Awesome!

[2012Coleman]

I used to park in storage and covered my TT with an Adco cover. I now park it at my house and still use the cover. Keeps the TT clean, and doesn't ruin the finish.

[Bigdog]

I was a good owner and covered my first TT with a 16X30 blue on one side and silver inside and that worked pretty well except trying to keep it dry after tazking it off to go on trips during the winter. I quit using it when we bought the 32' Cougar and the old,still in good condition, tarp was too small so we didn't cover it and had no problems. Then after we got the MH,a cover wouldn't have protected it from the 15' branch that fell and punched a hole in the roof. I did get a brand new PVC roof courtesy of my insurance company and it seems to be working pretty well without being covered. Besides, I can use the money for a 40' class a cover and winch for fuel and cg fees. Also, I'm on the far side of 73 and not sure if I want to wrestle that cover onto the roof of a vehicle that was made for being outside in all weather.

[MitchF150]

To cover or not seems to depend on how much wind your rig is exposed to... In my case, I'm surrounded by trees and my house, so it does not get exposed to much wind at all, even when it's really windy out..

But, it sure helps with the trees dropping all their stuff on it!

I've had my ADCO cover for over 10 years and yes, it's a mess and looks terrible, but my 2003 trailer still looks great and I've never had any of the "bad" issues that trailer covers seem to have..

Mitch

[larry_barnhart]

I did not put the green fella with the tongue.
chevman

[larry_barnhart]

SH wrote:

larry barnhart wrote:
I had a very nice cover for our 1999 alfa ideal but didn't like what it did the the fiberglass walls. I gave to an alpenlite owner but he did not take it off until June so now all of the screws were rust and the side walls were damaged from the wind.
chevman

Yo Larry! How's the weather there?

Anyway...covers have changed since 99...perhaps not the wind so much! 🙂 This one seems to stay pretty stable in the wind. I keep finding small leaks here and there in the Alpenlite. The cover will bide me some time until next spring! I am in the process of replacing all the screws with new anyway, pulling all the metal trim and adding new butyl and sealant. I can fix a dulled wall finish but I really don't want the water intrusion. We shall see!

Best Wishes!

9:PM 70.50 degrees. sorry!!
chevman

[SH]

larry barnhart wrote:
I had a very nice cover for our 1999 alfa ideal but didn't like what it did the the fiberglass walls. I gave to an alpenlite owner but he did not take it off until June so now all of the screws were rust and the side walls were damaged from the wind.
chevman

Yo Larry! How's the weather there?

Anyway...covers have changed since 99...perhaps not the wind so much! 🙂 This one seems to stay pretty stable in the wind. I keep finding small leaks here and there in the Alpenlite. The cover will bide me some time until next spring! I am in the process of replacing all the screws with new anyway, pulling all the metal trim and adding new butyl and sealant. I can fix a dulled wall finish but I really don't want the water intrusion. We shall see!

Best Wishes!

[larry_barnhart]

I had a very nice cover for our 1999 alfa ideal but didn't like what it did the the fiberglass walls. I gave to an alpenlite owner but he did not take it off until June so now all of the screws were rust and the side walls were damaged from the wind.
chevman

[SH]

Dick_B wrote:
Lots of previous posts on this subject. Search for `RV Cover'.

And the consensus always seems to be the same...some do, some don't! I am one that changed his position on this matter. I never use to cover our RV's. Worried about chaffing, roof wear etc. Now that my RV is 13 years old and the commercial covers seem to be much better, we opted to cover our rig this winter. So far we are glad we did. Some piece of mind with the coach protected from our intense and constant rainfall, fall leaves etc. We had a recent wind storm (35-40 mph) and no issue with the cover so far. Only time will tell!

[Dick_B]

Lots of previous posts on this subject. Search for `RV Cover'.

[hondapro]

cchristanis wrote:
I had this same question cause I'm getting a new toy hauler. Just sold my old one today.don't mean to hijack the thread. I live in western ny near buffalo so u know what kind of stuff I have to deal with. I regularly read detailing forums that deal in protection for cars. 2 of the best things you can do to the vehicle in preparation for the elements is wax and/or seal. Collinite which is made here in isnyisupposed to protect all winter.check it out. There are also sealants or paint coatings which are the best and longest lasting.I applied a sealant called klasse(German stuff) to my paint and when it dried it was hard as rock. My truck stays MUCH cleaner too. If you don't want to deal with a cover,I think this is you're only other option

Not to hijack,but Collinite is great wax and does last a long time.

[ScottG]

After more than ten years of using a cover (the same one) I am convinced it is well worth it.

[cchristanis]

I had this same question cause I'm getting a new toy hauler. Just sold my old one today.don't mean to hijack the thread. I live in western ny near buffalo so u know what kind of stuff I have to deal with. I regularly read detailing forums that deal in protection for cars. 2 of the best things you can do to the vehicle in preparation for the elements is wax and/or seal. Collinite which is made here in isnyisupposed to protect all winter.check it out. There are also sealants or paint coatings which are the best and longest lasting.I applied a sealant called klasse(German stuff) to my paint and when it dried it was hard as rock. My truck stays MUCH cleaner too. If you don't want to deal with a cover,I think this is you're only other option

[wbrown62]

I think the dealer applied coating......while not a scam, borders on being one. Don't have any facts as such. Just my $0.02 worth.