rv cover recommendations-gift for parents! help!

[tinaxd]

hi! i am buying parents a cover for their trailer for xmas, and i'm trying to do research, but I definitely need some direction. does anyone have any recommendations... it seems adco and camco are the two major ones I keep coming across... are these the best bets? I see about the same type of reviews for both... we live in northern Illinois so winters can get brutal but summers also hot. they would mostly only be using the cover in winter. it's a 34' travel trailer.
annnyyyy advice would be greatly appreciated!!! would like to stay in the $300 range, don't want to get something that is generic garbage, does that sound do able?

help!! please! thank you!!!

[SH]

tinaxd wrote:
SH, that link isn't working 😞

Hummm...I just tried it and it worked. No big deal, not really that interesting anyway! Good luck with the cover!

[tinaxd]

SH, that link isn't working 😞

[tinaxd]

they have said they want a cover, they were going to buy it themselves, that's what gave me the idea, i'm just hoping they don't do it before xmas. which i'm surprised they haven't yet haha. i'm definitely seeing there's a love/hate relationship across the board as I've been doing research..but he covers everything else he has, his boats, grills, quads.. and a lot of reviewers have said that making the cover very secure and reinforcing the edges have helped with the wind/rubbing factor. i REALLY APPRECIATE all your replies everyone!!!

[SH]

One of the biggest concerns owners have regarding the use of a cover for their RV is potential damage caused by the wind. Well after years of RVing, we decided to use a cover on our 2001 Alpenlite. We don't usually have a lot of wind but as luck would have it, the day after I put this cover on, we had a storm with 35 mph winds gusting to 45 mph per NOAA. FWIW...here are a few seconds of video of an RV cover in strong wind (at least strong by our location standards). We might always have a small breeze but seldom anything of consequence. No real point to this addendum just sharing the experience. The little x is a link to Photobucket...couldn't figure out how to do it properly!

Windy Cover

[Ron3rd]

allen8106 wrote:
I've had them and don't recommend them. The wind blows the cover and the fabric will buff the surface of the camper, including the roof edges. This will cause the appearance of the camper to degrade and could possible cause roof leaks if the cover buffs a hole in the rubber roof material along the edges.

The wind is certainly something to consider and can have the downside posted above. Where we live, the wind is no problem, but the hot So Cal sun drastically shortens the cover's life.

[allen8106]

I've had them and don't recommend them. The wind blows the cover and the fabric will buff the surface of the camper, including the roof edges. This will cause the appearance of the camper to degrade and could possible cause roof leaks if the cover buffs a hole in the rubber roof material along the edges.

[Ron3rd]

2gypsies wrote:
No, Illinois would not be considered 'moderate'. How's the weather today? 🙂

One thing I'd be concerned about is have your parents made a statement to you that they would like a cover? That's a very big item if it's not something they'd really like.

Perhaps a gift certificate would be a better choice. I know, it's not that personable.

X2, make sure they want a cover first. I have a love-hate relationship with covers; I love they way they keep it nice and clean but I hate putting it on and taking it off!

[Chock_Full_o__N]

2gypsies wrote:


One thing I'd be concerned about is have your parents made a statement to you that they would like a cover? That's a very big item if it's not something they'd really like.

That was my first thought, do they even want a cover? I know I would be non-plussed if someone gifted me a big honkin' RV cover.

[2gypsies1]

No, Illinois would not be considered 'moderate'. How's the weather today? 🙂

One thing I'd be concerned about is have your parents made a statement to you that they would like a cover? That's a very big item if it's not something they'd really like.

Perhaps a gift certificate would be a better choice. I know, it's not that personable.

[Ron3rd]

I've had 2 of the ADDCO covers with the white roof and can tell you they last about 2 years in the hot sun like So Cal. Next time, I'm going to look at Goldline (google the name), they're a bit more expensive but seem to be better made and longer lasting. The best are Sunbrella material (sold by Addco and others) but can run $800 and up.

[tinaxd]

they are mobile, putting it on wont be a problem for them. I guess i was wondering too if i, being completely unknowing on the topic, was being foolishly brainwashed into thinking adco/camco are the best ways to go since they are the first things that pop up when searching... or if there was some insider knowledge that they actually suck, or something haha.
also i was torn because the camco i was looking at says ideal for snowy climates, the ADCO one seemed a bit better but it only says ideal for 'moderate' climates and short term use, and didn't know if Illinois winters would be considered moderate.

[Cobra21]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
Just a thought....how mobile are your parents. Handling the bulk and weight of a large RV cover can be problematic.

Back when, we had one and it was a major pain to put on and take off. Lots of "snags" on things like antennas, corners, gutter extensions, awnings and slide toppers, etc. Lots of two person ladder work also.

Thinking the same thing.

Can be a major "PITA" - may *not* be the gift that keeps on giving..:(

Or...you could help them put it on also. Cuss words often go along with the job!

Brian

~

[ol_Bombero-JC]

downtheroad wrote:
Just a thought....how mobile are your parents. Handling the bulk and weight of a large RV cover can be problematic.

Back when, we had one and it was a major pain to put on and take off. Lots of "snags" on things like antennas, corners, gutter extensions, awnings and slide toppers, etc. Lots of two person ladder work also.

Thinking the same thing.

Can be a major "PITA" - may *not* be the gift that keeps on giving..:(



~

[ScottG]

A cover is a great gift. I've had an ADCO for more than ten years and would buy another again if needed.
No RV is water proof and the longer you can keep the elements off them the longer they will last.
If your RV sits during the winter season then why on earth would you want to subject it to the weather. Covering it stops the aging process during storage.