Rv Covers

[scout_dad]

Hello, I have a question about rv covers as to how good they protect roofs? I looking to get a another trailer either new or used, I haven't been able to find a covered lot space and on waiting list at several sites. I know it would be a pain maybe to put on take off, with that said to they protect roofs from the elements, sun, hail, water etc..
anyone have actual knowledge they could pass on? Thanks

[C_Schomer]

My neighbor inAz. Never got more than 2-1/2 years out of his more expensive adco covers because of the wind and he finally stopped covering his Rv. But they sure do help protect. Craig

[dedmiston]

In the storage yard where I keep my fiver you can tell the rigs that used to have covers because of the tie-died arcs scraped onto the sides. The wind shreds the cover and then the shreds flap and kill the finish.

Every time I see a new cover go up, I make a mental note and then check on them throughout the year. It never ends well.

There's usually collateral damage to the rigs on either side too. If either of my neighbors ever put on a cover I'd ask management to assign me to a different space.

So I agree with Grit that they're a regional thing. And in some regions they do more harm than good.

[Grit_dog]

^There are plenty of parts of the country where it’s a constant struggle to keep a cover from tearing itself to shreds and repeated buffering by the wind. Western WA is go really not one of those areas.

[Thermoguy]

scout dad wrote:
Thanks for the info, I should be clear that I will using them not only during the winter but all year long. My current trailer has a roof leak, I only wanted something to help prolong the life of roof when a under covered spot.

I have used a cover every winter since I purchased my trailer and the original owner used one also. The first summer owning my trailer I found a roof leak. Had it fixed, or so I thought, came home, covered it for the winter. Checked multiple times to insure it wasn't getting wet. All good, opened it up to go camping and on the first trip, had water in the same area as before. The cover kept the trailer from getting wet. Went back to the repair shop and after a day or so, they found an area under the fridge vent that was allowing water to get in. They fixed it and haven't had water inside since. But, I check the roof constantly.

I also disagree with the comments about chafing, paint rub, etc. Make sure the cover is a good one and is tight, use the belly straps. I have a couple tears, but the cover is 6 years old now. The only real issue is the rain gutters. I just bough new ones because using the cover, I have destroyed the old ones. $10 for a new set of 4.

[way2roll]

scout dad wrote:
I can't tell where is leak is coming from, water flows understand that, it seems to ending at the seam strip across the middle of room, almost center of window, I have looked but don't see any tears or rips or ? Unless it is a not visible ? Have TPO roof

Normal maintenance calls for you to inspect and re-caulk every seam and penetration in the roof every 12 mos if not every 6 mos. I do mine every 6 mos and re-caulk all the seams.

Get yourself a couple of tubes of Dicor self leveling caulk and clean and re-caulk all your roof seams and penetrations. You may not actually find the culprit leak but my guess is it would get fixed in the process.

Water is the biggest killer to RV's and causes a myriad of issues, many of which can't be seen. And then there's the collateral effects like mold.

[scout_dad]

I can't tell where is leak is coming from, water flows understand that, it seems to ending at the seam strip across the middle of room, almost center of window, I have looked but don't see any tears or rips or ? Unless it is a not visible ? Have TPO roof

[way2roll]

scout dad wrote:
Thanks for the info, I should be clear that I will using them not only during the winter but all year long. My current trailer has a roof leak, I only wanted something to help prolong the life of roof when a under covered spot.

You should fix your roof and not have to rely on a cover. Cover's aren't waterproof anyway. They breathe. While I have no idea what sort of leak you have, Dicor is cheaper and easier to apply than a cover. And you don't have continually put it on and take it off.

[ktmrfs]

scout dad wrote:
Thanks for the info, I should be clear that I will using them not only during the winter but all year long. My current trailer has a roof leak, I only wanted something to help prolong the life of roof when a under covered spot.

quality covers are NOT waterproof, they "breath" both ways. you want moisture to escape and trying to get a cover that won't let water through to the "inside" would be prohibitively expensive. It will keep down the amount of water going through but it won't stop it.

[scout_dad]

Thanks for the info, I should be clear that I will using them not only during the winter but all year long. My current trailer has a roof leak, I only wanted something to help prolong the life of roof when a under covered spot.

[way2roll]

Covers can do well to protect your RV under certain circumstances. It's a sacrificial layer but not without their cons. They are a pain to put on and worse to take off especially if they are wet. They can rub paint and contact points can scratch. And storing them while you use your RV is challenging, and again, worse when wet. I used one for a while until it tore and became too much of a hassle. Too many times I wanted to use my RV and there was snow on it or it was wet and then the problem eclipsed the advantages. Frankly I find it easier to wax my rv every 6 mos and maintain the roof. Plus where we live in the coastal South, covers do more to attract mildew, bugs and tree frogs under the cover than they do to protect the RV. To each his own. I bet there are more folks out there who tried covers and gave up than people that continually use them.

And they won't really protect from hail. They are a paper thin breathable material.

[Veebyes]

Your worst enemy is going to be chafe. Add an extra layer on corners by taping folded terry towel over the corners to protect from the rubbing.

[ktmrfs]

we have a community RV lot. It's real easy to know which trailers have had covers on them when not in use for an extended period of time. Decals aren't all wrinkled, trim isn't yellow, sides are still reasonably glossy, not many black streaks....
yes, they are kind of a pain to install and store, but do help keep the trailer looking good. And in the summer it does help keep the interior cooler

[mdcamping]

I have used rv covers for the past 17 yrs. Mostly adco brand which I have found to stand up a little better to weather in general. Cover goes on in late OCT and off in early april. I think it helps, makes a barrier between snow & ice and helps keep the trailer cleaner. IMO

Mike

[Grit_dog]

Agree, not handy for frequent off and on changes but they work. I cleaned the grungy roof on a 4 year old trailer we bought last year. It looks good after being covered for the last 8 months and rain most of the time.