Tarp or cover for winter storage

[SmokinJoe73]

So can someone give an opinion/experience on a white tarp vs a camper cover for winter storage outdoors in NH?

I heard the bad side of a white tarp is it traps moisture (id tarp just the roof & a few feet down). And it flaps and can cause damage.

Any input would help. Just bought a new to me Layton TT and want to take care of it. Thanks

[BarneyS]

I think I remember it being in the area of $400 for everything. I posted about it with pictures here.

Make sure you read all the way to the end of that thread as I had a problem with the original job I did and the company stepped up and gave me enough improved new material to do the job again which my sons and I did last summmer.

My roof now has about 4 heavy coats of material on it that is about 1/8 inch thick, hard, and I suspect it will outlast me. That is the reason for not covering it anymore. If I had not taken care of like that then I would be using a cover again.
Barney

[SmokinJoe73]

Barney just wondering how much the liquid rubber roof ran you? I looked at it but it seemed prohibitive when I looked.

[BarneyS]

I always stored my trailer inside except for one year a few years ago. We purchased a Camco cover that fit very well and we had no rubbing or other damage when it was uncovered after a long, cold winter with a lot of snow and ice.
It has substantial straps that go underneath the rig and also draw strings on the bottom, top and front/rear sections to tighten everything up. We were quite happy with it.

That said, we now leave our rig outside year round, without a cover, and have so far had no adverse effects. It now sits in the northern Michigan woods as you see here all year long. We will see how it is next spring.
I should mention that I have put on a very substantial liquid rubber roof coating over the past couple of years. That is the main reason we are leaving it without the cover this year.
Barney

[SoundGuy]

SmokinJoe73 wrote:
Any input would help. Just bought a new to me Layton TT and want to take care of it.

If you truly want to care for this new rig the only really effective answer is to store it inside some sort of structure, even a carport style with no side walls is still better than covering the unit with a tarp or even a purpose designed breathable cover. Over the years I've done both inside storage & breathable covers and the only downside to inside storage is the cost, which admittedly can be prohibitive in some locations. Unfortunately most don't give much thought to storage before the purchase and as a result quickly realize their only practical solutions are to 1) leave it entirely uncovered and hope for the best (arguably what most RV owners do 2) covered with a tarp 3) covered with a purpose designed breathable cover. The only issue I've had with a properly installed breathable cover is a bit of dulling of the finish on the front wall of the trailer but it's always buffed up in the spring with an application of wax. I've personally never used a non-breathable tarp 'though I do see others who do use one to protect just the roof itself from heavy snow load and potential water damage.

[jfkmk]

I've used an RV cover on my TT now for 7 years. Its held up well, never abraded the TV and I plan to use the same cover on my new TT.

[jaycocreek]

A cover made for covering an Rv,period...

If not,pay the piper...

[SmokinJoe73]

So I decided on a breathable cover with waterproof top as per one on the posts on this forum.

I just put a new awning on and that factored in to the choice. I want it protected then will make a cover for it in the spring.
I am hoping this reduces the chance of water damage to the tt. I had a small leak in a deluge rain recently even though the roof looks perfect.
I caulked the window that was leaking so hope that's done. Only happened that one time. Will report results.

[rbpru]

A cover came with our used TT, it was not tied down well and I had to repair corners and gutter rub through areas.

I like it when it snows to keep the ice off the roof. I do not use it when we plan to travel in the winter, as it is project to put it on and tie it properly.

I would not use a tarp as it is not designed to fit well and breath.

Most TTs do just fine in the winter. The dealers never use them and they have plenty of new and used models to worry about.

[colliehauler]

Usually a tarp causes more problems then it prevents.

[Dick_B]

Popular subject. Search this Forum for `RV Cover'.

[BarryG20]

While I don't use either I can tell you what I see at our storage facility. What I see, is of the people who use covers they are for the most part on the trailer or MH. They are not always cinched well and sometimes see billowing covers from the breeze/wind but they are for the most part covering the unit. Some are cinched nice and tight and appear to cause minimal abrasion, others not so tight and appear to move quite a bit but they are covering the unit. Tarps on the other hand I see many more flapping in the breeze, all on one side of the unit barely covering any of it, laying on the ground flapping in the breeze not covering anything except perhaps a tire where it has bunched up or blown up against a fence at the far end of the lot.
So while I don't use either I have certainly thought about it and have come to the conclusion that if I were to use one it would be a well fitting cover with plenty of cinch points

[DutchmenSport]

A few things I've learned in my 63 years of life. And I think I'm finally old enough to pass on my sage wisdom now.

1) Don't cut corners. Cutting corners will only cost more in the long run.
2) Get the right tool for the job. Trying to half-azzed fixing something with a tool intended for a different function causes nothing but frustration and skinned knuckles. Go out, buy or rent the right tool to do the job right.
3) Cost effective is not always "effective". Going cheap very seldom saves money.

In other words, now that I've given you my 63 years of life experiences in 3 easy steps: Get the right cover for the camper. Get one that's made for RV's, that's breathable, that ties all the way down snug, and made for the purpose intended. In the end, you'll be saving yourself a lot of frustration and expense trying to fix all the damage using something that was is half azzed.

[valhalla360]

Assuming the roof isn't leaking, I wouldn't worry about trapping moisture.

We have experienced abrasion in the past and stopped using covers. If they aren't really held down well, they will abrade.

Also, is the RV at your house? If not, every time a wind storm comes thru you will wonder if it's going to blow off.