Travel Trailer Cover? Good/Bad Idea?

[imq707s]

Thinking about getting one of those special covers designed for travel trailer to keep the sun and rain off of my trailer. Does anyone have one? It looks like they range in price anywhere from $150 to $500+. Some have zippered door that make it easier to get into the trailer if you don't want to pull the entire cover off if you need into it for some reason. Some are one single piece (a paint to put on?)

Any opinions on these? What's a good one?

[Creekside_Campe]

When I lived in the Detroit area, I never used a cover in winter - frankly, the sun hardly is out in winter in Detroit!:) Now that I am in Utah, I cover every winter (and wished I had more energy to cover in summer when not on the road) The sun really does a job on fiberglass, rubber and plastic when it's out 300+ days a year

[SoundGuy]

farmer's daughter wrote:
The RV dealerships don't cover their new ones on the lots.

Think about it ... is that any reason to not cover your own trailer? What dealership is going to invest tens of thousands of $$$$$ just to buy 100s of covers, then pay someone to install them in the fall, then pay again to have them removed in the spring, especially when those trailers are only intended be on the lot for as little time as possible before being sold. That argument makes NO sense at all. :R

I disagree that the purpose of a breathable cover is to keep the trailer looking "purty", although by default that's what it will do. 🙂 It's real purpose is to protect the many seams and the awning from the ravages of constant exposure to the elements, particularly snow that melts and turns to ice then melts again then freezes again, over and over. I've been using breathable ADCO covers on any trailers I've stored outdoors for the last ten years and would only not do so if I were storing indoors, which I am doing this winter. For me there's no question that any recreational vehicle not stored indoors is better off protected over the winter with a breathable cover than not. JMO.

[ktmrfs]

2012Coleman wrote:
I remember going to the storage lot and observing all the uncovered RV's, then comparing mine to them after uncovering. Mine is as clean as the day I covered it - no moisture, no wasp nests, no damage by scuffing, no rodents. It is easy to cover/uncover. I use pool noodles to cover gutter spouts, door stops, etc. I use bubble wrap around the awning poles. I ensure the straps are tight, and I recheck them regularly. I see how the ones that are ripped to shreds are installed - incorrectly. Read the directions and look at you-tube.

I left it uncovered the first winter I had it parked in my driveway. What I got was all the debris from my trees all over it - the top stained from falling leaves. In the spring, all the seeds and pods covered it - black streaks all around. Spent a lot of time washing and waxing from top to bottom.

I cover mine in the winter and for long periods of non use.

we have a community RV lot. My observations agree with yours. It's easy to see which trailers have been covered. minimal or no fade, minimal or no decal damage, vinyl not yellowed, few black streaks, no green mold, etc. But we don't have much wind, but pretty constant rain in the winter.

Others in the neighborhood have complained about the time to install a cover, maybe 30 minutes, as they are spending all day cleaning the trailer in the spring. Go figure.

So mine gets covered.

What I have found is that covers vary in the degree of difficulty to install. My old adco worked well, but was a heavy bugger to install, remove, or store. My new classic accesories pro is much much easier to install and remove, much lighter, actually fits into the duffle bag it came with and so far is holding up just as well.

However, IMHO the biggest advantage to a cover is keeping the trailer looking nice and easy to keep clean. Any other longevity benefit is probably minimal.

A good cover will not be waterproof, it will be breathable. So it won't keep water from getting on the trailer. So, if you have a leak while it may keep as much water getting in, it won't stop water intrusion completely.

[ktmrfs]

farmer's daughter wrote:
I've been debating whether to cover my travel trailer; I'm a newbie. I live in NE Washington State, where we can get snow, rain, & wind. However, I'm a 63-yr old single woman. How would I get a cover on and off? When I drive around I see so many folks have TT's parked in their driveways, and I've not seen a single one covered. The RV dealerships don't cover their new ones on the lots. RV storage places don't have theirs covered. So I decided not to buy a cover.

given where you live, and not having anyone to help you cover, and sound like not much experience covering a trailer, you probably made a good choice.

[farmer_s_daught]

I've been debating whether to cover my travel trailer; I'm a newbie. I live in NE Washington State, where we can get snow, rain, & wind. However, I'm a 63-yr old single woman. How would I get a cover on and off? When I drive around I see so many folks have TT's parked in their driveways, and I've not seen a single one covered. The RV dealerships don't cover their new ones on the lots. RV storage places don't have theirs covered. So I decided not to buy a cover.

[RDMueller]

I guess maybe it depends on where you live and what the climate is like there. Here in NC with a fairly moderate climate, using a cover is not common. I've had my RV in two different storage lots now and I have yet to see a single RV with a cover on it. Everything from the smallest TTs to huge 5ers and top of the line DPs, not a single cover.

I certainly agree that a cover has many advantages, I just can't justify the amount of effort considering how frequently we camp.

[wireman]

I've covered my class A for 12 years and now my 23 foot Travel Trailer. I agree it is a PITA to cover and uncover.

But here in So Cal the sun is brutal and I want to protect my investment as best as I can. I use 303 protectant on the tires, cover them and also 303 on the fiberglass sides of the exterior.

Properly installed there are no issues, they breathe, and I also use tennis balls on the drip spouts and protect from any sharp edges also.

I've tried all the brands except the custom Sunbrella material (I just couldn't justify the cost).

I like this brand, much lighter than the Adco and better material. JMO.

http://classicaccessories.com/rv/travel-trailer-r-pod

[hohenwald48]

bobndot wrote:
When most people don't and a few people do, many of those who do, don't re-do .... its usually not the best idea to do.

Most people don't regularly check tire pressure or bearing packing. I do. Just because most people don't doesn't mean it's a bad idea. 🙂

[2012Coleman]

I remember going to the storage lot and observing all the uncovered RV's, then comparing mine to them after uncovering. Mine is as clean as the day I covered it - no moisture, no wasp nests, no damage by scuffing, no rodents. It is easy to cover/uncover. I use pool noodles to cover gutter spouts, door stops, etc. I use bubble wrap around the awning poles. I ensure the straps are tight, and I recheck them regularly. I see how the ones that are ripped to shreds are installed - incorrectly. Read the directions and look at you-tube.

I left it uncovered the first winter I had it parked in my driveway. What I got was all the debris from my trees all over it - the top stained from falling leaves. In the spring, all the seeds and pods covered it - black streaks all around. Spent a lot of time washing and waxing from top to bottom.

I cover mine in the winter and for long periods of non use.

[bobndot]

When most people don't and a few people do, many of those who do, don't re-do .... its usually not the best idea to do.

[MitchF150]

imq707s wrote:
Mitch, what brand of cover is that?

Adco. I don't remember the "model", but I want to say Aqua Shed..

One of the zippers finally gave up the ghost and it's just plain used up! Like I said, I got 10-11 solid winters out of it, so I'll be getting another Adco.

Mitch

[nohurry]

As soon as I winterize, the cover goes on. I have an Adco brand designated for wet weather. I use tennis balls with a slot cut in them for gutter spouts, door stops, and other sharp protrusions. I also use foam pipe insulation for the gutter over the slide. It can be windy here as I live on the edge of a hill, and I haven't had any significant damage to it. It's worth it to me as it keeps the roof cleaner, and minimizes the black streaks. It is breathable, and I keep the ceiling vents cracked. I also keep a couple dri z air units inside, and have never had a mildew problem.
My TT has a walk on roof, and I only weigh 150lbs. Putting it on is actually easier than taking it off, but like I said, it's worth it to me. When we retire, and buy a fifth wheel, I won't use a cover as hopefully we'll be on the road a lot more. May invest in a metal carport at that time. We'll see.

[Bmach]

I never get on the roof to install mine nor do I have a helper. Lay to cover on the ground, fold the sides onto the roof portion of the cover, roll cover up front to back, place cover on camper roof, unroll cover, fold down sides, then secure. So yes I would cover it in the winter or if there will be an extended period time of not using it. An rv cover WILL breath and if properly secured it will not be bothered by the wind.

[hohenwald48]

Ditto what mitch said. My cover is nasty with tree sap, bird poop and pollen. Glad it's on the cover and not the TT. We've had some pretty high winds and there's never been a problem with the cover. No problem with wasps, scuffing, moisture retention or any of the other things folks seem to have trouble with. I suppose the type of fabric could have something to do with that.

I guess mine just happens to fit well and I guess I'm installing it properly. However, it is a real PITA to install and remove so I only do it once a year. I'd never dream of covering and uncovering every time I use the rig.

[imq707s]

Mitch, what brand of cover is that?