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?

[MitchF150]

Here was mine when it was pretty new.



Here it is after about 10 years... Yes, this has lasted me over 10 years! Bet my trailer wouldn't look as good as it does, even at 12 years old.



Getting a new cover for it for this winter.. I don't cover in the summer time either.

Mitch

[SoundGuy]

IDman wrote:
In the storage lot we use, there are several units that use covers. Usually, they have been blown off and are hanging by one corner and blowing in the wind. Not an ideal situation.

Not properly installed. :R

[IDman]

In the storage lot we use, there are several units that use covers. Usually, they have been blown off and are hanging by one corner and blowing in the wind. Not an ideal situation.

[boosTT]

I use my cover over winter. Same cover has lasted 5 winters and I'll probably get one more winter out of it. It is an ADCO cover. It takes about 15 minutes to put on or remove.

[dodge_guy]

I'm on my 3rd now. Unless you can't physically get up on the roof, there is no reason not to cover. They protect the finish and decals. Hey last about 5 years, and at $300 for my size cover that more than takes care of I season of indoor storage. And the covers do not trap moisture and when installed properly do no damage to the trailer or the cover.

I however would not use it in the summer because it would be a pain to cover and uncover every 2 weeks.

[daystrom]

I've covered mine during winter storage for the past 5 years (how long the cover lasted).

I will not be buying another cover.

I see no need to anymore. The sun does more damage than ice/snow does and I don't bother covering in the summer months.

[DutchmenSport]

Unless you have a very specific reason for covering, you're probably better off leaving it uncovered. Yes, you do have to wrangle the cover on the roof. When you cover, you'll have to uncover eventually! If you use your camper often, putting on and taking off will get tiring real fast. As you get older, face it, it's just plain dangerous to be crawling around on the roof an RV.

The biggest draw back for a cover is the ability of the person to get it on. Second, if they rub, they wear the paint off the RV.

On the other hand, if you have to park your camper under trees and want to spare the roof from tree sap, bird mess, or anything else, then it's worth it.

To cover, just for the sake of covering, is not needed. Campers are made to be outside.

I've done both, cover and not cover. And I'm at the age in life, I don't cover any more.

[mhawk4]

We purchased 3 of them in a period of 8 years to use with our last TT, at an average of $300 per cover. (maybe more) The covers were mainly used during winter and some during hot summer months; all of them after the first use got torn but i kept using them until no more mending was possible.
If you have the time and able to climb on and off the TT - with another person helping and spotting you - the cover will do good protecting your investment. As long as you protect the cover from sharp gutters and other parts of the TT which can damage the material - also make sure to tighten the straps so you have less movement with the wind.
My personal experience, i got tired of dealing with it. We invested on a carport 18'x36'.(having space at home and no restrictions from community associations helps) $2300 for the installed carport and the TT has a cover for the entire year day and night.

hope it helps...

[the_bear_II]

We have been in the lot where we store our RV for 15 years and during that time I have seen about 5 out of the 150 RVs stored with covers on.

This is typically what happens... I will notice a new RV in the lot and it has a cover. The RV is covered off and on for about 2 years and then no more cover. Either the cover is destroyed (it can get windy) or the owner gets tired of covering the RV.

We have stored our RV for over 21 years without a cover. When it's washed and waxed it looks brand new. I wash it for each trip and have it waxed every two years.

Two years ago I had to have the roof membrane coated with the two step sealant. It looks as good as new.

The moral---- no need for a cover.

[pira114]

I spent over $400 for mine. Lasted exactly one winter and was ripped to shreds by the wind. Unless you live in an area with zero wind and your TT is as smooth as glass, I think they're a waste of money.

[mobilefleet]

you asked for opinions- I don't like them, as another poster said they can damage the trailer when wind whips up, they trap moisture which promotes a good mold/mildew environment, and rodents and wasps love them for making nests. Same concept with slide toppers, birds make nests in them and squirrels do too. Speaking from experience

[Chuck_thehammer]

they are Great in IDEA... lots of work to put on and off...

lots of walking on roof... shoes OFF...

never try to R&R with any Wind over 10 mph...

I would like one for mine... but OLD/bad knees/back... PASS.

and a few models can damage the edges/corners of your Rubber roof.

[Dick_B]

For previous posts on this popular subject search this Forum for `rv cover' and decide for yourself. You could limit the responses by searching only in the Travel Trailer section.

[SoundGuy]

I've been using ADCO breathable covers for years - on our hybrid, KZ Spree travel trailer, and for the last 3 winters on our current Coachmen. I personally wouldn't not cover any trailer for winter storage BUT I likewise wouldn't use it during the camping season as it's far too much work to be putting on and taking off all the time. Yes, the curb side is zippered in several locations for easy access to the trailer interior anytime you want.