Anyone covering their RV?

[Matt400]

I am thinking a cover for our 25' TT would help preserve it better and keep it cleaner. Are covers more of a hassle than worth it?



It would need to be weather proof and easy to handle. Seems like it would be a good idea to have one that secures on the roof rather than having a big bundle to deal with if there is such a thing.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

There's no question that RV's are expensive - and vulnerable to weather conditions. The real question, is how often you actually use your RV, and how much time and effort you are willing to spend to provide that added protection.



Then comes how much you are willing to pay! I cover the top of ours with a common plastic tarp in the winter to protect the top, A/C and awning against snow and ice. I'd love to still have the metal RV cover/building we had before our move here, but that's history. Our RV is nearly 20 years old now, still in good shape, but probably only worth about $2500 on the market - not much point in elaborate or expensive methods to provide a great deal of protection at this point...

 

[JThiessen]

A cover is on my MUST Buy list. I live just north of Seattle, my trailer gets parked between two of our wonderful Doug Firs, and I've scrubbed my roof for the last time. The mold/mildew buildup is horrible, and most of it isn't comng out.

 

[EricBu12]

My Keystone 36' 5th is 2 years old now and I am going to cover it this year and from now on. . The problem for me was they didn't make a toyhauler 5th wheel cover but now they do...



I have covers for the A/C and they work well. but I think it best to cover the whole thing to protect the Fibreglass. as well.

 

[Matt400]

There's no question that RV's are expensive - and vulnerable to weather conditions. The real question, is how often you actually use your RV, and how much time and effort you are willing to spend to provide that added protection.

Good point Gary,

Ours was 14K 4 years ago. It still looks real nice but is a job scrubbing the black streaks and washing it up. I use a black streak cleaner that helps, it has aluminum siding.

I was hoping a cover would help keep cleaning down and protect it too.

 

[Matt400]

My Keystone 36' 5th is 2 years old now and I am going to cover it this year and from now on. . The problem for me was they didn't make a toyhauler 5th wheel cover but now they do...

Where did you find one?

I would think due to the size a light weight cover would be more easy to manage taking on and off.



We only use ours maybe 5 times per year, mostly in the fall. It sets all summer and winter.

 

[Matt400]

A cover is on my MUST Buy list. I live just north of Seattle, my trailer gets parked between two of our wonderful Doug Firs, and I've scrubbed my roof for the last time. The mold/mildew buildup is horrible, and most of it isn't comng out.

With the rain you get it must be water proof otherwise it would be a real mess. What kind did you get?

 

[TowPro]

Here is where I got mine. I used to cover one with a blue tarp, and the moss started to grow all over it under the tarp and the bungy cords would wear marks in the side when the wind blew. Then I went 6 years without any cover, it would take a whole day to clean it in the spring plus it ended up leaking during the winter. When I bought the Titanium I bought this cover. It was a clean when I took the cover off as it was when I put it on!

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I heard that you should shy away from covers that are not made specifically for RVs because of the potential for the water to get between the cover and RV, and just sit there (could be someone's marketing advice). I bought an Adco cover two years ago. My 5er is on the road most every weekend between April and September, so it only makes sense to cover over the winter. I covered the first winter, and it did seem to keep it cleaner. We moved last winter before I managed to put it on.



They are a pain in the arse to put on. In addition, I'm concerned about the high level of wind where I now live as to how the cover will last. I think Adco has a 5 year warranty. I'll probably need to look into that after this winter.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

They are a pain in the arse to put on. In addition, I'm concerned about the high level of wind where I now live as to how the cover will last.

YUP - that's ultimately the big issue - ease of getting it over the RV - the best cover in the world is worthless if it stays folded up in the garage! And yes, wind can be a BIG issue with many covers - the plain plastic, cheapie tarp I use is thoroughly secured with bungee cords - and yes, they DO leave marks as they inevitably are moved against the RV by the wind.



#ad




Mine laps well over the edges of our 24 foot 5er - and keeps all the topside stuff fully protected - and since I use great care in getting it tied down and tarp edges and corners secured, it stays put even in the heavy winds we sometimes get here. And as to lifespan, I figure I'll be doing good if I can get 2 winters use outta one of these I use - but they're cheap enough...



The next issue is ease of access to the inside of the RV while it is covered - it is inevitable that things will be needed to be removed, or taken into the RV at times between uses - and access to do so is a big plus.

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

I built a cover for mine. It gets very little direct sunlight and no rain.



Here is the picture

 

[TowPro]

Hitec, I traded one of that model in back in October!



3 things I found you should watch for.



The cable TV jack was never sealed when they installed it, water got in, followed the cable and the paneling inside got "wavey". A little RV putty tape fixed this, after the damage was done.



If you don't have the "pre formed" fiberglass cap on the front, there are screws holding the 2 front strips on. these screws are counter sunk into the front strip which would be OK if fleetwood "engineers?" put the screws in straight. One spring I opened up the RV to find all the paneling in the front closet was rotted out! At that point I tried to remove a couple of the screws to seal them but they snapped off about 3/4" inside the hole, where the screw threads covered with rust.



The piece of 1" strip that is on both sides about 1' up from the bottom is just held on with double sided tape, it covers a seam in the fiberglass. This strip started to come off and water got under the fiberglass on the lower section and rotted out the 1/4 plywood backing to the fiberglass, it was ugly. This happened within the first 2 years. Fleetwood wanted me to take my trailer back to Winchester VA so they could fix it, for 6-8 weeks, in the middle of the summer!



Just some tips on what to watch out for.

I built a cover for mine. It gets very little direct sunlight and no rain.



Here is the picture

 

[midlife crisis]

I am considering a custom cover for my 22 TT. My questions are: how does the cover fit the roofs AC Unit? Obviously I must remove the Radio Antenna (?). How about the rear ladder that goes up and turns into "luggage rack" railing. Rain gutter extensions?Do the covers allow for these items? Thnx-

 

[TowPro]

midlife, I put boxes up on the roof between the AC and the rear of the camper, this kept the cover higher then the roof rack railing so the water would run off. For the ladder, they gave me a seperate piece (like a shower cap) you put over the top of the ladder, then the cover goes over this seperate piece. this stops the ladder from wearing a hole in the cover.



One thing I plan to do is add some tie down points to the cover this year. Mine ripped last year at the few tie down points that are provided, they said it was wind that caused it. (they are replacing it for free, once I get around to shipping it back at my cost). My dad has the same cover for his motorhome, but he has these snap on hooks (made for blue tarps) that he puts about every 3 feet along the sides, his has never ripped)

 

[Matt400]

Here is where I got mine.

Thanks for that link, pretty interesting site. Good prices too, the cover to fit mine is only 219. 00.



The only other one I found which is a little different & 130. 00 more is this one but I don't see a ladder cover and storage bag like the one you listed.

 

[duckcarvr]

i cover my fith wheel every year and believe it is worth the bother. i have been using the " blue tarp" 20 x 40 ', $30 to $40 at home depot. they last 2-3 years. this is to cover my 27' 5er. to make sure the water Doesnt puddle by the luggage rail i put cheap plastic laundry baskets upside down over the vents [ 3 ] and by the rail. this leaves it so you can open the vents and get air through it if you need to. i tie nylon rope through the eyelets on the tarp and anchor the lines to a sand bag. you can pull the bag-lines away from the trailer so you dont have rub marks from the ropes in the wind. the ropes also help you pull the tarp on. it sounds like a lot but once you get it set up two people can do it in about 15 minutes. because they are nylon i use the ropes over and over. now all that said check out ebay item # 330007575792. hope i have been of some help. robert

 

[JThiessen]

With the rain you get it must be water proof otherwise it would be a real mess. What kind did you get?

I havent bought one yet. Still reasearchin'! Its this process I go through EVERYTIME I buy anything. Takes me months just to figure out what kind of shipping I want!

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

Thanks for the info. I bought this trailer almost 2 years ago, and so far no problems, its a 2001 model. The previous owner took excellent care of it, it looks brand new inside and out. I will keep my eyes out for the problems you described. I live near Houston and the summers here are really hot so I figured if I wanted to keep the trailer looking nice and extend the life of it I needed to get it out of the sun. I have to make this thing last a long time, these things cost too much to replace.



Thanks

Hitec, I traded one of that model in back in October!



3 things I found you should watch for.



The cable TV jack was never sealed when they installed it, water got in, followed the cable and the paneling inside got "wavey". A little RV putty tape fixed this, after the damage was done.



If you don't have the "pre formed" fiberglass cap on the front, there are screws holding the 2 front strips on. these screws are counter sunk into the front strip which would be OK if fleetwood "engineers?" put the screws in straight. One spring I opened up the RV to find all the paneling in the front closet was rotted out! At that point I tried to remove a couple of the screws to seal them but they snapped off about 3/4" inside the hole, where the screw threads covered with rust.



The piece of 1" strip that is on both sides about 1' up from the bottom is just held on with double sided tape, it covers a seam in the fiberglass. This strip started to come off and water got under the fiberglass on the lower section and rotted out the 1/4 plywood backing to the fiberglass, it was ugly. This happened within the first 2 years. Fleetwood wanted me to take my trailer back to Winchester VA so they could fix it, for 6-8 weeks, in the middle of the summer!



Just some tips on what to watch out for.

 

[EricBu12]

I've looked in stores for awhile and only saw regular 5th wheel covers but no toyhauler ones...



in toyhauler magazine, there is a ad for 5th wheel toyhauler covers. . I am close to getting it as I want to cover mine by November and go til April or May. . . mine looks to be running About $400 with the zippered side door and rear door opening...



Eric

 

[Matt400]

Wasps

Anyone find RV covers make a good shelter for Wasps!?



I was just about to buy one and remembered storing our patio umbrella vs covering it for the winter as wasps find the cover a nice home.

I still would like to cover our TT, maybe there is something I can put under it to keep those critters out.