Winter protection

[Gary - K7GLD]

One potentially serious effect of below-freezing temperatures is the tendency for moisture to seep in between seams - both in vehicles and RV's - and then freeze. This results in the formation of ice, which then expands and slightly opens the seam for even more moisture intrusion, more ice, etc. , etc.



This is serious in areas where roads and streets are salted in freezing weather, but can also affect the seams in RV's as well, and ultimately cause leaks in roofs and walls over a period of time.



Having recently moved from a relatively warm California climate, where freezing weather wasn't all that common, and our 5th wheel was kept under a cover, to our new eastern Oregon home where there IS frequent freezing and no protective cover, I had to improvise.



NO, it's nothing radical or uncommon - but it IS a pretty cheap and easy method to KEEP my roof and walls in good shape, rather than deal with leaks at what might be a very inconvenient place/time...



#ad




"a stitch in time... "



Just a friendly reminder, now that winter has arrived!



Happy New Year, and Happy RVing!

 

[Snellville-Dave]

Looks like my tarp from Home Depot. We don't have much ice or snow down here, but I like to keep my 5th wheel covered in the winter.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Mine was from Walmart - about $19 for the 12x24 pictured above. Not a real big deal I suppose, I just hate to leave the trailer out totally unprotected - no leaks anywhere so far, and I'd sorta like to keep it that way! The size tarp I ended up with gives good coverage, but still allows reasonably easy entrance into the trailer if needed...

 

[Alan Reagan]

You can't hide money. :-laf

 

[CPG]

Gary, the roof protection is good. I used to do this too but as I have to store my trailer down by San Francisco bay here, I am open to the worst elements.

The cover just gets ripped off the trailer by the winds we have here.

A good hint is to keep your spare tire inside your trailer as it will help to prohibit drying out. Putting wood under the tires when sitting is another aid in keeping the rubber good. Your plywood sun screen is a very good protection.



Chuck

 

[Alan Reagan]

Living in the deep South gives us the opportunity to have the sun work on everything, year round. Plus we get enough cold to make life interesting. What I've started noticing around here is that travel trailer and motor home owners are buying full covers along with wheel covers for there trailers and motor homes. Even those kept under shelters get the full cover treatment just to keep them clean. I don't know where they get them or how they manage to get them on the vehicles, but they look nice and must work pretty good based on the number I see. I use the tarps to cover the back of my boat while it's stored in the boathouse and I know how much of a pain it is to get the thing on when the wind is blowing. My hats off to you, Gary. It pays to take care of your equipment.