When it comes time to properly store your unit in preparation for a long cold winter or when you will not be using it for a season, some RV owners begin to wonder about the best methods of caring for their investments and how to maintain its spiffy, shiny finish.
The question they usually have is: Should I invest in an RV cover?
There are many RV covers available on the market to protect your investment while in seasonal storage.
RV cover manufacturers tout their products as 24-hour protection against winter’s elements or (in more southern climates) damaging UV radiation, dust, dirt, and even bird droppings.
However, there are other benefits. When winter wraps up or when it’s time to use your RV after a long rest, an RV cover is said to keep a stored rig cooler.
Additionally, since RV covers are less expensive than renting a storage space, the cost is often a factor for those who choose to use an RV dedicated storage cover.
“…Simply using an ol’ “blue tarp” is a recipe for disaster….they don’t breathe and cause accumulated moisture in your RV that can lead to serious damage…”
How can you sort out the facts from the fluff? It’s certainly true that a good RV cover will protect wind-blown dust from the finish and some covers will keep rain out while still allowing moisture from the inside to make its way out.
If you’re in a climate with high, constant UV radiation, not having the sun beating down on your rig constantly will keep the exterior finish looking nice, longer. Need some evidence?
Check out some of the rigs for sale in Arizona. You’ll easily spot the ones that haven’t been under a cover. They are the models with the peeling decals, faded paint, and the “old before your time” presentation.
Properly using the right cover for your unit (or other effective ways) will maintain its shiny, clean exterior.
On the other hand, there are RVers I know of who have bought and used RV covers who now wish they never had. A common complaint is the difficulty involved in putting a cover on an RV.
Typically, you’ll need to climb up on the roof to put the cover on. Getting on an RV roof without damaging the rig (or hurting yourself) can be difficult.
The problem is compounded once the cover is over the roof and the installer has to carefully waltz around over the cover to adjust it. Not being able to see what you’re stepping on can lead to broken roof vents, broken limbs, or worse.
Some users have reported putting blocking under the cover to keep water from creating puddles. While that may not be a problem for some, if you want to use the rig and take it out of storage during a freeze, you may find that the cover has been frozen to the roof.
To remove it without damaging it, you’ll then need to figure out how to get hot water up to the roof to thaw the cover loose. It’s a given that if you want to remove an RV cover that’s wet, it will be a hassle as any RV cover is heavy, but a wet one multiplies the weight greatly.
“…RV cover manufacturers tout their products as 24-hour protection against winter’s elements or UV-radiation, dust, dirt, and even bird droppings…”
Some RVs complain that with the cover in place, the inside of the RV is like a dark cave. With the cover on, you won’t be able to open roof vents to relieve inside humidity and rig sweating (condensation) can be an issue.
Others say some covers don’t breathe well, creating an environment for mold and mildew to develop. Some warn that rig attachments like antennas or mounting brackets can poke holes inexpensive covers.
Always research the best way to protect your RV from the elements.
It is worth mentioning, however, that properly made covers do breathe well and that’s important. Simply slinging up the conventional “blue tarp” is a recipe for disaster.
Blue tarps and other plastic tarps don’t breathe and accumulated moisture in your RV can lead to serious damage. We know from personal experience that a literal crop of mushrooms growing on your rig’s carpet is a major headache to remove.
So what can you do? If you want an RV cover, most recommend paying the added cost of a custom-designed cover for your rig. This way, you are assured the cover will not block access to the door, so you’ll be able to get into (and out of) the rig without pulling the cover loose.
Be sure to tighten the cover carefully and make checks over the storage area. If a cover gets loose from wind, it will easily chaff the finish and can even rub the paint off.
Additionally, before any type of storage, we recommend a good washing and wax. While there are many great solutions and RV covers on the market to protect your rig—ranging from inexpensive to expensive—some simply bite the bullet and pay for inside storage from a suitable facility.
Russ and Tiña De Maris are authors of RV Boondocking Basics—A Guide to Living Without Hookups, which covers a full range of dry camping topics. Visit www.icanrv.com for more information. This column is a reprint from the March 2011 issue of RV Life.
See also: RV Winter Storage: Need-To-Know Information For The Off-Season
Great article. Covers do have their pros and cons. I live in an area of high humidity. I used a cover the first winter my rig was in storage. Once I removed it to prep for travel, I found lots of mildew on the top. The manufacturer;s claim of breathibility didn’t quite measure up to reality. After that, I started storing it in a shady area with no cover. It got dirty, but no mildew or mold. A good wash and it was good as new.
I was a ‘lover’ of covers but have decided that the risk is not worth the cost plus the effort required for really very little more surface protection. The first cover and on the last 5er lasted 2 years until it finally ripped enough to be useless so it took a one way trip to the dump where I had to pay to dispose of it. $300 plus the dump fee. The next 5er, longer, so a bigger more expensive cover. I was able to crack the skylight and break all four tank vents somehow. They were never walked on but suspect they were stressed somehow. OK, the following and last year – oops – mice decided that the brittle TYVEK material was good food so ate major holes. Another trip to the dump and another disposal fee on top of the $400 cost. The 5er sat in my driveway uncovered, very well waxed and from what I could see, only got a little dirtier but no more then what is blown over from the woods the rest of the year. Repair costs – 4 tank vent covers – ~$20, a new skylight cover, temporarily fixed with Dicor, $150. Kinda expensive. 3 years out of 5 have cost about $900 for what I consider minimal added protection vs a good fall and spring cleaning/wax job.
Is a cover a good investment? I’m sure it is for some, but not for my use
I live in Alberta, Canada and we get cold winters with a fair amount of snow. We also get lots of sunny days throughout the winter with steady N.W. prevailing winds. I park my motorhome on a friends old farm site in a treed area which is somewhat protected from the elements.
So I cover my 36 ft, Class A Motorhome with a RV cover whenever possible. I also cover my tires for sun exposure. I have only had problems with my first RV cover because of winds were bad and the RV cover didn’t have overhead tie down straps and therefore, the excessive winds caused damage to the cover. The second RV cover I bought on line through Amazon was extremely well made, with reinforced corners and has overhead tie down straps which go right around the top, down the sides and across the belly of the motorhome and this prevented excessive movement for wind damage. It listed on Amazon.ca for $598.00 and cost me $250.00 including shipping which was a real bargain.
In addition, I have poly carbon vent covers over all my roof vents in order to leave my roof vents open any time I want fresh air and protects from the elements. The vent covers are very easy to see on top of the roof, just like the roof air conditioners when the RV cover is installed. I have had this current RV motorhome cover for 3 yrs. with no problems and it breaths very well on the roof and sidewalls. It also protects the exterior walls & roof from sun exposure (UV) damage. I haven’t had to wax my motorhome for three years and I always get great comments as to the exterior condition of my motorhome.
I totally support the use of RV Covers and always will. Your call!
Good article. However, custom RV covers limit access, cover windows which allow solar heating but do kept the roof dry. They are costly. I have found an alternative which is much less costly, easier to install annually and just as rugged. My proof is in a 1983 Taurus Terry 28 foot.
Go to the a Loews or Home Depot, buy the commercial grade TARP. You will know it as it has a black and a silver side with hefty grommets. Buy some bungee cords, plenty of them, and about 100 feet of yellow rope, the type with the water skier on the bag. Tie down everything and, if you leave room around the door, you will have access in the winter. The entire process takes about 30-45 minutes depending on wind conditions.
The tarp has lasted me about 15 years, so far.
If you are truly serious, buy a gallon of LATEX paint which has been returned and slobber it on. No one is climbing topside to “white glove” your Picasso. The paint will cost $8-$10 and install in 15-20 minutes and will last for years.
I used a “blue tarp” (actually blue top and grey underneath) to cover my 30′ Class C in Maryland for 12 years with no problems. It was a swimming pool cover recommended by an engineer I worked with. I added a few grommet holes and it worked great without the humidity issues.
Where we now live the high winds don’t permit a cover. We have a 40′ MH and the local RV dealer doesn’t even want to sell me one because they say it might last one season before likely tearing.
I cover my A/C units and, of course the slides are in. The MH is right next to the house plugged into 50 Amp electric so I can keep an eye on it. And, of course, the water system is drained and winterized.
I just put in the slides, normal plumbing winterization, and walk away. Wash a wax in the spring and fall. Normal cleaning throughout the season. I don’t even wrap the AC. I drive by dealers and see no covers on anything in the lot. Atlantic Canada gets a lot of snow, ice and cold temperatures. …with humidity. Never had any issues.
I live in Northern BC and have noticed that there are a lot of RV storage facilities, however as to covered storage facilities there are waiting lists. Most storage yards are not covered and only a few trailers and RV units actually have covers. also note that most of the RV dealers new stock also do not have covers during the winter storage time frame. Does that mean if you buy a trailer from a dealer that does not cover their RV stock you are taking a chance at purchasing a damaged unit?
20 years ago I did a small career change after relocating to North Central Alberta……I spent a number of years as an RV tech for a local dealer….I can’t say we didn’t have any winter damage to some of our new and used stock…..but it was always minor….vent lids mosly….We did the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) to the units as they arrived….tested all systems…..went over the exterior carefully….checked the function and fit of things in the interior….Hopefully any issues like a potential water leak area we would have addressed….Other than that was keeping an eye on things will in our storage yard….heavy snows and a lot of freeze thaw cycles were always a worry….. with us bringing in some of our stock( nightly) into any vacant service bay or even the detail bay allowed that unit to thaw ourt and dry off by morning….A good dealer knows the stock in his yard is valuable and takes care….
The article left out the biggest single reason to cover your RV roof: To prevent leaks. Here in Michigan it’s likely to have months of heavy, soggy snow 2 ft deep on the roof. That snow acts like a huge wet sponge constantly pressing water into every little calking crack & protuberance.
And then consider what multiple freezing / thawing cycles does to the roads – cracks and pot holes. Just one leak over the wintertime will ruin not only the roof, but the plywood underneath and the interior of the walls where it seeks it’s path to ground. A roof tarp is good insurance.
It’s good to know more about storing an RV. I didn’t realize that we’d need to get on the roof to put a cover up. That makes me want to just invest in a canopy type covering for ours during the colder months.