Cover or not to cover

[otterprods]

I'd like to broaden this discussion if possible. I've been hearing from various individuals that covers are not good because they trap in moisture that can cause more damage than exposure to rain, snow, sun and wind will. On the other hand, it seems like anything that shields the RV from direct contact with harsh weather will be beneficial in the log run. I welcome and thoughts on the pros and cons of covers.

 

[marc2912]

from everything i read since starting this thread (and from other convos all over) the pros are outweighed by the cons it seems.

 

[J&JD]

While I have never had a sap problem where my coach is parked in my back yard, I will never cover my coach again. For years I covered my previous coach with a full cover. The paint on the roof’s edges really took a beating and getting the cover on/off was certainly not the safest task with the chances of tripping over any one of the roof’s numerous projections highly likely. Paying for a good hand wax job at least yearly is the way to go IMHO.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

After buying a vintage 91 wing that had a custom fit cover. I would not cover with conventional cover.

However there is an inexpensive way to cover your rv. It has been used on stored boats for???

I would think such would work with an RV that sees little use, it is called a hoop house. If your research brings you to doing this I will tell you my experience with them.

 

[AbdRahim]

After buying a vintage 91 wing that had a custom fit cover. I would not cover with conventional cover.

However there is an inexpensive way to cover your rv. It has been used on stored boats for???

I would think such would work with an RV that sees little use, it is called a hoop house. If your research brings you to doing this I will tell you my experience with them.

Tell us. It looks like that would trap moisture.

 

[Bigdee183]

I just bought my first rv so I dont really have experience with covering them but I have has several boats and other watercraft. My experience and opinion on covers is dont use them! Dirt will get under the cover and when the wind blows the cover will move and act just like sandpaper damaging the finish. The only way I would cover anything is parking it under a shed or carport but then you have to deal with bird droppings and other things so I agree with someone who said "a good wax job every so often is best".

 

[Kevin D Pem]

@redbaron offered the best explanation with the portable garage!
Hoop houses could be looked at as a tarp skinned quonset hut, made portable.
I made mine of duck fabric, over an aluminum tube frame. You could use sunbrella fabric for UV protection, I just rolled on UV protection. At the time 300usd for 12ft x 12ft. The arch need not be 180 degrees.
The duck fabric breaths and won't stop rain but much of the rain will follow the curve. To be clear I am talking about a temporary second roof, not a garage, although it could be made into one easily.

Why a hoop house? Domes and tunnel structures have less resistance than flat sides do. If the canvas floats over the frame, and it will, if frame and canvas are tied down separately, the frame can rest on the roof on carpet with at best minor abrasion.

Pipe loops on the side of your canvas will produce even tension on the canvas. While the canvas foldes over both ends to create pull string type ends to snug the ends over the frame.

The side of the hoop frame should extend 6" over the side of your rig.

Want a picture? Look at any hoop house green house! Want to understand how to do the ends? Download the manual for the harbor freight tools portable garage!

I have gone as far as I feel I can without creating liability for myself. I used one for 4years as my outside kitchen. It saw 60 to 70 mph winds in the az desert.