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Old 09-05-2016, 06:34 PM   #1
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Another cover question

I am still considering covering options and Pooneil has helped a bunch! My questions are:
1. Living in Colorado Springs we get heavy snows that melt pretty quickly. Would a cover or a tarp work better. We also get winds being close to the foothills and Pikes Peak.
2. Using a tarp, how far would any of you recommend it overlap the edges?
3. Any particular suggestions for mice problems?

Any other Colorado a-framers out there who can share what you do? I know RV's sit out in the winter at dealerships, but once it became 'ours', I became protective of it!
Thanks for any help at all....
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Old 09-05-2016, 09:28 PM   #2
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Covers

Our 2012 trailer- we have had to replace the cover three times.
They are not long wearing, but they do help the trailer. I just don't like spending money almost each winter season to buy another cover.
The two tricks-
1. I do use a blow-up beach ball under the cover near the skylights to help with "twitching" of the cover in the wind. Hopefully minimizing scratching the skylights.
2. On the corners using "swim noodles" so the sharp corners don't poke holes in the cover.
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Old 09-05-2016, 09:47 PM   #3
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Tarps are not recommended because they do not breathe. I used an Elements cover from Camping World last winter. It held up well, no rips or holes. I covered all non-rounded edges with a piece of pipe insulation. (antenna, gutters, door stop) This brand of cover has several cinch straps that go under the trailer to tighten it. It also has straps on the front and back for tightening.
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Old 09-05-2016, 10:27 PM   #4
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Thanks! Do you get heavy snow, and is the elements cover water proof or water resistant?
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Old 09-05-2016, 10:34 PM   #5
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Quote:
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Thanks! Do you get heavy snow, and is the elements cover water proof or water resistant?
The cover is listed as water resistant. I think the most snow we had last winter was about 5".
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Old 09-06-2016, 07:43 PM   #6
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Tarps are not recommended because they do not breathe.
Tarps are fine in used correctly. Using an 8 foot tarp with a spreader pole in the middle prevents the cover form wrapping over the sides. Properly installed it vents very well, probably better than a "breathable" cover.
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Old 09-06-2016, 08:05 PM   #7
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Thanks! We are considering staking out the sides of the tarp almost tent style since we have the room and it would be easy to keep the tarp fairly tight and allow for air circulation. Also, because of the amount of snow we can get here, my DH is building protective boxes out of 1X6 with plywood slats across the top. He finished the one for the long bubble window, the slats will allow for air circulation, but support snow, and the whole box isn't really heavy and rests on the side not the roof itself. We really liked the box idea. The 1X6 frame is the perfect height to be above the windows.

What do you think?
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Old 09-06-2016, 09:19 PM   #8
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My experience with tarps/covers is that they cause more problems than they prevent. No matter what you do, eventually the wind will ripple the cover causing rub marks and breaking covers/drip guides. Good luck!
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Old 09-07-2016, 07:55 AM   #9
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I have read were some people build the protected boxes for the bubble windows out of the 2" foam from home depot or lowes, that's what I might use.
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Old 09-07-2016, 04:50 PM   #10
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Covers

I made a foam box for skylights the first year. Then I heard the beach-ball (not taped) that is almost all the way filled with air. That has been just as good as the foam boxes. The boxes in the wind shifted under the cover, they needed to be taped down. Which was a pain to get all the tape off the next season. Just thought you might want to know.

I took a picture of what the cover looks like with beach ball underneath and one showing the beach ball underneath the cover, between the two skylights. Hope it helps.

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Old 09-07-2016, 06:17 PM   #11
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Thanks for the beach ball suggestion.

We get very heavy snows here in Colorado Springs, not continually, but several times a winter that melt within days. So my DH built these boxes (which are sturdy but not heavy) and we will put a tarp over it all and rather than wrap, we plan to stake the sides out sort of tent fashion for circulation.

There is a brace between the skylights. He made another box for the long window. Each sit a couple of inches above the skylights. HR has plans to anchor the boxes with side pieces to prevent movement. The slat construction is for venting, but strong enough for snow weight.

We will see.....comments are welcome.
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Old 09-07-2016, 06:21 PM   #12
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Another photo....I tried to attach more to the other post but wasn't successful.
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Old 09-07-2016, 08:13 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollypcb View Post
Thanks! We are considering staking out the sides of the tarp almost tent style since we have the room and it would be easy to keep the tarp fairly tight and allow for air circulation. Also, because of the amount of snow we can get here, my DH is building protective boxes out of 1X6 with plywood slats across the top. He finished the one for the long bubble window, the slats will allow for air circulation, but support snow, and the whole box isn't really heavy and rests on the side not the roof itself. We really liked the box idea. The 1X6 frame is the perfect height to be above the windows.

What do you think?
I'd recommend using some type of protection to keep the wood from touching the camper. Something like split pool noodles or pipe insulation covered in microfiber cloth.
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Old 09-07-2016, 09:03 PM   #14
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We thought of that but since the wood only touches the black edges of the roof, not the white part of the roof we didn't think it would be necessary. Something to consider!
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Old 09-08-2016, 09:21 AM   #15
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Covers

The wood structure you made looks good.
Where I live, during the winter it is just wind and sometimes strong rain.
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Old 09-15-2016, 08:51 PM   #16
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JoArt. How do you keep the swim noodles in Place? Thanks.
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Old 09-15-2016, 10:52 PM   #17
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We haven't figured out the noodles yet...for the corners etc. Open to suggestions though!
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Old 09-16-2016, 03:03 AM   #18
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We live in West Michigan and get pretty crazy snow. We bought a cover from The Cover Store. It was a bit big but we were able to tie it down well and had no damage this spring. It is lightweight and breathable. It is a sad day the day we cover up for the winter...
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Old 09-22-2016, 07:59 PM   #19
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Pool Noodles

I make a slit cutting along one side of the noodle (lengthwise) and then I tape them in place with "frog tape" (not a lot) that I purchased at Home Depot. The cover keeps them in place if it is strapped in place underneath.
Hope that helps.
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