RV Cover Last Day

[Dave1941]

Bought this cover new three years ago from a neighbor for $200. I only use it during the winter here in coastal NC. It sits in a fenced open storage area for the neighborhood. I wrap and pad almost everything that rubs. First year had a few rub throughs, fixed with Gorilla tape. Second year had some major tears, fixed with iron on carpet tape. This year, came back from a three week trip to Wisconsin, in the car, and the cover was in a heap surrounding the RV. Took it to the dump. Wish there were some real life tests for covers.

[Iwritecode]

That's why I never bother with covers.

I've gone through 3 just for my golf cart and those are way cheaper. Although I've only actually paid for 1 of them.

[GPs37FLH]

Yeah, I hate the thought of spending several hundred dollars on a new cover, only to have it be thrown away in three or four years. I simply couldn't find anyone that made one that would last longer and why I gave up on that solution to protect mine from the elements.

I've resolved myself to the fact that the only solution that'll stand up to the sun, wind and rain here in NC is to put up a metal carport. I keep trying to convince myself its the best choice because it'll also mean I don't have to spend a couple hours each time I want to take it off or put it back on again. I can have unrestricted access to the basement storage on my rig and can open any one (or all) of the five glide outs with lots less aggravation. I'm just having trouble washing down the $7,500+ it's going to cost me to install one with the reasons I've stated above tho.

[D W]

Typically, those covers only last 2-3 years. I was happy that mine was going on year six with only minor rips/tears that I patched. A week and half ago we had a tremendous snow storm with 70 mph winds. Needless to say my cover bought the farm. It held up for 5 winters (August-April). I guess it was living on borrowed time.

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by D W

Typically, those covers only last 2-3 years. I was happy that mine was going on year six with only minor rips/tears that I patched. A week and half ago we had a tremendous snow storm with 70 mph winds. Needless to say my cover bought the farm. It held up for 5 winters (August-April). I guess it was living on borrowed time.

Uh, yeah D W, you definitely got your money's worth outta that cover. How in the world did you manage to do it? Especially living in Alaska! That cover company needs you as their advertising spokesman. You could have 'em compensate you with free lifetime covers.

[CO DEACON]

I guess spending $7500, at least, on water, sun, hail, and other damages makes more sense.

[D W]

Originally Posted by GPs37FLH

Uh, yeah D W, you definitely got your money's worth outta that cover. How in the world did you manage to do it? Especially living in Alaska! That cover company needs you as their advertising spokesman. You could have 'em compensate you with free lifetime covers.

I was just "lucky", (until a week and a half ago)

[campers302]

Originally Posted by Dave1941

Bought this cover new three years ago from a neighbor for $200. I only use it during the winter here in coastal NC. It sits in a fenced open storage area for the neighborhood. I wrap and pad almost everything that rubs. First year had a few rub throughs, fixed with Gorilla tape. Second year had some major tears, fixed with iron on carpet tape. This year, came back from a three week trip to Wisconsin, in the car, and the cover was in a heap surrounding the RV. Took it to the dump. Wish there were some real life tests for covers.

I am not trying to be rude but please post your pictures properly.
Its so simple, take your pictures in landscape mode or turn you phone like landscape and that will do it i think

[Bob2019]

My previous TT I went through two covers and never again. It needed to be padded in every possible rub point and you still will get wear thru somewhere. There was no way to put it on without high on the roof and trying to get the cover on a 30' TT is as a lot of trouble with watching were you step on stuff on the roof. If there is a breeze, it is terrible. I had a lot of belly straps to run under the TT to get the cover tight and secure. It was not fun trying to run them between wheels and leaf springs. Took me hours to get it on perfectly, and if you don't you have paint rubbing off, scuffs and tears.

Then comes spring and I'm trying to get it off without landing on wet grass before you put it away. If you don't have it perfectly dry, you could find mold and maybe a weak cover next time. I had needles and bird poop to clean too before putting it away. To me it just isn't worth putting a cover on and off. They are not really cheap and don't last long.

[Oaklevel]

No cover here either. 2-3 years is best survival for a cover in open areas.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by CO DEACON

I guess spending $7500, at least, on water, sun, hail, and other damages makes more sense.

No spending $0 on damages instead of throwing away $300 plus makes more sense. The only cover worth having is a metal carport type..... just my 2 cents.

[Simsaklac]

We live just outside of Charlotte, NC and have had our cover for 2.5 years. I've patched it up twice. It's still in good shape though and should last another 2.5 years. Well worth the $200 we spent.

[GPs37FLH]

Originally Posted by Bob2019

My previous TT I went through two covers and never again. It needed to be padded in every possible rub point and you still will get wear thru somewhere. There was no way to put it on without high on the roof and trying to get the cover on a 30' TT is as a lot of trouble with watching were you step on stuff on the roof. If there is a breeze, it is terrible. I had a lot of belly straps to run under the TT to get the cover tight and secure. It was not fun trying to run them between wheels and leaf springs. Took me hours to get it on perfectly, and if you don't you have paint rubbing off, scuffs and tears.

Then comes spring and I'm trying to get it off without landing on wet grass before you put it away. If you don't have it perfectly dry, you could find mold and maybe a weak cover next time. I had needles and bird poop to clean too before putting it away. To me it just isn't worth putting a cover on and off. They are not really cheap and don't last long.

Since I've never covered any of my previous RV's before, this is good information. Lots of things I never thought of before that solidifies even more my resolve that the best protection is to install a metal carport. If I install one big enough, it should accommodate any future RV's built in case we decide to trade in for something different.

If I had to go through what you did, Bob, I'd likely never use it again after one use. Especially with the high cost for a cover that'll fit a 42 foot fiver. I also can't imagine the major hassles and even more hours wasted than what you experienced to successfully cover an RV as large as mine.

[Martsing]

I have a cover. I used it once. I hated it. I never used it again.

Marty

[ChrisParise]

Rub throughs are mainly caused by inadequate padding of sharp edges - even a square ended rear bumper needs padding. Sometimes, rub throughs or worn spots are just normal wear and tear, these things take a lot of punishment

I use pool noodles, cone foam rubber or shipping padding to cover edges, and twine or duct tape to keep it together or lash it to the motorhome.

Areas I treat from top to bottom include:

Roof antenna wire and weather proof boot
(I've found these get crushed by snow load)
I use the Adco supplied top of ladder protector
Gutter ends (Adco supplied gloves) and downspouts
Anti Billow Arms
Awning pull down lever
Rear bumper ends, foam padding with pool noodles bent over the ends and duct taped
Generator tail pipe end, pool noodle pressed on

First Adco cover lasted 8 years.
On my second Adco Designer Series cover, 5th winter and a couple minor repairs. I expect at least another 2 or 3 years out of it.

Remove cb and rear camera antenna
Collapse radio antenna
Push in side rear view mirrors