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Old 11-26-2021, 10:02 AM   #1
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To cover or not to cover, that is the question!

When I bought my 5th wheel I worked a new top end cover into the deal. Last year it did not get covered because the trailer sat at the dealer for repairs from day after election day to mid March. This year time got away from me, and I am way behind. The trailer is winterized with RV Antifreeze in the lines and the battery fully charged and disconnected, all food the liquids removed, etc. BUT, I did not get a chance to either wash it, or cover it. Now this morning it is 16* out, and it has been pretty windy the past few weeks when the temps were still well above freezing.

Should I even consider bothering to cover it, or just forgetaboutit for the year? The trailer is ceramic coated and dirt just wipes off, but I'm concerned that if I cover without washing it could rub dirt through the coating. Does covering actually help with winter?
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Old 11-26-2021, 10:51 AM   #2
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These rigs are made to be in the elements I have not seen any Mfg that says their rigs need to be covered. I would not cover unless the unit was clean for the reasons you state. One check you can do just for piece of mind it climb up on the roof and check all the seams and caulking. JMHO
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Old 11-26-2021, 12:08 PM   #3
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I wouldn't put a cover on a dirty trailer. I like to have mine clean and then cover it and it looks nice when we're ready go the next time. The sun is hard on fiberglass will dull the gelcoat pretty quickly.
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Old 12-02-2021, 03:39 PM   #4
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I wouldn't put a cover on a dirty trailer. I like to have mine clean and then cover it and it looks nice when we're ready go the next time. The sun is hard on fiberglass will dull the gelcoat pretty quickly.
Thats why I want the cover, protect against UV damage, but not at the cost of paint damage from being dirty, so will leave it off. It's 52* right now and had I NOT put away all the hoses for winter, I could have given it a bath, but.....
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Old 12-02-2021, 06:40 PM   #5
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It was 52 here too. Probably the last mild day of year. I still haven't washed mine, therefore have not covered it. Went out to cut Christmas tree today, my dreams of cleaning and covering camper were dashed. But I did do final mow of lawn yesterday!
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Old 12-02-2021, 06:52 PM   #6
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If you live in a windy area forget the cover.

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Old 12-02-2021, 07:08 PM   #7
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I'm in central Iowa, forecast calls for 50's until Tuesday hopefully same for Illinois. Like others have stated would not put a cover on a dirty trailer for the same reasons.
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Old 12-02-2021, 07:26 PM   #8
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I bought one cover years ago, paid almost 800$. Sold the unit the following year and didnt get 800$ more because it was covered. Havent covered sense.
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Old 12-02-2021, 07:49 PM   #9
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Does covering actually help with winter?
Ask yourself this since you are same latitude as me. Do you really want a cake of snow and ice up there all winter, freezing and thawing all the time, with no protective cover at all between that freezy mess and your seals and rooftop components? My seals are all still in great shape after 3 years, and I'll I've done is wash roof once a year, AND covered it. I'm hoping it continues that way. I'm one of those guys who buys a vehicle and keeps it till wheels fall off though, where others are the "I lease a new car every couple years" types that probably won't care.
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Old 12-08-2021, 03:55 PM   #10
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In 15 years and 3 motorhomes, I've only covered my rig once. The good part was my rig was relatively clean the following spring being covered. The bad news is mice used the cover as a "Marines" cargo net to climb up to the roof and get into the AC's and ducting. Never covered my rigs after that.

Another thought, living near Buffalo, NY, as the world knows we get a fair amount of snow. This year we left for Florida on February 23. Prepping for the trip I had to shovel between 12" and 18" of snow and ice off of the roof. If I had a cover on it I think it probably would have been frozen stuck to the roof of the rig and I would have had a mess trying to cut the cover away.
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Old 12-08-2021, 04:31 PM   #11
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I bought a cover specific for my camper; so I put it on. I'll find out next spring if it was worth it.
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Old 12-09-2021, 09:01 PM   #12
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There is no way I am not going to cover or protect a trailer...I know most people don’t....
Just finished the garage, waiting for the door...
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Old 12-10-2021, 07:51 AM   #13
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There is no way I am not going to cover or protect a trailer...I know most people don’t....
Just finished the garage, waiting for the door...
That's some mighty fine backing skills. Nice garage too.
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Old 12-10-2021, 09:27 AM   #14
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It's probably irrational but I worry about rain and snow melt getting into crevices then expanding when it freezes. I don't know if this is something to really worry about but my brain works in odd ways so covering makes me feel better.
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Old 12-10-2021, 10:32 AM   #15
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I stopped worrying about covering an RV before I even had one. Early on in our shopping RV's and whether or not to jump into the lifestyle and debt, we started at dealers closest to our house. At one particular dealer, I asked the salesperson what do you do with a class A during winter storage, and her reply was "nothing". She went on to explain that they had 100's of RVs of all shapes and sizes on their lot and it would be impossible to cover them all. We then discussed further construction types and the fact that RVs are made for the outdoors and all weather conditions.
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Old 12-10-2021, 10:43 AM   #16
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Dealers' jobs are to sell RV's. Once they are off the lot they could really care less. The longevity of RVs on their lot isn't a priority so they wouldn't bother covering even if there was solid evidence of it's benefit. Besides, they can't show RV's with covers on them.
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Old 12-10-2021, 06:18 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by sherman12 View Post
I stopped worrying about covering an RV before I even had one. Early on in our shopping RV's and whether or not to jump into the lifestyle and debt, we started at dealers closest to our house. At one particular dealer, I asked the salesperson what do you do with a class A during winter storage, and her reply was "nothing". She went on to explain that they had 100's of RVs of all shapes and sizes on their lot and it would be impossible to cover them all. We then discussed further construction types and the fact that RVs are made for the outdoors and all weather conditions.
I agree but disagree. Any vehicle, car, boat, RV, is going to look better and have less seal disintegration covered/protected (yes I am jealous of Kean's garage)over time. It's not just the acid rain which we get plenty of here in NJ, it's the destructive UV rays. The sun is relentless and and damaging to finishes, seals, rubber, decals, etc. You know how you drive through neighborhoods and see old tired looking beat down RVs? Those are the ones exposed to elements all year long. They get ugly before they should.
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