To cover or not to cover.....

[Pookie]

Good morning y'all,

We are getting ready to pick up our new TT and start our adventures, YIPPEE !! We will be camping about 2 weeks out of each month for now. Since we cannot store our TT at our stick home, we need to make a decision on where and how to store it when not in use, (better late than never )

Can y'all give me your thoughts on covering it or not. or should we consider renting a covered space instead? KOTR is vascillating and I want him to STOP!!

[khenrie]

LOL Pookie - I HEAR you! My hubby is a vascillator too!

[Marslet]

Hi Pookie,
I know you are so happy and excited and you have a beautiful rig to do it in. I strongly believe in having a covered area for your camper. My reasons are that the sun does quite a bit of damage to the outside of your camper. Eventually it will fade your surface and you have a beautiful surface on your new trailer. Another investment might be tire covers, because the sun will do a big time number on your tires. Another advantate to covering is protection from other types of weather, such as hail. Even a very brief period of hail can do a lot of damage to a travel trailer. Being under cover extendes the life for all your caulking on the roof. I have mine stored under a cover at our camp and Tag Along looks like she just came off the showroom floor and she is a 2004 model. It would be very good if your storage area had sides that came down to protect the sides of your camper also.
Another great reason for storing under a covered area is RESALE VALUE.
Looking forward to reading about what you and your husband decide. Whatever it is, just go and have a great time.

[Pookie]

Thanks for the response Marslet, but as usual, I didn't make my question quite clear. What I really need to know is whether to invest in a separate RV cover or to store our TT in a covered space .

[retiredhappy]

If you have humid weather make sure you have enough ventilation or you will get mold. Had a friend here in Texas who covered their rig and had major problems with mold.

[WickedLady]

I would go for the covered space.

[Bethers]

If you're going to use it a couple weeks out of the month, I sure wouldn't be going to the trouble of covering and uncovering - so that would mean a covered space. Plus I have seen damage from covers (same as damage from car covers and bras - you are supposed to take them off and let everything dry out after rains, etc - or the paint can peel and, yes mold, as Karen stated. Covers are good if used properly - but can do damage. I am a believer in the tire covers when you are parked, especially for extended times, and parked in the sun.

[Marslet]

ok---then my vote is for a covered area and not a cover.

[AlmostThere]

Used a cover on our 5th wheel in Alaska and it did a number on our rig. I store my Little Missy in a covered storage space.
What might decide your decision is how much are you willing to pay for covered storage (monthy rent) vs buying a cover and the hassle of taking it off and on and messing up your rig. Was that clear as mud?

[Colliemom]

Icamp on the average of twice a month (every other week). In between my TT is parked in my drive next to my garage where I can keep it plugged in. It's in the sun for part of the day, but by aftrenoon it gets the shade from the big oak tree next to the drive. I have not had any problem with that set up. I did however, buy a Tyvex cover from CW last fall and completely covered it for the winter as well as tire covers for the tires The tyvex cover is strapped from one side to the other under the TT. It has air vents on both sides and being that it's not tight like a wrapped package, air can move around under it. I will be taking it off tomorrow and putting it away. It is supposed to keep the TT clean and not let mold or anything else form under it due to it's abililty to breathe as opposed to just regular tarps. But covers do require some work to put and on and take off and if you are going out that much, I wouldn't bother with it. A good coat of wax on your TT wlll hold up very well for the summer. If you wash it periodically and keep it clean, it will look good for a long time. I have co workers with big 5ers, who wax them every spring and just cover them with a tarp over top in winter. Both of them have had them for a number of years and they look brand new. So that's my two cents worth anyway

[kdmac]

In my part of the country its unusual to see someone using a fitted cover over their RV, too much moisture in the Northwest even the better ventilated types. That said, the best looking RV's are the ones kept under a roof with walls, they stay new looking for ever. So, I would surely go with that option, and certainly is easier to just hook up and pull it out of there and off on your fun get-away.

I copied the following info on a new product called 303 Aerospace. It is easy to apply and actually chemically blends with the fiberglas and keeps it looking new. It's supposed to be a "miracle"

303 Aerospace Protectant really is like "SPF 40 Sunscreen ... For Your Stuff."
303 is THE LEADER in UV screening technology. Regular use gives 100% Prevention of UV caused slow-fade with regular use. No other "protectant" beautifies as intensely, protects as powerfully or lasts as long.
The World's Most Manufacturer-Recommended Product:
Because of its enduring cosmetic properties, the resistance of 303-treated surfaces to dust, soiling, and staining, its water repellency and unparalleled protective characteristics, manufacturers worldwide recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant.

303 Aerospace Protectant keeps UV-sensitive materials “like new” year after year.

Use on:

Rubber: Tires, neoprene, latex, door and trunk seals, weather-stripping, EPDM rubber roofs, CV boots, waders, wet suits.
Vinyl: Convertible tops (and the clear vinyl windows), isinglass, marine seating, tonneau covers, car bras, covers, spa covers, pool covers.
Inflatable boats: Hypalon, PVC and urethane blends.
Gelcoat fiberglass: Boats, RV’s, snowmobiles, jet ski’s.
Plastics/acrylics/polycarbonates: Lexan and acrylic panels/windows/windshields/covers.
Carbon-fiber/resin composites: Fishing rods, “nude” bike frames. Finished leather: Upholstery, motorcycle leather, trim, tack, fine apparel.
Pool & Patio: Plastic furniture (not fabric), pool inflatables, slides, covers.
Sailcloth: Dacron and monofilm.

[OregonLuvr]

When I lived in Redding CA (HOT) I used that on my Spa Cover, it worked great for retarding the sun's wear and tear.

Karen

[VickieP]

I've been wanting to get some of that too, I've read a lot of good reviews about it on rvnet. My Dad uses it, on the recommendation of the dealer, on the vinyl top for his little red Mazda convertible (Late 70's, now 80yo mid-life crisis )

[pattyk]

My RV guy just coated my roof with the 303. He says it works great.

[cpatinjones]

I've been wanting to get some of that too, I've read a lot of good reviews about it on rvnet. My Dad uses it, on the recommendation of the dealer, on the vinyl top for his little red Mazda convertible (Late 70's, now 80yo mid-life crisis )

Is this the same product I had posted on FB from someone that was using it? I am trying to remember the name of the product that was posted on FB. I thought I had bookmarked the product website but....