Trailer covers..yes or no?

[hippy]

can anyone give me some firsthand advice on trailer covers? we have a new trailer and i am worried about small leaks that seem to show up after a few years. there are lots of horror stories on this site. we get a lot of rain in the off season, and seem to have more wet snow now, than old fashioned cold snow that melted in the spring. do the covers keep the melting snow and rain off the trailer, or do they leak thru as they get older. how hard are they to put on and off, where do you store it?? our trailer is 34' long so im sure it would be awkward and heavy. any other thoughts would be appreciated.

[Ray,IN]

This is just my preference: When we covered the 5er for the winter I would buy a farm tarp to cover the 5er, and about twice the number of elastic cords to hold it taut than the normal number of eyelets in the tarp. I added eyelets about 2' apart. The A/C unit, antenna, and vents hold the tarp up enough for ventilation, but if there is a sag in the tarp, I put a cheap beach ball under there so water cannot pool. If any water penetrates the tarp, it will be little.
Some folks complain about the tarp chaffing the RV from wind, but I've personally never discovered such places on any RV I have ever owned. Exactly the reason for using twice the number of elastic cords.
I guess this makes me a cheapskate, but $70 for a tarp that lasts for 4 years, and $10-$14 for elastic cords vs hundreds for a commercial cover is money in my pocket.