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09-13-2006, 05:04 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Blue River, oregon
Posts: 74
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We have a 28 foot 5th wheel, live in the country with no garage or cover. Thinking of covering the RV for the winter with a tarp to keep it out of the rain. Could build a cover but no time....this is oregon and rain is coming fast. We dont plan to do alot of winter travel this year to work on the house. Could just leave it and not worry about it. Heck its a vehicle of sorts. Will I regret using a tarp. I dont want to damage the roof by using tarp or close cover, but dont want damage from the elements. Any suggestions?
Retired_Army_Ranger
2000 Crossroads All American
97 Dodge Dually 12 Valver
Wife with armpit piranha will travel
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09-13-2006, 05:04 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Blue River, oregon
Posts: 74
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We have a 28 foot 5th wheel, live in the country with no garage or cover. Thinking of covering the RV for the winter with a tarp to keep it out of the rain. Could build a cover but no time....this is oregon and rain is coming fast. We dont plan to do alot of winter travel this year to work on the house. Could just leave it and not worry about it. Heck its a vehicle of sorts. Will I regret using a tarp. I dont want to damage the roof by using tarp or close cover, but dont want damage from the elements. Any suggestions?
Retired_Army_Ranger
2000 Crossroads All American
97 Dodge Dually 12 Valver
Wife with armpit piranha will travel
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09-13-2006, 05:47 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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This is a tough topic - there are advantages and disadvantages to covering an RV.
The advantages are pretty obvious - shielding the RV from the elements (e.g., sunlight {OK, not a problem in Oregon}, rain, bird droppings, etc.)
The disadvantages are not so obvious, but they can be real. Two primary ones are:
1. If moisture is trapped under the cover (i.e., it can't "breathe"), mold and mildew can result.
2. If the cover is not secured to prevent relative motion between the cover and the RV under windy conditions, wear points can result where the cover has rubbed against the RV.
We bought an expensive cover for our first 5th wheel and used it one winter. We let it go with the RV when we sold the 5th wheel and have kept all of our subsequent 5th wheels in covered storage.
Rusty
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09-13-2006, 05:49 AM
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#4
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Administrator in Memoriam
Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Buladean, NC
Posts: 8,126
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Will I regret using a tarp. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
If you use a tarp it should be one that will allow the air to breathe such as one designed specifically for RV's. Otherwise, moisture gets trapped under the tarp and may cause mold, mildew, or even dry rot of the rafters and studs.
There are several companies marketing RV covers, ADCO is one that comes to mind.
__________________
'11 GMC Acadia SLT AWD
'11 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab
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09-16-2006, 04:37 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,655
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I used a farm tarp for several years with no negative effects. Just use twice the number of elastic cords for securing the tarp as provided for. I added the slip-on eyelets between the existing ones and used about 24 elastic cords on my 30' 5er. The $50 tarp lasted 4 years, the elastic cords were about $10 at a flea market, and did not leave any marks on the 5er. I'm getting too old to climb around on the roof of our new 40'5er safely, so it stays uncovered these days. I don't like it though. Water will find the smallest of openings, freeze, and leave a larger opening for the next freeze. This will lead to water damage eventually.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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