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Old 09-13-2006, 05:04 AM   #1
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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?

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Old 09-13-2006, 05:04 AM   #2
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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?

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Old 09-13-2006, 05:47 AM   #3
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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.

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Old 09-13-2006, 05:49 AM   #4
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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.
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Old 09-16-2006, 04:37 AM   #5
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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.
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