Community Forums

njs42 · 11-12-2012, 05:28 AM

I cover my MH and have since new. I am glad I do and am sure it has protectd my MH. My graphics are very nice at ten years old etc; I use the ADCO Designer series, the one I have on now has been in place three years. I expect to get at least five years; this is my third cover in ten. I do not get condensation here in Seattle.

I am a seasonal user so I only remove and reinstall the cover about four times per year. I am able to get it on and off by myself bu ttwo people make it easier, of course.

Covers will rip and they will chafe in spots where they rub. So far for any chafing I have been able to buff out lightly. I patch my cover when it rips.

Most people do not cover their MH. In the storage lot where I keep my rig out of about fifteen units mine is the only one covered. Mine is also as clean as it was when I put it away many months ago.

I do not believe it is a good idea to use tarps, they are everything a good cover is not.

RedWing Nut · 11-12-2012, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njs42

I do not believe it is a good idea to use tarps, they are everything a good cover is not.

My brother used to say, "You'd be better off putting that tarp underneath the trailer than on top."

In Michigan the moisture from the ground causes more problems than being exposed to the rain and snow.

Harry Joe · 11-12-2012, 06:31 AM

We bought a Camco cover for our ACE 29.2 this year. We'll see how it lasts. We got it because we want to leave at the end of January and didn't want 2 ft of snow on the top--however, getting the cover off the MH with snow on it may be interesting. We have 28 years of experience covering a 21 ft (27 ft mast) sailboat with a tarp and didn't want that hassle X 5.

Two issues at installation: any similarities between the actual installation and the directions given are purely accidental & the cover is doesn't extend down far enough to cover the tires.
Wish us luck with it.

MickBrennan · 11-12-2012, 07:14 PM

We left a small fan on a stand on a timer in our RV for the 4th year in a row. Its set to run for 3 hours each afternoon. I really don't have a reason except to circulate air.

draney · 11-20-2012, 04:09 PM

I bought a expedition rv cover for a 36 ft rv 8 months ago it is not good

GSBri · 11-23-2012, 11:20 PM

I live in Prince George BC,Canada, 54th parallel, lots of snow and a cold winter. I have always covered my RV's, current one is a 30' 5th wheel. I winterize and put moisture crystals in the container in each sink. I cover it in October and uncover at the end of April. When I open up in April the crystal have gone and the containers usually overflow with the water they have attracted . The unit smells fresh, it hasn't seen UV rays for 6 months and its as clean as the day I covered it.
The tarp is 30 x 50, heavy duty silver tarp, $150 held in place with $20 of stretches and rope. I also put two 8' long saw horses 2' high joined by a 10' 2x4. Saw horse feet and ends are covered in 1/2 " high density foam pad from an old camping mat. This creates a pitched roof under the tarp allowing air circulation and snow shedding during the odd thaw. Takes two of us half an hour to instal.

bdaball · 11-24-2012, 07:58 AM

what ever cover you use do not make the same mistake I did and run the furnace for a short period of time.

You end up with an extra vent hole in the side of the cover,

volvik · 04-08-2013, 02:59 PM

Good thread, I've read the pro and cons so far. We live on Vancouver Island and are for fortunate that we really don't get snow in any amounts or that lasts very long. We tarped our 5th wheel every year but with it's rubber roof it always ended up grey with with blackish mildew in spots. In short a real pain to keep clean.

We're now looking at a Class A with a fibreglass roof. Would the breathable covers like Adco end up the same when you take the cover off in the spring? Grey or black appearance with mildew?

Thanks..

azdryheat · 04-13-2013, 12:40 AM

My fifth wheel is covered at home to keep the AZ sun off it.

jsteinberg48 · 04-14-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyon51

IMHO ...Covers are a waste of money. Depending on type, they hold humidity, causing mold/mildew on at least the outside. RVs are built to withstand the elements. If rubber roof, cleaning and UV Protection once a year. Wash and and wax when needed.

What about acid rain (big deal in North East)?

jamvir · 04-15-2013, 04:51 PM

Rain, snow, sleet, wind, freeze, thaw, freeze, wind - we get it all here in Minnesota. In fact, we got all of that this past week! When will this winter end

We leave our 5er uncovered - did the same with the pop-ups and motor home we had in the past. Winterize the rig, take out the food stuff, turn the battery disconnect to off, diconnect from electricity and lock it up. I connet the electricity and turn on the battery switch about once per month during the winter to keep the batteries charged. This weekend I opened it up, flushed the water system, and stocked it with food. It's dry inside and no mildew or mold, and doesn't have a bad smell. The roof gets a little dirty during the winter, but not too bad - have to wash the rig whether you use a cover or not.

IMHO covers are a PITA and expensive. Some have had problems with a cover or hold-down strap rubbing their rig the wrong way.

Jim

vcbinca · 04-15-2013, 06:29 PM

We have one and use it because we have large pine trees that drop lots if sap. Seems to work well but is a pain to install on our 5th wheel. Have torn a vent cap off removing the cover...unfortunately seems like. Necessary evil

Mitchyb · 04-15-2013, 10:30 PM

I have been using these covers for about 5 yrs on various units, oddly enough I just tore mine today , was totally unimpressed can anyone recommend a repair? I was thinking of using tuct tape

sirpurrcival · 04-15-2013, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvik

Good thread, I've read the pro and cons so far. We live on Vancouver Island and are for fortunate that we really don't get snow in any amounts or that lasts very long. We tarped our 5th wheel every year but with it's rubber roof it always ended up grey with with blackish mildew in spots. In short a real pain to keep clean.

We're now looking at a Class A with a fibreglass roof. Would the breathable covers like Adco end up the same when you take the cover off in the spring? Grey or black appearance with mildew?

Thanks..

No, not the same as the plastic tarps. I live in the lower mainland so the humidity is comparable. Plastic tarps hold the moisture under the tarp and rather than protect, they usually help create conditions that will lead to rot and leakage. Tarps are absolutely a no no in our kind of climate. I use the breathable type cover (Adco). and just removed a couple of weeks ago. Roof was clean, dry free of needles and leaves and generally looked great. I have the rubber roof so if it works on that, FG should be just fine.