So there are many reasons why some people don't even want to hear the words "RV" and "cover" in the same sentence. So, why would you want an RV cover?
- It provides water protection.
- Water damage can destroy an RV. When your RV sits for months, water doesn't rest. It's even worse if there's snow, because freezing causes the water to expand, and when spring comes and everything melts, it can cause even more problems.
- It provides protection from damaging UV rays.
- UV rays can deteriorate plastics. Rubber, latex and chalking can dry out and deteriorate. Fiberglass can oxidize and your exterior can fade, all because of UV damage. Sunlight shining through the windows into your RV can also cause your furniture to fade. The cover also prevents damage caused by heat buildup because it keeps the RV cooler.
- It keeps it clean.
- Covering your RV prevents dust, leaves, bird droppings and other "dirty" things from sticking to it.
Things to keep in mind:
Some RV owners have had bad experiences with coverings and will caution you against using them. Some of the reasons are.- Wind tears the cover to pieces.
- Sharp edges pierce the cover, including the roof antenna and downspouts.
- Parts of the roof breaking off and costing thousands of dollars to replace when the cover was installed.
- Mold and mildew buildup due to poorly fitting covers and lack of good ventilation.
What is an RV cover?
RV covers are typically made of woven polypropylene or polyester fibers. On top of the roof, they usually have additional layers or other materials to help protect against UV rays and water. These fabrics are treated for water or UV protection. They are also woven in a way that allows them to breathe so that moisture can evaporate and not get caught under the cover, where it can harbor mold and mildew.
Custom RV covers have a tighter fit and have vents to keep the waves out. Covers are usually secured underneath the RV, and some have zippers that lead to the RV door. The better the quality, the lighter the cover will be, making it easier to handle. Custom covers are more expensive, but they offer better protection than generic covers.
To put on an RV cover, you'll need to climb on the roof of the RV, which can be a deal breaker. In addition, you have to avoid antennas, roof vents, duct vents and other things while hauling around a cover, so putting these on is not an easy task. And, the bigger the RV, the bigger the lid. As a result, there are some people who would never put a cover on their RV because of the difficulties involved in doing so.
Here are some of the things that are often asked
Are RV covers waterproof?
Generally speaking, yes, a high quality RV cover is waterproof. In fact, this is one of the main reasons for covering your RV. In addition to helping you prevent water damage inside your vehicle, RV covers also protect against UV rays, bird droppings, tree and plant debris, dust and other potentially damaging substances.
Do RV covers cause mold and mildew
I read about this a lot, because if you have mold or mildew buildup under your RV cover, it actually defeats the purpose of using an RV cover in the first place. (After all, the point is to avoid damage!) .
And the truth is, an RV cover can cause mold ...... but only if it is not well ventilated or left unattended for months on end. We recommend taking your RV cover off for at least a month or so while choosing a cover from a reliable manufacturer that makes ventilated panels to help circumvent this problem. Be sure to check the breathability details of any hood you are interested in.
Can an RV cover cause damage?
As mentioned above, RV covers can cause damage if used improperly - for example, breaking roofing components in the process of covering an RV cover. I've also seen improperly fitting covers cause physical damage to RVs, and they do wear down paint or other things when slapped in the breeze. Make sure your RV's cover fits snugly. If you are patient when installing your RV cover and make sure all the extra parts (like the ventilation fan) are properly closed for storage, the RV cover should not cause damage on its own.
Are RV covers for the roof only?
No! RV covers do protect your equipment. RV covers do protect your roof, which is an important part of your investment, that's for sure. But, they also protect the sides of your vehicle, and by protecting the
exterior, they also protect the interior - after all, the interior is susceptible to water damage from the direct effects of exterior damage.
Some tips
I've also seen people have to put blocks of wood or other items under the cover to keep water from pooling on the cover. While this may not be a problem for some people, if you try to get your car out in freezing weather, you may find the cover has frozen to the roof of your car. To get it off without damaging it, you'll need to find a way to get hot water onto the roof to thaw out the frozen cover.
There are relatively inexpensive alternatives to RV covers - make sure you give your unit a good bath and wax before winter to help prevent paint damage - and there are more costly alternatives. Build a "pole barn" style RV cover to keep rain and snow from dumping on your RV, while being cheaper than a walled structure. Others bite the bullet and pay for interior storage from a proper storage facility.
