Campers 101

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Originally Posted by Dave_L

What's the general thought on covers? Ive heard mixed reviews on them Things like they're a pain to put on and take off, if they get loose, they'll flap and beat up the exterior of the trailer and moisture/humidity can get trapped in there.

I feel like it'd be worth it for the extended storage time during winter. Even to just keep water from squeezing into places and then freezing, causing issues. I know I have to get snow off the top after a heavy snowfall either way but seems like for a couple hundred bucks, it's worth it.

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I was told 11 years ago when I bought my forst camper that a cover was not a good idea here in CO, because it will "cook" your camper (if the wall are laminated, the wall may buckle, the silicone will drip) and trap the moisture instead of have it evaporate in our dry weather. I have never used one, but I have protected my roof with a large, heavy tarp a couple of winter, because my camper was stored outside under a tree.

Yeah, that cooking is what kind of worries me. Colorado gets a lot of "hot" winter days where it could heat up like crazy in there with a tarp on it, or so it would seem. I was thinking a big tarp with some good tie downs would be fine. Just cover the roof so no water drips down into the trailer.

Perhaps a temporary shade structure is more what you're after?

Well yeah, covered storage would be awesome but thats more money/all filled up. I dont think many storage lots will let you just put up a quick 10x26 canopy. Lol.

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Originally Posted by Dave_L

Yeah, that cooking is what kind of worries me. Colorado gets a lot of "hot" winter days where it could heat up like crazy in there with a tarp on it, or so it would seem. I was thinking a big tarp with some good tie downs would be fine. Just cover the roof so no water drips down into the trailer.

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We used a RV cover, breathable, waterproof (within reason) never an issue. Also use tarps. However we have some styrofoam pcs between the roof and tarp. This allows for moisture / snow run off AND , since a tarp is porous. You don't have water sitting between the tarp and roof freezing in winter, place for insects and funky residue during warmer weather.

Something like this should be fine, yeah?

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...r-221-24/71086

The best thing a cover will do is help prevent UV fading/chalking of a gelcoat fiberglass exterior if stored outdoors. 303 Aerospace protectant (sunscreen for your stuff) helps when it's not covered. Helps slow chalking of EPDM roofs as well and keeps a lot of the windblown dirt off.

Compounding UV damaged gelcoat is not fun or inexpensive if using the best materials (3M stuff). Ask me how I know.

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Originally Posted by Dave_L

Something like this should be fine, yeah?

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...r-221-24/71086

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Check.

Just throw one of these babies up ...

Attachment 51191

:D

LOL! Oh man, I wish! Next house is going to have land where I can do that. 2-3 more years until that though. :(