When we purchased our motor home in 2003, my plan was to build an overhead shelter to protect it in between trips and when it was being stored for extended periods of time. It’s been two years now and for a number of reasons I still don’t have the shelter constructed.
UV and Ozone Take Their Toll
During my routine inspections of the roof and the exterior of the RV, I began to notice signs of wear caused by the constant exposure to the elements. Ozone in the air and ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun were beginning to take their toll, which was evident by the early signs of fading paint. The ozone in the air also causes products like rubber and vinyl to dry out, crack and start to deteriorate. The UV rays from the sun make this happen quicker. Another result from leaving the RV exposed to the elements was the constant need to wash it. I wash our motor home when we return home, after every trip. I don’t know about you, but I for one can do without having to wash it in between trips too.
I am a big advocate of keeping your tires covered when you’re not using the RV. It is not uncommon to see RV tires with low mileage and plenty of tread that are ruined by the damaging effects of ozone and UV rays.
Inexpensive tire covers can protect your expensive RV tires from being ruined by the sun.
The same thing that happens to the RV tires can happen to the entire RV. The roof, paint, rubber and vinyl is all being damaged by the sun, not to mention what the wind and rain can do to the exterior of the RV. Our RVs are too big of an investment to let Mother Nature wreak havoc on them when they are in short or long term storage. So, it was time to explore my options and come up with a plan to protect the RV.
I mentioned earlier that my original plan was to construct an overhead shelter to help protect the RV from the elements. There are two reasons that I never followed through with that plan. First, we were not sure how long we planned to stay where we live now; second, the cost of building the shelter, especially if we did end up moving. I still don’t know what the future holds for us as far as relocating goes, so the most logical, and cost-effective plan was to purchase an RV cover.
Cover Considerations
You are probably already aware that I do a great deal of research before I make a final decision on anything. So I researched RV covers. The first step was to determine what features were important in an RV cover. My list included the type of material it was made of, how difficult would it be to put on and take off, the warranty period and the cost. I discovered that
ADCO covers had the answer to each of these questions that I was looking for.
For starters, ADCO has been in the business of covering RVs for 50 years. They realize that the material used to make an RV cover depends on the geographical area where the RV is located. ADCO offers RV covers made from three different materials based on the climate where you live: SFS Aqua-Shed®, DuPont Tyvek® RV and Sunbrella®.
Another important quality for an RV cover: material that can “breathe” or allow moisture to escape. If the material used to make the cover cannot breathe properly it can lead to several problems. Moisture can get trapped inside the cover, mold and mildew is more likely to form and heat has no way to escape. Plastic or vinyl tarps don’t breathe and invite problems with mold, mildew, sweating or condensation and heat build-up. All three materials used in
ADCO RV covers are breathable, protect against the sun’s UV rays and are water-resistant.
Custom-fit or Universal-fit?
ADCO RV covers come in universal-fit and custom-fit configurations. A custom-fit cover means just what it says; they are custom-fit specifically for your RV. Custom-fit covers are priced by the foot, are available in all three materials and are constructed completely of the material chosen. Because they are tailored for your RV, custom-fit covers are easier to put on and take off, and they offer easy access to the RV through a zippered door. Because ADCO has been making covers for 50 years, they already have a pattern for virtually every RV ever made. When placing your order for a custom-fit cover, you will only have to give the year, make, model and actual length of your RV. Don’t rely on the RV manufacturer’s length designation; measure the RV from bumper to bumper, including spare tire and roof ladder. It is extremely important that you measure the RV carefully and provide the correct year, make and model when ordering a custom-fit cover. A custom-fit cover cannot be returned if the RV is not measured properly or if you inadvertently specify the wrong year, make or model. ADCO can also make a custom-fit cover for virtually any type or design of vehicle, such as a race car, ATV, horse or motorcycle trailer. Answer a few simple questions about your vehicle and Camping World will walk you through the configuration process to make ordering your custom-fit cover easy.
My Choice: Universal-fit Tyvek® RV
I considered a custom-fit cover, but based on my particular needs right now I decided on a universal-fit cover. If I planned on keeping our current RV for several more years I would have gone with a Custom-fit cover, but we are planning on getting a different RV in the next year or so. Universal-fit covers offer either a Tyvek® RV or SFS Aqua-Shed® roof panel and high-performance polypropylene sides. I chose the universal-fit cover with Tyvek® RV roof panel based on our geographical location.
The Tyvek® RV fabric resists water and allows any moisture trapped inside to evaporate. The breathable polypropylene sides help prevent mold and mildew and it has a zippered panel so you can access the RV if you need to. The thing I really like about this cover is its ability to block out 99.8 % of the sun’s UV rays on the all-important roof area. The custom-fit covers have a better fit because they match the contours of your RV, but I was quite pleased with the strap and buckle attachments that seemed to customize the fit of this universal-fit cover. My universal-fit cover offers a 2 year manufacturer warranty. Custom-fit covers are available in 3, 4, and 5 year warranties depending on the material you choose.
Dollars & Sense
The last consideration was cost. Regardless of the RV cover you choose, it will by far be the most cost-effective solution for protecting your investment. The universal-fit cover was a fraction of the cost I was planning to spend on an overhead shelter, making it a great value for the money.
The bottom line: covering your RV and your RV tires will protect your investment for years to come, and the most cost-effective, least expensive way to do it is with ADCO RV and tire covers.
Happy Camping,
Mark J. Polk
Founder of RVEducation101
