Just about everyone’s RV has to go into storage sooner or later. At that point, rigs may become exposed to all sorts of elements causing damage while they’re unattended. The simplest and most effective way to keep your RV safe is by using RV covers.
Here’s everything you need to know about camper covers from how to choose one to how to use one.
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The Best RV Covers
Not sure which RV cover to buy? Our favorite brands are listed below. Choose from this list and you really can’t go wrong.
ADCO
ADCO manufactures both universal and custom-fit covers for RVs. They use various fabrics that stand the rigors of the outdoors.
While all of their products are high-quality, we especially like the Designer series of covers for Class A motorhomes, which features a slipstream strapping system to ensure the cover is nice and tight. It also has a light-reflecting top panel to keep your rig doubly protected against UV rays and keep the interior from heating up. (Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they look cool, too!)
Eevelle
A well-designed set of covers featuring endurance roof straps and heavier-duty side wall panel construction, Eevelle’s S2 Expedition Class A motorhome covers are both breathable and protective. Entry points are accessible via zippered portals. Non-scratch zippers mean you don’t have to worry about scratching your rig’s finish when you’re going in and out.
Eevelle also carries the Goldline series of Class A motorhome covers, the only RV covers on the market made from the super-durable 300D polyester material. They come in tan and gray and are available in sizes from 28 feet to 46 feet.
CarsCover
A Class B motorhome is, in many ways, closer to a car than it is to an RV. Its size and shape are much more like a street vehicle than like a Class A rig.
CarsCover offers waterproof, weatherproof covers built for Class B motorhomes, high-top conversion vans, Sprinter vans, and other sleeper vans of up to 24 feet in length. A rear cinching system keeps the cover in place, and zippered panels allow you to easily access the van’s doors if you need to get inside while it’s in storage.
North East Harbor
A high-quality RV cover doesn’t have to be expensive! North East Harbor makes a Class B motorhome cover that costs less than $150 (at the time of this writing). It offers all-weather protection and breathability as well as zippered access to your rig. This cover is built to fit rigs of up to 20 feet in length, 7 feet in width, and 8 feet in height — so if you’ve got a high-top conversion van, it might not be right for you.
RV Masking
RV Masking offers an upgraded line of Class C covers that include six layers of fabric to help ensure your baby is safe and sound. These motorhome covers protect against rain, debris, UV rays, and more. The six air vents on either side prevent the cover from billowing and also keep moisture from developing against your RV’s finish.
Rollable zippered doors make it easy to access the RV’s interior and engine. Thick handles at the corners make installation a cinch. The product even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee as well as a three-year replacement warranty, so you don’t have to worry about what ifs.
What to Look for in Camper Covers
As with most products, more expensive covers offer far more than cheaper counterparts. Deciding which cover to purchase is a game of trade-offs.
Here are some key factors to consider before making your purchase:
Size
Nearly all RV trailer covers prominently state what size RVs they fit on the packaging or in the product description. However, we recommend you measure the RV yourself before purchasing rather than relying on registration manuals.
How Many Layers?
Most RV covers are made of polypropylene fabric or polyester, and some have double or even triple layers for durability. When selecting RV covers, think about where you’ll be keeping your RV when it’s not in use. Some RV covers are best for dust and debris while others are made for extreme weather.
If you’ll be keeping your RV in a garage during the offseason, a cover made for dust may be enough. If you’ll be keeping it outdoors in extreme weather like snow or rain, you may need an all-weather cover. You may also want to make sure you’re selecting an RV cover that provides additional protection from the sun. If you’re not sure which to purchase, you are likely safe with an all-weather RV cover.
Extra Protection
When reading up on the specs for an RV trailer cover, see if they include UV or water repellents. The latter is especially important in allowing water to evaporate, rather than seeping through the cover and causing mold or mildew.
Extra Features
Other common features include tie-down straps that wrap around the underside of an RV to secure the cover. Quality covers include vents to keep them from billowing in the wind and trapping air resistance that may eventually create tears. Some also feature zippered sections to allow access to the doors and compartments without removing the cover completely. This is convenient for loading the vehicle without going through the hassle of removing the cover, but it isn’t a necessary part of a good cover.
Custom Size Covers
For a higher price, owners can order custom covers to fit the exact size of their RV. There are a few benefits to this option that may make the extra cost worth it for some buyers. Due to their tight fit, custom covers will be less affected by wind, and are generally made from stronger materials. These will require fewer or no tie-downs in comparison to the generic universal fits. Some covers even feature elasticized portions to help universal sizes fit specific trailers and RVs with more precision and less billowing.
Price
Pricing for RV covers depends not only on the features included but also on the size. While covers for smaller trailers and campers may cost as low as $80, owners will generally have to pay upwards of $200 to purchase a cover for anything substantial in size.
How to Use Motorhome and Travel Trailer Covers
Once you have an RV cover – how do you use it? Here are a few tips:
- Before you start, clean your RV thoroughly. Any dirt, dust, or debris can get caught under the cover and can scratch your paint
- Get a friend to help when you’re ready to cover it. You’ll be climbing on your rig, and it helps to have someone on the ground as well.
- Take the cover out of the box and spread it flat. Unclip any hooks, open all zippers, and look at it before trying to put it on. Get an idea of where everything will go and how it will be fastened
- If you are climbing on your roof to put your cover over it, be safe! Make sure you have good footing and that your RV can handle your weight on the roof
- Make sure the cover is tightly secured so it doesn’t come loose during strong winds or weather
- Don’t forget to cover the tires and wheels as well.
Why Use RV Covers?
Wondering why you should buy an RV cover at all? These handy RV accessories actually do a lot of good. Below are some of the many things RV covers can do to protect your RV.
Sun Protection
An RV that sits in the sun without protection is going to fade quickly. Often, sunlight causes decals to peel, and the lovely shine that your RV has when new will be lost pretty quickly.
Wind Protection
If you live in an especially windy area, and especially if you will be parking the RV where there aren’t many buildings to block the wind, wind damage is possible. Typically this damage is limited to a vent cover or outdoor light fixture being broken. Both are simple to fix, but it’s always better to avoid these problems if possible.
Protection Against Water
Most RV owners are well aware that even a small amount of water can cause big problems in an RV. It’s a good idea to keep as much water off the top and sides of your rig as possible.
Obviously, a cover isn’t the only solution to these problems. Some people choose to park their rigs under a specially built-structure to shade them from the sun, wind, and rain. Others save their paint and shine by ensuring the RV is waxed frequently. However, a cover is the best answer for many problems, and might be the right choice for you too.
Sap, Bird Droppings, and Other Hazards
Nobody wants to wash sap, bird droppings, and other stubborn sticky things off the top and sides of their rig. Unfortunately, that’s just what many RV owners find themselves doing when spring rolls around.
A good RV cover can protect against all of these things, keeping your RV safe and sound when it’s not in use!
Do RV Covers Cause Damage?
This is a big question we hear often — because if there’s mold or mildew build-up under your RV cover, it actually defeats the purpose of using an RV cover in the first place. (The point, after all, is to avoid damage!)
And the fact is, an RV cover can cause mold, but only if it’s not well-ventilated or left unchecked for months and months on end. We recommend taking your RV cover off at least once a month or so, and also choosing a cover from a reliable manufacturer who builds in ventilation panels to help circumvent this problem. The covers listed in this post all feature breathable fabrics and ventilation solutions, but be sure to check the details on breathability for whatever cover you’re interested in.
At this point, you know pretty much everything there is to know about RV covers. Which one will you buy to protect your RV between adventures?
