Re: [A/S] RV Cover

[openrx <openrx@xxxxxxxxx>]

i'm not aware of any cover company that makes off the shelf covers to "fit" an 
airstream.

usually those who post "not" to use them have never actually owned a cover or 
used one and are just passing along common nonsense. like saying sun screen 
doesn't help or we're all gonna die anyway so why stop smoking.

i have used a cover for more than 18 years on the same unit, so here are some 
actual user observations.

first decide why you want a cover;  is it to keep it clean between trips? 
protect it from something specific? make it less noticeable to prying eyes? are 
you worried about solar damange? and so on......different covers will give 
different results and none are equal to the perfect indoor space.

next decide how much you are willing to spend; a workable cover can be had for 
$500 while a custom fit will be $1200 or more depending on length and features.

mine was custom made to fit the exact unit, from a fabric called 'evolution 3, 
which has no doubt been upgrade by evolution 5,6,7 or 8 during the last 2 
decades.

if you store indoors but just want something to keep the dust off  or your indoor 
spot has industrial issues, any of the thin cotton or poly length-specific  
squarish covers will work. they are somewhat like parachute cloth weight, 
usually require 2 people to put on and won't do much in an out of doors setting 
unless it's covered outdoors storage. i used one of these before having a fitted 
one made.

if you store out doors and have issues like pine sap, needles, construction 
overspray/debris, lots of blowing sand, occasional light snow but no heavy snow 
or ice......then one of the water resistant custom made covers would be a better 
choice. mine was made to fit smoothly over all the edges like awnings, bumpers, 
mirrors, ac housing and so on, with zipper and velcro closures for the door and 
snugging the sides/corners and such. 

a completely water proof material isn't advised because moisture will become 
trapped under the cover and have negative consequences. the laminated 
fluromembrane material (like goretex) is the ideal material because the outer 
layers can be something soft/scratchless while the membrane breathes yet still 
repels. 

also throwing a plastic tarp over the unit and lashing it down with rope or 
bungies isn't a very good option.

but a fitted cover can be very helpful. yes, airstreams are made to live 
outdoors like cars BUT keeping the pine sap/needles off and protecting from the 
sun is useful. just compare an automobile that is garage parked  with one that is 
out doors year round, after 5 or 10 years....there are clear differences.

it isn't true that these covers scratch the finish but if the coach is dirty 
when the cover is applied the dirt can be abrasive. i have used a cover for both 
the rv and a car for nearly 20 years with no damage from the cover.....none.

it isn't true that flapping material will damage the finish...if the fit is 
correct there isn't anything flapping. it's not like the vinyl car bras which are 
abrasive when used for long periods while driving.

it isn't true that these covers don't protect. EVERYTHING that is affected by 
u.v. will last longer. the finish, the window seals,  the drainage grommets, the 
vulkum, all the rubber parts, the decals, the trim, the bump guards, the glass, 
the screens, the vent covers/skylights......everything. 

my unit looked near new after 25 years. and i mean up close in the little detail 
areas and shows no signs of damage from the cover. and no moss/algae or black 
crud can be found in the typical places around the awning or lights or ac cover. 
in addition during a time when pine tar and tree sap would have coated many 
parts AND damaged the finish and made for long cleaning times my unit was 
amazingly free of this crap. in fact during the 100+ days per year usage it came 
home dirtier that when the trips started. so i usually did the washing after and 
before being put away.

so while the inital cost was high (like an airstream) the cost over nearly 2 
decades has been pennies per day and the value has been........well, priceless.

tire covers are also useful but since nearly everyone accepts the notion that 
the world isn't flat, there is no need to explain what uv light can do to tire. 
yes rolling them helps too but covers help the tires, wheels, stems and so on.

and just so no one thinks i'm promoting a specific brand/maker i'll skip who made 
mine, but visit some of the car cover websites or rv cover sites, several can 
meet your needs if your will to pay for it and are the type of person who wants 
this feature.

cheers

openrx