As winter looms people are asking if they should get an RV cover. While there is no one answer to this, it can help protect against the damages from winter weather but the wrong cover can actually damage your RV! Here are some tips to getting the right cover that will protect your RV.

So, there are numerous reasons why some people would rather not even 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. As your RV sits for months water doesn’t rest. It is even worse if there is snow, because freezing makes water expand, and when spring comes and everything melts, it can create an even bigger problem.
It provides protection from damaging UV rays.
UV rays deteriorate plastic. Rubber, latex and calking will dry out and deteriorate. Fiberglass will oxidize and your exterior will fade, all because of UV damage. The sun, shining through a window and into the RV, will also cause your furniture to fade. Covers also protect from damage due to heat buildup, as they keep the RV cool.
It keeps your RV clean.
Covering your rig will keep it from getting dust, leaves, bird droppings, and other “dirty” stuff stuck to it.

Things to watch out for:

Some RV owners have had bad experiences with covers and would caution you against them. Some of the reasons are:

Wind ripping the cover to shreds.
Sharp edges poking through the covers including roof antennae and water down spouts.
Breaking components on the roof, that cost thousands to replace while installing the cover.
Mildew and mold build up due to ill-fitting covers that aren’t well-ventilated.

What is an RV cover?

RV covers are generally made from woven polypropylene or polyester. On the roof they often have additional layers or other materials to help with UV and water resistance. The fabrics are treated with water or UV repellant. They are also woven in such a way that they are able to breathe, so that moisture can evaporate and doesn’t get caught under the cover, where it can trap mildew.

Custom RV covers have a tighter fit, and feature vents to prevent billowing. The cover is usually secured in place beneath the RV, with some covers having zippered access to the RV's door. The better the quality, the lighter the cover will be, making it easier to handle. Custom covers are more expensive, but they provide better protection than universal fit covers.

To get the RV cover on you’ll need to climb up on the roof of the RV and that can be a deal breaker. Furthermore you’re going to have to avoid antennae, roof vents, plumbing vents and other things up there while dragging a cover around so it’s no easy task putting these on. And, the larger the RV, the larger the cover. So there are some people who absolutely won’t put a cover on their RV because of the difficulties of doing so.

Here are some things I’ve seen on forums that have been asked frequently.

Are RV covers waterproof?

Generally, yes, high-quality RV covers are waterproof. In fact, that’s one of the principal reasons for covering an RV. Along with helping you prevent water damage inside your rig, RV covers also provide protection from UV rays, bird droppings, debris from trees and plants, dust, and other potentially damaging substances.

Do RV covers cause mold

I have read this question frequently 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 on unsupervised 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. Be sure to check the details on breathability for whatever cover you’re interested in.

Do RV covers cause damage?

As mentioned above, when not used correctly, RV covers can cause damage — for instance, breaking roof components during the process of putting the cover on. I’ve also seen ill-fitting covers cause physical damage to RVs where they literally wear off paint or other things by flapping in the breeze. Make sure your RV’s cover fits snugly. If you’re patient in installing your RV cover, and ensure all excess parts (like, say, vent fans) are properly closed for storage, an RV cover shouldn’t cause damage on its own.

Are RV covers for the roof only?

No! RV covers do protect your rig’s roof, which is a serious part of your investment, to be sure. But they also guard the sides of your rig, and by virtue of protecting the exterior, they protect the interior — which, after all, is vulnerable to water damage as a direct result of exterior damages.

A few tips

I’ve also seen people having to put blocks or other items under the cover to keep water from puddling on the cover. While that may not be a problem for some, if you want to take the rig out of storage in freezing temperatures, you may find the cover has frozen to the roof. To remove it without damaging it, you’ll then need to figure out how to get hot water up to the roof to thaw the frozen cover loose. And it’s a given that if you want to remove an RV cover that’s wet, it will be a major hassle, as any RV cover is heavy but a wet one is much more so.

So what’s to be done? If you want to go for an RV cover, most recommend doing the added cost of a cover custom designed for your rig. In that way you can be assured that the cover will not block access to your door so you’ll be able to get into the rig without pulling the cover loose. Make sure you tighten the cover carefully, and make checks over the storage term: If a cover gets loose in the wind it will easily chafe the finish, and can even rub the paint off.

Alternatives to RV covers range from relatively inexpensive – be sure to give your rig a good bath and wax job before winter to help prevent finish damage – to the more spendy alternatives: Construct a “pole barn”-style RV cover that prevents rain and snow from dumping down on the rig, while less expensive than a walled structure. Others bite the bullet and pay for inside storage from a suitable storage facility.

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