Cover for 2018 16ft Bambi Sport

[pastorwug]

Just bought it, and there are so many covers that fit a range of trailer lengths available on the interweb.
Any one know of covers made for the Bambi 16, or the best cobver for this new trailer?

Thanks!

BTW - my first post!!

[mbubbaca]

Don't cover your AS. It's in my owners manual. There can be problems everywhere the cover touches the finish.

[rmkrum]

Wind moves the fabrics, scuffs the clear coat down to the aluminum and then scuffs the metal. Problem is fabric is surprisingly abrasive, especially if dust and grit gets trapped in the fabric. Blowing sand is bad enough, trap it under fabric, and you’ve just wrapped your Airstream in wind-powered sandpaper...it will grind slowly but persist.

[pastorwug]

Thank you, I'll pass on a cover purchase.

[Dawny]

Originally Posted by mbubbaca

Don't cover your AS. It's in my owners manual. There can be problems everywhere the cover touches the finish.

I concur. I own a paint and body shop and this would be as stated just like leaving a level of grit that will scratch every time the fabric moves. They say there is a cover made for Airstreams but if that is true it seems Airstream might have the courtesy to chime in on this one especially if their manuals state not to cover. Basic physics would beg to show that it would be impossible to make a cover that would not eventually mar the finish if nothing else just by rubbing for wind movement or any other cause to allow the cover to rub the finish.

[rmkrum]

If you do need/want to cover anything from the sun or whatever, the best way is to get a frame and cover setup that does not touch whatever you are covering. So-called 'portable garages' are one example of what I'm talking about.

Note: Be doubly darn sure any shade structure like that is well anchored against wind and is capable of handling snow loading if that's an issue in your area. Sudden wind gusts are one of the easiest ways to pretty much destroy an improperly anchored shelter. Don't ask why I am intimately familiar with this issue...

[uraljohn]

If you have to store outdoors with no shelter, best thing to do is keep a good coat of wax on it. I use Nu-Finish (orange bottle, about $10.00) and Walbernize (Recommended by Airstream, big bottle about $20.00) Most Airstream dealers have it or pick up a bottle at Jackson Center. 2 or 3 times a year should keep her looking like new. Both products easy to use.

[aacreek]

Anybody have experience with Calmark Covers? I had one on my Casita for 4 years and it looked brand new when I sold it. I am sure the finish on the Airstream is different than the finish on a fiberglass trailer.

[mbubbaca]

You cannot compare Casita finishes and the impact of a cover on it and an Airstream. I too have a friend with a Casita and he covers it the outside does look pretty good when he does his" reveal" in the spring. My AS looks exactly the same. The disadvantage I see of his cover is that it is such a pain to get in and out of the trailer, he never checks it all winter. The musty, moldy smell from being undercover is pretty strong not to mention the rodent damage to his wires that he doesn't get a view of under its cover.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by aacreek

Anybody have experience with Calmark Covers? I had one on my Casita for 4 years and it looked brand new when I sold it. I am sure the finish on the Airstream is different than the finish on a fiberglass trailer.

Casita=fiberglass=gelcoat. Gel is NOT the coating that Alcoa applies on the panels that AS uses.

I've covered all our fiberglass boats with no problems. Minor blemishes can be polished.

Bob
🇺🇸

[aacreek]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Casita=fiberglass=gelcoat. Gel is NOT the coating that Alcoa applies on the panels that AS uses.



I've covered all our fiberglass boats with no problems. Minor blemishes can be polished.



Bob

[emoji631]

Awesome, thanks for the information.

[pastorwug]

Lots of good information folks - thanks!