Trailer Covers Pluses & Minuses

heyskipper · 02-25-2003, 04:41 PM

Hi Everyone

We are debating the pluses and minuses of obtaining a more expensive covered storage location for our A/S, or buying a trailer cover for it.

I have been looking at the ‘CalMark’ covers that are advertised in Trailer Life. But I have a concern about wind blowing the cover around and scratching the surface of the Safari (although the advertising claims otherwise).

There is a big difference in price though, $300 plus for cover, versus $125+ a month for covered storage.

May I ask what others are doing regarding covers, including good and bad experiences?

Your experience and thoughts would be appreciated.

Take Care,

Carl & Cheryl Jackson
Montgomery, TX

Rickk48 · 02-25-2003, 07:27 PM

I am seeking covered storage. All I have read, and many people on this Forum, recommend against putting an RV cover on an Airstream.

Silvertwinkie · 02-25-2003, 08:27 PM

I was wondering the same thing. I just picked up my '03 Bambi and got Airstreamitus. I've been all over the web looking for something to keep it covered from bird bombs!

Eric

Les Gilliam · 02-25-2003, 08:41 PM

I was shopping at COSTCO today and saw a 12X20 (rounded) portable car port. The fabric cover was supported by large PVC and looked quite stable. It looked like it would work well for a small trailer, or put 2 end to end for a larger unit. They were asking $169 for them I think.

LLB21 · 02-25-2003, 09:35 PM

I wouldn't put a cover on an Airstream. It will rub against the sides with the wind and scratch the aluminum. Indoor storage is great but expensive. I've seen those canopies that are like a carport. That may be an inexpensive way to go.

59toaster · 02-26-2003, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Les Gilliam
I was shopping at COSTCO today and saw a 12X20 (rounded) portable car port. The fabric cover was supported by large PVC and looked quite stable. It looked like it would work well for a small trailer, or put 2 end to end for a larger unit. They were asking $169 for them I think.

I have been concidering one of those. I'm wondering if it would be worth taking with me when I camp for extended time in one spot. Put some shade over the camper to keep the sun from making it a oven when I'm down in Florida. Take some of the stress off the A/C. Also keep the noise down when it's raining.

heyskipper · 02-26-2003, 09:45 AM

Owning and traveling with a portable cover that can be erected over the trailer is a good idea. But my particular challenge is storing it close to home.

We live in a subdivision that is death on anything out of the ordinary. Nice place to live, but they called me less than 24 hours after I had purchased the trailer and asked me to move it out of the driveway where I had parked it because we got home late and couldn't get into the storage lot. We signed up for that when we moved in, so no problems there. The issue is storing it in a $125 plus monthly covered storage location (probably more like $150 to $200/mo.); versus paying $45 a month for uncovered storage.

I have pretty much decided that, to preserve our investment, the trailer needs to be covered in some way, shape, or form, from the killer Texas sun when not on the road. But you folks have given me an idea, I think I will call the self-storage manager and ask permission to erect a covered shelter over the A/S. I can guess what the answer is in advance, but the answer is always no if you don't ask. Right?

Thanks for the great feedback, by the way.
Take Care,

Carl & Cheryl Jackson
Montgomery, TX

rvman02 · 03-19-2003, 09:20 AM

heyskipper,

I've seen a lot of discussion on covers on other boards. You can try a search on yahoo for trailer covers.

**jcanavera** · 03-19-2003, 10:19 AM

Hi Carl,

We also cannot store our trailer in the subdivision although no one really says anything if the trailer doesn't stay in the drive for more than 10 days. I also would nix the idea of a cover because of the abrasion issues that others have spoken of.

I have two storage locations. One is an outside site that costs me $35 monthly. The Safari lives there from April-October. In the other months I rent an inside location for $50. The key to this site is the fact that its about 50 miles south of St. Louis. The rent is much lower as you get out of town and since I'm not using the trailer at that time, the distance isn't an issue.

I also considered the portable car port issue at my summer storage location but due to the types of storms that roll through here I can't feel good about securing a portable canvas cover. All I would need is a 60 mph wind gust rip it up and start pummeling the other RV's in the lot.

Keeping your unit Walbernized and washed will do a lot in preserving its finish. I usually wash the Safari before and after each outing.

Jack

JaceBeck · 03-19-2003, 02:26 PM

Jack,
I wish I had your storage costs. Its $100/month for outside storage for me and from October to April its $250 for cold indoor storage at the MN State Fairgrounds. Adds up fast.
Jace

Silvertwinkie · 03-19-2003, 04:37 PM

Jace,

You're still lower than it is here. Thanks to my neighbors for being totally cool. Plus, me helping them with their computers all the time helps, don't give me any crap for having it in my drive. My drive goes toward the back of the lot where my detached garage is. The main reason I am still looking is that it a PITA to get stuff out of the garage!

Eric

**jcanavera** · 03-19-2003, 04:47 PM

Yow Jace!

I wouldn't have expected storage costs to be that high in the Minneapolis area. I guess its all those boats that you folks need to traverse those 10,000 lakes.

Luckily my inside storage location does not require year round payments so I'm only on the hook for 5 months there. Now the local outside storage is a different issue. Local sites dry up pretty fast so I continue to make my monthly payment even though the trailer is gone for 5 months.

On a side line we used to vacation in Minnesota every year for 2-3 weeks for about 10 years (through 1968). The resort we stayed at was sort of a ma and pa place (7 cabins). The owner was developing some of the unused area for trailers. I think they had about 3 sites (they have more today). I remember my seeing my first close up travel trailer there. It was a Shasta. One of the interesting components of the Shasta (and a trademark) were the metal wings that were mounted on each side of the trailer at the rear.

Another vivid memory was going my first state fair there with the resort owner's son when I was 15 or so. First time I had ever seen a corn dog. If I'm not wrong Hamms beer was the drink of the under 21 crowd. Have never forgotten that trip.

Jack

pjtaia · 03-21-2003, 12:16 AM

No question - a "portable", pipe and canvas "Airstream-port" is the way to go. Mine cost about $500 for both a 10' x 20' for the tow vehicle and 12' x 30' for the Overlander. This includes sides and ends. They each take about 1 hour to set up.

Look up "canopies" in the yellow pages... (You'll also find lots of recipes for canapes....)

davidz71 · 03-21-2003, 05:13 PM

I'm curious, I understand the rationale for not putting a cover on a plasticoat Airstream because cover movement can rub the finish off. Next month I start to polish and after a good seal/wax, would a cover rub the wax and moisture start staining the aluminum?