Visit our Popular Forums

searcher · 01-25-2009, 06:27 PM

What are the pros and cons of covering your AS with a tyvec type cover ?

Steve

Journalist · 01-25-2009, 06:38 PM

I'm anxious to see how everyone weighs in on this. I have lots of trees in my yard that leave a nice layer of black goo on the AS which is a real pain to clean off. It would be nice to not have the headache of cleaning that off every few weeks. I've heard all the warnings about it scratching, but I'm planning to polish it. If I have to repolish a few spots more often, it won't kill me.

Sixty3TW4US · 01-25-2009, 06:40 PM

what is a tyvec type cover? me no no!

Journalist · 01-25-2009, 06:44 PM

Tyvek is a material made by dupont that's used for all sorts of things.
DuPontâ„¢ TyvekÂ® Home Page

Guido · 01-25-2009, 08:02 PM

Don't do it. The cover can wear off the plasticoat on the outer skin, or leave black streaks everywhere it touches.

**moosetags** · 01-25-2009, 08:15 PM

I would not cover my Airstream. A cover would tend to trap moisture under it, and when blown by the wind it could cause abrasion that could wear off the clearcoat.

Brian

ROBERT CROSS · 01-26-2009, 10:36 AM

IMHO

Would never cover with anything but a secure structure. Here on Lake Erie the wind would cause more damage than the cover prevented.
Plus I'm afraid most any cover would freeze solid during our Winters. Moisture would never have the opportunity too evaporate.

searcher · 01-26-2009, 11:31 AM

Thanks to all for the replys. I knew there was some reason no to cover. What is that white stuff covering your AS ? It looks like SNOW.

Journalist · 01-26-2009, 01:02 PM

So far none of these arguments are even remotely keeping me from wanting to cover mine. Tyvek doesn't hold moisture. I have a Tyvek cover on one of my cars that works great. It WON'T wear through the clearcoat. A big canvas cover or a cheap tarp might do that, but with a quality lightweight cover, that's an old wives tale. Tyvek does wear out and will need to be replaced periodically. I replace the one on the car roughly once a year. It's been sitting outdoors under a series of covers for five years and the paint still looks as good as the day I sprayed it on there. Besides, this summer, that clearcoat is coming off the AS in favor of polishing anyway. The secret to not screwing up a finish with a cover is to always wash the trailer before you cover it, even if it looks clean already. If you live in a really dusty or really windy area, I wouldn't recomment covering it. Otherwise, I say go for it.

Utahgoldrup · 01-26-2009, 01:08 PM

We covered our first Airstream as we bought it new, always washed it first and used a Tyvek cover, never had a problem with the clearcoat or any wear to the trailer in the 4 years we had it. We chose not to cover the Airstream we have now as the clearcoat needs replacing and we didn't think it would help/hurt to leave it uncovered. Has anyone had problems with the sun/elements wearing out the seals faster by not covering it? Seals around the AC, Fan's, skylights, etc? We live in Utah where we get snow in the winter and a lot of sun in the summer.

Diesel1 · 01-26-2009, 02:10 PM

Somebody covered mine and left it in the wind. The top is black and looks Horible. I would never cover an Airstream if it is parked where the wind blows. Adios, John

Aria · 01-26-2009, 03:55 PM

Great Spring, Summer, Fall.....Winter, we need to rake off the SNOW>

pilgrim · 01-26-2009, 05:17 PM

When I asked the AS salesman about covering an AS, he was very adamant with his negative answer. "Absolutely not!", we were told. Since purchasing it, we found an old lumber yard that has been converted inside, our outside under cover or outside storage of boats, cars and RVs. I store my AS there, inside, out of the elements (I only wish it were heated). I pay a charge per foot for inside storage and by paying for 11 months, I get the 12th month at no charge. I feel the price is inexpensive for inside storage. It is a new facility (I got in their second year) and I understand the prices have been going up ever since I got in - I expect to pay more when my first year is up. I prefer that to placing a cover directly onto the trailer. How will it be attached? That is often a problem area - with scratching or scraping over time. In this case, I defer to what the salesman told me - I would NOT cover my AS.

Mikethefixit · 01-26-2009, 05:20 PM

Searcher U have made a wise decision. NEVER NEVER COVER and AIRSTREAM With anything.
Some pple will be back posting in the spring WHAT DO I DO WITH THESE SPOTS IN MY CLEARCOAT?. ANY movement of any fabric on the clearcoat will leave scratch marks that cannot be polished out.
Only covers acceptable are like the one ARIA has or a building.
Just my 2 cents. Some of us have all kinds of money to replace the clearcoat,and U will do what u want too No matter what the best advise is.

ROBERT CROSS · 01-27-2009, 05:39 AM

What Roger said....

boatdoc · 01-27-2009, 06:19 AM

Hi Steve;
My 26' Argosy is painted with Pettit Marine Epoxy paint, but I would never cover it with anything other than carport. Plastics or vinyls especially can damage the finish with the help of the wind. Vinyl or plastic will lock in the moisture. After reviewing available carports I have decided to build my own. Just finished welding 1.5" x1.5" SS "A" frames and horizontal connectors. Have 20 pc of painted both sides 0.042" aluminum sheeting. Shelter will be 11' X 31' X 12" at the peak of the A frame. As soon as weather permits I will drill ten 6" X 30" holes for foundation and erect the shelter. Thanks, "Boatdoc"

Inland RV Center, In · 01-27-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatdoc

Hi Steve;
My 26' Argosy is painted with Pettit Marine Epoxy paint, but I would never cover it with anything other than carport. Plastics or vinyls especially can damage the finish with the help of the wind. Vinyl or plastic will lock in the moisture. After reviewing available carports I have decided to build my own. Just finished welding 1.5" x1.5" SS "A" frames and horizontal connectors. Have 20 pc of painted both sides 0.042" aluminum sheeting. Shelter will be 11' X 31' X 12" at the peak of the A frame. As soon as weather permits I will drill ten 6" X 30" holes for foundation and erect the shelter. Thanks, "Boatdoc"

That's not a cover, but it is a "castle".

Andy

Journalist · 01-27-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilgrim

When I asked the AS salesman about covering an AS, he was very adamant with his negative answer. "Absolutely not!", we were told.

Next time you are at your dealership, ask the nearest saleman how many Airstreams he owns.

Gene · 01-27-2009, 06:19 PM

We looked into covers and canopies. Canopies (any structure with some sort of side and top) can be very expensive or cheap. We thought about building a pole barn. Didn't do it, after all it's easier not to. From time time we use snow as a cover.

I understand certain materials can be used for covering and are not abrasive. I believe one called Technalon is supposed to be ok. The point about washing is well taken, but then wipe down with something very soft to get all dust off. A cover could be stalked down to prevent flapping and keep dust from getting under it.

There is a poll showing 85% of Airstream owners leave it out in the elements.

Last Fall there was a thread on canopies: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ight=technalon

Gene

Tinsel Loaf · 01-27-2009, 06:30 PM

I restored a Jaguar mark 1 about 25 years ago. When finished with the paint job I broke my back and after several months in hospital I was able to just cover it with sheets and a waterproof cover. After the winter winds I was suprised to find that the paint was gone down to the undercoat. I learned never to cover anthing you want to keep even with thick sheets to prevent scratches.