Does a cover actually damage the exterior?

[n2916s]

Well, the conventional wisdom to not use a cover dates back to when new airstreams were protected by a spray on product called “Plastikote”. It was soft and generally only lasted about ten years before needling to be recoated. Nowadays the trailers are created out of aluminum that is precoated at the aluminum foundry so the coating is much more durable.

Does that mean a cover is okay? I honestly don’t know but, if your owners manual says not to use a cover, I wouldn’t simply because if you do have skin damage, Airstream is likely not to be keen on covering it under warranty.

[ktmkirby]

Originally Posted by nryn

I wonder why they don’t shrink wrap RVs the way they do boats. That shrinkwrap is not going to move against the side of the RV; I’d imagine boat owners are just as (if not more) fussy about the finish on their boats.

Was just thinking about this as I saw a shrinkwrapped boat pass me on the Interstate the other day. I have covered storage, so if someone wants to try it, please report back

I shrank wrapped the roof of mine during renovations and it worked fine. Not sure it's required now that it's done. I'm not really concerned about the winter months anyway. It's spring, summer, and fall when my neighbours Crimson Maple craps all over my roof and stains the heck out of it that concerns me!

[StuartsDad]

I have used a Calmark custom made cover on my 28' AS for the past two years with no issues. It fits like a glove, so no wind flapping. This was the only cover I considered using. I was not going to chance using a generic RV cover for fear of damage. I don't have to protect against snow/ice or tree debris. I protect from intense sun, dust, bird (seagull) crap. I make sure the AS is clean before I cover it, then it is clean when I uncover it. Would I prefer a RV garage or carport, yes, but no room. Inside storage in my area was not available, so for us, it was try outside storage with a cover or not get the AS.

[pbnjsellers]

This may be a little "out there" - but would it work to step the cover away from the AS, maybe with strategically placed pool noodles or soft pads? We have been wondering the same thing about our Squarestream, which is outdoors for Pennsylvania winters. Each year so far it gets quite covered with tree ick etc., and is a bear to hand-wash clean - and as we get more mature, the washing is less of a good idea . . . so we have been considering a fitted cover, but wonder if anyone has had success in keeping the cover from rubbing?

[cricket]

Not knowing your finances and I do know about the extreme weather in Michigan, there’s a number of permanent covers that can be put up to park a trailer under. I have a cover that I purchased for 2300 that I park my ‘52 flying cloud under. Just to be safe I check it during the course of the winter and don’t let too much snow buildup on top.

[Riccamper]

How high is the carport shown?

[Msherw]

A tent or metal shelter is the only thing that will not scratch the AS skin or allow the moisture to enter the Airstream. Be careful choosing a cover and know your weather location.

[new2trailer]

Moisture can be a problem in wetter climates. It keeps the water from escaping. If you're in a dry climate moisture retention is not a problem. Stuarts Dad is in CA and that is probably why he hasn't had many problems with rot etc.

On an earlier RV purchase, I ran into some RV's that were ruined by the cover.
The interior was covered in mold and some of the wood was already soft from the water.

If you choose to cover it make sure it isn't water tight.

Mike

[thiel]

Lots of airstreamers have rigs that have spent decades out in northern climes without a cover, but I know how you feel.

For my part I am convinced (without ZERO data to support my belief!) that the more I cover/heat/cozify my trailer over winter then the more attractive it will be to rodents. Instead, I think (again, without any real basis!) that having the trailer sit, inert, cold, and out in the open, is the best method of storage to avoid pests.

All that said, my (current) trailer is only a few years old. I wonder if others have longer term experience on this front?

[suncoasteng]

It all depends on what your definition of "damage" is
Wax the exterior every 6 months and keep a dehumidifier going inside
Some might decide that was OK,,,,if not buy a garage or rent covered parking

[BobnGayl]

I appreciate everyone responding to this question. In the weeks since I originally posted the question we have checked many places looking for decent, affordable indoor storage without much luck. Many suggested not covering the trailer at all, but we store it under pine and oak trees and these are pretty bad in term of sap, leaves, acorns, etc. At this point we are leaning towards a custom fitted cover - probably Calmark as "StuartsDad" suggested. I think that if it fits tightly and the trailer is not in a lot of wind, it should work fine.

I do have a question - how difficult is it to put the cover on and take it off? We had an ADCO cover for our previous SOB and to put it on I just went up on the roof and pulled it into position. I'm not sure this is a good idea with the Airstream though since it's rounded, and has a lot of stuff up there including two AC units and solar panels. Any input on the best approach is welcome.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by BobnGayl

I appreciate everyone responding to this question. In the weeks since I originally posted the question we have checked many places looking for decent, affordable indoor storage without much luck. Many suggested not covering the trailer at all, but we store it under pine and oak trees and these are pretty bad in term of sap, leaves, acorns, etc. At this point we are leaning towards a custom fitted cover - probably Calmark as "StuartsDad" suggested. I think that if it fits tightly and the trailer is not in a lot of wind, it should work fine.

I do have a question - how difficult is it to put the cover on and take it off? We had an ADCO cover for our previous SOB and to put it on I just went up on the roof and pulled it into position. I'm not sure this is a good idea with the Airstream though since it's rounded, and has a lot of stuff up there including two AC units and solar panels. Any input on the best approach is welcome.

Hi

The skin panels on the roof of an Airstream will not support a person's weight if they walk on them. You need to walk on the points that are fastened to the internal support structure. You can spot this by the rows of rivets attaching the panels to the supports.

Same basic issue applies to getting up on an Airstream or getting down. Your ladder can't be supported by just a panel (if it's an extension ladder). With a step ladder, you can have a pretty big first step from the ladder to a reasonably flat area on the trailer.

None of this is impossible to deal with. Folks do it all the time and both they and the trailer survive the event You simply need to be careful.

If you watch the guys at JC play on the roof, they have a very fancy OSHA approved harness and safety rope setup. I suppose you could do that at home ... I doubt that anybody does.

Bob

[DaveP]

Hi BobnGayl,

We have a 28 foot Classic. We have two tall step ladders. We roll-up the cover up length-wise on the ground and then unroll it onto the trailer with a ladder/person on each side. We work our way down the sides of the trailer and move the ladders a few feet at a time. That way, we do not have to walk on the roof and can work it over the various obstacles (like the A/C). It is pretty easy and fast.

[StuartsDad]

We do similar to Dave P. I roll the cover on to a 2" x 6' piece of PVC pipe to act as a spool. I make the roll about 5' wide. I then slide a 1-1/2" x 10' piece of PVC pipe through it (long enough to extend past the width of trailer). Then I slipped a 90 degree elbow on each end of the 10' pipe and cut two 8' pieces of 1-1/2" PVC as a down tube for each side. This allowed wife and I to walk the spool down the middle of the roof without using ladders. Two ladders and two people also works well. Lately I have been doing it myself with just one ladder. Put spool over shoulder, step up ladder, lay spool over roof where white roof starts, then just unroll from one side, moving ladder as I go.

I bought the cheapest plastic flower pot I could find that was large enough to cover the mushroom TV antenna. Cut the bottom off so it is just a little higher than antenna. Put foam pipe insulation on top and bottom where it touches roof and cover. I use pieces of pool noodles to cover refrigerator vent heat shield on roof, stove fan vent on side, and other sharp edges. Probably sounds like a real PITA, but it's not.