Block it up to take weight off tires, cover tires to keep from weather checking. CRACK a roof vent, put cardboard window blocks on south (sunny) side to hold down heat variances but,--------don't cover!
Boy oh Boy! I didn't realize the contraversy! Sounds like most agree that if polished a cover is a good idea otherwise that's what the clear coat does?Does everyone then agree about covering the tires from the sun during extended stays? Or is that a myth as well? A.
See these black marks on the back 1/3 our '56 Safari?
Those are rub marks from a bush - rub marks from a cover pretty much look the same, except they are usually bigger and in a swirl pattern on the edges. It is aluminum that gets abraded and the black is aluminum oxide remnants that get ground into the aluminum. If it builds up, it will add insult to injury and actually scratch the skins - especially if dirt or debris gets between the cover & the skin
The thing that comes to mind that is similar to this is in appearance is a door hinge. It abrades and leaves a very fine residue ground into the surface of the metal - usually brass and no matter if it's clean or not, it is discolored.
While not impossible, it is very difficult to remove these abrasion marks from aluminum. If it abrades enough, it burns through the Alclad and exposes the less pure aluminum underneath.
With the newer clearcoats and plasticoats - I don't know. However, I do know the results of their failing...filiform corrosion from moisture getting between the coating and the aluminum. I sure wouldn't want to have thin spots on my trailer's coating encouraging moisture entry. But if that's not a concern - go for it!
Shari
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
I won't cover mine. I don't want those ugly black swirl marks on the corners where the wind causes the cover to rub off the acrylic and then go after the aluminum.
they didn't have the a/s specific template in the 80s when i purchased a cover.
so the ac, vents, antenna and awning lumps all had to measured to fit.
each situation is different and needs vary.
with a vintage polished unit there are issues like type of polish/surface chemicals that could interact with the fabric.
clearly a poly/plastic tarp riddled with brass gromets, some bungie cords and duct tape...
would not be good.
on newer units the clearcoat should withstand the modern cover fabrics like evo 3 and 4.
mine was parked under tall pine trees. LOTS of sap and needles and mosses and tree life.
along with over sprays, acid rain and bird droppings...
while i never noticed any negative impact on the finish,
i did appreciate how nice the seals and gaskets and plastic bits looked compared to other units the same age.
also i could open a window or 2 without filling the interior with dust.
the specific cover you are considering looks like a simple woven poly which should be fine for all but ice and snow conditions...
evo 3 or 4 might be twice that price now.
cheers
2air'
as for the filiform corrison issue we are facing.
since this appears to be related to manufacture breaches IN the clearcoat and road salt exposure,
i'm not sure anything but a good poly sealant and lots of rinse water, will help us much.
__________________ all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
We covered our 1979 once! Boy, that was a mistake. We now have a 1996 that will never get covered. If you want to cover it build a cover and don't let anything touch the AS.
Maybe I can pitch in with some balance here - I think most folks let their trailers sit outside for long periods of time - unless a cover is really really tight - which I don't think you can get them that tight, you start to gather dust underneath the cover which is like sandpaper - thus is the problem - with exotic cars most of those covers are put on and off on a frequent basis so dust does not build up - or they would be a problem.
So seems to me if you are going to take the cover on and off and wash it a lot, then a cover would work, but if you are going to put a cover on and just forget it - I think you are asking for scratch marks.
What I did is built a gazillion dollar barn for my 10 dollar trailer
Ken J.
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
Today I have been in contact with Airstream Inc., Alcoa Aluminum,The Aluminum Assoc., Sunbrella,Technical Frabrics Division ,Glen Raven Custom Frabics (Sunbrella Mill) and Covercraft the maker of the custom Airstream rv cover, and haven't been told by anyone that I've talked to ( and i've talked to a lot of people today)that an Airstream can't be covered. Now these are the companies that make the Aluminum supplied to Airstream and the company that makes the fabric. Believe what you want, but most of it's based on outdated information.
So what is your view if dust gets under the cover?
Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
Yup - In New Mexico we are blessed with sand enrichment, and lots of wind - gets into everything.
Now if we could just figure out what to do with the stuff - can't grow things with it, can't burn it.......
Ken J.
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
Sand or abrasive dust could be a potential problem. If the Airstream is washed and polished before the cover goes on and assuming that you don't live in a sandy wind swept area, I don't think your going to have any problems. I don't believe a cover would be right in every area of the country but a blanket statement that your going to damage the finish by using a cover is just simply not true. Everyone has been repeating it for so long it's become an Airstream fact to most. Well a little research will tell you that it's just not true.
I think one of those metal garage type covers would be best. They are open ended so you wouldn't have to worry about trapped moisture. You wouldn't have to worry about contact rubbing. You may still get a little sun around the sides but no direct rain and no direct sunlight. Plus you can still easily access it for winterizing and those winter storm outages. If you are still concerned about weather you can upgrade for ends and sides, or buy the cheaper tarp ends. Sounds like the biggest bang for your buck at around $1500. Or something like this...
__________________
Rusty
Some days you're the windshield,
Some days you're the bug!
I contacted Airstream about using covers and this was their official response:
"Airstream does not recommend a cover. The cover can hold moisture and cause the skin to oxidize and will also scratch the finish." Dick Deardurff / Customer Relations
Dirt and grit on the Airstream will be an issue. Every time you put the cover on and take it off it will scratch. Every time the wind blows it will scratch. I prefer to keep mine waxed and uncovered.
__________________ Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
Yes, that is their "OFFICIAL "response. There is and was a non-official response also that had more to do with common sense. I think ,no matter how many times it's brought up there are going to be those that just believe it can't safely be done without some kind of damage. That's fine, Airstreams new and old are expensive and you want to protect that investment. I think ,if you have any doubts at all ,you shouldn't do it. Remember though cars that cost hundreads of thousands and have paint jobs and clear coats worth more than some Airstreams are covered and I'm sure their owners have the same concerns. What is that you think they do that's different?
Remember though cars that cost hundreads of thousands and have paint jobs and clear coats worth more than some Airstreams are covered and I'm sure their owners have the same concerns. What is that you think they do that's different?
Let me start off by saying I agree with you craftsman. But I would think that the obvious thing with cars that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars is that they are probably stored indoors as well.
I am now stongly considering getting one of the same covers you are getting. Thank you for the links crafty and 2air. My Argosy has a really nice paint job on her and I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible. Unfortunately I do not also have a roof to put over her. I think if I did however I probably wouldn't get the cover.
__________________
"IT'S A MAGICAL WORLD, HOBBES, OL' BUDDY... LET'S GO EXPLORING!" ~ CALVIN
I don't think they are much different at all other than the fact that one is steel and one is aluminum which is a much softer metal, and the fact that autos generally use a 3 step prime-paint-clearcoat process and the Airstream is just clearcoat on bare aluminium. I purchased a 2001 Miata British Racing green SE that was kept covered outside by the previous owner. The paint job was full of swirl scratches as a result which really show up on BRG paint.
__________________ Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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I vote for NO COVER
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