To tarp or not to tarp?

[gomotomoto]

I just put our airstream away for winter storage and I noticed a few other trailers have blue tarps over them. Should I put one over mine?

[polarlyse]

The common response will be " NO". We don't and all has been good. I might think along those lines though if I had to park under some messy trees but expect most responses to be a resounding NO

[CRH]

Not....unless you have a leaker with a poor exterior finish.

[paiceman]

No, our three are stored outside in Pittsburgh, PA area. I wash and wax twice a year and check the seams every year and redo as necessary. A cover will move and scratch the aluminum

[Rich W]

Ours stays outside year round. I too wash and wax twice a year, just had all the roof seams cleaned and sealed at Jackson Center. The pressure test and storm water test at JC showed no leaks. The PO of ours stored it outside as well. I've seen blue tarps flapping and moving with the wind. I'd be afraid it would scratch or cause mold to develop. At least in winter, the sun is our friend.

[Lily&Me]

Don't do it.


Maggie

[Sbb]

All the above, I am in NJ too. I have wheels up on those orange blocks, off the ground and tires have covers. I also put a five gallen bucket over the electric hitch. Everything comes out
, bedding, clothes, food etc , fridge and freezer doors propped open., all cabinets are opened and I use just under 1 million dryer sheets inside.
If we get a good amt of snow, i very very carefully use soft snow rake and get it off roof. I check once a week.

[gomotomoto]

Originally Posted by Sbb

All the above, I am in NJ too. I have wheels up on those orange blocks, off the ground and tires have covers. I also put a five gallen bucket over the electric hitch. Everything comes out
, bedding, clothes, food etc , fridge and freezer doors propped open., all cabinets are opened and I use just under 1 million dryer sheets inside.
If we get a good amt of snow, i very very carefully use soft snow rake and get it off roof. I check once a week.

Ah, didn't think of the wheels. Should I roll them onto something? Good tip with the bucket!

[JCWDCW]

If neighbors are covering their trailer in indoor storage ( you didn't specify) it is just for keeping the dust and bird poop of the trailer. Outside, Blue Tarps will flap in the wind and scrub the aluminum finish. as noted above the general consensus is NO
JCW

[Plan-B]

No! It will abraid your finish and it locks in the moisture around your trailer, worse than the abrasion.

[markdoane]

I tarp mine.

However its parked inside my daughter's barn. No wind but more than a few pigeons. Also it's not clearcoated so I don't have that to deal with.

[CA_CAJUN]

We bought an Argosy in 1977 because of Airstream's reputation for solid construction. Almost 40 years later, we have never had a leak. I never dreamed of covering it.

[Rocinante]

Best way to cover your Airstream in winter, should you wish to do so, is to park it at a covered storage place. We do that. Some folks also keep a Battery Tender+ on their batteries to keep them happy. Since we replaced the stock Parallax converter with a multi-stage Progressive Dynamics unit, we just keep the trailer plugged in to 15 amp power all winter and leave the switch in "USE".

[sroach]

Originally Posted by polarlyse

The common response will be " NO". We don't and all has been good. I might think along those lines though if I had to park under some messy trees but expect most responses to be a resounding NO

Can I ask what kind of wax you guys are using?

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by sroach

Can I ask what kind of wax you guys are using?

I use Walbernize wax.

RV Recreational Vehicle Car Auto Boat Bus Truck Wax Polish Cleaner Sealer Degreaser Tire Dressing