The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your RV: Why Covers Are Essential for Longevity

Owning an RV is a great investment, and like all great investments, it requires being taken care of. Whether one is an adventurous person who hits the road each and every weekend or a full-time road warrior, protecting the RV when not in use is paramount for preserving its condition and longevity. Perhaps one of the best ways of protecting your RV is by covering it. Why would anyone want to cover his or her RV? Let's get that below.

1. Protection from Environmental Elements

Sun Damage
The sun is perhaps the most serious attacker of your RV's exterior surface. In fact, continuous exposure to UV rays can make paints fade, decals crack, and rubber seals deteriorate. Eventually, this may lead to costly repairs down the road. A cover acts like a physical barrier to block the pernicious UV rays, thus preventing the sun from causing any damage to your RV's roof, sides, and windows.

Rain and Moisture
One of the more universal RV owner frustrations has to do with water damage. The tiniest leak can mean mold, mildew, or rust; all three are very quick to spread and become unmanageable. By covering your RV, you will protect your investment against rainwater working its way into seams around windows and other places where water damage could be a problem.

Snow and Ice
Living in areas where the winters are harsh exposes your RV to snow and ice that can wreak havoc on it. For one thing, snow piles up on the roof and creates structural stress, especially due to freeze-thaw cycles. In addition, ice may form in cracks and create leaks. A durable RV cover can help to prevent this buildup of snow and ice, mitigating possible roof damage or leaks.

Wind and Dust
This can be carried by wind, which can carry dirt, dust, and debris that scratched the surface of your RV. With time, the scratches wear off the paint to expose the surface to rust. Extra layer of protection for defense is provided by the cover, freeing the RV from dust and debris damages.

2. Extends Your RV's Life

Protection of the Exterior
Your RV's exterior will always be exposed to the elements, and without proper protection, it will show signs of wear well before its normal time. The paint, decals, and fiberglass are protected from the effects of fading and cracking, while corrosion and rust are kept off the metal parts. This adds to the life span of your RV's exterior.

Roof Integrity
Your RV's roof is generally more susceptible to a number of elements: mainly UV rays, water, and debris. These elements, over time, can let in leaks that can be very expensive to repair. A good-quality cover will protect the roof from these elements and save you from such costly repairs. This will help keep your roof in great condition.

Interior Protection
It doesn't just destroy the exterior of your RV; it may also ruin the interior. UV can cause faded upholstery, flooring, and dashboard material. Inside temperature fluctuations can also destroy electronics and appliances. The cover works to keep the interior temperature regulated and the interior sun damage on your RV at bay.

3. Cost-Effectiveness

Prevent Costly Repairs
Water damage, roof leaks, and sun-damaged paint may easily run into the thousands of dollars in repair cost. An RV cover costs typically in the range of $200 to $500, a small price to pay compared to the potential repair bills. Save your money for more important things by preventing damage before it happens.

Increased Resale Value
This will be important if you ever decide to resell your RV, as a well-cared-for vehicle without any fading, leaks, or other damage will sell faster and for a better price. Quality covers will protect the cosmetic and functional integrity of your RV, preserving its value over time.

4. Convenience and Ease of Use

Easy to Install and Remove
The modern RV covers are made for convenience. Most come with adjustable straps, zippers, and elastic hems that make installation and removal fast and easy. You won't have to wrestle with some heavy tarp that is difficult to handle or work out how to get the cover in place.

Custom-Fit Options
Many come in custom-fit varieties for your make and model. These covers will fit much better and protect your investment against the elements while leaving no part of your RV exposed to the weather.

Storage Considerations
When not in use, these covers fold easily and store in a garage or storage compartment. Since they are lightweight and do not take up much space, this makes it practical for protection all year round.

5. Types of RV Covers

There are a number of different types of RV covers on the market; each is designed to provide very specific benefits, including:

Material Options
The common materials used for RV covers are polyester, polypropylene, and other tough, weather-resistant fabrics. Make sure the covers are UV-resistant and waterproof-the kind giving maximum protection from both sunlight and rain. Breathable fabrics will allow moisture to escape without allowing mold and mildew to proliferate under the cover.

All-Season vs. Specialized Covers
All-season covers are great to give protection throughout the year; it provides UV, rain, wind, and snow protection in one product. You can buy each for specific conditions in respective regions, whether you have winter storage or extreme sun protection at the location you will be driving your RV to.

6. Common Misconceptions About RV Covers

"Covers Cause Mold or Mildew"
Some owners also believe that covers can trap moisture inside the caravan, leading to mold or mildew. However, the advance in the design of modern covers ensures that breathable fabric allows moistures to evaporate. The key is making sure the cover properly fits over the RV and that the RV is dry before covering it.

"Covers Are Too Expensive"
Considering the cost of repairs for water damage, sun damage, or roof leaks, a good cover is a very minor investment. A cover pays for itself over time as it helps avoid costly repairs.

"Covers Are Difficult to Use"
Thanks to modern design, RV covers are now easier than ever to deal with. Adjustable straps, zippers and elastic hems line up for a fast and simple installation and removal. Many covers also have zippered access panels that allow you to enter your RV without having to completely remove the cover.

7. Other Options Besides Using RV Covers

Of course, RV covers are an excellent protection option, but there are other ways to go about it:

Indoor Storage: The best-case scenario for storage would be indoors, such as in a garage or covered facility, but this is very expensive or impossible to do for most people.
RV Carports: A carport provides protection from above but does not completely protect your RV from the elements.
Waxing and Sealing: Waxing or sealing on a routine basis can help to protect your RV against UV rays and moisture; however, this does involve fairly frequent maintenance and is not as effective as covering the vehicle.