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Old 01-18-2015, 04:56 PM   #1
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Advice on Trailer Cover - needed & brands?

We'll be picking up our 15A in March 2015 and wonder what advice others have on need for a trailer cover. Does it help short-term during spring-fall camping season to protect surface from sun? Is it helpful to cover trailer through couple months of winter? If one is advised to get cover, any suggestions about type and brand, and where to get one?
Thanks for any thoughts on this.
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Old 01-18-2015, 05:15 PM   #2
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Sun? In Seattle?
Here in the rain forest I think the best protection is a good coat of wax.
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Old 01-18-2015, 05:45 PM   #3
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I cover when it'll be parked for a month or so, keeps it clean, but then I'm not in the PNW. I believe Calmark makes the best, at least that I know of.
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Old 01-18-2015, 05:49 PM   #4
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Any suggestions on best wax?

A good wax makes sense to keep fiberglass looking good. Any brand recommendation? And as for sun, yeah, we do get in it summer in NE Seattle - 2014 was a record year.
Thanks.
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:06 PM   #5
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I forget what I used last time I waxed it, but I wash it frequently with Simonize Wash 'n' Wax.
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:14 PM   #6
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I'm following this thread closely- my debate is uncovered storage at a secured RV storage lot (most likely using a fitted cover), or pony up for covered storage with an electrical hook-up. Either way, I'll keep it waxed.
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:17 PM   #7
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I find if you cover it you tend to use it less, IMHO. One reason I went with fiberglass is it's ability to handle the elements and like a car, a coat of wax makes it new again.
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:23 PM   #8
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Get a cover and you have one more thing to maintain.
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:47 PM   #9
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We have the last cover ETI had for a 15 ( don't know the brand ) , they stopped selling them . We cover the trailer after Hallowe'en and remove it in March . It gets a coat of wax before we cover it , and it nice and clean when the cover comes off - coarse it gets dirty really quickly because we always get messy weather in March and April .
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:53 PM   #10
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How much maintenance is there to a cover, absolutely none.
Been using a cover for 9 years, not once has it caused me to not use the trailer when I felt like it. Takes maybe 15 minutes to put it on or take it off once you learn to do it the same every time.
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Old 01-18-2015, 07:00 PM   #11
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I just ordered a CalMark for my 21. Cost is $680 for cover and $85 to ship from California to Virginia. Talked to real nice guy there who told me it's all made in USA including military grade straps and zipper. I had one for my Casita and used it for six years. It was still good when I gave it to the new owner.
What I find is it saves me a lot of cleaning the camper effort. There's a lot of crud in the air that collects quick on a camper.
I developed a process of putting the cover on and off my Casita that made it hassle free. I used two ladders and my wife's help. We kind of bundled the cover at the front of the camper, grabbed a leading corner each and pulled it up and over. It was a good process and so I didn't resist using it.
Anyway, it worked well enough for me that I had no second thoughts about ordering another which cost just a bit more than the one for my Casita six years ago. It is due for delivery in mid February so there is a waiting period.

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Old 01-18-2015, 07:05 PM   #12
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I have had good results with this cover over past two years. http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...html#post34212 easy to put on and take off. Keeps the trailer nice and clean and protects it from the elements.
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Old 01-18-2015, 07:05 PM   #13
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Wow, no wonder it's considered the best.
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Old 01-18-2015, 07:22 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by 2KC Seattle View Post
A good wax makes sense to keep fiberglass looking good. Any brand recommendation? And as for sun, yeah, we do get in it summer in NE Seattle - 2014 was a record year.
Thanks.
I'd recommend this:

Premium Marine Polish with PTEF

It's excellent, and you only have to do it once a year to keep the gelcoat looking new. You can also hit the graphics with it, and it will preserve the color -- unlike a wax. Side by side, StarBrite has the same or better gloss level as premium wax does. And, it's easier to apply.

303 is also good, although you won't get the gloss on gelcoat that you will using Starbrite.
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Old 01-18-2015, 07:24 PM   #15
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We got an Expedition cover on eBay for our 21. The cost was $199 with free shipping. We put it on in November for the winter. There are zippers on all the corners so it took about 5 minutes to bring it over the top, leading it with a piece of rope. The install was a lot easier than we expected. Even with the winter tie down, it took less than 30 minutes. It'll come off in the spring.

We were going to do a Calmark, but I've had trouble with mice eating the pool covers when they're stored, I decide to go with the cheaper alternative.
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Old 01-18-2015, 07:29 PM   #16
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We got an Expedition cover on eBay for our 21. The cost was $199 with free shipping. We put it on in November for the winter. There are zippers on all the corners so it took about 5 minutes to bring it over the top, leading it with a piece of rope. The install was a lot easier than we expected. Even with the winter tie down, it took less than 30 minutes. It'll come off in the spring.

We were going to do a Calmark, but I've had trouble with mice eating the pool covers when they're stored, I decide to go with the cheaper alternative.
What size did you get? Do you have front storage?
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Old 01-18-2015, 07:33 PM   #17
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As for polish, I've used the Premium Marine Polish with PTEF and liked it. Easy to use. But, I'm now using 3M Marine liquid wax. You need to keep this product off your skin though. I have read good reviews from boat owners who use it and I figure anything that 3M makes is likely to be a good product. It appears to be holding up well but for the long term I have no real world proof.

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Old 01-18-2015, 11:17 PM   #18
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First I wondered why the typo in the title, then I read this:
Quote:
"PTEF® is Star brite's registered trademark name for polytetraflouroethylene
The generic name for polytetraflouroethylene is PTFE. First time I've heard of someone trademarking a typo.
Teflon® is the better known tradename for PTFE, from Dupont.
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Old 01-19-2015, 12:31 AM   #19
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Trailer covers/wax

Quote:
Originally Posted by John G. View Post
What I find is it saves me a lot of cleaning the camper effort. There's a lot of crud in the air that collects quick on a camper.
John
This comment really speaks to me. Each spring our previous trailer was covered by the Pacific Northwest green slime that grows on every shaded surface of our yard. Though our Escape won't have a rubber roof, the green stuff still accumulates and requires some effort to remove, especially around anything sticking out from the trailer. We can't afford monthly indoor storage and so besides using a good wax, we plan on getting a cover this fall. Great advice from all.

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Old 01-19-2015, 01:10 AM   #20
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Which brings me back to maintenance. What do you plan to do about the green slime that is growing on the trailer cover? Are you going to remove it and dry the cover prior to storing it away? Up here in the North Wet even drying my awning is a challenge.
The other question I've had, is a cover to prevent oxidation cheaper than hiring somebody to do a restoration after several years? After the cover is long worn out?
If I could, I'd store my trailer in a covered, heated garage, but that's not going to happen either unless I win a lottery with a ticket that I never purchased.
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