trailer cover

[swingplay]

I bought a cover for our 19' from Escape. I had an after thought. My understanding is that although it blocks UV, the cover is not waterproof. My concern is for protecting the solar panel and roof ducts and vents from ice and snow. I was thinking of purchasing a 6mil 12x20 polytarp to place on top first. I have some pool noodles to keep the covers from sharp edges. The tarp is just large enough to cover the roof and not the sides so windows and other side openings will remain unaffected. To ensure air circulation I'd leave a couple windows a little open and have a small heater fan just enough to take the edge off inside the unit. Good idea? Bad idea? Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

[gbaglo]

Reading forums, a poly tarp is not recommended as it scuffs the gelcoat when wind buffets it. My trailer has been outside, under a cedar tree, in North Vancouver for ten years, with no cover. It will need a good wax/polish next spring ( put my son-in-law to work ), but otherwise looks new.

[swingplay]

Yes, does look great! I looked at an escape last spring when we were looking for ours. The trailer was wintered with a cover but the vent had been leaking water to the owners surprise and caused a lot of water damage inside. Expensive. Thing was it wasn’t all that noticeable. Guess it got into the floor. We had it inspected and that’s how it showed up. So that’s my concern. I’d like to keep the roof dry somehow. Guess poly tarp may not be the best plan though. Thanks.

[skiman]

Poly tarp is definite no no. Friends painted aluminum motor home was bare aluminum after winter under one.

[swingplay]

That sounds bad. Okay. No poly tarp. Thanks.

[Ron in BC]

We live in the same rain forest We use a Camping World cover. It's still in good shape and standing up well.

It's not waterproof but it does a great job of keeping fallout off the roof. You could always put a tarp over the cover if waterproofing was the priority.

If you want to see one on a 19 you can PM me.

Ron

[swingplay]

Never thought of putting a tarp on top of the cover. I'll have to think about that one. I do have a cover purchased from escape. I looked at Camping World on line and they sell many different sizes and makes of covers. Which did you buy?

[gbaglo]

I think putting a tarp on top of the cover will trap water and accelerate deterioration of the cover. Could be wrong. Let us know.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by swingplay

I looked at Camping World on line and they sell many different sizes and makes of covers. Which did you buy?

I don't have the model number handy but it was the all climate one. It's a little large but I like it being able to completely cover the tongue.

I like that it prevents things like pitch and bird droppings from making hard to remove stains. While it doesn't stay pristine under the cover it's easy to get clean in the Spring.

I personally wouldn't cover it with a tarp because I leave a vent cracked open and it wouldn't vent well with a solid cover over it. Can't see that it would hurt anything though.

Ron