I want your opinion on trailer covers. I may ignore it, but I want it anyway.

Richard in Georgia · 12-08-2016, 02:41 PM

Hi, ya'll. I just took possession of an Escape 19. It wasn't locked up and nobody was looking so I guess the previous owner didn't really want it. (I am KIDDING)

I am about to ask a controversial question that will without a doubt start start arguments, name calling, heart blessing and eye rolling. Please refrain from questioning the species of a posters mother or make references to another person's political orientation.

That said - what brand of cover do you use and why. (for your CAMPER smart alec) Smug comments to the nature of "I have a garage" will result in 10 demerits and will be subject to my snarky wrath.

float5 · 12-08-2016, 02:46 PM

None. We tried one and it was so much trouble that we stopped using it. We put on a UV protectant, 303 Aerospace (can't be used with wax.)

You must have that missing 19'!

Tonny LR · 12-08-2016, 02:58 PM

I used Calmark Cover which is made of Sunbrella material. The cover is guaranteed for six years and is made to measure. It fitted the trailer well. It is pricy and will cost you around $650. This is their Website calmarkcover.com

ReagentGrade · 12-08-2016, 03:17 PM

Actually, the website is calmarkcovers.com/ (missing "s" before the .com)

kootenaigirl · 12-08-2016, 03:40 PM

Calmark cover, best out there.

cpaharley2008 · 12-08-2016, 04:17 PM

Living in Georgia I assume you want sun protection so I'd suggest one of those nets used in agriculture which allow the air but not the sun. Otherwise leave it uncovered and use it, that is what I do.

Santiago · 12-08-2016, 05:10 PM

Hello Richard,
Covers have been discussed at great length here, please search this forum for tons of useful information regarding your interest with covers.

Second ... a little southern manners would be most helpful when seeking help.

Ian G · 12-08-2016, 05:17 PM

I will NEVER use a cover on either of my trailers for 2 reasons:
1) the main reason is that any dust dirt that is on the trailer, gets under the cover or get embedded in the cover acts like sand paper, when the wind blows and moves the cover the finish is quickly damaged. Proof of this is evident on both my Boler before I painted it and my summer car which were both put away surgically clean.

2) even though they say they breath I still had mould appear with the cover on (a high quality 3 layer "breathable") I give my trailers a real good wax job before winter storage which is in an out door gravel RV storage lot.

If you want to cover them and are able to use a portable garage or shelter system

Doug2000 · 12-08-2016, 05:37 PM

I bought a 2007 Escape 17b this year, the previous owner used a cover on it. It took the shine off the Gel Coat probably from flapping in the wind. I'm going to have to spend a lot of time with a polisher next spring. I found a barn to store it in over the winter.

I would suggest taking it and having your trailer shrink wrapped at your local marina if you can't find indoor storage.

SeldomSeen · 12-08-2016, 06:07 PM

We are pretty happy with the Calmark, although Candy made a few modifications. The single drawstring around the bottom was hard to deal with, so now we can tighten it in two places. Then we added some lines that run underneath that we can quickly adjust with cord locks. We put some foam padding on the step, bumper, and the fridge vent. Last winter the step worked a hole in the cover, but Calmark provided patch material with the original order.

We only use the cover in the winter. When it comes off in the spring the trailer is clean. A few weeks on the storage lot uncovered in the summer, and its pretty ugly due to dust, exhaust, rain...

Does it sand down the gel-coat? No evidence of that yet. It's a much better cover than the one on the boat parked next to the 19! This is the 4th winter we have used it.

padlin · 12-08-2016, 06:35 PM

I've had 3, 2 of them on a non fiberglass trailer.

FWIW. I put a belly band around the Adcos as they are light and billow in the wind way too much.

Top of the line Adco Tyvek, lasted 6 winters, no roof abrasion, lightweight, easy to put on. Adco has changed their line, best I can guess is this is like the Tyvek Designer All Climate

Cheap ADCO, I screwed up when they changed their line around and got the wrong one. Piece of crap, threw it away when it fell apart during the 2nd winter. Let water and worse, dust through, allowing the wind to scour the trailer corners.

Calmark, pricey, heavy, harder to put on then the light ones, easily the best made of the 3. Only had it one year so far. No holes yet.

Richard in Georgia · 12-09-2016, 03:57 PM

Thank you all (as opposed to ya'll, which is a proper noun) for your input.

In all candor I have researched previous posts and other sites. While my opinion is anecdotal, it appears that Calmark is the prefered cover for those that use a cover. It does seem like there is compelling reasons to go commando and forgo the shield. One poster at another site said that he applied a "good polish" annually and was done with it. From some of the stories I'm concerned that my lazy self might have a zillion dollar cover all folded up and not used. A big plus living in Georgia is that one can enjoy the outdoors about 11 1/2 months. If we get a warm snap I'd hate to think spending a couple of hours peeling a cover off my camper would squash an impromptu camping trip.
CPAHarley - I'm not sure what an ag net is, but I'm going to research it. I have been lurking for some time and I see you often have a unique perspective.

Once again that all of you for taking the time to submit your wisdom. I'd truly like to ignore all of it and build a garage, but a $30,000 cover might be a bit excessive.

float5 · 12-09-2016, 04:14 PM

You could try for a nice carport.

**rbryan4** · 12-09-2016, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by float5

You could try for a nice carport.

That's what I plan to do. Some corrugated metal, some galvanized poles, both bent and straight, some hardware, and a few bags of Quikrete. I figure if I do it with a gravel pad underneath, I can complete the whole project for under $1000. If I pour a pad of course, it'll be higher.

Now I just need the new property to have the room to do it. Still looking...

cpaharley2008 · 12-09-2016, 05:01 PM

Here is a sample-
https://www.amazon.com/Alion-Home-Ga...e%2Bcover&th=1

padlin · 12-09-2016, 06:51 PM

I wanted to put up one of the carports this fall but my better half nixed the idea. Seems she's more concerned with how the house/property look, then with me having to put on and take off a soft cover.

Patandlinda · 12-09-2016, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in Georgia

Thank you all (as opposed to ya'll, which is a proper noun) for your input.

In all candor I have researched previous posts and other sites. While my opinion is anecdotal, it appears that Calmark is the prefered cover for those that use a cover. It does seem like there is compelling reasons to go commando and forgo the shield. One poster at another site said that he applied a "good polish" annually and was done with it. From some of the stories I'm concerned that my lazy self might have a zillion dollar cover all folded up and not used. A big plus living in Georgia is that one can enjoy the outdoors about 11 1/2 months. If we get a warm snap I'd hate to think spending a couple of hours peeling a cover off my camper would squash an impromptu camping trip.
CPAHarley - I'm not sure what an ag net is, but I'm going to research it. I have been lurking for some time and I see you often have a unique perspective.

Once again that all of you for taking the time to submit your wisdom. I'd truly like to ignore all of it and build a garage, but a $30,000 cover might be a bit excessive.

One more vote for Calmark . It is easier to remove , fast , then to install . Pat

float5 · 12-09-2016, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padlin

I wanted to put up one of the carports this fall but my better half nixed the idea. Seems she's more concerned with how the house/property look, then with me having to put on and take off a soft cover.

Yes, depends a great deal on where you live but there are carports and there are carports. The really good ones can cost what a garage would. You probably do not have a porte cochere in mind.

cpaharley2008 · 12-10-2016, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padlin

I wanted to put up one of the carports this fall but my better half nixed the idea. Seems she's more concerned with how the house/property look, then with me having to put on and take off a soft cover.

You can always hire a company to do this and then explain that the cost over the long haul can be eliminated with a car port.

Richard in Georgia · 12-11-2016, 08:27 AM

Due to space, finance & SWMBO demands there will NOT be an additional carport, pole barn, garage or porte cochere constructed on The Veranda House on Club Drive estate. (I must admit the porte cochere sounds a lot classier than pole barn) The UV Ag blocker thingie plus a regular application of polish sounds like a interesting way to go. Thanks to all for the input.

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