Winterizing -- and the cover

[pittendrigh]

I winterized my Escape 21 a few weeks ago. It's almost automatic now.
I don't like to use pink antifreeze anywhere except the drain traps, so I use my air compressor to blow out the water lines.

So far so good. The cover is more difficult. I haven't figured out a way to put the cover on without getting up on the roof. I tape foam around my aluminum ladder so I can use it to get up on top without scratching anything. Then I walk around the edge of the trailer only, because the roof creaks if I walk anywhere else. I used to be a roofer so I'm good at balancing acts, even as a geezer.

Has anybody figured out a way to get that cover on without climbing up on top? I tried to use a drift boat oar but couldn't make it happen. A helium balloon would be handy but I don't have one. I still have the ladder. But there's got to be a better way.

[HABBERDABBER]

I've tried different techniques, and the best so far is to lay out the cover on one side, tie two lines at the ends of the cover, toss them over the rig and then pull it up, using an extendable/telescoping paint pole to get the cover over the vents, AC and obstructions.



A chore, and wind intensity can make it near impossible.


What I haven't tried yet is a fireman's technique of rolling the cover in a certain way, getting it on top at the middle and unrolling/unfolding from there. Logical, but I must read up some more on that method.

[Ron in BC]

You shouldn't have to walk on the roof, even at the edges and I wouldn't recommend it.

My technique ain't pretty but it gets the job done. Basically unfold the cover on the ground, fold it back up roughly oriented the right way and drag one end up and then the rest and push it into the center.

Pull, wiggle, jiggle, mutter and you'll end up with the material ready to drop down the ends and sides.

I use a boat hook to help it move if it hangs up on a vent etc.

After you've done it a few times it gets easier.

Ron

[oldwave]

Two people is safer with two ladders

[Ron in BC]

Absolutely, the more hands the better. And it avoids getting the bulk of the cover sort of up and ready to start moving into position and then the other end slides off.

Time to get mine on.

Ron

[padlin]

I unrolled mine on the roof then unfolded and pulled down the sides. 1 6'2" person, 8' step ladder, 1 shepherds hook. Sometimes my wife would stand by with her phone, ready to call 911.

[oldwave]

I’m too old to fall, I want to camp. I call a friend and it’s done in 20 minutes.

[blue_bullet]

Originally Posted by padlin

I unrolled mine on the roof then unfolded and pulled down the sides. 1 6'2" person, 8' step ladder, 1 shepherds hook. Sometimes my wife would stand by with her phone, ready to call 911.

I did the tame thing. I folded it up on the ground inside out such that when placed on the solar panels I could unroll it toward the front and pull each side over. I could never get the skyhook to work properly.

Know how to catch a unique bird?
Easy, unique up on him.

Know how to catch a tame, unique bird?
Tame way. Unique up on him.