Are covers needed in the NE area

[jloving]

I have a 2011 Jayco and live in Mass. Last year, i took delivery in Dec and parked it in my driveway till the spring. No cover and got 3-4 ft of snow. Ended up on top shoveling it off once.

Do I need a cover? Is this worth the expense? I looking at $400 or so.

Jim

[hammerdown]

IMO covers are not a good idea, the cover scuffs the paint on windy day. I have never used a cover and with todays finishes you don't need it. Just remember to remove heavy snow from the roof as you did .

[Seann45]

Save your $$$$ covers are a rip off

[29BHS ECO]

jloving-- a cover will keep the all the tree sap off the unit. I have put covers on all 3 pup's( since 1978) and our 2010 19h and never had any problems like moisture etc. A cover will keep the roof cleaner.My .02$ Larry ps obviously not needed if no trees

[3'senough]

I had a cover over my previous TT and it ripped after 2 months. It was an ADCO with the dupont roof and breathable sides. ADCO sent me a new one but it took 3 months and anaylsis in doing so.


Plusses: kept roof clean and UV rays off panels.
minuses:
Scuffed the roof on the corners, holes from the drain scuppers, finaly ripped and could have done more damage in doing so had I not removed. Does nothing for helping with snow weight. Heavy and bulky.

IMHO save the $$ and put a coat of wax on it before storing. Especially if you are storing in an area that has direct exposure to our heavy NW winds throughout the winter months.

Another better option is shrink wrap or paying for over winter storage in a pull in bay at a storage facility.
Yes the later 2 cost more but if you have the means and it makes you feel better, it might be worth the investment.

[29BHS ECO]

jloving-- Yes they can rip on the corner drain spouts, if not protected. I cut notches in plastic baseballs, stuck on to the spouts, no rips. The wind can also rip them if not secured properly, I live on a hill and had my one and only pup cover from 1986 until I traded it for the 19H. Prior to that I used a blue tarp with couple sheets underneath to protect the finish. I have the classic industries cover for the 19h, it is a pain to put on , but no roof cleaning required. There are plus's & minus's to what ever you do. Larry

[CampingGirl]

Living in the NE your worry would be more snow weight on your roof than anything else. So no, a cover will not help and as others have said, they have a high potential to scratch during wind flap.

If you project a lot of heavy snowfall, you'd be better off trying to find an under roof storage like a carport or something as the weight of heavy accumlation would be the only thing of concern. Campers are made to be outside, i've never covered mine and its a 2005, still looks like new. I just wash and wax it regularly.

The one and only time I used a cover on a prior camper, the paint scuffs far outweighed any advantage to having it covered.

[classact]

Bite the bullet and install an RV carport. A few thousand is well worth the expense when you consider what you have invested in the RV itself. More issues arise out of RV's sitting in the weather, whether it's not sun and UV issues or moisture related issues.

[Crabman]

To cover or not to cover, that is the question! It has been debated many times on other forums with no clear winner. I myself do not cover.