Cover of Older RV: Is It Worth It?

[Briansdad]

My wife and I just bought a 1991 Fleetwood Tioga Montana (Class C) with only 28,000 miles. Added new roof and tires and is now in great shape. Should we invest in a cover for it? A Dupont Tyvek cover with zipper access is on sale for $309.99 at JC Whitney right now. Is a cover going to be worth the investment? I should add that we have to park it under pine trees and we have Maine winters here.

While I'm at it, same question for wheel covers?

Briansdad
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I am the captain of my boat
for only as long as it stays afloat.
So I navigate with care,
Pray the weather be fair,
And location of life-jackets take note.

[TannerBee]

Most of what I've read about covers concerns the difficulty putting them on (they can be quite heavy) and the fact that any dirt between the cover and the RV gets worked into or scratches the paint as the cover moves in the wind. If you have to park under pine trees though, I would think you would want something. Perhaps the weight is given in the specs for the cover, and you can get something (couple of quilts in a bag?) and see how easy it is to lug up the ladder. Maybe a new parking spot in the meadow is in order.
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Floyd and Tanner
Coachmen Santara 35
Rock Hill SC

Time is either spent or invested.

[walkerkb]

Tire covers are an absolute must. It prevents sun damage to the rubber which will deteriorate your tires in no time at all. When we first bought our motorhome, I didn't cover the tires. 2 years later, the sidewalls were heat cracking so I had to replace them. Then I bought tire covers (white ones to reduce heat) and now 6 years later, the tires are still looking new. However, even though they look new, they are supposed to be changed every 7 years.
I just bought a cover for the RV because of the amount of time it takes to clean and treat the rubber roof every year, as well as the polishing of the fiberglass sidewalls. If you have the cover tied down really tight, there won't be any movement between the cover and RV to do any damage. Also stops the dreaded black streaks when in storage.
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2000 Kustom Koach Class C Motorhome
1995 Tracker Dinghy

[missmouthy]

Visiting the dealership for minor repairs, I looked out over the lot to see all these different types of RVs with air conditioners on top.

It was winter here in Michigan.

So I said to the repairman,"Where are all the covers for the RVs? Aren't you supposed to cover them from the elements?"
His reply shocked me. "RVs are built to stand extremes in weather. You don't HAVE to cover them. Just because they make something to sell for your RV doesnt mean you HAVE to have it."

In your case, I would want some type of cover. But mine sets in a storage lot, outdoors, winterized, all winter long here in Michigan.

I will be getting tire covers on the new tires though.
Terrie

[tumbleturn]

The first RV I bought, a 92 Gulfstream in 2001, I didn't cover it. That was a mistake. My newer RV, a 2004 Gulfstream, will be covered whenever I'm not using it.

Mike
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As of 12/19/2008 I am a homeless unemployed bum YAHOOOO. Can you spare a dime? Currently Hanging out around Grass Valley CA

[SamnGlenAllenVa]

I wouldn't put stock in anything a dealer says...a lot full of RVs are there to be seen...to be sold...no one cares what they look like or what conditon they are in after they are a block down the street! Just had my 1st (1.5-2 month + ongoing) fiasco with the "certified Winnebago dealer."

Idiots installed the wrong cabinet assembly!

Think I shouldn't be upset..."it is a 2 year-old model" "things change" "we have to make do with what we get and make it fit all the time."

Never again will I go to that dealer!

I am investigating the cover thing...

I covered my cars when I stored them...We cover our pontoon boat when we aren't using it!

There are concerns and steps one must take to insure other damage doesn't occur...but I think the RV cover is a good deal, if done right!
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Sam