Why you should cover your RV

The summer camping season is in full swing across the country. But while travellers are out adventuring and touring along the highways and trails, few are actually planning for what happens when it comes time to store their RV’s once the season ends. We reckon that any end-of-season storage plan should certainly include covering your RV.

Should you cover your RV?

Unless you’re using your RV on a full-time basis, you’re likely storing it over a long period of time for part of the year. Although some in the RV community may argue against the need for a cover, the majority of camping enthusiasts will agree that protecting your investment by covering it is indeed the smart thing to do. Why? Well, as you know, Australia’s weather is often unforgiving. Unless you’re protecting your RV with a good cover when it’s not in use, you risk it falling victim to the elements and the sun’s harmful UV rays. And that exposure could result in damage or issues that will require expensive repairs that aren’t friendly on the wallet.

How the elements can damage your uncovered RV

If you decide to store your RV without a cover, it’s going to be sitting there exposed to sun, wind, rain, sleet, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it. You wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun (or you should if you don’t!). A cover is like slapping some sunscreen on your RV. That cover is going to protect your vehicle from baking in the sun, causing potential damage to decals and graphics, your paint job, rubber window seals and more. A cover is also going to deflect the heat somewhat, keeping your RV’s exterior and interior a lot cooler than if it was left uncovered.

But it’s not just the sunny days that you need to protect your RV from when it’s stored away. When the rain starts coming down in autumn and winter, you’ll be grateful you covered your RV. Pooling water left on your RV’s roof can cause leaks or even stress its structure. Roof repairs are a lot more expensive than a good cover. 

Let’s not forget dirt, sand, and other debris as well. Strong winds can whip all that detritus against and on top of your RV. This will leave dirty streaks on your roof and a filthy vehicle to wash before you can take it out again. If you cover your RV, you’re going to reduce the need for all that extra washing and waxing. 

How to find the right RV cover

For maximum protection, and to prevent most potential damage, you need to find a cover that fits your RV properly. Sizing is important. You want a cover that’s big enough to protect your vehicle top to bottom. However, you don’t want it to be so large that it’s flapping around in the wind like a sail. Your cover should fit nice and snug, so it keeps out bugs, dirt, debris, and moisture. So, make sure to select an RV cover that matches the size and type of vehicle you have. For material, you’ll want to choose something that is durable but also breathable, so moisture doesn’t get trapped inside and cause mould or mildew. 

So, to avoid costly – and unnecessary – repairs and preserve the resale value of your RV, it’s really in your best interest to invest in a cover for your RV’s downtime. Leave her snug as a bug, preserved for the next adventure on your bucket list!