tarp on roof for Winter storage

markbrit · 09-08-2010, 06:11 AM

My sunny stays outside all Winter with no cover. After debating a cover and hearing views here I decided against it.

Was thinking a white tarp 10 x 30' over the roof would supply a bit more protection vs an exposed roof.

If tarp is white and I anchor with white rope it should not be an eyesore and my thinking is it just provides a thin layer of protection while allowing air to circulate from the wind.

thoughts?

nasa42a · 09-08-2010, 08:00 AM

Markbrit.....

If you're speaking of the general-purpose white reinforced plastic tarps with grommets.....I would recommend against it. In this case, that type of tarp seems more likely to cause damage than the sun itself.

I've seen any number of trailers whose finish has been damaged by the plastic tarp rubbing on the corners, edges, and on the roof-based vents & antenna. The Tyvek-based or other RV covers are made to avoid that problem, and to "breathe", so moisture doesn't build up.

For myself, I feel a good regular rubdown with a UV protectant will be less expensive in the end, too.

Frank

Hematite · 09-09-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasa42a

Markbrit.....

If you're speaking of the general-purpose white reinforced plastic tarps with grommets.....I would recommend against it. In this case, that type of tarp seems more likely to cause damage than the sun itself.

I've seen any number of trailers whose finish has been damaged by the plastic tarp rubbing on the corners, edges, and on the roof-based vents & antenna. The Tyvek-based or other RV covers are made to avoid that problem, and to "breathe", so moisture doesn't build up.

For myself, I feel a good regular rubdown with a UV protectant will be less expensive in the end, too.

Frank

I agree completely. Plastic tarps can cause quite a bit of damage between wind buffeting and holding moisture underneath.

OPIE · 09-10-2010, 05:44 AM

I had a cheap plastic tarp over the hard-top for my Jeep while the soft-top was on last summer. It was wrapped & bungie corded tight, but still damaged the paint by rubbing off the corners, and something either got under it or thru it. I ended up with blue tarp colored stains in a couple spots too. Thankfully the Jeep top is just fiberglass with a flat paint finish, so an easy fix, but I wouldn't chance it on my camper.

markbrit · 09-10-2010, 06:09 AM

OK I am dropping the idea forgot about how it would rub. Good call, thanks.

Hematite · 09-10-2010, 08:41 PM

Your best choice in a cover is the best cover: CalMark. I have a CalMark Sunbrella fabric cover, worth every dollar spent. It's heavy water resistant fabric that breathes. Been on the Sunline 4 years and still excellent.

CalMark Cover - RV Covers, Custom RV Covers, Auto Covers, Tire covers, Ready Fit

Steve Collins · 09-11-2010, 07:02 AM

I've seen a number of trailers parked by people's homes that have been tarped year after year. In each case, they wrap the tarp tight to the sides of the TT with that clear plastic stuff that is about a foot wide and is used for wrapping up shipping pallets of boxes. It's available at Home Depot and Lowes on the same shelf where they have moving boxes, package sealing tape, bubble wrap etc. They also place weight on top of the tarp on the roof to keep it from blowing around and rubbing.

I think the idea is that the wrap holds the tarp tight enough to the walls of the TT that it can not rub. Grommet points, etc. would need to be padded or held away from the skin in some way.

If I were to do that with my TT, I think I'd look for something soft like old blankets to completely cover the roof and drape down the sides a foot or tow. Then I'd place the tarp and wrap it. I think having the old blankets or whatever would further decrease the possibility of rubbing and provide a buffer between the tarp and the roof. There is a downside though. If the tarp leaks, even a tiny bit, by the end of the typical upstate New York winter, there'd be a lot of moisture trapped under the tarp.

But I don't tarp. I would love to find indoor or at least sheltered storage around here as the annual snow fall is higher than where we last lived. Unfortunately, Kitty's wonderful steel shelter is not an option.