to cover or not to cover that is the question

[Mattyk]

Hey everyone. This will be our first winter with our Sunline 1550 sitting in the driveway just waiting for next camping season. We live in the Northeast and do get a good amount of snow during the winter. My question is should I be covering the trailer to protect the AC unit and vents from snow entering? All thoughts and suggestions welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[johnmanna]

We cover ours but if you dont want to tou can buy an aircondition cover an tire coverss the even make a pvc cover for just the awaning

 

[JohnGB]

Hi MattyK,

Covering the entire camper which stores outside with a breathable cover, (they make several types) is an encouraged thing to do if you want to keep your camper long term. Water infections can and do happen when the camper is exposed to the elements all the time.

The cover ideally is breathable, to prevent molding under the cover. And you need to pad the sharp points on the camper to not tear the cover. Pool noodles, foam padding or other non water absorbing materials helps on the tear points. Yes, putting the cover on and off is, work. And they only last 3 to 5 years pending the situation and cover, but this all comes back to, how long do you want to keep the camper and not have a water infection.

You can buy just an AC cover, and that will help on blowing snow keeping it out of the AC unit. It does help the AC unit, just not the rest of the camper.

See this recent post on camper covers. There are many more on the forum.

https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f63/cover-or-not-cover-my-sunline-19925.html

Hope this helps

John

 

[capecamper-SUN]

Cover just the top

I bought a special rv tarp that covers the top and down about 3 feet on each side. I then cover the tires. This way the sides are easy to clean and the doors are functional not to mention its a lot cheaper.

I fun a line around the perimeter through all the grommets and then cinch the corners with adjustable bungee to allow some give for the inevitable noreaster.

 

[jleslie48]

for years now this is what I do.



1) take the first tarp, find the center. put a tall rubbermaid container underneath it in the center with the opening facing down.

2) take a second shorter reubbermain container and nest it on top of the tarp so you capture the tarp between the two nested rubbermaid containers.

3) position the assembly so that the rubbermaid containers are over the center of my 1350 TT.

4) take a much bigger (the white one, on its own would cover the entire trailer and all 4 sides of the tarp would almost hit the ground,) tarp, find its center, and position that center directly over the rubbermaid containers.

5) get some nesting 3/4" pvc electrical pipe, they clip together like lego pieces, and make at least 2 poles, one for each side, bigger than the trailer.

6) roll the excess tarp on pole like the tarp in toilet paper and the pole is the carboard center tube.

7) Home depot has for $1 4" wood spring clamps, the are like a cross between binder clips and clothespins, you'll need at least 8 of them

8) with 3 of the clips clip the wrapped tarp on the pole to keep it from unwraveling: you'll bind the entire pipe and cinch the tarp onto the pipe. do this on both ends and the middle, with the pipe ends sticking out on both sides. Repeat for the other side.
9) in the middle of the front and back roll the tarp up (you can even use more pipe if you like,) vertically, bringing both the sides in tighter toward the TT. use another clip to bind that.

10) in my area we are prone to 50MPH winds, so I will loop the end of the pipes that stick out with a bowline, the rope goes under the hitch (or bumper in the back,) and another bowline on the other side pipe. No need to make this tight.



the big thing here is its pretty airy underneath and most importantly the rubbermaid containers have made a center post, so the whole thing is shaped like an umbrella. As such the water/snow tends to run off instead of pooling.



The whole thing costs about $60 and lasts for years.

 

[Tkch88]

We have covered our 2001 Sunline annually. No leaks, after all those years, here in southeastern New England. Been using Adco covers. First lasted about 14 years, but ends had ripped. Kept top pretty well protected. 2nd is pretty shot after 4 years, but again, it still is covering the top. It was pretty exposed to strong winds as it was stored near the ocean in an open lot.

 

[mainah-SUN]

I covered my old Toyota MH and what I did was make small sawhorses 2 feet long and about 18" high front and rear as a snow shield like a pitched roof it also helped with moisture build up. The Sunny lives a life of leisure in the garage with all the vents and windows open!