Covering RV with Tarp
Some individuals choose to cover their travel trailer with a tarp during the winter, not fully understanding that they can actually make the situation worse. In most cases, plastic tarps—which can’t breath—were used rather than canvas tarps which, although they can breath, still aren’t recommended.
In most climates, due to snowfall and freeze/thaw cycles, tarps will allow condensation to form between the tarp and the roof and possibly within the interior roof. This contributes to major roof repairs down the road. In addition, winds will cause the tarp to move and, regardless of how well it is tied down, cause damage to exterior components and finishes.
The best way to store an RV is under a roof or in a garage, but if this isn’t feasible then the only alternative is to purchase a cover designed for your RV. These covers are manufactured from a material that is waterproof but also breathable, letting moisture escape away from the RV surfaces. If you don’t want to invest in a proper RV cover, then the next best thing is nothing.
Regardless of whether you cover your RV or not, keep a roof vent cracked open to allow air movement in your unit during storage; to facilitate this and reduce the possibility of snow or rain getting in through the open roof vent you could have a Maxi-Air installed. An added insurance would be to place a desiccant inside your unit to absorb moisture. Both the Maxi-Air and desiccant are available at most RV parts suppliers.
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