Anyone use a cover for their trailer.  I saw several listed in catalogs that cover the whole trailer with an opening for the door.  Thoughts.

Lindsay

It's not the destination - it's the ride

I looked into the purchase of trailer covers last fall, and posted some questions in this forum.

There are a couple of companies that make quality covers, others seem to fail quickly and have poor or no warranties. If you have a LQ like me, a custom cover that fits all the roof attachments, is difficult and expensive to come by. It is also remarkably arduous to install and correctly position. A generic one piece roof covering will be torn by vents, antennas, ac covers etc.

I was tempted to try an inexpensive tarp as is sold by Harbor Freight. My neighbor covered his large RV with one, and within a few months into the winter, it hung loosely, shredded in many pieces.

My trailers went through the winter with no covers. They survived with no damage or leaks. It looks like this will become my normal storage method.

Gard

 I've been told the same thing, but if you consider the potential damage of feet of snow, ice and constant rain, the threat of a little moisture almost seems insignificant.

I know that painted surfaces can be damaged by the wrong cover and trapped moisture. This is a common problem with the storage of automobiles, particularly older ones without the benefit of modern finishes.

Unpainted aluminum will corrode if moisture is trapped in a confined area, such as between a few sheets stacked together. Out in the open, it is relatively maintenance free as is exhibited by our trailers, airplanes, and boats.

A lot of moisture damage occurs under automobiles and trailers during storage. When a cover extends past the bottom of the vehicle to the ground level, ground moisture is trapped and quickly attacks the bottom of the vehicle. If your trailer is stored over a dirt surface, touch any part of its bottom the first thing in the morning. It will be damp. If air can't circulate in this area to dry it out, it will eventually oxidize.

A cover will prevent UV damage to a painted surface or the resins in a fiberglass unit. It would protect the mechanicals within an A/C unit, and somewhat prevent the caulking materials from deteriorating. I am almost convinced that it offers little else to the longevity of a bare aluminum surface.

Gard

I don't know the answer to your question.

If the topography of my land allowed, I would have a shed built to house my trailers. I usually don't leave anything stored outside, and it bothers me for having done so.

We used to have our first larger trailer stored in a facility within a mine during the winter months. It was problematic in that the air was extremely high in moisture content. Every Spring I had to rebuild several of my cabinet doors in the LQ. They had split and literally ripped themselves apart, from absorbing the high moisture content.

When we got our second LQ, we decided not to store both of them in that facility, hence my search for the covers. The covers will be difficult for me to install, I am not very mobile now. They would be expensive to purchase, and if a trailer were needed in an emergency, removing one covered in ice and snow would be difficult.

My trailers survived this past winter with no issues. This winter I will purchase a/c covers and probably again store the trailers uncovered.

I'm not current on many myths, so forgive me my ignorance.

Gard

My problem is not so much moisture as it is the sun.  We are at 6200' elevation, so closer to the sun and we really don't get much rain or snow.  Ideally I would love a barn to store in but I just spent all my money on the trailer......:)  I think i'll save my money and NOT get the cover.   Thanks,

Lindsay

It's not the destination- it's the ride

I have a Beverly Bay trailer cover for my 2h straight load - it has a zipper for the tack room acess - and is easy enough for me to put on by myself (with the help of a ladder and a manure fork!).  But I really like mine.  And it wasn't too expensive - of course my trailer is small.

Say J&J I would be interested in your cover. I think it might fit my 8ft shortwall 3 horse Exiss LQ. What would you take for it?

Thanks

I bought one of the Beverly Bay covers for my 2H straight last fall and have been very pleased with it.  It did tear on some sharp corners over the winter, but that was my fault because I didn't pad the corners as instructed. 

A common theme I am seeing in this thread has been the difficulty of covering a trailer by yourself.  I solved the problem by stealing a set of my son's old skateboard wheels and fastening each one of them to one end of a 9 foot webbing strap.  To the other end I sewed on one of the 1 inch snap buckles.  Now I just fasten the snap to the straps already on the trailer cover and throw the skateboard wheels over the top of the trailer.  Then I just go around to the other side and pull the trailer cover up and over the top.  No ladders and no manure forks to deal with and I can do it all by myself! 

I was hoping your idea would work within my circumstances. Thanks anyway

Gard