One of the most common problems that RV owners encounter in the winter is a torn RV cover. Especially in windy weather, RV covers will face a tougher challenge. To avoid tearing your RV cover and more damage as much as possible, you should know the ways to avoid tearing your RV cover.
Why do RV covers get torn?
Incorrect installation
Installing an RV cover is not a simple task, and you need to go through each step carefully. Usually, the RV cover installation package includes installation instructions, and you should strictly follow the installation instructions to complete the installation process.
（gray RV Cover）
Please do not ignore the information in the installation instructions, otherwise, you may make mistakes during the installation process. If the RV cover you purchased does not include installation instructions, ask a professional for help or post your question on an RV forum.
Moreover, incorrect installation methods can bring hidden dangers to the subsequent protection of the RV. For example, your RV cover is set incorrectly and then torn off on a windy day.
Unskilled handling
Unskilled handling is not a direct cause of RV cover tears, but there is a strong correlation. We know that winter weather conditions are variable, and that means you need to maintain your RV and RV cover frequently. You need to be flexible about all types of conditions.
If you are a novice, you may not be flexible to some situations, for example, you may not be sensitive to weather conditions or realize that strong winds or snow storms are coming soon.
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Experienced RVers know that they need to check their RVs and RV covers and even make the proper adjustments to the parts on their RV covers before bad weather arrives.
If you don't understand this, you'll have your hands full when bad weather hits. But it's already too late to maintain your RV cover at that point.
Lack of maintenance
If you wish to protect your RV with an RV cover in the long run, one thing you need to understand is that you must maintain your RV cover regularly. If your RV cover lacks maintenance, the tarp may become moldy and the parts will rust. Sometimes high winds can tear a small opening on your RV cover, and if you don't notice or fix it, it could be torn into a large opening the next time you use it.
Even if you have a quality RV cover, it needs to be maintained regularly to avoid tearing as much as possible.
How to avoid your RV cover from tearing
Choose a high-quality RV cover
When you choose an RV cover, it's important to consider not only the price but also the material and other factors. Most RV covers are made of polypropylene fabric or polyester, and some have double or even triple layers to ensure durability.
When choosing an RV cover, you should choose a high-quality RV cover. High-quality fabrics are durable, waterproof, and UV resistant. This type of fabric can withstand seasonal changes and last for a long time.
In addition to the RV cover fabric, you also need to pay attention to the parts. Parts will be used in conjunction with the RV cover to protect your motorhome.
Choosing the right RV cover
Not all RV covers are suitable for outdoor use, and the wrong RV cover product can cause you problems.
Some RV covers on the market are of excellent quality for protection against dust and debris. But these types of RV covers are not suitable for outdoor use. These RV covers are more suitable for indoor use like garages. Therefore, these types of RV covers are also known as dust covers.
If you plan to park your RV in your yard over the winter, you need an RV cover that provides all-around protection. An all-weather RV cover can fully protect your RV and appear more reliable and safe in bad weather.
In addition, the style and thickness of the RV cover are worthy of attention. For example, travel trailers should only use travel trailer covers, not Class A RV covers.
Also, the RV cover should ideally be tight enough to cover your RV. This requires you to know the size of your RV beforehand and then choose a matching RV cover size.
Protect pipes
The various pipes on the RV are exposed, and you may overlook them. But wind can have a huge impact on pipes and can even cause pipe damage.
What's more, leaks inside pipes are hard to identify because you don't always pay attention to these details, especially during the cold winter months. Excessive moisture and internal leaks can be the main causes of torn RV covers and damaged pipes.
To prevent internal leaks, you need to cover the pipe with a protective material. For example, you can use long blocks of foam to hide the pipes.
Use protective tape
Usually, RV covers come with protective straps. Protective tape is the binding material that regulates the RV cover. RV cover protective straps are usually made of acrylic webbing, which is a stronger fabric than nylon straps.
RV hood straps are long enough to fit through the sides of the RV roof, and you can adjust the length of the straps using the adjustable buckles.
RV hood straps prevent air from entering the RV and keep the RV stable in windy weather. The protective straps reduce the damage to the RV cover from strong winds and can extend the life of the fabric.
You will need to follow the instructions in the installation instructions to secure the straps so that they can be used to maximum effect. Protective straps are often attached to the roof and sides of the RV.
Plug the opening with a tennis ball
Drainage pipes, vents, and other openings in an RV should be taken seriously. During the winter and early spring, dust, moisture, and small animals can enter these openings and damage the interior of the RV. Moisture and dampness can create holes in the fabric.
Cover all sharp corners
You need to be aware of the sharp corners in your RV, they can easily make the RV cover tear. You can use foam and tape to cover these sharp points to avoid tears, punctures, and rubbing as much as possible.
How to repair a torn RV cover
This may be a topic you don't want to think about, but it's really important. Any RV cover is at risk of tearing while in use, and when an RV cover tears, buying a new replacement right away will be a new expense, which isn't an optimal option.
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If the tear is not large, there are some ways you can try. This will extend the life of your RV cover and will also save you money.
Use tape
Duct tape is a common RV cover repair method. Most RV covers including class A RV covers, class C RV covers, travel trailer covers, and fifth wheel RV Covers can be repaired with duct tape.
There are many benefits to using duct tape. Duct tape is inexpensive and works well. You need to choose strong, durable, and waterproof tape to hold the torn opening.
Glue Seal
Glue specifically designed for RV hood fabrics works well for repairing small tears. With simple steps, you can quickly fix a rift on your cover.
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The Glue seal is perfect for temporary remediation in an emergency. If you are not in a hurry and you have more options, patch sewing and tape are better practices than glue sealing.
Patch sewing
If you have a large tear in your RV cover, your best practice is to sew patches. Sewing patches is considered a time-consuming practice, but it is also the most effective method and the patched RV cover lasts longer. Don't worry if you don't know how to sew, you can start by teaching yourself with relatively inexpensive materials.
When sewing patches, you need to leave enough cloth between the stitching points and the holes, not too tight, to prevent further wear.
Ironing patches
If the area of the RV cover tear is small, you can also try ironing the patch. Iron-on patches can quickly repair torn areas. This type of patch is also a popular way to repair an RV cover. You should make sure to iron on the waterproof area.
In addition to the above fixes, you can also try tools such as quick patch kit kits, heat guns, and iron patches. Of course, you will still need a new RV cover if the torn area is too large or if the tears are severe.
Conclusion
You need to be clear that any RV cover can tear. What we can do is try to avoid tears and know how to repair them. We provide you with the above methods and tools to help you avoid tears and repair tears. In conclusion, treat your motorhome and RV hood with caution, especially in bad weather. When faced with tears, don't panic, trust that you still have a way to remedy it.
