bigblue
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1962 Shasta Airflye
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Post by bigblue on Jul 12, 2020 13:44:58 GMT -8
Does anyone know of any custom camper covers or other high quality covers more specifically for campers? I don't have a garage or any good covering and building something isn't an option right now. I'm looking for longevity more than anything, as I'm trying to cut down on the plastic waste of traditional tarps. Initially I wanted to go canvas but I imagine this would be heavy and wear on the paint over time. Now I'm thinking of something more like my motorcycle cover, which is a waterproof poly fabric with cotton/felt on the inside to prevent scratching, and an elastic bottom to pull in tight.
Any company out there making something like that?
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datac
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1957 Cardinal
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Post by datac on Jul 12, 2020 15:10:16 GMT -8
OK, I'll dust off my cover rant.
I would strongly, strongly recommend against the use of a cover. In collector car circles the topic comes up periodically, and I've seen the results firsthand on too many occasions. There are multiple problems caused by covers, and they're far more serious than problems caused by exposure.
First off, most people buy covers they think are going to keep their vehicle dry. These are the cheapest covers on the market, but they also do the most damage. Since they can't breathe, they trap moisture (either moisture constantly rising above dirt/gravel, evaporation from the hard slab underneath, condensation, atmospheric, etc.- it's always there) against the paint and, while in the sun, cook it at high temperatures. The result is paint adhesion failure, and can happen as quickly as a year or two. It looks much like fisheye, and repair means taking the vehicle back to bare metal. Breathable covers are available, usually made of non-woven fabric (Kimberly Clark is the most common manufacturer) but they are many, many times more expensive, and because they do let water through, are rarely chosen.
Secondly, all covers, even the $$$ breathable ones, will cause abrasion to the vehicle surface as they move in the breeze. It may not sound like much, but even if the vehicle is operating-room clean (it won't be) that cover will grind against it like sandpaper 24 hours a day. Paint will be sanded off, polished metal will be fogged, etc., etc. The results aren't pretty. It's easy to spot a vehicle that's been stored for any period of time with a cover. It happened to me more than once before I got the clue.
The only proper use for a vehicle cover is to keep dust off while parked inside a garage, and flannel is the best choice for that.
You'd be far better off putting your money towards a cheap Harbor-Freight style temporary carport than any kind of cover.
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Post by danrhodes on Jul 12, 2020 18:53:32 GMT -8
Agree with datac. Your biggest enemy is water on the roof. Get a cheap carport. If you can't secure it, screw the legs to cinder blocks or bury them in 5 gallon buckets filled with cement. Cover it with $11 Costco 16x20 tarps that will last 5 years in the hottest sun.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 13, 2020 13:18:41 GMT -8
I went the route Dan is suggesting. But with about $1000 of lumber.
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sunnywater
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Post by sunnywater on Jul 13, 2020 13:33:34 GMT -8
I went the route Dan is suggesting. But with about $1000 of lumber. This is exactly what we would like to do, particularly since I don't think we will have the skin back on before winter. Any chance you have the design you used (even a back of the envelope design)? Thanks so much, Gwen
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 13, 2020 17:55:17 GMT -8
The design was in my head. It's an odd one because the base could only be 12x12 to keep the town from busting us. The cantilever is long to make it a total of 17'. And it couldn't attach to the house so it's actually free standing. I can take closer photos if you want them.
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bigblue
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Post by bigblue on Jul 13, 2020 18:09:43 GMT -8
Well that's all good information, but a bummer to hear. Glad I consulted here before attempting to make my own! Given my current situation I will likely end up with something more like what dan did. I'll only be able to build when I move unfortunately.
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sunnywater
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Post by sunnywater on Jul 13, 2020 18:31:24 GMT -8
The design was in my head. It's an odd one because the base could only be 12x12 to keep the town from busting us. The cantilever is long to make it a total of 17'. And it couldn't attach to the house so it's actually free standing. I can take closer photos if you want them. That is exactly the situation we find ourselves in. It needs to be free standing or else we would need building permit. The area next to our house is also about 12 feet long. If you don't mind taking some closer photos that would be incredibly helpful. it looks just like what I had in my head but seeing how you handled the the support at the corners and the roofing would really help us move forward. Gwen
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 13, 2020 18:48:07 GMT -8
These might help.
Not connected at the roof?
A goofy design, but legal.
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Jul 14, 2020 6:10:01 GMT -8
A goofy design, but legal. Ya, but it looks like how they built the covered bridges around here over a hundred years ago and they're still standing. It works! Thanks for sharing NC
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sunnywater
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Post by sunnywater on Jul 14, 2020 9:02:38 GMT -8
The extra pictures are super helpful and I am sure now that is what we should do to protect our trailer. Thanks again, Gwen
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