Tucked in For Winter

Well, it’s official.

Our fifth wheel is tucked in for the winter.

Whenever our trailer will be sitting for an extended period, we install a full cover to protect it from the elements. Sun, rain, snow, and ice all take their toll on an RV that’s stored outdoors. Our cover is made from a breathable material, which helps prevent moisture from becoming trapped underneath.

At 39 feet long, putting the cover on isn’t a job we look forward to. Fortunately, it only has to be done once each year.

With the help of my lifelong friend, Joe, we had it installed in about an hour. Having done it before certainly helps, and Joe joked that it was good practice since he’ll be covering his own rig before heading to Florida next month.

Our trailer is stored between two other RVs, which should help reduce the wind and, hopefully, extend the life of the cover.

This is actually our second cover.

We purchased it from CarCovers.com for a little over $400, and overall we’ve been pleased with it. It fits the trailer well and came with a lifetime warranty.

After our second winter, one corner developed a tear. Looking back, I suspect one of the straps either worked loose or wasn’t secured tightly enough, allowing the cover to flap in the wind.

I contacted the company to ask about purchasing repair material. After looking up my order, they asked me to send a few photos of the damage. Instead of sending a repair kit, they offered to replace the entire cover. The only cost was shipping, which came to $75.

A couple of days later, a brand-new cover arrived, complete with a new lifetime warranty.

Could they have shipped it for less than $75? Maybe.

But considering the cost of replacing an RV cover, I thought it was a fair solution and appreciated that they stood behind their product.

With the trailer cleaned, winterized, inspected, and covered, it’s ready to ride out another Minnesota winter.

As the weather turns colder, the RV adventures may slow down for a while, and some of the blog posts may wander into other topics. Then again, you never know where life’s adventures will lead.

One thing is certain—before long, spring will be here, the cover will come off, and we’ll be planning our next trip.