Buying guide for best travel trailer covers
Are you ready to hit the road? Towing a travel trailer is an exciting way to vacation. It’s more comfortable than sleeping in a tent and more affordable compared to staying in motels. These tiny wonders of living quarters and storage are easy to pack up and take to new locations with the family. A travel trailer is an investment — one that should last for many years. That’s why it’s important to protect that investment with a travel trailer cover.
These covers give the trailer a reprieve from rain, snow, and wind, as well as shade from harsh UV rays that can fade and crack finishes. With an extra layer of protection from excess wear and tear, it’s easy to keep traveling in style in your little abode on wheels.
Key considerations
Fit
Some travel trailer covers are designed for specific models, while others are geared toward a more universal fit. These styles come with a variety of ways to secure the cover to the trailer, but it’s common for universal-fit covers to have some slack or excess material even when they’re put on properly. It’s something to look out for when choosing one.
Size
There are many travel trailers on the market with varying dimensions, so consider the size of yours when shopping for a cover. Accurate measurements from bumper to bumper will help you select the correct cover. Height is also important, especially if your trailer has raised windows or vents on the roof. Remember to allow for any additional space required by a ladder, rack, or mounted spare tire.
Caution
It’s strongly recommended that you not tow your travel trailer with the cover on. The fabric could tear or come unsecured. It could also be a distraction to other drivers, and it may be illegal in some states or municipalities.
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Travel trailer cover features
Material
Travel trailer covers are typically made of breathable materials designed to hold strong against rain, snow, wind, and UV exposure. Most covers are composed of multiple layers, typically three to five, to maximize protection. More expensive covers can have more layers.
Outside layers: These are usually made of water-resistant polypropylene or another breathable material.
Middle layers: These vary from cover to cover but can include materials that are mold and mildew resistant or incorporate additional water resistance.
- Inner layer: The layer that comes in direct contact with the trailer is usually a softer fabric with a different weave to avoid scratching the paint.
Vents
Some travel trailer covers provide extra protection against high wind. Different models have strategically placed slits or vents that allow air to flow and reduce whipping and potential tearing. Expensive covers tend to have more sophisticated wind-resistance systems that can include additional tension panels.
Securing mechanism
Travel trailer covers are secured in several different ways, and this is where models seem to differ the most. Some covers have an elastic hem to enhance the fit, particularly around the bumpers. Custom-fit covers offer a more secure fit because they’re designed for specific trailer models. They also include some ancillary straps to pick up any slack. Universal-fit covers have a combination of adjustable straps, elastic hems, ribbons, and zippers. These allow for the best possible fit when it comes to compatible models. Some also have hook-and-loop straps, which cut down on the possibility of strap hardware tearing the cover or scratching your trailer.
Color
Most travel trailer covers come in neutral colors such as taupe, light brown, and gray, earthy tones that are fairly standard across the market. Despite the lack of color selection, it serves a purpose to somewhat moderate temperatures within the trailer. White or bright colors reflect sunlight, while black or dark colors absorb it. So while these covers aren’t necessarily aesthetically pleasing, they do their part to keep your trailer either cooler or warmer.
Travel trailer cover prices
Considering that travel trailers cost thousands of dollars, spending $100 to $300 for a cover seems a reasonable price to pay to protect your investment. For the most part, the price of the cover increases with size.
Inexpensive: Covers in the $100 to $150 range are typically for smaller trailers, such as “canned ham” models.
Mid-range: These covers cost around $180 to $225, and the price really depends on size and construction quality.
Expensive: Higher-end covers that cost close to $300 are geared toward larger trailers and tend to have more features for securing the cover.
Tips
Know where your patch kit is. If your travel trailer comes with a patch kit, keep it in your trailer at all times so you can make repairs on the road if necessary.
Cover the trailer gently. Travel trailer covers are built to be tough, but they can rip if you pull them too hard over sharp edges. Work front to back. You can more easily smooth out areas while you work toward the rear. Take extra care around the ladder, roof, and bumper corners. And only cover the intended area. Some covers have more slack than others, but it’s not a good idea to try to stretch them to cover other items. Keep tanks and winches exposed; it’s an easy way to avoid tearing the cover.
Cover the trailer in sunny weather. It’s important to keep your trailer covered even when the weather is nice. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can chip and fade paint.
Cover the mirrors. It’s easy to catch the cover on mirrors, so either articulate them inward or cover them separately with side-mirror covers. It’s an easy way to prevent tears in that area of the cover.
- Clean off your travel trailer. Avoid any accumulation of snow, leaves, water, or sticks on top of your travel trailer.
FAQ
Q. I just traded in my old travel trailer for a new one. Do I have to buy a new cover, or will my old one fit?
A. It might, but it could be time to replace your travel trailer cover anyway. Since they’re out in the elements, these covers are especially susceptible to wear and tear and develop rips over time. Some covers fit more than one style or size of travel trailer, while others are designed for specific models.
Q. Will a travel trailer cover also cover the wheels?
A. Since many covers only envelop the trailer down to the bumper, you’ll need to purchase separate wheel covers. Depending on the manufacturer, you can purchase matching wheel covers from the same product line as your trailer cover.
Q. What if I need to get into my travel trailer while it’s covered?
A. If you’re looking for accessibility, opt for a travel trailer cover that has zippered openings near the trailer doors. Custom-fitted (model-specific) covers often have this feature, though it’s less common on universal-fit covers.
Q. These travel trailer covers are pricey, and I see a lot of people using inexpensive tarps at the campground. Can’t I do that instead?
A. You could, but since tarps aren’t specifically designed for travel trailers, they may not offer much protection. In fact, they could do more harm than good. Tarp material, especially blue tarps, are rough and could scratch paint. They also have metal components, such as grommets, which could dent your trailer.
