What's the deal on Covering PU?

[PITPOP27]

So there is this piece of paper with a warning in with all my slew of manufacturers mumbo jumbo that came with the PU that says WARNING: DO NOT COVER WITH TARP because of such and such and so and so....is that only for tarps? Or covering at all?  Is an RV cover ok?  What's your scoop on the matter?

[dthurk]

We use an AquaShed cover on our camper, have not experienced problems with it.  It's sitting, covered, in the back yard right now.  I only use the cover through the winter storage period, I don't cover it during the summer months.  Of course, we're using it enough that keeping it covered in the summer would be a challenge.  

I would not recommend covering it with a tarp or any other unbreathable material that might be in contact with the camper.  I think I have heard of those who make a tent type affair over the camper.  That should work, as long as air was able to circulate between the camper and the tarp.

I know this is against most manufacturers recommendations.  I'm usually one to believe that the manufacturers of a product generally know best about their products, but the AquaShed cover appears to be a product that provides protection to the camper that also provides for the breathability required by manufacturers recommendations.

[tlhdoc]

I don't think your trailer has an ABS roof, so you can use a breathable cover.  If you use a tarp that doesn't breath it can trap moisture in the camper.  IF you have an ABS rood you shouldn't cover it at all.  The roofs are know to fail and covering them seems to help them along.

[Shelbs]

We also have an AquaShed cover and we're very pleased. It's breathable, which is key. If you use a regular tarp, it traps the moisture, potentially causing the dreaded mold and mildew.

[OC Campers]

We have the ABS roof.  The space where we had to store the popup was under a tree that dripped sap.  My dh used one of those huge brown/silver tarps and put it over the top-attaching it with bungies.  He also place some milk crates on top of the roof (under the tarp) to keep the tarp from laying flat on the roof.  This worked out great and helped keep the roof clean from leafs, sap and dirt.  No problems with the ABS because the tarp wasn't laying flat on the roof.

Jacqui

[Shelly]

We actually tarped ours this winter.  We didn't allow room for ventilation or get some breathable material to cover it with.  That was before we found this and another forum on pups.  Once I read the advice on not to tarp because it traps moisture we undid ours. Now we have found mold & mildew all in one corner and it looks like it has gotten in to the roof as a couple ceiling panels have warped.  Scheduling a trip in to the shop to see how extensive the damage is.  

Shelly

[rbrent]

I have e-mailed Fleetwood on this subject and their reply was:  we do not recommend covering your camper with anything. That even the breathable tarps will create moisture after time within the camper creating mildew. That they leave all their campers outside in all kinds of weather.  So I leave my camper uncovered and just brush off the snow when ever it gets high.

[garym053]

I've owned my Jayco since 1999 and have covered it with a blue tarp every year except one. The year I DIDN'T cover it was the year I had the most trouble with Mildew!

I put a canister containing Dry-z-aire or something similar inside, and put the tarp on. The tarp is sized to come JUST below the Roof/Sidewall Joint.

[PITPOP27]

Thanks guys for all your replies.  I don't think we'll be covering it.  We don't have snow to contend with just the elements!