WHY DO I NEED AN RV COVER?
In most cases today’s Recreational Vehicle (RV) is considered a 2nd home.
Unfortunately that 2nd home must be stored for extended periods of time exposed to Mother Nature’s wear and tear. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun, air pollutants, snow, dirt, and dust all take their toll. The damage will be easy to see. Ugly black streaks, almost impossible to remove, will mar the painted surface. The beautiful exterior surface will fade quickly and you can expect some serious roof repairs after about the second year.
Covering your RV is the best investment you will ever make
If it is just to keep it clean and ready to go for your next outing, a cover is the only way to go. More importantly, a good cover will prevent all of the damage mentioned above and many years down the road, the RV will look as nice as the day you bought it.
PLASTIC TARPAULIN RV COVER
NEVER use a plastic tarpaulin to cover your RV. REMEMBER heat rises. RV’s have to breathe. Blue plastic tarps ARE NOT BREATHABLE and will cause severe damage to the inside of your RV. You would be much better off not covering it at all. RV’s have walls and if the foul air or condensation has nowhere to go it remains within the walls and eventually you will experience dry rot and black mildew.
Always make sure your cover is made with a breathable fabric.
ARE RV COVERS HARD TO PUT ON?
If you are able to walk on the top of your RV, we suggest the following method. Tie a rope around the rolled up cover while it is on the ground and throw the rope over the RV. Get up on top and pull the cover up and sit it on the rear of the RV. Unroll the cover toward the front and then unfold it as you work your way back to the ladder. Do not try to adjust the position until you are back on the ground. NEVER try to carry the cover on your shoulder as you climb the ladder.
If you cannot walk on top, give us a call. We will guide you through a couple of other easy methods of installation.
TAKING THE COVER OFF
If you take the cover off as follows, it will be that much easier to install the next time.
- Unhook all your friction reducer ties straps and tie downs.
- Push the rear of the cover up and over the top of the ladder.
- Once on top, pull up all the sides and lay the entire cover in the center of the RV just like a long sleeping bag.
- Starting from the front of the RV, roll the cover up towards the rear.
- Drop the rolled up cover on the ground and store until the next use.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WEIGHT OF A COVER
Depending on what fabric you select the weight will vary. Non-woven fabrics are the lightest in weight however they have the shortest life span.
The weight of most non-woven fabrics is approximately 1.25 pounds per linear foot of your RV. For example a cover for a 30′ RV will weigh 37 lbs.
Woven fabrics like Sunbrella® average approximately 1.75 lbs per linear foot. So if you have a 30′ RV the weight of your cover will be approximately 50-55 pounds.
WHAT IF I HAVE A SOLAR PANEL ON MY ROOF
We are frequently asked: How can I cover my RV and still get my solar panel to work?
CalMark now offers a solar panel window kit that is very easy to install in any cover. This solar panel window allows full sun to your solar panel while the cover is installed keeping your batteries charged at all times. See our available accessories for more info.
FABRIC FEATURES:
All fabrics must be breathable, water resistant, non-abrasive, mildew and dry rot resistant and, most importantly, have a high UV resistance factor. At CalMark we use 100% USA made Sunbrella® Woven Fabric from Glen Raven Mills.
FABRICS: Non-woven versus woven
Woven Fabrics like Sunbrella® are considered the top of the line when it comes to protective covers for RV’s. Woven fabrics are far superior in strength and can withstand the harshest inclement weather conditions .
FABRIC SAMPLES :
Purchasing an RV cover is no small investment yet it is the best investment you can make for your RV. To make sure you are getting quality fabric for your particular needs, always insist on a sample of the fabric before you purchase the cover. Buyer Beware!
FULL WARRANTY VERSUS PRO-RATED WARRANTY
You can answer this one for yourself. Manufacturers who offer a Full Warranty, such as CalMark, versus a pro-rated warranty must feel very confident in their product. Both the manner in which the cover is manufactured like double stitching all seams, fabric stress reinforcement (a unique feature only offered by CalMark) and using only the best USA made fabrics make this possible. If something goes wrong with the fabric or workmanship during the warranty period, under a full warranty, it is either replaced or repaired at no cost to you the customer.
HOW DO I KNOW I AM BUYING FROM A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER?
When it comes to purchasing any product try to deal directly with the manufacturer versus a retailer or distributor. Our reputation is on the line. Check out what customers are saying about us on the RV chat lines. Ask where the fabric is made. If it is foreign made, many of these fabrics have little or no ultraviolet inhibitor in them which results in very early fabric disintegration. All of our fabrics are made in the USA and we will send you samples immediately upon request. You can request a sample by calling us at 800-838-7236 or fill our this form.
Always insist on receiving samples of any fabric before making a purchase.
ASK for a statement of the Warranty and Guarantee.
ZIPPER DOORS :
Having easy access to your RV when it is covered is, without question, one of the best features to look for when purchasing an RV cover. In addition to the main entrance zipper door think about a zipper door for your main storage compartment providing easy access to that as well. At CalMark we put doors in all of our covers and any special requests are invited. We want you to be pleased with your cover.
FABRIC STRESS REINFORCEMENT ( FSR)
Click here to see why this feature is so important on any cover you purchase. This is offered only by CalMark and is included in every cover we make.
QUICK & EASY TIE DOWN SYSTEM
Our newest feature allows you to quickly and securely tie down your custom made Calmark Cover. Please contact us for additional details.
