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Storage Cover Trailer Storage Cover

M

Matt Rogers

Novice
Anyone use the storage cover? What are your thoughts on it? I am trying to find ways to cut expenses, and my rental storage unit seems to be the main thing to cut. So, a friend offered to let me park it in his yard. Now I am pondering the storage cover. Does it have a way to be locked? Does it get mildew? Is it sturdy?
 
Matt,

I have the storage cover. I store my trailer in covered storage rental space but still put the storage cover on it. It is very sturdy. I haven't had it long enough to know about mildew. It does have eye holes where you could probably run a cable to tighten it to 'lock' it down.
 
We store our trailer in our driveway and we keep the cover on it during the rainy season (we have left it off through the summer since we get in and out of it so much).

Mildew:
We haven't noticed mildew as much as a green algea like stuff growing on it (that could be stuff splashing out from the gutters on the house...with the rain we have had this year, we have had gutters overflowing a lot). It scrubbed right off. It gets time in the sun (when it isn't raining) and dries out a bit, which keeps it from mildewing. When it is wet and we take it off, we hang it in the garage to dry out, or I put it on the clothes line on our covered patio.

Locking:
Joan is right, there are tabs on the bottom to use bungies to hold it on. You might be able to find a cable to fit through those tabs and lock it, if that makes you feel more comfortable. The cover fits sungly, so unless we are leaving it on for a while, we don't bungy it down and we haven't locked it either.

Cats:
This has been an unexpected issue. I don't have cats and didn't think much about it until I started seeing worn and pilly spots on the back corners of the cover (under the hatch). It appears they like using it as a scratching post. I also notice a few snags up the side, and have found cats sitting on top of the trailer. We have tried putting cayenne powder around the base, but with the rain it gets washed away. It will stain the cover, so we haven't used it directly on the fabric (at least in our test piece, we found it not wanting to come out). I do not see scratches on the trailer though, so it looks like they are just pulling on the outer part.

Misc:
I have not done a wax treatment yet (we are working on that in the next few weeks). Leaving the cover on, will leave marks on the trailer. We noticed it most on the hatch. It will all polish out, no problem, but it is something to think about too. Not sure if that will be there after we wax.
 
Thanks Sarah, I will have to keep an eye on trailer for the marks you describe. Will be interested to hear about your polishing experiences.
 
Yeah, Matt, storage is a concern for me too. I wasn't able to swing the trailer purchase and have a garage built as well. Like you, I contemplated storing it at a storage rental facility, but felt the $180.00/month could be put to better use (such as towards the garage I want to have built). I also wasn't thrilled with the inability to plug the trailer in at the storage compound (meaning it would be necessary to remove the battery and keep it trickle charged). Removing the battery isn't a big deal, I just didn't warm up to the idea. I also considered erecting a temporary shelter, but much to my shagrin my City's bylaw office said, "no, no, no". In the end, I decided on going with the storage cover.

My climate is typically dry, so mildew isn't normally a concern. I imagine mildew concerns were likely taken into account though when the storage cover was made. I do recall Cary mentioning that they went to great lengths to find a good breathable cover. I suggest checking with Cary about your mildew question.

I have noticed some slight discoloration, a little bit of cover pattern imprinting around the top area of the hatch, and a few rub marks along the top area of the frame. :( Agh, this makes me sad. :( . . . But, I am waiting until my garage is built before attempting to buff/polish these areas, so I can't comment on how well these areas can be spruced up.

In terms of sturdiness, I have been using the storage cover for about 4 months and can say that it does stand up very well to windy conditions and heavy downpours. I do wash the trailer after each use (not only to keep it looking as shiny as possible but also as an attempt to avoid scratching the trailer by placing the cover over top of a dirty surface). When I later take the cover off, I don't see any sign of dust/grime having passed through the cover.

You do need to be somewhat careful though when putting the cover on. I did put a small rip in the front of mine. There are roughly 8 reinforced areas on the inner-side of the cover that kind of look like a knee patches, which are strategically placed to protect the cover from protruding parts of the trailer. I was trying to pull the cover down over the hatch area and didn't realize that one of the reinforced cover corners at the front of the trailer shifted out of place (until after I had torn the cover, of course). I sewed the area up and it has held fine ever since. If you have a second set of hands to help you put the cover on, this probably will be a non-issue.

Kelly
 
Joan I love you idea of multiply one night badges very clever. Evan I think we need a ten night badge or Joan will be taking over the forum with one night badges.
 
Kelly, $180 a month is a bargain! I have rented a 15' unit for 5 years now. I used to keep my homebuild in it. They are $250 a month here!! But I live in a highrise condo and use the trailer all year to escape the city. So battery charging is not an issue. Also, I have cleaned all the other junk out of the storage unit, so it's just the lone trailer in there. A friend offered his side driveway to park it in...who wouldn't want a camp inn parked in front of their house?! thanks for the details about the cover. I still am thinking about it.
 
We keep our Camp Inn outside and cover it with a cover for a Chevy HHR and it fits pretty good.What you have to think about is it will be weathered when you uncover it and tougher to clean.Steve :)
 
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