Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Cantrell
I'm a newbie when it comes to fiberglass trailers; I am expecting delivery in March, 2016. My Casita will be kept on my driveway in Wisconsin when not in use. Question: Would you recommend covering it with a tarp especially in the winter months or does a good wax job suffice?
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I have been tracking discussions on this subject for nine or ten months now on this forum,
Scamp Owners International, and two Facebook groups. The topic comes up repeatedly and there is no consensus other than a garage or carport is the best option if it can be arranged and a
Calmark cover is a very good product and likely the best
IF you decide to use a cover. You can review these prior discussions for yourself.
There was frequent mention of a tarp or other loose fitting cover scuffing up the finish so I would not recommend that option.
As I see it, the primary reasons to cover the trailer are to reduce chalking of the gel coat and degradation of rubber and plastic parts from UV radiation (aka sunlight). I think frequent waxing with a
good quality wax can pretty much eliminate the former problem and the latter issue is more minor and should be weighed against the cost or a cover or shelter ($500 and up).
Another consideration is tree sap. I spent more money to get a tree cut down than I would have on a cover, but the tree had a huge branch over my house so I wanted it gone anyway. So it depends in part on where it will be parked.
One more consideration is that it is difficult at best for one person to put a cover on, and even if you always have help, you might not be likely to bother with it except when the trailer is in off-season, semi-permanent storage.
I cannot have a carport here, and I have been going back and forth on my decision to use or cover or not. At first I was going to buy a Calmark cover and each time I think about it I gravitate a little more toward the decision to not use a cover. Since I store the trailer in my driveway I can keep it clean and maintained.