Cover for a Trillium 4500 - Fiberglass RV
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Old 08-27-2014, 09:14 AM   #1
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Name: lyle
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Cover for a Trillium 4500

Any one have any current recommendations for a cover for a Trillium 4500. The body is 12'Lx7'W and about 6' H. Just looking for something simple, but better than a poly-tarp. Door access would be a plus. Thanks.
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Old 08-27-2014, 09:31 AM   #2
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Hi Lyle.......I don't have any suggestions for a cover but wanted to say, 'Hi' when I saw your posting. I am currently in BC.....for the last few weeks. Visited my son and g'son in Mission and am now in the Okanagan Valley in a campground in Keremeos. Hoping to be back in Ontario by the end of the week.

Hope to see you and Vickie at Algonac.
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Old 08-27-2014, 10:57 AM   #3
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Covers are not recommended. They rub, sometimes right through the gel coat.
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Old 08-28-2014, 05:37 AM   #4
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I had heard about the rubbing, but thought that was only an issue with the poly tarps and rough canvas covers. How about the "chammie-like" materials? Same concern? I have one such cover on my garage stored hot rod and it seems ok, but it's not exposed to the wind. The cats like it!
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Old 08-28-2014, 05:44 AM   #5
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Noreen. It is our intention to be at Algonac. Vickey has some family matters to attend to about then so not too sure about her. I am probably going to bring Frankie, the traveling cat. I've got him harness trained and he just loves people (and food). Not too sure about a weekend in a trailer/ cage. Enjoy the trip. Beautiful country.
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Old 09-02-2014, 10:29 AM   #6
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It would be the wind, and dust that would be a concern with trailer covers. The dirt acts like sand paper. The constant rubbing damages the trailer.
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Old 09-02-2014, 01:17 PM   #7
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We covered our Rpod and Surveyor trailers with form fitting covers with excellent results. I, of course, washed and waxed them before putting the covers on and in the spring when I took the covers off the exterior remained clean and shiny with no evidence of any wearing or chafing. I think the key is to find a good fitting cover, made out of soft materials. The covers we had were both well engineered with plenty of adjustable straps, particulary on the underside to prevent the cover from moving in the wind.

We would love find a similar cover for our Trillium, too.
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Old 09-02-2014, 09:17 PM   #8
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Name: Walter
Trailer: 1976 Trillium 1300; Invertec Falcon 190 class b rv
Washington
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Trillium Cover vs DIY Temp Carport

Just finished putting up a "temporary" carport for a '74 Trillium 1300, purchased from Costco at a price of $229 that measures 7"X 10"X20". I installed only 2 sections to make it 14' and raised it up 6" (need clearance of 7'6" on sides and top) by purchasing 6"X6" treated lumber pieces to mount the legs. The legs and roof were reinforced with plastic covered 1/16" braided wire purchased at Home Deport for $0.31/ft. The carport looks like sturdy with the modifications described. Still need to put the canvas top on, but will need to make a few mods before doing this.

As you have heard, the concern about a cover that has contact with the roof is that it will rub against the surface and damage it. I had thought of putting a felt or cotton blanket underneath the cover but the raised canvas carport I think is better.

Good luck!
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Old 09-03-2014, 08:31 AM   #9
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I use a 18' x 20' temporary car port. Great for doing work on the trailers.
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Old 09-04-2014, 11:37 AM   #10
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Canopy uses

David,

Using a large canopy for a covered Trillium workspace is a great idea, especially for those of us without big garages. That permits one to do many Trillium repairs one might otherwise have to pay someone else to do if for no other reason than lack of a large covered workspace. It sounds like it has come in very handy for you.
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Old 09-04-2014, 02:30 PM   #11
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My situation is such that I must store the Trillium at a nearby storage lot so a canopy is not feasible. The garage is spoken for by hotrods and 3-4 feral cats that are homesteading/squatting. I did received a quote for a high quality "fleece-lined" cover for about $600. Very nice, but too pricey for me.
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Old 09-04-2014, 02:58 PM   #12
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What do you want a cover for? Are you concerned about leaks?

Most Trilliums have weathered the winter in Canada with no cover, for decades. The shine can be protected with Zep wet look. If you are worried about snow load, put a brace inside the trailer.
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Old 09-04-2014, 04:08 PM   #13
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You're right in that my Trillium is a 78 and has been outside for the past 30+ years. It doesn't leak (yet), it's faded somewhat and the roof doesn't have any significant bows, etc., but no pressing issues that a cover would address.
Truth be told, I'm running out of things to do on the "have-to" list and a cover is on the "wouldn't-that-be-nice-to-have" list. It sits in a mostly dirt/gravel lot in the Michigan weather for about 8 months out of the year and I thought that it would lessen the maintenance a bit.
I'm guessing that the few responses I've gotten are an indicator that having a storage cover "just because" is a bit of a waste of time/money?
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Old 09-04-2014, 09:39 PM   #14
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Name: Walter
Trailer: 1976 Trillium 1300; Invertec Falcon 190 class b rv
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Trillium Cover

If I was going to cover my Trillium, I would first cover it with 100% cotton blankets that hopefully would not create much friction on the surface and then cover it with a breathable cover, secured down so it does not flop around in the wind.

I had given thought to making a breatheable cover out of Tyvek ( the stuff they cover the exterior plywood with before putting up the siding on houses). They sell it in large sheets at Home Depot for $100. I would still use the cotton blankets underneath to reduce surface abrasion. Don't know if others have tried the cotton blankets underneath a breatheable cover and report their actual experience.

We did not cover our Trillium this past year because we were using the rainy weather in the Pacific NW to leak test it, so each rain storm tested things out . After repeated trial and error, we finally got the leaks figured out and patched up.

Now that things are working well, we will use our modified Costco carport to protect the Trilly from rain, snow and UV .

Good luck!
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Old 09-14-2014, 01:12 PM   #15
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Name: Walter
Trailer: 1976 Trillium 1300; Invertec Falcon 190 class b rv
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Costco Carport Mod for Trillium 1300

Finished the 14' long Costco carport mod and am posting pictures so you can see how it was constructed without the top cover and Trillium inside.

The space where the carport was going was close to the house so measures had to be taken to prevent it from hitting the side of the house and gutters.

There was also a gas meter on one side, and to prevent the 6"X6" wood base from sliding into the gas line, the base was fastened on one end to the square metal post protecting the gas meter and also a L bracket was fashioned to sit in the groove of the concrete driveway.

Braided wire (plastic covered 1/16") in X patterns was used to stabilize the roof canopy and vertical side posts. The vertical posts and roof angles were covered with insulation that was secured with plastic ties.

The ht of the vertical posts is 7' 1" with the 6" added wooden base and 7'4" 6" inside of the vertical posts. The width of the canopy is 9'5" which leaves 16" of clearance on each side of the Trillium. The ht of the Trillium 1300 is 7'6",width 6'8", length 13' .
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Old 09-14-2014, 01:41 PM   #16
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Trailer: 1976 Trillium 1300; Invertec Falcon 190 class b rv
Washington
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Costco Canopy Cover Mod for Trillium 1300

Finished the 14' canopy cover for the Trillium 1300 . Thought you might like to see the project before the top cover was added and the Trillium was placed inside.

The Costco canopy stock is 10'X20' and I used 2/3 of the length to arrive at 14', given the Trillium 1300 is 13' in total length. The space for the canopy was tight, so extra measures were taken to raise it up 6", stabilize the posts and roof, secure it to the ground and prevent it from sliding into the gas line, and pad the posts and roof supports at the corners to prevent them from damaging the gutters or side of the house in a wnd gust.

A Trillium 1300 is 7'6" in height, 6'8" in width. The canopy is 9'5" in width, leaving 16'"clearance on each side. The canopy posts are 7'1" in ht ( with the added 6" from the 6"x6" treated wood base ) and measure 7'4 measured 6" inward from the posts.
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P1050765.JPG   P1050767.JPG  

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Old 09-15-2014, 10:18 AM   #17
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I recommend anchoring the bar just under your eves to the 6x6. My neighbour had his pull out in the wind. Or you could just use self-tapping screws to fasten the top to the legs. This assumes that the legs are fastened to the 6x6.
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Old 09-15-2014, 11:10 AM   #18
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Name: Walter
Trailer: 1976 Trillium 1300; Invertec Falcon 190 class b rv
Washington
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David,

Thank you for your suggestions.

The leg feet are bolted into the 6X6 each with 3 - 1/2" dia-3 1/2" longscrews. The 3 high horizontal supports attached to the legs touching the side of the house with padded ends are not bolted to the side of the house ( trying to avoid damage to the side of the house )and were meant to serve as side support should there be sway toward the side of the house on the upper portion of the structure. There are bricks between the 6X6 and the concrete wall of the house so the 6X6 cannot move toward the house.

You are quite right about how this canopy will be vulnerable to strong winds, and if the weather forecast is such, I may just need to remove the top cover til the strong wind clears.

Thank you againfor the warning.
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Old 10-10-2014, 10:21 PM   #19
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Name: Walter
Trailer: 1976 Trillium 1300; Invertec Falcon 190 class b rv
Washington
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Costco Canopy Mod Fits Trilly 1300

We just got our Trilly out of storage on the Pacific coast and put it into our newly made canopy. The canopy was made with the dimensions in mind that this site had for the Trillium 1300. Thank you !

It all turned out quite nicely, with plenty of room on the door side for it to open.

This should help keep our Trilly dry during the upcoming Pacific NW rainy season.

Thought you might like to see the finished picture.
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