Once you own the perfect RV cover for your camper, experts recommend installing it whenever your RV is unused for two weeks or more. However, learning how to install an RV cover takes some practice.
There are many brands of RV covers. This article outlines the process for installing an RV cover from ADCO, one of the most popular brands, but the tips can also apply to covers from many other manufacturers. Be sure to consult your cover’s instruction manual for specific steps for prepping, installing, and removing your RV cover.
If you’re new to RVing, you might wonder why you need an RV cover. The short answer? They protect against rain, snow, dust, UV exposure, and other debris. Learn more about why you should cover your RV if you’re still on the fence. For now, let’s dive into RV cover installation tips.
How To Prep for RV Cover Installation
Before you throw your cover on, perform these pre-checks to ensure proper installation and to protect your RV (and yourself) from potential damage.
- Select the Correct Size Cover. Measure your RV front to back, including mirrors in front of the front bumper and any accessories (spare tire, ladders, etc.) extending beyond the rear bumper. This RV cover selector tool is a great resource.
- Wash Your RV. Clean your RV from top to bottom to minimize the risk of black streaks developing once your cover is installed. If you aren’t already familiar with washing your RV properly, learn how to do so.
- Pad Sharp Edges. You can minimize the risk of tears or punctures by padding rain gutters, steps, ladders, and other abrasive corners. Some covers come with padding, while others require padding to be purchased separately. Cover your RV ladder last so you can use it during installation.
Technician Tip: Climbing onto your RV’s roof is NOT required for cover installation. A step ladder can be used, but climbing onto the roof is the fastest way to install an RV cover if your roof is fully walkable.
How To Install an RV Cover
These step-by-step instructions will help you install most RV covers properly:
1. Unroll the cover next to your RV, unwinding the straps and buckles as you go.
2. Turn the cover inside out on the ground and roll it back up so that the FRONT tag is the last thing left exposed (rolling loosely is fine).
3. Place the cover width-wise behind your RV, grab the FRONT tag, and ascend your RV ladder.
4. Once you’re safely on the roof, turn toward the rear of your RV and pull up the cover (as if you were pulling up a fire hose).
5. With the front tag still in hand, walk the cover to the front of your RV and let the front of the cover drop over the front of your RV.
6. Spread the cover out over the top of your RV. The sides will begin to fall into place naturally. Ensure the sides fall down enough for you to reach them from the ground.
7. Begin descending your RV ladder, installing the ladder cap along the way, and pulling the back of the cover down as you go.
8. Walk around your RV, straightening the cover to be centered properly.
9. Secure the bottom corners after you’re sure the cover is centered. DO NOT make adjustments or pull the fabric after corners are secured, as it increases the risk of tearing the cover.
10. Connect the buckles and tighten the Slip-Seam straps running from the front to the rear of the cover. Each cover should have two sets of straps on each side (top and bottom).
11. Connect the buckles and tighten the Slip-Seam straps on the front and rear of the cover (running from side to side). Each cover should have two sets of straps on the front and back (top and bottom).
12. Adjust the cinching straps and buckles at the front and rear of the cover before attaching the “Weighted Toss-Under” and throwing the buckles under the RV to the other side.
13. Disconnect the weights, connect the front and rear buckles, and tighten the straps to remove slack from the cover and ensure a snug fit. Straps should be moderately tight. Avoid over-tightening.
Now that your RV cover is in place set a reminder to check on it at least once a month. Cover straps can loosen with wind and require regular retightening throughout the storage season.
If you live in a place that experiences significant snowfall, make sure to clear your RV’s roof after each snow. Allowing too much snow to remain on the roof can damage your RV cover and the roof itself.
How To Remove an RV Cover
In many ways, you’ll simply reverse the steps above. But here’s a quick breakdown to help you remove your RV cover when you’re ready for your next RV adventure:
1. Disconnect the straps and buckles underneath and on the front and back of your RV.
2. Pull the cover off the front and rear corners, ascend your RV ladder, and pull up the back of the cover as you go.
3. Carefully walk on top of the cover to the front of the RV. Avoid areas not flat on your RV’s roof, such as AC units, roof vents, and satellite TV antennas.
4. Pull the front and sides of the cover onto the roof, turning the sides inside out as you go. You’ll be left with a strip of cover spanning the length of your RV roof.
5. Move to the rear of the roof and begin rolling the cover from back to front, but leave the cover’s FRONT tag exposed at the end of the roll.
6. Once rolled, you can fold it into thirds for more compact storage and gently lower it to the ground over the front of your RV.
7. Store it inside a dedicated storage bag and/or in your RV underneath storage.
Removing your cover in this way ensures it’s ready for easy installation the next time you want to protect your RV. Storing it out of the elements protects it against unnecessary wear and tear, ensuring it lasts for years to come.
Can You Install an RV Cover Without Getting on the Roof?
You can absolutely install an RV cover without getting on the roof of your RV. This is important for RVs that don’t have a walkable roof, fixed ladder, or ladder prep. Still, you’ll need a traditional or collapsible ladder to get RV cover up onto your roof. You’ll also benefit from having a partner for this RV cover installation.
To install a cover on an RV with a non-walkable roof, begin by completing the preparation tasks outlined above. Then, follow Steps 1 through 3 in the standard procedure for RV cover installation—everything that must be completed on the ground.
From there, you can each position on either side of your camper with a ladder. One will need to carry the cover up onto the roof, but you can then work to follow the remaining steps to drop the cover over your RV’s front cap and work it down the sides and back before securing the straps and buckles. Depending on the size of your RV, you’ll likely need to descend and reposition your ladders several times to complete the installation.
How To Keep Your RV Cover from Ripping
Wind is arguably the biggest environmental factor that causes tears in an RV cover. To minimize that risk, you must use every available method to secure your cover properly. The more loose material you leave after installing an RV cover, the more likely it will suffer rips or tears.
Now, let’s evaluate “every available method.” In many cases, manufacturers will provide all the straps and cinch systems you need to properly secure your RV cover. This includes the straps that pass under your camper to secure the sides and cinch systems at the front and back to secure any excess material.
If your cover didn’t come with these, or they’ve broken, it’s a smart idea to re-invest in a new RV cover. Sure, you can use aftermarket straps, rope, or other tie-downs to secure your cover, but they carry the added risk of damaging your RV or the cover or voiding any existing warranties if you’re not careful.
What Is the Easiest RV Cover to Install?
Frankly, there’s not much difference in the installation requirements for covers that fit different types of RVs. RV cover manufacturers can make the installation process easier by including features like weighted straps, which allow you to toss them underneath your RV from one side to the other without crawling on the ground.
In practice, the easiest RV cover to install is a pop up camper cover. Because the camper collapses, you can likely install the cover without ascending a ladder and walking on the roof. Pop up campers are also considerably smaller than other RVs, meaning the cover weighs less and is easier to shift to your desired position once installed.
As your camper gets larger, the RV cover installation process can become more difficult. Covers for larger campers are simply bigger and heavier, requiring more time and effort to complete the recommended cover installation steps.
Learning why RV covers are important is part of every new RVer’s ownership journey. Safely installing your heavy-duty RV cover is vital to maintaining your RV’s long-term health and resale value.
Do you have any additional tips for installing an RV cover? Please share them in the comments below!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and not intended to take the place of professional service providers. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or advice contained on the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this blog.
I am in process of shopping for an RV cover for the first time. I have a 35′ Thor Windstream that actually measures 37′ including the ladder and the coach measures 102″ wide, not including the mirrors that do not fold flat to the coach. Will the cover allow for an extra foot on each side for the mirrors? Thanks for your help.
Hi David!
For starters, it’s likely best to opt for a slightly larger cover, depending on the exact cover brand you’re looking for. For example, this Camco Ultra Shield has two sizes that range from 34’1″ to 37′ and then 37’1″ to 40′. Opting for the larger size will ensure it fits over the ladder.
But it sounds like you’ll also need to find a cover suited for a wide-body design (as your Thor is). This you’ll need to perform a specific search for to ensure the cover is suited for that 102” width vs the standard 96” width of most travel trailers and fifth wheels.
Hope that helps!
The rodents tore pieces of my cover to make a nest in my engine compartment. I live in Central Fl. First cover lasted 2 uses, second cover was one of the best covers that CW offered and it was very lightweight and I even took the insurance for it. When I removed it, the cover peeled off like an onion. CW stood by their warranty and gave me another one even though I wanted the cheaper one, which was heavier. Actually, I won’t have used it anyways, gave it away when I sold the RV. Won’t waste my money anymore and don’t cover my new RV. Just get the roof inspected and sealed once an year.
You really should cover your RV to protect it from the sun. Your expensive paint will fade. Your leather on your Awnings will start to peel.
Don’t try and do this when it’s windy. First time we put our cover on it was windy and I almost went parasailing. If there is a little bit of a breeze you might have to change the direction you roll up the cover so you are working with the wind and not against it.
Gotta a chuckle out of these instructions. I reckon I must have skipped school the day we learned about handling fire hoses. Step 6 of the section “How to Install an RV Cover” offers this *aid* to understanding how to pull your cover up: “as if you were pulling up a fire hose”. Seriously? Is this supposed to be common knowledge? I’ve got to get out more!
What do we do to protect our winterized and covered RV FROM rodents?
Sorry to hear about your rodent experience Arnold!
Some RVers put moth balls or rodent traps inside before covering their RV for the season: https://www.campingworld.com/camping/insect-control-repellant
You’re right about annual roof inspection and sealing being a part of your RV’s routine maintenance schedule. But we still recommend covering your RV if it’ll be stored outside for an extended period, as it provides a layer of protection for your roof material, sealants, A/C unit, antenna, roof vents, holding tank vent caps, and other roof-mounted accessories.
I haven’t personally had fire hose training either! But I think the concept is simply to get your cover onto the roof safely (without tearing it) before you can proceed to the next step!
Great additional tip Scott! Thanks so much for chiming in!
Hey Janet, Great question. First, I’d do all that I can to keep them from getting in. Close up all small openings with either a temprary or permanent solution (some folks use silicone calk or expanding foam), clean the inside of the RV before putting it away and remove any food or anything he rodents could be attracted to, then park the rv on concrete or gravel if possible. Avoid parking in grass near bushes. Last, check the RV every couple of weeks or so. Those are some quick things you can do.