The 10 Best RV Covers of 2021: Brand Buying Guide & Reviews

Many avid travelers have their own RVs. It’s practical to have one, especially if you’re on the road a lot. They’re not that pricey but they’re also not that cheap. If you have an RV, do your best to take care of it so it would last longer. Don’t be cheap about it. Get the best accessories and equipment you can give it.

First and foremost, get a cover. This accessory should be high on your priority list. Get it almost as soon as you get your RV. It can keep your ride in pristine quality even if you keep it in the garage for months. There’re so many different types of covers so don’t just go and pick the cheapest one you can find.

Let this article guide you on how to choose your cover and the things to consider when choosing the right RV cover.

2021’S TOP RATED RV COVERS

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AN RV COVER

If you search the internet, there’re so many different companies offering RV covers with different features. So how do you know which one to get? There’s no greatest RV cover so the best we could do to help you out is to give you a list of what to consider when buying an RV cover. Here they are:

TYPE

This is a crucial thing to consider when buying a cover. RVs are used for many different things. Think of how you use your and the different weather conditions you put it in. There are so many covers available today. Some of them specialize in one thing more than others. It’s important that you pick the right cover for your needs.

There’s a section below that goes into more detail about this. Study it well before putting your foot down on any particular cover.

SIZE

This one is very important, and it’s a no-brainer why. Take exact measurements of your RV before heading down the store. Make it as accurate as possible. Do not estimate. If you buy from a famous brand, chances are the exact measurements of your RV is on the internet somewhere.

If it isn’t, here’s how to get it: to measure the length of your RV, start on one of the bumpers and measure it up to the end of the bumper on the other side. To get the width, measure the windshield and the back bumper. Compare them and make sure they match. To get the height, begin measuring from the middle of one of your tires and then to the top most point of the roof.

Some of the sizes are standard. The tire covers and windshield are almost always the same. If you have one of those unusually large RVs and they don’t seem to match the standard, get the size higher than what you measured. It’s better that it’s slightly bigger than too small.

MATERIAL

This factor is very important. In the list above, we mentioned various materials that make up different covers. If you’re not familiar with them, here’s a guide.

POLYESTER

This is not a very popular material for covers. It’s durable but not waterproof, not exactly. It just doesn’t absorb as much water as normal fabric. It can slow water down but not entirely keep it from getting through. The polyester itself can get wet and from there water could just soak through it.

• Can block out UV rays.
• It’s waterproof up to a certain degree. The fabric itself can still get wet. Water can still seep through it. Should still have a coating to be fully waterproof.
• Durable

POLYPROPYLENE

You’ve heard of this too many times when you read through the list. This fabric is so popular to RV covers and there’s a lot of reasons:

• It’s waterproof up to a certain degree. The fabric itself can still get wet. Water can still seep through it. Most of the items above have it in layers of two or three.
• It has natural ventilation inside of it.
• Tear-proof
• Resistant against acids
• Durable

POLYETHYLENE

You’ve also encountered this a couple of times in the items above. It’s also known as Tyvek. That’s right, both of the ADCO products are made of this material. It’s really good-quality leather so it makes sense that a known manufacturer like ADCO prefers it for their products.

• Non-flammable.
• Totally waterproof.
• It has natural ventilation inside of it.
• Does great in any weather condition.

TREATED ACRYLIC

We don’t have any item on the list that’s made from this, but it’s very common in the market, so we’ll mention it here. This fabric is more popularly known as sunbrella. You can order it online if you want some.

• Good protection against the sun.
• Waterproof.
• Not very resistant to damages.

OTHER FACTORS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

Note that these additional features aren’t that necessary. Sure, they’ll up your experience with the cover, but you’ll survive without them. Although, if you consider how long you’ll be using that cover before replacing it, it might be worth shelling out an extra small amount for them.

AIR VENTS

We discussed it a lot. All the items on the list above have them. This will affect the temperature in the RV when the cover’s on. It can also affect both your RV and your cover’s lifespan. Good, well-placed air vents prevent moisture from forming inside the vehicle. That will prevent molds, reduce mildew, and preserve your RV’s interior so it will last longer with little maintenance.

ZIPPERED PANELS

This one is not rare, but it’s not that common among RV covers. Even some items on the list above don’t have it, and those are considered to be the cream of the crop. It’s best to look out of items that have a zipper on their panels. It will provide easy access to your vehicle. It will also make checking the weather outside easier for you.

WHY GET A COVER?

RVs are taken everywhere. Unlike most cars, they’re under the mercy of the sun for days while you travel. It’s what they’re for, recreational vehicles. Having a cover will give your RV a little more protection from the environment. It can prevent damages that the weather can do. It can slow down damages that rain and acid rain usually brings.

Aside from that, covers will also help make your RVs interior cooler, especially those equipped with their own ventilation system.

Deterioration can’t be helped. At some point, your RV’s paint will peel off and the vehicle itself will rust. Having a cover won’t prevent these situations from happening. But it could, at least, slow it down. With a cover, you’ll get to enjoy your vehicle for longer.

Here are some environmental factors that cause your vehicle’s to slowly deteriorate:

UV RAYS

Uv rays are not only harmful to the skin, it also damages almost everything else it touches. This element’s effects aren’t easily felt. Like Acid rain, it takes a while to see the damages caused by UV ray. But it is harmful, and you should be worried about it. Don’t think that just because the sun is present all the time, that you can’t do anything about it. Find your RV a decent cover and be responsible enough to always put it on.

The first sign of extreme UV damaging in your RV will appear in your paint. You’ll notice that it cracks and peels off little by little. Next, are the plastic parts inside your car. They’ll start getting weaker and bent. Over time, the dashboard, the seats, and the rest of the ride will have little damages too. If it gets bad enough, your car’s metals and steel parts will start getting weaker. Act fast and act now. A cover could prevent all these damages from happening. It’s best to get one immediately.

WIND

Winds aren’t as damaging as UV and acid rain, but it does bring dust and other debris. By putting a cover on your RV, you’re protecting it from the scratches and the damage that it could get from flying objects on the road.

DUST

Dust doesn’t look as harmful as all the other elements on this list but that’s how it causes damages. Dust accumulates over time and if left uncleaned, they could damage your vehicle far worse than you think it can, especially if it accumulates on the wrong place. Aside from this, dust also leaves scratch marks on your vehicle when wiped clean. If you don’t put a cover on your RV, you’ll spend a lot of time washing the dust off of it just to protect it.

ACID RAIN

Acid rain destroys anything and everything it touches even trees. Of course, it will damage your RV. If the damage is already and your vehicle is soaked from the rain, hurry and wash it off as soon as you get the chance. Acid rain causes lasting damage after it dries up. It will chip your RV’s paint off. On really extreme cases, it even causes the metal to rust faster. Don’t belittle the effects of acid rain just because it’s not visible immediately. Be worried and act fast.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES

There are three different types of covers. When you choose one, take into account their usage and the material they’re made of. All of these covers serve different functions so it’s natural that they’re made of different materials strongest against whatever they need protection from

COVERS FOR TIRES

We know, as drivers, that it’s dangerous for any part of the vehicle to be heated to an extreme level as well as let it stay that way. The sun isn’t always that harsh, but if it’s enough to kill toddlers on back seats, it will be enough to heat your tires to a dangerous point. It might seem like a small thing given that you’ve never had a tire explosion before, but you shouldn’t take your chances. RVs are out in the road longer than any other types of vehicle. At some point, those tires will overheat and the last thing you want to do is drive on a hot road with already hot tires.

Get a cover for it. It wouldn’t cost too much. It would take the worry off of your chest and reduce the chances for any of your tires to burst. Plus it’ll help your tires last longer.

COVERS FOR WINDSHIELD

Windshields are the first things to heat up when your car is parked under the sun without any

shade. The main purpose of having this product is to give your RV protection from damages caused by UV rays. Its other purpose is to keep the temperature inside the vehicle bearable. Windshield covers can keep the inside of your RV cool and non-sticky.

COVERS FOR DASHBOARD

This cover is very important. You’ll come to a point where you’ll need to replace your RV and get a new one. This cover helps protect your dashboard and keep your seats and everything around it in good conditions. It can block out the sun to prevent it from weathering all the items in the front seat, including the dashboard. It might not seem like much, but you’ll be thankful for it when the time comes. It will keep your RV’s value floating.

WHY SHOULD I GET ONE FOR MY RV?

There are a lot of reasons why you should get a cover for yours. Here is a list of them:

KEEP YOUR INTERIOR LOOKING NEW

The sun doesn’t spare anything. It will destroy anything and everything that its harmful UVs can touch. Cover your windshield and your dashboard as well as your entire RV. Try not to leave anything soaking under the sun for too long. The last thing you want to do is to ignore this problem. Sure, there doesn’t seem to be immediate damages but they’ll appear after a while, and then it might be too late to fix it. Why spend money repairing something if you can just cover it to prevent damages?

FOR YOUR OWN CONVENIENCE

Covers help keep your RV’s internal temperature bearable. We know what happens to cars when left under the heat of the sun for too long. It’s the same for RVs. Imagine sleeping inside that RV while the scorching heat of the sun penetrates through the roof. If the heat’s not bad enough, the air around you will start feeling sticky.

Covers also prevent your RV from getting we or the rain from seeping through it. You’ll be safe under a cover despite what the weather is outside.

KEEPS MOISTURE LOW

In our list, we’ve repeatedly voiced our concern for moisture inside RVs. Moisture builds out of nothing. But once it’s there, it will start building up until it has the power to cause molding inside your vehicle and, in extreme cases, even cracking. That’s how powerful it is, don’t underestimate what it can do to your RV.

Having a cover can prevent it from ever forming. When choosing a cover, find ones that have their own efficient ventilation system. It’s those that prevent moisture from forming in the RV.

PROTECT YOUR RV FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

Even if you’re careful with your vehicle, the elements around you will deteriorate it no matter what. Over time, the sun, its UV rays, the wind, dust, and other elements will slowly damage your RV. A cover won’t stop this, but it can slow it down.

The first thing that will be damaged is your RV’s paint. You’ll see little peels and cracks all over the place. Second is the windshield and the overall exterior of the vehicle. Dust and debris can damage the surface of your RV when the wind that carries them is extra strong or when you try to wipe it clean with a cloth. A scratch might not seem like a big deal at first but when it accumulates, it will really bring your RV’s value down. Eventually, you’ll want a new RV or to get rid of the one you currently have, the best way to do it is by selling it. You’ll get peanuts with scratched windshields and peeled paint. It’s best to think ahead and preserve the RV’s value as early as you can.

FILTERS OUT DUST

This one isn’t really life or death, but it is important. No matter where you are, you can never get rid of dust. Sure, it seems harmless now but when it accumulates, it can destroy major things in your RV that cost you a lot of money or even affect the value of your RV. Dust can also damage your RV’s exterior. You can fix this by regularly washing the vehicle, but that would get tiring after a while.

Get a cover. It would easily solve this problem for you. Why wait until you see damages on the RV before doing something.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS I SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GETTING ONE?

Here are some things that people just automatically assume you know. It’s everything you must be aware of about covers, their installation, and their maintenance.

WHICH SIZE SHOULD I GO FOR?

Get the RV’s actual measurements. Covers come in many different sizes much like RVs do so you have to know which one you’re getting before walking into a store. If it happens that it’s too small for you, get the next one up. It’s always better to have one that’s a little loose, than one that’s too little and impossible to wrap around your vehicle.

HOW DO I PUT THE COVER ON?

It’s better to do it with help. Get at least two or three people to put the cover on to ensure that it’s installed properly and to avoid damaging it. Watch out for anything that might cut through the fabric. If you see any pointed corners, cover it with padding. Also, clean your RV before putting the cover on. Inspect for any dust or debris that might damage it before covering the vehicle.

WHEN SHOULD THE COVER BE ON?

Here are the times when you should whip out that cover and put it on the vehicle:

• When you think that it’s going to rain
• When the weather is bad(no matter what season it is)
• When it’s just stuck in your Garage
• When the weather is getting too hot
• At night before you sleep

WHAT ARE THE LEADING RV COVER MANUFACTURERS?

You’re very acquainted with Classic Accessories and ADCO, so you know they’re good. They’re a staple brand in the RVing scene. If you keep getting more and more interested in RVs, you’ll hear them a lot. Camco is also a good brand. It’s not up there with the other two, but it does have an item on this list. It’s a rising name. If you’re buying a cover, and you like the features, give it chance.

SHOULD A WARRANTY MATTER TO ME?

Yes very. Warranty means protection. Some of the items on the list have astoundingly long warranties, but that’s because they’re confident with the quality of their products. Typical covers only have about 2-year warranties.

ARE COVERS REALLY THAT NECESSARY?

RVs provide a lot of protection to your vehicle. It filters out snow, rain, dust and even the sun. It even protects it from branches, leaves, and rocks which you’re guaranteed to encounter on your travels.

The sun’s UV rays won’t spare anything. It will start with something small like the paint and eventually move on to weaken the material beneath it. Even people are damaged by the sun. You have to do everything in your power to make sure your RV doesn’t stay exposed for way too long.

A cover can prevent all this damage. That’s it’s important. It will preserve your vehicle’s good condition and make it last longer. It can even manage the moisture that could build up inside it.

You can’t keep ignoring your RV’s need for a good cover. Yes, it will cost you, and yes, it’s a hassle to keep installing and removing it over and over again. But it’s also for you. Your experience on the road will improve with a cover. What’s a little effort for that much protection?

ARE ALL COVERS WATERPROOF?

Not initially, this feature is very recent but very important. Almost all covers available today is waterproof. It has become a given that they should all have the ability to keep your RV dry. It’s a very helpful feature though. It ups your vehicle’s protection and makes cleaning it much easier.

Of course, it has to come with the ventilation system. Otherwise, that waterproof feature would do harm than good. Moisture can build up inside the vehicle and make everything damp. It’s important to that the cover you’re buying has a nice ventilation system to prevent that from happening.

HOW MUCH TIME IS A COVER’S USUAL LIFESPAN?

Those covers that are made from really good materials are, of course, expected to last a

really long time. Notice that some of the items on the list offer 3-5 year-long warranty. It could be that their product is only in great condition during that time, and that it would start to deteriorate after that.

Also given how many of the covers today have double, triple layers of durable fabrics like polypropylene and polyester, they’re bound to last a long time. Those layers were piled up to make the fabric more efficient in filtering out water and rain but it also really helped up their quality and durability.

So if you want a straight answer, there’s really no average time on how long covers last. All we know is that quality delivers, and choosing products with durable materials will almost guarantee its long lifespan. Of course, you need to try and balance this with your budget. It’s always best to buy the best one even if it cost you but also be critical when you’re buying something. Are the features good enough to justify that price?

HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXPECT THE COVER TO COST?

The cost would depend on the quality and added features. If you’re looking for the cheapest of the cheap, there are 50 dollar covers out there if you look hard enough. Just don’t expect them to be good. If it’s real quality you’re after, save 300 dollars. It’s a large jump, but it will be worth it.

The best-quality covers are expensive. Those made of polypropylene could cost somewhere between 300-1200 dollars. The material itself is expensive, but it will be durable and efficient as promised. Most covers are expensive because they have 2-3 layers of this material stacked up to make them waterproof. The price will also vary depending on the size of your RV. If you have a large RV, expect to pay a little more for a cover.

Any added features will just add more value to the cover and make its price hike up. Zipped panels, elastic hems, great ventilation systems are all great features but they will cost you. Given the comfort and convenience that these features can bring, it will really be worth it in the long run.

Always make sure you’re buying a bundle. Covers sometimes come storage bags and other little accessories. Ask if the price you’re given already includes those. They’re more expensive if you buy them on their own.

Other additional features that can cost you more money include adhesive kits and separate covers. The patch kit will help you repair damages to your cover. It will cost you about 10 or 20 dollars. Separate covers, on the other hand, are not as cheap. A windshield cover can add about 30-100 dollars to your bill, and a tire cover can add about 20-50 dollars. You can pass up on these but remember that they’re more expensive on their own.

HOW TO COVER AN RV?

Knowing how to properly install a cover, can save its life. If it is your first time putting it on an RV, go slow and be careful. That cover is expensive. Sure, you have your warranty, but it’s still a hassle to go back and have it replaced. If you can get people to help you even just in the first few times until you’re used to it, the better.

• Clean the vehicle. You can’t skip this step. It’s very important that you do it.
• Cover your RV. It’s better if there’s or more people helping in this step.
• Secure the cover. Some covers come with their own straps while others need to be reinforced. Always be ready with reinforcing tools to make sure your RV is safe.

HOW TO FOLD A COVER?

It’s important to keep your RV cover stored in a safe place when you’re not using it. It’s also important that you store it right to lengthen its life span and avoid damages. You have the option to store it in the protective storage bag or get a new and wider container for it. Just make sure to fold it nicely and put it in a good place.

Be patient when storing away your cover. It’s okay to abandon the bag that came with it when you can’t fit the cover in. Of course, when you get it the first time, it was folded nicely and professionally. It would be hard to replicate that and make the cover refit inside the bag.

• (optional)Buy a garbage can.
• Spread the cover on the ground.
• Remove the straps and anything attached to it.
• Fold it nicely.
• Place it inside the container(or garbage can if you bought one).
• Place all the little equipment (strap, clips) on top of the can.
• Store it away until the next time you need it.
• When cleaning your cover
• Regularly clean your RV cover to stretch its lifespan. You can either just spray it with water or use a mild soap to clean it.

Also, use a brush to sweep any dirt. Dry it out in the sun for an hour or so before folding it and storing it away. Don’t place it anywhere the snow and dust can get at it.

If you do all this regularly, your cover could last more than the prescribed 5 years.

FINAL WORD

Well, you’re ready to buy your own cover. Be sure to remember all the factors mentioned above when choosing your product. If you ever choose to buy any of the items on the list, just google them online. Amazon has them.

Always be critical of your purchase. The money you’ll spend on that cover is no joke. Make sure the one you’ll choose can serve you long enough to maximize your money’s worth for it.

Try not to obsess over great features and think if the cover might actually work for you. It’s inefficient to get a cover that effectively filters out snow when you don’t even live in a snowy area and your trips are mostly on lakes and hot roads. Think of the item’s usability and focus on what you need for your trip.

Follow the instructions correctly. Some items only have limited warranty. That sometimes means they won’t replace a broken product since they’re not responsible for the damage that happened to it. This is too much of a hassle to even try and argue over. Just take care of your cover and follow your instructions carefully so you don’t find yourself in situations like that.

Thanks for making it this far and we hope you find the right cover for you.