Recreational vehicles make it a lot more affordable to travel across the country. An RV can be used as a secondary home on long road trips or as a base camp in a wilderness setting.

Regardless of how you use your RV throughout the year, there will inevitably be periods of time where the unit sits dormant. Anytime you are not planning on using your RV, it is essential that you store the unit in a covered area.

1. Maintain Roof Integrity

An RV is not built like a traditional home. The roofing systems of most modern RVs are made from a polyurethane rubber coating. This coating is lightweight, but it is susceptible to damage by the sun.

If you leave your RV exposed while it is not in use, you run the risk of having the roofing system fail prematurely. This can lead to costly water leaks and the need for an expensive roof repair. A cover will prevent UV rays from penetrating the rubber roof coating on your RV.

2. Prevent Water Damage

Water is one of the most damaging elements that your RV will face. Most of the frame and interior materials of an RV are made from wood and paper products. This means that any contact with water will result in immediate damage.

Covered RV storage can help reduce, or even eliminate, any potential for water damage. In the event that your RV does have a leak somewhere, the cover will prevent rain and snow from infiltrating the exterior of your RV over time. This will give you time to make any repairs needed to make your RV watertight once again before leaving the vehicle exposed.

3. Prevent Exterior Damage

The metal siding that covers an RV's exterior is often thin. Any impact could dent or even tear the metal siding, leaving the wood frame below exposed to the elements. A covered storage spot will help to shield your RV from any items that might be thrown through the air by a strong wind.

Tree limbs and other hazards will fall onto the roof of your covered parking spot instead of onto your RV.

The added cost of covered storage is easily justified when you stop to consider all the potential damage covered storage can prevent. Keep your RV under covered storage whenever it is not in use to ensure your unit stays functional and structurally sound well into the future.