You just drove off the lot with a shiny new RV, or maybe you bought your first used RV. Either way, once that big rig is parked in the driveway it’s probably going to dawn on you that it should be covered.

RV covers help keep dust, dirt, bird droppings, and UV light off your camper which in turn extend the life and looks of your rig.

There’s more to choosing the right RV cover than simply choosing the cheapest piece of cloth that will go over your vehicle.

Build quality, materials, durability, and environmental resistances are all factors to consider before you throw money at a new RV cover.

In this article we’ll go over some of the top RV covers you can get today. Whether you’re on a budget or you want top-tier protection at any price we’ll have something for you.

Additionally, I’ll suggest a few things to keep in mind when you’re shopping! Let’s get into it.

Best RV Covers

	RVMasking 5-ply Top Travel Trailer RV Cover	Classic Accessories OverDrive PolyPro 3	AmazonBasics Class C RV Cover
Length:	24’ – 34’	14’ – 40’	20’ – 32’
Class:	Travel Trailer	Any	C
Waterproof:	Yes	Yes	Yes
UV Resistant:	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ventilation:	Yes	Yes	Yes

For more of my RV recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: RV Surge Protectors, RV Generators, RV Solar Panels, RV Batteries.

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated RV Covers For 2021

1. RVMasking 5-ply Top Travel Trailer RV Cover
2. Classic Accessories OverDrive Travel Trailer Cover
3. AmazonBasics Class C RV Cover
4. KING BIRD Upgraded Travel Trailer RV Cover
5. Leader Accessories Travel Trailer RV Cover

Our reviews to the top rated RV covers with our comparison table and buyers guide will help you choose the right one for you.

RV Cover Reviews

#1 RVMasking 5-ply Top Travel Trailer RV Cover

5-layers of weatherproofing, a good snug fit, and a reasonable price. What more could you need in a travel trailer cover? This one hits all the bases and comes in sizes from 24’ to 34’ so you can fit your rig.

Once you order the size that nearest fits your RV it’s time to lace it up. This cover has a fully elasticized hem (underside) like a fitted bedsheet. In addition, it has 15 weighted buckles (easier to toss under the rig) around the perimeter to spread out any wind loading.

In total, this cover is made from a 5-layer membrane (top) and a 3-layer (sides) of which the centermost layer is waterproof. That leaves lots of other layers to buffer and protect the RV from UV, wind and scratches all while letting the waterproof layer do its job.

Thanks to the adjustable panels you can access the trailer while the cover is installed. You’ll also be able to prevent mildew by taking advantage of the 8 vents around the cover.

With its durable construction the RVMasking cover is the best rv cover for winter on our list.

#2 Classic Accessories OverDrive PolyPro 3

While I don’t think this cover is quite as visually appealing and fitted as some others, it does it’s job and can cover a huge range of sizes. You’ll find a cover for anything from a short 15 footer all the way to a beastly 40’ RV.

In terms of pricing, these covers seem to be about on par, maybe a bit below average. This seems justified as they’re functional but maybe not feature-loaded.

One spot where we lose a little robustness is in the layering. These covers are 3-ply (top) and 1-ply (sides). This is a bit less durable than some other covers using more layers but the tradeoff comes in terms of weight and price.

Of course, as they should be, these covers are UV resistant, waterproof, and breathable thanks to venting.

While these covers are elasticized at the corners and feature tension panels for adjustability it may leave a bit to be desired in harsh wind conditions. Of course, since they offer these covers in tons of sizes you should be able to find one that fits like a glove out of the box.

The Classic Accessories is the best camping cover that comes in a size that will it most any trail or RV for a budget price.

#3 AmazonBasics Class C RV Cover

Amazon’s in house brand “AmazonBasics” seems to just get it right when they get involved. That certainly seems to hold true with this solid Class-C cover!

As we would expect we get waterproof fabric, breathable vents, and a highly adjustable fit. What stands out is the above-average strap placement.

With straps and adjustment panels nearly everything you should be able to really fine-tune the fit and hold up against nasty weather.

Maybe the only thing to note about this cover that could use improvement is the layering. 3-layer roofing is great for sun protection but I’d personally be happier to see more than one layer of material on the sides.

Otherwise, this is a great pick for a Class-C RV. It’s offered in 3 sizes to fit rigs up to 32’ long.

Best Class-C RV cover for the money.

#4 KING BIRD Upgraded Travel Trailer RV Cover

Maybe one of the beefiest, most rugged covers you can find for your travel trailer is the King Bird. This beast is ready for serious action right out of the box so let’s check it out.

This one really tips the scales with a 5-ply top and 3-ply side. It’s made with an anti-UV coated rip-stop fabric. I love the extra layers, extra durability and robustness here. Of course, durability isn’t everything.

There are tons of cinch panels for tightening down the fit. On top are a row of vents as we would expect. I’m a big fan of the three straps at the front of this cover where many others have one or two.

Of all the covers we’ve looked at so far, however, this one has the most narrow option for sizing. It’ll only fit 18-20’ long trailers. If you want a different size you may need to hunt around or contact the manufacturer.

The best durable RV cover for 20’ travel trailers.

#5 Leader Accessories Travel Trailer Rv Cover

If you’ve got a big ol’ travel trailer behind your big ol’ truck this might be the cover for you. While many other covers stop at 35’ or less the Leader cover doesn’t shy away from trailers up to 38’.

Let’s just get it out of the way upfront – yes, this cover has all the features we expect. There are vents around the top, adjustable panels, and accessibility panels for getting in the RV even when the cover’s on.

What I like about this cover is two-fold. First, the cover comes in a huge range of sizes that should fit any travel trailer RV. Second, you can pick from 4 different colors. I know that seems silly, but it’s rare to find color choices in RV covers.

Best travel trailer cover with size and color choices.

RV Cover Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best RV Cover for You

RV Class

RVs come in many shapes and sizes. There are, however, a handful of classes that can be narrowed down into which all RVs fit. Most covers will be based on the type of RV you have. Further, they’ll then be narrowed down to the length of that RV.

Let’s find out what kind of RVs are out there from smallest to largest:

• Folding Trailers (Pop-Up Campers)
• Truck (Bed) Campers
• Teardrop Trailers
• 5th Wheel Campers
• Travel Trailers
• Class B Camper Vans
• Class C RVs
• Class A RVs

When you buy a fitted or semi-fitted cover you’ll need to start by figuring out which type of RV you have. Then you can narrow things down a bit from there. For instance, a pop-up camper cover won’t fit on a 5th wheel (obviously).

Custom Fitted vs Generic

If you want a cover to fit like a glove, the best thing you can do is buy it straight from the manufacturer of your RV. If you’re buying a new RV and you’ve got the budget for it, just buy the name-brand custom-fitted cover from the dealer.

If you’re like the rest of us and don’t want to pay through the nose for the name-brand cover then you’ve got some work to do.

Generic covers fit a wider range of RVs. They’re not quite a perfect fit but generally have enough adjustability to create a satisfactory fitment. Additionally, they cost a fraction of the name-brand manufacturer covers so that’s a big plus.

Waterproofness

Waterproofing on RV covers is pretty much a given. Whether you buy an RV-specific cover or if you just throw a tarp over your RV it’s going to be waterproof.

Beware, however, some ultra-low-end inexpensive covers may skimp on waterproofing.

That said, all the covers on our list are waterproof. This works in both directions in keeping water out but any water that does get in is also trapped.

This creates an issue if your RV covers lack breathability and venting. Moisture trapped under the cover can create mildew or mold on or around your RV or cover. This creates a smell and visual issue which can decrease the overall lifetime of your RV topcoat or your cover.

To prevent this, look for breathability options. All the RV covers on our list feature vents or breathable waterproofing.

RV Cover Vents

Vents, as we just learned, help alleviate mildew and mold problems underneath your cover. Of course, nobody wants a moldy cover, but vents help in other ways as well.

Maybe the second most important function of venting is storm weather management. While no cover is fully weather-proof, vents can help extend the life of your cover.

When the wind blows up under your RV cover (which it will) your vents will help relieve pressure. Allowing some air to flow through the cover will help reduce stress and strain to some degree on the straps and fabric.

Adjustability and Accessibility Panels

All generic RV covers have adjustability panels. These panels are reinforced stitched areas with webbing and cinch buckles. Once your cover is in place you can tighten it down and take up slack by adjusting these pull panels.

Honestly, the more adjustability panels the better. The best ones spread the force of the straps across reinforced panels usually triangle-shaped. These panels are connected to the straps and stitched over the main fabric of the cover.

On a similar note, accessibility panels are a must-have. Once you spend the time to adjust and strap down a dozen or more straps on your RV cover you won’t want to take it off anytime soon.

To solve the problem of having to remove a cover to access the RV during storage, accessibility panels are popular. These panels are usually large zippered modular sections of the cover. These sections should line up with the access points such as doors, major storage areas, and other vital components.

While stored you can typically just take off a single strap or two, unzip the access panel you want, and you’re good to go in seconds.

Throw Bags and Straps

Getting all of the straps under your rig can be a real pain. Literally.

Instead of shoving straps around under your RV, most new covers come with a throw bag. Throw bags can be attached to each strap individually, loaded with a small weight (stone), and tossed under the RV. Head around to the other side, detach the bag, clip the strap tight, and repeat.

While a throw bag is nice, weighted buckles are even nicer. Instead of attaching and detaching a throw bag, you can use weighted straps to just chuck ‘em under. Either way, it’ll get the job done but I prefer the ease of weighted straps.

Cover Fabric and Layers

We won’t go into every scientific detail about what fibers, fabrics, and layering systems can be used in RV covers. However, we will talk about what you should think about before buying yours.

RV covers almost always are made from a fiber-based fabric. This fabric is most often layered with one or more other membranes to provide waterproofness, softness, UV protection, and scratch protection.

Almost all RV covers have different numbers of fabric layers on the top of the cover than the sides. This is because the top of your cover is more directly exposed to the brunt of UV degradation and rain.

Commonly you’ll find:

• 5-layer top, 3-layer sides
• 3-layer top, 1-layer sides

On 5-layer covers, you have 4 protective layers and a waterproof membrane. On 3-layer covers, you usually have two protective layers with a waterproof layer sandwiched between.

All things considered, I would opt for 5-layer tops and 3-layer sides. This gives the most protection and your side panels are substantially more robust than the simpler 1-layer coves.

Of course, this comes with a couple of drawbacks. Generally the more layers your cover has the more expensive it will be. Additionally, it will be bulkier and heavier to handle and store.

Warranties

This should be pretty self-explanatory. Instead of details, I’ll just talk about warranties as they tend to apply to RV covers.

Most RV covers I’ve seen usually feature a 1-3 year warranty. Since your cover will be outside exposed to sunlight, wind, and rain you’ll want this warrant to last as long as possible.

It’s all too easy to not notice tears and rips in your straps or fabric over time. Then, a couple summers down the road, you notice two buckles tearing out at the seams. Buying a cover with the longest warranty you can find will help shelter you from poor workmanship.

That said, if you buy a cover from a no-name brand and they’re not around when you go to use your warranty then it’s toast and you’re dead in the water. If you want a good warranty it needs to last a long time and be backed up by a reputable name.

FAQs About RV Covers

Q: Should a travel trailer be covered?

A: Whether or not you cover your travel trailer is totally up to you. Some factors may impact your decision to do so.

If you store your travel trailer outside without a structure to protect it, you may want a cover. Covers help deflect and absorb harmful UV sunlight which will discolor and destroy your RV’s paint coat over time. Additionally, a cover will help keep corrosive and gross bird droppings off of your RV.

If you store your travel trailer indoors a cover can help keep dust and animal droppings off.

For me, personally, I would invest in a cover for my travel trailer unless it’s kept in a perfectly clean indoor garage.

Q: Should you cover your RV in winter?

A: RV covers in wintertime can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, covers can help protect your RV from direct wintertime UV sunlight as we walked about before. On the other hand, snow can destroy a cover.

If your cover doesn’t fit right or hangs suspended in areas where snow can accumulate it may end up damage. Snow can really weigh a lot as it piles up and ice is always a possibility. Most RV covers won’t handle heavy snow loading unless properly supported.

If you cover your RV in the winter, just be sure it’s as securely fitted and strapped as possible before you leave it for the season to prevent snow loading damage.

Q: Should I cover my RV in the summer?

A: Summertime RV covers are a no-brainer.

RV covers in the summer serve to protect from:

• UV degradation
• Rain
• Heavy weather damage
• Bird droppings

During the summer you’ll just want to watch out for storms with damaging winds. Be sure your cover is secure and fitted.

Another factor to consider is mildew. During the spring, summer, and fall mildew buildup can cause accidental damage.

If water does get under your cover the combination of warmth and moisture can lead to mildew. Be sure your RV cover has ventilation to prevent mold and mildew.

Q: Do RV covers cause mold?

A: RV covers do not cause mold.

Mold is caused when moisture is trapped in the shade underneath a cover during the warm months. While the covers themselves do not directly cause mold they can cause the combination of factors that promote mildew growth.

To prevent mold and mildew under your RV cover just be sure to:

• Buy a cover with ventilation
• Look for breathable waterproof fabric
• Clean your RV with a power washer or a scrubber at least once per season
• Keep an eye out for moisture build-up underneath your cover

It’s not too hard to stave off mildew under an RV cover. Just keep an eye on things and buy a cover with good ventilation, to begin with, so you’ll have a leg up on the fight against mold.

How to Install An RV Cover

Conclusion

If you’re going to throw down some cash on an RV you’ll probably want to protect it. Getting and using an RV cover is a very affordable way to give a bit more protection to your rig. UV decay, water problems, and bird droppings are some of the worst problems you’ll encounter in maintaining your RV and a cover helps with these.

Even a pricey RV cover is cheap insurance compared to having your RV professionally repaired or repainted. On our list today we’ve included a range of RV cover options. Additionally, I’ve tried to deep-dive into the things you need to consider before you buy your RV cover.

Don’t be a doofus! Get yourself an RV cover to help extend the life of your awesome rig! Enjoy those summer rays and we’ll see you at the campground.

How We Researched

To come up with the top RV covers, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Camping World, Lazy Days, Real Truck and Walmart along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options for the price. The staff authors have a wide and varied background in RV camping, automotive repairs and backpacking.

The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

To help narrow down the selection we used personal experiences along with recommendations from mechanics and retailers.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

Sources