In the U.S., property damage from hailstorms averages $8 billion to $14 billion yearly. For motorhome owners, hail damage typically results in roof repairs or replacements, window glass replacement, and repairs to the exterior sidewalls.
Even with decent insurance coverage, you’ll cover part of the repairs. And if you’re under-insured, you could end up with a hefty bill.
How do you store your motorhome when it’s not in use? Most RV owners resort to off-site storage facilities or park in their driveway, leaving their coach vulnerable.
An RV carport can save the day for recreational vehicle owners. Read on and discover why a metal carport offers the best storage solution.
Protect Your Motorhome from the Elements
Whether you store your RV on your driveway or use an RV storage log, leaving it uncovered is risky.
It’s not only the risk of hail damage, but you’re also leaving your RV vulnerable to other weather elements. You may not even notice some of that damage until you’re ready to head out on your next adventure.
For example, UV rays can damage seals and seams. These components prevent water damage and help protect your RV from pest infestations. You’ll find seals and seams on the roof, window, and door frames.
Rain, snow, and wind can all impact the condition of your RV after an extended period.
If you’ve never replaced the roof on your motorhome, you’re in for a shock. A roof replacement costs roughly $300 to $325 per linear foot. On a 30-foot motorhome, you’ll pay well over $9,000.
Next, we’ll talk about a common issue RV owners deal with due to weather-related damage. Parking under an RV carport can help prevent it.
The Danger of RV Delamination
The exterior sidewall of many RVs consists of a lightweight plywood panel covered with fiberglass or gel coat. When the outside layer separates from the plywood, it delaminates.
Delamination usually starts small, but it can rapidly develop in large cracks. Even the tiniest separation can allow moisture or water to seep in, which only speeds up the process.
This damage occurs when one or more of the exterior seals fails. Seals usually fail from exposure to extreme weather, particularly the direct sun and cold temperatures. The brittle and flaky seals pull away from the exterior sidewall.
While you can’t protect your RV from the weather while traveling, a motorhome carport will protect it while you’re at home.
A Metal Carport Protects RV Interiors Too
Leaving your motorhome out in the open puts it at risk for exterior damage. The interior is also vulnerable.
Everything inside the RV is at risk when it sits outside, with the sun beating on it all day. The seat fabric will heat up during the day and cool at night. This damages the material and can ruin the adhesives used to tack the upholstery.
Eventually, the fabric separates from chairs or couches. It also fades. UV rays also damage carpet and other types of flooring.
Protecting the inside of your motorhome is just as vital as taking care of the exterior. Metal carports make an ideal solution.
Keep Pests Out of Your Motorhome
Traveling in an RV gives you and your family a cozy, secure place to unwind after a long day. Your home away from home makes a warm, comfortable home for rodents and other pests.
On the road, you likely have a few hacks you use to keep ants, fruit flies, mice, and snakes out of your motorhome. RVers use mothballs, dryer sheets, and even bars of soap to deter these unwanted visitors.
When not in use, your RV offers an easy way for pests to get out of the elements. Once they’re in, they set up housekeeping. It’s not a pleasant surprise to open the door and discover an infestation.
Be glad you don’t live in the desert where pack rats thrive. If they get inside a motorhome, pack rats can cause thousands of dollars in damage to wiring and insulation. Take care not to bring them home if you visit the Southwest.
Covered storage helps keep pests where they belong—outside. Of course, you’ll still need to ensure you’ve sealed any gaps where they can get in, but a carport goes a long way toward discouraging pests.
Avoid Damage Caused by RV Covers
A fabric RV cover is an option some motorhome owners choose to protect their rig in the off-season. They assume they’re doing right by keeping their RV safe from the weather.
A fabric RV cover lies directly on top of the RV, where it takes a beating from the sun, wind, rain, and snow.
As a sun shield, an RV cover does a decent job of protecting the outside of the rig from damaging UV rays. However, weather elements, such as wind and rain, can cause the cover to shift. If the cover moves around, dirt and dust trapped underneath can scratch the surface of the RV.
What if moisture gets trapped under the cover? You may discover a serious problem with mold development. Investing in covered motorhome storage will keep your RV dry and protected.
A durable metal carport will outlast a fabric cover. You’ll have protection for your motorhome for years to come.
When You Need Protection from Hurricanes
Hurricane season is in full swing, and even if you’re not in the eye of the storm, you may live in an area that receives heavy rains when a hurricane moves over land.
Steel carports can withstand hurricane-force winds. Steel may bend a bit and move with the wind, but a metal carport will usually come out of the storm safe and secure.
Storing your motorhome under a carport may mean it’s safer than inside a wood storage garage.
Reduced Fire Danger
Firefighters respond to calls for house fires approximately every 23 seconds. While no building material is 100% fireproof, metal holds up under fire better than wood.
For a small fire, your motorhome stands a better chance of surviving a fire if you store it in a metal carport. A wood garage or barn can go up in flames in a few seconds if the wood is dry and old.
Because steel is non-combustible, your insurance provider may offer a discount if you store your RV in a metal carport. Covered RV storage may also add value to your home.
Never Pay for Motorhome Storage Again
If you’ve ever paid to store your motorhome, you know how expensive it can get. Depending on your zip code, parking in a gated storage facility costs around $50 a month. The bigger your rig, the more you’ll pay for storage.
Many storage facilities don’t offer 24/7 access, so you’re limited to when you can access your motorhome.
What about security? Most storage facilities use video surveillance. If vandalism occurs while your RV is in storage, there’s no guarantee that you’ll catch the culprit.
An RV carport provides security and safety with no monthly rental fees.
Carports Offer Better Security for Your Motorhome
There’s nothing as devastating as paying for secure storage only to discover thieves stole your motorhome.
While storage facilities are supposed to be secure, RV theft is a common problem—despite the security cameras. That’s because storage facility staff don’t patrol at all hours.
Thieves have a window during late night and early morning hours to get in and out quickly with your motorhome in tow.
A carport on your property provides more security. For one thing, you’ll likely hear someone outside your home. You may even have your own security cameras or an alert dog to help keep an eye on your property.
Thieves are less likely to steal a motorhome from a private home. They can’t be sure no one is home and have nosy neighbors who might see and identify them.
Buying a carport with an optional security feature such as a garage door provides yet another layer of safety.
A Motorhome Carport Is Easy to Maintain
If you’re looking for an easy maintenance solution to RV storage, you can’t beat a metal carport.
Metal resists rust—common in any geographic area where it rains or snows. If you need to clean your steel carport, it’s as easy as spraying it down with a garden hose or pressure washer. You can use a soapy solution if you have a significant amount of grime on the carport.
Storing your motorhome in a garage sided with wood or stucco means you’ll need to repaint, restain, or re-stucco every few years. A metal carport requires none of that tedious maintenance.
Ready to Buy Your New RV Carport?
An RV carport on your property is the best storage solution when you want to protect your motorhome from the weather, pests, or vandals. Not only does a metal carport offer better protection, but you’ll also save money on storage costs.
Elite Metal Structures offers metal carports to fit any recreational vehicle, from the smallest pop-up camper to the 45-foot luxury motorhomes.
Contact us today for a free building quote.