For long-term storage, at least six months in the case of seasonal vehicles, heavy-duty poly tarps are ideal. Made out of rip-stop polyethylene, such tarps are treated to be UV resistant, waterproof, rot proof, and mildew resistant. As a result, the material, when surrounding a boat or RV, blocks out the sunlight and keeps the water from accumulating directly on the surface.

If you own such a vehicle, know that these elements can damage the surface – and even internal parts – over time. UV rays fade and crack a vehicle’s surface and can even damage internal parts. Water that accumulates wears away the surface and attracts mold, mildew, and dry rot, which further damage the vehicle. Because such a vehicle was a significant investment, don’t you want to get all you can out of it?

To cover your boat or RV with a poly tarp, find material that’s the right size. Before purchasing any tarp, measure the height, length, and width of a vehicle, and include all add-ons and appendages in your dimensions. A tarp should be able to cover all of this. For RVs, additionally, manufacturers also make tarps specifically shaped for the vehicle. But, no matter the size, shape, or vehicle being stored, the tarp needs to be secured. To prevent the tarp from blowing away or moving in the winter, secure it with bungee cords or clips.

The new guidelines in St. Petersburg, Florida for putting a tarp over a car include that the tarp must be six inches above the ground and the tarp cover should be clean and of one color. The six inches rule is in place so that cars with flat tires and sitting on a frame without tires can be detected and not confused with covered cars that have all functional tires.

How do these new guidelines function in protecting cars, and other vehicles like RVs and boats needing the protection of a tarp cover? A tarp can be attached easily around a vehicle and still offer enough protection while being six inches above the ground. In the case of RVs and cars especially, the tarp can protect the vehicle by being attached directly above the wheels. In this case, the tarp won’t be loose enough to blow in the wind, as it will be held with bungee cords, and moisture and air will still be allowed to circulate. In terms of keeping the tarp clean, if a car or seasonal vehicle is being protected by a tarp for several months at a time, brushing off any leaves or debris that accumulates on top of the tarp should be sufficient enough to have a clean tarp protecting a car.

Protecting an RV with a portable garage is a long term solution. The portable garage itself is a low-maintenance structure and the structure consists of a metal frame supporting a metal or polyethylene canopy. The portable garage needs to partially enclose the vehicle to allow for circulation, and, if a polyethylene canopy is used, the material is breathable and is both UV and anti-fungal treated. Therefore, the structure will keep out the sun, which fades the RV’s paint and created internal and external cracks in plastic, and allows for circulation to prevent dry rot and mildew. The structure itself can stand up to high winds (up to 95 MPH) and snow.

Another short-term solution to protecting your RV is with a tarp, which is usually referred to as an RV cover. Similar to a portable garage, an RV is a heavy-duty tarp made from polyethylene which is UV treated and, because of its breathability, will allow moisture not to be trapped under the cover and cause mildew and dry rot. When choosing an RV cover, try to find one that is custom fit, as opposed to one size fits all. The size of your RV is not only determined the vehicle’s dimensions but also by any appendages, such as an air conditioner.