Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Dear Friends,

I bought my 83' FC-35 from a farmer in Ohio who kept it indoors for
most of its life.

For the past 2 years, it has been sitting outdoors in the NJ rain,
sleet and snow. And it is starting to show. I don't have the room or
$$ to build (or rent) a garage.

So I have been considering the next best thing - buying an RV cover
for it. There are many brands and fabrics to choose from. Prices range
from $250 - $550 on JC Whitney's and Camping World.

I haven't bought a cover yet because I'm worried about all the edges
on our roof rack. I can imagine it tearing in a moderate to heavy
wind/rain storm.

Has anybody had success buying a cover for a mid 80s Wanderlodge? And
if so, how did it hold up? Can you recommend a brand and model?

Thanks so much everyone! I wish I was on my way to Maxton today. Just
don't have the financial means right now. Next year!
__________________
Andy Coleman
83' FC-35
Spring Lake Heights, NJ

Andy,

We purchased out 83 FC 35 in October. The coach was from Florida and had always
been stored inside. We have it in NH now an I purchased a cover from Sam's
"Classic
Cover" (I think) .. 3 year warranty.. Roughly $320 delivered. It is 3-layers
polypropylene
and has a waterproof top. The one we got is 37' designed for 102" body's and
tall 12'. I
got the wide one to accommodate goat rail and storage pods..its a little big,
but unless
you get a custom cover the choices are limited. This winter in NH has been the
most severer in a long time. The cover has held up well and Im glad we bought
it.

You are right to be concerned about sharp edges. I padded several sharp edges
with
foam or duct tape. These are at the corners of the goat rails, the end caps of
the rain
diverters that run the length of the coach just above the window line, covered
the AC
unit top center with a plastic blanket (sharp corners). There are a few places
where the
cover ties at the bottom that need to be padded too because of chaffing. So far
so good.
The coach has remained dry (excellent ventilation throughout the cover) and
access is
easy with zippers all around.

The only thing I will do differently next year is lash a line around the goat
rails the entire length of them to support the cover so rain does not collect in
between them. It can pool
in several places. I have been up there with a hose several times to siphon it
off... not a
big issue.

Thats my experience with the cover so far.. Im considered building a garage but
I don't
think its worth it at this point. Hopefully it will be out of here next winter!

If you like, I can email photos...let me know. bgaramella@...

Bill

1983 FC 35
NH


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman" wrote:
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> I bought my 83' FC-35 from a farmer in Ohio who kept it indoors for
> most of its life.
>
> For the past 2 years, it has been sitting outdoors in the NJ rain,
> sleet and snow. And it is starting to show. I don't have the room or
> $$ to build (or rent) a garage.
>
> So I have been considering the next best thing - buying an RV cover
> for it. There are many brands and fabrics to choose from. Prices range
> from $250 - $550 on JC Whitney's and Camping World.
>
> I haven't bought a cover yet because I'm worried about all the edges
> on our roof rack. I can imagine it tearing in a moderate to heavy
> wind/rain storm.
>
> Has anybody had success buying a cover for a mid 80s Wanderlodge? And
> if so, how did it hold up? Can you recommend a brand and model?
>
> Thanks so much everyone! I wish I was on my way to Maxton today. Just
> don't have the financial means right now. Next year!
> __________________
> Andy Coleman
> 83' FC-35
> Spring Lake Heights, NJ
>

-------------- Original message from "Andy Coleman" : --------------

Dear Friends,

I bought my 83' FC-35 from a farmer in Ohio who kept it indoors for
most of its life.

For the past 2 years, it has been sitting outdoors in the NJ rain,
sleet and snow. And it is starting to show. I don't have the room or
$$ to build (or rent) a garage.

So I have been considering the next best thing - buying an RV cover
for it. There are many brands and fabrics to choose from. Prices range
from $250 - $550 on JC Whitney's and Camping World.

I haven't bought a cover yet because I'm worried about all the edges
on our roof rack. I can imagine it tearing in a moderate to heavy
wind/rain storm.

Has anybody had success buying a cover for a mid 80s Wanderlodge? And
if so, how did it hold up? Can you recommend a brand and model?

Thanks so much everyone! I wish I was on my way to Maxton today. Just
don't have the financial means right now. Next year!
__________________
Andy Coleman
83' FC-35
BR>Spring Lake Heights, NJ

My question is, what will wind currents do too that cover vs the paint on a coach?

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Montana

currently in weatherford, Tx

I suspect that a cover that is large enough to cover the entire coach would weigh- probably about as much as that last roof top air conditioner that I installed on my coach, by myself, by pushing it up a ladder ahead of me. That's' before I was 60 and had brains and friends.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Montana

After getting the Bird painted, we were going to get a cover for it,
but procrastanation keept popping up.. Finally I found one on
Craigslist that looks good. It fits a 34' coach, so should be big
enough for our FC31. It is a heavy sucker...Seller said he would
strech it out on ground and fold sides in on top, and then roll it up
in a neat roll. To install, he said to get on top of coach, and roll
it out from front to back, then pull sides down. (Dont sound Easy)!!
Guess the CB and Radio antennas will have to go...
Jack Smith
1973FC31
SoCal


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, mp222116@... wrote:
>
> I struggled for years with various tarp covers. Finally had a rv
port built for 2K. Is open with tin roof. Don't know costs in your
area but in long run I feel sure I will be ahead with better results.
maury 80FC31'
> -------------- Original message from "Andy Coleman"
: --------------
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> I bought my 83' FC-35 from a farmer in Ohio who kept it indoors for
> most of its life.
>
> For the past 2 years, it has been sitting outdoors in the NJ rain,
> sleet and snow. And it is starting to show. I don't have the room or
> $$ to build (or rent) a garage.
>
> So I have been considering the next best thing - buying an RV cover
> for it. There are many brands and fabrics to choose from. Prices range
> from $250 - $550 on JC Whitney's and Camping World.
>
> I haven't bought a cover yet because I'm worried about all the edges
> on our roof rack. I can imagine it tearing in a moderate to heavy
> wind/rain storm.
>
> Has anybody had success buying a cover for a mid 80s Wanderlodge? And
> if so, how did it hold up? Can you recommend a brand and model?
>
> Thanks so much everyone! I wish I was on my way to Maxton today. Just
> don't have the financial means right now. Next year!
> __________________
> Andy Coleman
> 83' FC-35
> Spring Lake Heights, NJ
>

Thanks, Bill. Your testimony is a great indication about those covers.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Montana

dead paint- no cover needed

I have not heard anything good about the effects of covering a coach in this
manner. Between the rubbing, scuffing, beating, etc., that the fabric does
to the outside finish, it also tends to trap/retain moisture allowing
habitats for critters. It's effect on the paint job is similar to what the
bra's do to the front end. Stuff gets trapped and acts like sandpaper. I
would never use either product.
Gary
SOB
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 3:59 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Anybody Covering Their Wanderlodge?


> My question is, what will wind currents do too that cover vs the paint on
> a
> coach?
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Montana
>
> currently in weatherford, Tx
>
>
>
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I agree. Covering has about as many disadvantages as advantages. Back when I was flying, the debate was about putting covers over the windshield of the aircraft (made from a plastic that was soft and easily scratched). Best that could be determined is that the dirt and grit caught under the cover did as much damage as just leaving it out in the weather.

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