The main types of motorhome covers are flexible slipcovers and rigid shelters. Flexible motorhome covers can be made out of a wide variety of materials, including canvas and polyethylene fabric, and they often include liners made out of foam or similar material. These covers are typically sized to fit a particular vehicle, and specific designs exist for class A, B, and C motorhomes. There are also specialty covers for wheels and others that only protect the roof. Rigid motorhome covers often resemble a freestanding carport, and they are often constructed from kits.
Virtually all types of weather can cause some type of damage to a motorhome that is stored outside. Direct sunlight can fade the paint and break down the roofing material, rain can seep inside and cause mildew, and hail can inflict expensive body damage or break windows. Regardless of where a motorhome is stored, the local weather can potentially wear out or damage the exterior if it is not protected in some way. One way that a motorhome can be protected from the elements when not in use is to park it inside a structure, but a more feasible option is often to place it under a cover.
Flexible motorhome covers are typically made out of some type of weather resistant cloth material. Some of these covers consist of more than one layer, in which case the outer fabric is often tough and resilient while the inner material is made of foam or another soft substance that will not scratch the paint. Other flexible covers are simple tarpaulins that may or may not have been designed exclusively for that purpose. Specially made flexible motorhome covers can be designed with the exact physical dimensions of a motorhome in mind, including the position of the door, which can often be accessed via a strategically placed zipper.
Specialized flexible covers also exist to protect various components, such as the tires. Motorhome tire covers can help extend the life of the rubber by preventing the sun from baking the sidewalls. Cap covers are another type of flexible protection that are designed fit over the roof of a motorhome. Other types of covers can be obtained for individual windows, the side mirrors, and other components.
The other main type of motorhome cover is a rigid, freestanding shelter. These typically consist of at least four legs and corresponding braces, though some units have solid walls as well. The roof tends to be made out of a resilient material that can stand up to direct sunlight and more abusive weather, such as hailstones. It is possible to design and build this type of motorhome cover from scratch, though there are also kits that include all of the necessary parts.