From camping to cross-country trips, RVs are the perfect summer vehicles for travel. In colder weather, however, such trips are not practical, and an RV needs to be placed in storage for about six months. If your home does not have a garage, what are your options?

In any storage instance, a RV should not be left outdoors for several months at a time. Kept in one place and regularly exposed to UV rays and rain, an RV gradually experiences damage. UV rays can fade the surface of the vehicle and also crack internal and external parts. Water also accumulates on the surface and, in addition to fading or eroding the paint, attracts mildew, mold, and dry rot. Because exposed to the outdoors is the least safe place for a vehicle, an RV needs to be in some kind of shelter.

If you do not own a garage, RV carports are an affordable solution. A versatile shelter, an RV carport can be placed in any location and is constructed out of a galvanized or powder-coated steel frame and a heavy-duty polyethylene tarp. Once anchored into the ground, the steel frame stands strong to winds up to 95 miles per hour and snow loads up to 53 pounds, protecting your vehicle in all weather. The polyethylene tarp, fully enclosing the shelter, is treated to be waterproof, UV resistant, mildew resistant, and waterproof. Together, these two components fully protect your RV and allow moisture to circulate inside.

Ordinances and zoning laws need to be taken into consideration before you look at RV carports. Many areas set restrictions on where shelters for boats and recreational vehicles can be placed. Although the side or rear of a building is acceptable, an RV carport most likely cannot be added to the front of your home, and certain locations may limit the amount of space you have available. Additionally, such ordinances and zoning laws may also have restrictions on the sizes of RV carports.