My Search for a GREAT RV SKIRTING Solution

After 12+ years “on the road”, you’d think I’d have this “winter camping thing” with RV Skirting down, right?

Note: I originally posted this in Nov. 2017, I’m updating it today (May 2023) after using my skirting (detailed below) for several seasons. There was even one winter where I broke it down in late February. Parts of the skirt were “melded” to the pavement with ice acting as adhesion – and the skirting survived intact!

Note 2: IMPORTANT UPDATE… “My” RV Skirting guy now offers RV SKIRTING KITS… this means, while you can STILL go to Boise Idaho and have a custom skirt designed and installed on your RV camper… You can NOW order a kit and have it SHIPPED to you – HIGH QUALITY at COMPETITIVE PRICES. Contact me for a quote.

You too can get this skirting custom installed for YOUR camper. Read on to learn more about it and how to get special pricing.

RV Skirting to prevent plumbing disasters – and – to save on the propane budget

Here’s my story… I’m a full timer. I ski, a lot. I also work as a ski instructor to help fund my travel addiction! As a full time traveler in a 5th wheel (and since 2017 a REALLY GOOD fifth wheel!) I KNEW from the first winter in Steamboat in 2012 I’d need RV skirting as a way to keep my plumbing (and entire underbelly!) from freezing up and my propane budget from going through the roof!

My initial solution (with my 2011 Crossroads Seville) was blue-board (insulation board). Effective and inexpensive BUT bulky. This type of insulation is VERY labor intensive (see my old videos/posts on my website when I talk about this approach) and it is virtually impossible to transport once you break it down in the spring. In contrast, the skirting pictured below folds nicely and is easy to transport, taking up relatively little space.

With a new trailer came a desire to do RV Skirting right

My new trailer and desire to winter camp led me to a search of companies that provide custom RV skirts as well as “do it yourself” kits. Acknowledging that I am “mechanically challenged”, I rejected all the do-it-yourself options for a variety of reasons – starting with the challenge of ordering the right amount of material and connectors.

Significant mistakes at the outset of a do-it-yourself project will quickly erase any savings of time and money over a custom skirting company. I was also reasonably concerned about damaging my RV if I were to attempt screw-in snaps, and had real concerns about the effectiveness of suction cup strategies touted by some do-it-yourself companies.

Even among custom RV Skirting companies, there’s a wide disparity over how they do it

While costs are fairly uniform; I received quotes ranging from $1900. to over $3000. for my 35 foot trailer. I learned the approach among custom RV skirting companies varies. Some use just snaps, some use a combination of turnbuckles & snaps (the videos I share below help to explain this) and some use a channel (or rail) system.

Channel or rail systems are not widely used and I know of some RV’ers having problems with them, so I passed on this approach. As to snaps vs. snaps and turn-buckles, I learned in my research that the turn-buckles, when used strategically (at high stress points) are better than just snaps. Snaps when over-stressed can (and will) fail.

Ok, enough commentary! Allow me to share a few videos that were created largely as my rv skirting was being constructed. This first video illustrates the process of measuring and planning out the two day project. The technician’s name is Zach, and the business I used is Extreme Covers in Boise, Idaho.

Considering RV Skirting for YOUR Camper? Custom RV Skirting is most definitely the way to go!

If you decide to get RV skirting for your camper and you like the approach you see in the videos below, contact me and I’ll get you a quote at an “insiders price.” I’ve negotiated a discount with the owner of Extreme Covers for all my readers! Contact me – or – email me directly at traveler@rvacrossamerica.net.  Tip: Dave is running pre-season specials as I write this update (June – August 2023), so, its a great time to take action!

Zach worked diligently through the balance of the first day and this second video shows continued progress…

Late on the 2nd day, Zach’s work is nearly done. In this next video, he is instructing me on various aspects of the skirting. Take note of the features built into the rv skirt and in particular how small it is when it is folded up.

Video 4 below introduces you to Dave – owner of Extreme Covers. As you’ll see, he’s quite a character, and the demo he has me do with the skirting was neither planned nor staged!

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The only thing really left to show you is the finished product – which can be seen in the 5th and final video in this post.

Summary of my experience with Extreme Covers

Extreme Covers does a first rate job creating & installing RV skirting. The work required 2 full days (and Dave tells me that some trailers / motorhomes require 3 days) – you CAN stay in your RV while the work is being done, and they will do the work onsite at their factory in Boise, Idaho OR throughout much of Idaho and in parts of the adjoining states.

Extreme Covers will charge a travel fee if you opt to have the skirting done at your location instead of theirs. For me, I opted to come to them and save the travel fee. I found it easy to get in/out of Boise (they’re less than a mile off the “Connector” (Interstate I-84) and their lot is easy to navigate and is secured. While there, I even took a couple of bike rides along the Boise bike path that runs adjacent to their property. (Remember – It’s a great time to take action as my readers get a break on the price and Dave is running pre-season pricing – so, contact me directly for a quote – traveler@rvacrossamerica.net)

As I mentioned earlier, if you’re looking for a RV skirt for your camper, contact me and I’ll be glad to get you a quote – as one of my readers, you’re going to receive a discounted rate.

RV Skirting UPDATE – Spring 2023

Folks often ask me “how’s it holding up?” Well, after some ROUGH winters, its holding up VERY WELL. Remember – its not just the skirting, its the snaps and turnbuckles. If they fail, they can damage your camper – mine are doing JUST FINE.

Further, towards the end of my first winter (February 2018), I elected to leave McCall, Idaho early. I struggled to free the skirting from the pavement as ice had “glued” the skirting to the pavement! It took LOTS of force to separate the two (the skirt and the pavement) – I succeeded at freeing up the skirting and there was virtually NO damage despite using massive amounts of elbow grease to free up the skirting.

Bottom line… this skirting is GOOD STUFF and while these guys are NOT cheap, they are THAT good!

Winter RV Camping

While you’re here, there are a number of posts where I talk about preparing for the winter months (if you camp in colder weather). You can find an index to my winter in a RV posts HERE.

Considering a NEW (or “new to you”) CAMPER?

I now offer a Concierge RV Buying (and Selling) Service. The goal? To save YOU time, money, and aggravation – and get you the RIGHT camper at the BEST price.

Discount RV Campground Memberships – TWO worth having…

As a full time traveler, I’ve found two memberships worth having. One is about to raise their prices, but they have an interesting offer to remain at the old, lower rate for life – see HERE for details on both.

May I suggest… Looking for a great navigating and trip planning tool?

I use something called AllStays – how I use AllStays is illustrated in this post about camping in the Helena Montana region. When I start my planning process, I always start with AllStays to see what campgrounds are in the region I’m considering. The database is interactive so I can learn more about the campgrounds AND other aspects about the region I’m planning to visit.

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