We Tested Our Covers on Class A, B & C RVs — Here's Which Class Got the Best Fit & Protection

When it comes to protecting your RV, one-size-fits-all thinking doesn’t cut it. A 40-foot Class A motorhome with multiple slide-outs poses a very different challenge than a nimble Class B campervan or a mid-size Class C with a cab-over design. That’s why we set out to test our two most popular RV covers — the Gold Shield 5L and Silver Shield 3L — across the full spectrum of RV classes.

The goal? To see how well each cover performs on real vehicles from Class A, B, and C. We weren’t just testing for water resistance or UV blocking — we were focused on fit, coverage, material handling, and real-world ease of use. Because whether you’re protecting a $300,000 motor coach or a weekend van conversion, a good cover should fit right, stay secure, and last through the elements.

Why Fit Varies by RV Class

RV classes differ drastically in size and shape, which directly affects how a cover behaves once installed:

• Class A: Large, bus-style motorhomes often reaching 40 feet long and over 12 feet high. The biggest challenge is full coverage — especially over roof-mounted AC units and wide slides.
• Class B: Essentially campervans, these are compact, low-profile vehicles. Covers need to wrap tightly around curves without excess slack or drag.
• Class C: Mid-sized RVs built on truck chassis, often 20–30 feet. The signature cab-over area creates a unique shape challenge for most covers.

We wanted to know: do our covers handle each shape equally well? Or does performance vary class by class?

RVs Used in the Test

• Class A: 2023 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 36LA (36 feet)
• Class B: 2024 Winnebago Travato 59K (21 feet)
• Class C: 2022 Thor Four Winds 28A (29 feet)

These weren’t just parked in a showroom. Each RV was used for real outdoor parking, installed with both the Gold Shield 5L and Silver Shield 3L covers, and left through simulated and natural weather cycles.

Testing Methodology

We ran every cover through the same evaluation process per RV:

• Initial Fit Assessment: Measured how well each cover wrapped the body, roof edges, corners, and accessories
• Strap & Buckle Security: Tested how easily straps attached and if they held in wind
• Water Resistance: Simulated 1-hour rain followed by visual inspection
• UV Exposure: Covers remained in direct sunlight for multiple days (and also under UV lamps)
• Ease of Use: Measured time and difficulty to install/remove per RV
• Slack, Drag & Wind Lift: Noted any pooling, sagging, or air pocketing in wind

All data was tracked using a scoring system (0–10 per category) and recorded per class.

🧩 Fit & Coverage by RV Class

Class A Fit: Tiffin Allegro 36LA (36 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: This heavy-duty cover was built for large outdoor exposure, and it showed. The 5-layer construction draped cleanly over the tall roofline and managed to cover the roof-mounted AC units and antennas without major slack. The length coverage was nearly perfect, and the elastic hem hugged the base snugly. Only minor pooling near the back ladder area was observed — nothing that couldn’t be adjusted with the included straps.
  Install Time: 7 minutes solo with ladder assistance
  Fit Score: 9.1 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: The lighter, 3-layer version was easier to carry up the ladder and unfold, but showed more movement along the sides. The thinner fabric was prone to slight sagging at the slide-out points and required more strap tightening. Still, it held decently in mild wind. Overhang on the rear was shorter than expected.
  Install Time: 6 minutes
  Fit Score: 7.7 / 10

Class B Fit: Winnebago Travato 59K (21 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: Surprisingly, the bulk of this model worked against it here. The cover overwhelmed the compact van form. While it technically “fit,” there was significant extra fabric bunching at the rear bumper and roof edge. Despite excellent material quality, the install felt clumsy for this RV class.
  Install Time: 4.5 minutes
  Fit Score: 7.0 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: A better match for Class B. The lighter fabric made it easy to maneuver around the Travato’s curves and rooftop components. Straps aligned easily, and the hem sat cleanly at wheel height. This was the best cover for the van in terms of overall handling and look.
  Install Time: 4 minutes
  Fit Score: 8.6 / 10

Class C Fit: Thor Four Winds 28A (29 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: Performed well across the mid-size footprint. The cover hugged the cab-over section impressively and had adequate room for rooftop units. Some lifting at the front corners during wind testing required double strapping, but otherwise stayed secure.
  Install Time: 6.5 minutes
  Fit Score: 8.8 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: Easier to handle, but struggled slightly with the cab-over coverage. The tension was harder to maintain, and some side slack remained even after tightening. Overall, it worked — but not quite as tightly as the 5L.
  Install Time: 5.5 minutes
  Fit Score: 7.9 / 10

Verdict So Far:

• Gold Shield 5L wins for Class A and C coverage due to its robust material and reach.
• Silver Shield 3L shines on smaller RVs like Class B where bulk becomes a disadvantage.

🌧️ Weather Protection & Durability Across RV Classes

Protection against the elements is where covers either prove their worth or fall apart—literally. Using a combination of simulated rain, UV exposure, and temperature swings, we put both the Gold Shield 5L and Silver Shield 3L to the test across all three RV classes.

Each cover experienced:

• 1-hour simulated rainfall at high pressure
• 200-hour UV light exposure
• Controlled indoor humidity buildup
• Wind gust simulation (up to 60 km/h)

We then measured for signs of water intrusion, fading, cracking, and material stretch.

• Class A: Tiffin Allegro 36LA (36 ft)

  Gold Shield 5L: With five layers and reinforced stitching, this model held up impressively. Water beaded and rolled off without saturation. After UV exposure, the top layer showed only minor dulling — no cracking or brittleness. Straps held in high wind without tearing or fraying. The sheer surface area of a Class A makes it hard to protect, but the 5L stayed tight and intact.
  Water Intrusion: None
  UV Resistance: Minimal fading
  Wind Stress: Held tight with no flap damage
  Durability Score: 9.4 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: For a three-layer design, the Silver Shield did a respectable job, but signs of wear appeared earlier. Rain simulation resulted in slight moisture at stitched seams. After UV exposure, the top material began to show subtle fading, and seams began to loosen slightly. Wind testing showed mild lift near roof corners.
  Water Intrusion: Minor at seams
  UV Resistance: Moderate fading
  Wind Stress: Some lift at corners
  Durability Score: 7.5 / 10

Class B: Winnebago Travato 59K (21 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: Overbuilt for a van? Maybe. But protection-wise, it still excelled. Water didn’t penetrate, though the bulk caused some sag near the windshield. The thick material blocked UV entirely. However, its weight made it less practical to manage in wet conditions.
  Water Intrusion: None
  UV Resistance: No visible change
  Wind Stress: Mild drag due to excess slack
  Durability Score: 8.6 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: Ideal pairing. Lightweight enough to remove even when wet, and resistant enough to keep out rain during simulation. UV testing led to light top fading but no damage. Performed best on this class in terms of real usability.
  Water Intrusion: None
  UV Resistance: Some dulling
  Wind Stress: Minimal lift
  Durability Score: 8.3 / 10

Class C: Thor Four Winds 28A (29 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: Covered the cab-over securely and resisted pooling on the roof. UV damage was negligible, and seams remained intact. The only issue was some stiffness in strap adjustments during windy conditions — otherwise a solid, durable performer.
  Water Intrusion: None
  UV Resistance: Slight fading
  Wind Stress: Some resistance during install
  Durability Score: 8.9 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: Adequate coverage, but small gaps around the front cap allowed for minimal water entry in heavy spray. UV exposure caused the most visible wear in this class, and seams weakened slightly after repeated stress.
  Water Intrusion: Light seepage at cap
  UV Resistance: Noticeable fading
  Wind Stress: Moderate movement
  Durability Score: 7.1 / 10

🧰 Ease of Use, Handling & Long-Term Maintenance

Durability and weather resistance are essential — but if a cover is too bulky or frustrating to install, many RV owners simply won’t use it. So we factored in what real-world ownership feels like: setup, removal, storage, and ongoing care.

Each cover was installed and removed repeatedly (10x per vehicle), and users were asked to score the process based on time, ease, and physical effort. We also tracked how the material responded to folding, long-term storage, and cleaning.

Class A: Tiffin Allegro 36LA (36 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: For such a heavy-duty cover, installation went smoother than expected — but it’s still a two-person job for most owners. The five-layer construction adds bulk and weight, which becomes more noticeable on a 36-foot RV. Folding and storing the cover post-removal took extra effort and space. Over time, the material held up well, but drying it after rain was a slow process.
  Install Time (Avg): 7 minutes with 2 people
  Storage Size: Large bin or bag required
  Cleaning: Spot-clean only, not machine-washable
  Ease of Use Score: 7.5 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: Much lighter and easier to handle. One person could install it with a ladder and no trouble. Removal and refolding was quick, and it air-dried faster. However, because it’s thinner, users needed to be more careful to avoid tearing it during strap tightening.
  Install Time (Avg): 5.5 minutes, solo possible
  Storage Size: Compact, folds smaller
  Cleaning: Easier to handle for air-dry
  Ease of Use Score: 8.6 / 10

Class B: Winnebago Travato 59K (21 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: Overkill for a van. Even though it protected well, daily handling was inconvenient. Too much excess material made it hard to fold neatly, and its weight slowed down both setup and removal. Not ideal for anyone needing fast, regular access to their RV.
  Install Time (Avg): 4.5 minutes
  Storage Size: Unwieldy for Class B
  Cleaning: Difficult to dry in smaller garages
  Ease of Use Score: 6.8 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: Excellent match. Quick install and smooth fit meant no excess slack to wrestle with. Easy to store in the rear of the van or any small closet space. This was the only class where the Silver Shield truly outshone the Gold in every “user-friendliness” category.
  Install Time (Avg): 4 minutes
  Storage Size: Compact
  Cleaning: Effortless to hang-dry
  Ease of Use Score: 9.1 / 10

Class C: Thor Four Winds 28A (29 ft)

• Gold Shield 5L: Struck a balance. Bulkier than needed but manageable for two people. The included straps and buckles helped keep everything tight, but re-folding it evenly for storage took time. The advantage was peace of mind during storms — once installed, it stayed put.
  Install Time (Avg): 6 minutes with 1–2 people
  Storage Size: Medium-large tote recommended
  Cleaning: Hose down and hang dry
  Ease of Use Score: 7.9 / 10

• Silver Shield 3L: Easier to get on and off, but struggled to stay taut without frequent strap adjustments. This sometimes defeated the speed advantage. Best for short-term coverage or mild conditions — not long-haul protection.
  Install Time (Avg): 5 minutes solo
  Storage Size: Folded to half the Gold's size
  Cleaning: Rinses easily
  Ease of Use Score: 8.2 / 10

📊 RV Cover Performance by Class – Summary Table

RV Class	Cover Model	Weather Protection	Fit Accuracy	Ease of Use	UV Resistance	Moisture Control	Overall Score
Class A	Gold Shield 5L	9.6	9.0	7.5	9.4	9.1	89.1
	Silver Shield 3L	7.8	7.8	8.6	7.5	7.2	75.2
Class B	Gold Shield 5L	8.4	7.5	6.8	8.7	8.8	80.5
	Silver Shield 3L	7.5	9.0	9.1	7.9	7.9	82.3
Class C	Gold Shield 5L	9.0	8.5	7.9	9.0	8.7	85.5
	Silver Shield 3L	7.9	7.8	8.2	7.6	7.5	78.5

🧠 Interpretation:

• Class A RVs benefit most from the Gold Shield 5L, where full-body coverage and long-term outdoor protection matter most.
• Class B RVs are better suited to the lighter Silver Shield 3L — easier handling and a snug fit win out here.
• Class C RVs sit in the middle. Both covers perform well, but the Gold Shield offers superior long-term durability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)