storing ATC outside in winter

[robcc]

We have an ATC and don't have a garage or covered storage. We're trying to arrange some covered storage for next winter but would prefer not to take the camper off the truck. Anyone stored an ATC outside in snow country--7,600 elevation in SW Colorado? How often do you have to remove snow? You see people put tarps on other types of campers for winter storage. On another note how do ATC's hold up with hail? We're driving through the mid-west this summer and where bigger hail balls seem more prevalent. Are ATC's more susceptible to hail damage than FWC due to thin AL skin on the roof (hope that is not a can of worms).

 

[SkyP]

Can't help you with snow- but I would bet the relatively thin aluminum skin could get beat up pretty bad with hail.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Can't help with the snow coverage but I store mine on truck with a tarp on truck and another on 3/4 of the camper.
I leave the solar panels uncovered so the truck and camper battery is kept up.
Frank

 

[Ronin]

We only get a few inches of snow and occasional hail. I store my camper outside on a flatbed trailer. In the winter I place a sheet of 1 1/2" rigid foam insulation above the over the cab portion of my ATC. This helps control condensation and I would think it would also protect the top in severe hail storms.

 

[ski3pin]

We stored our camper off the truck our first year. We covered with a tarp and cleared the top - carefully with shovels - after each storm. It was a pain. Now it's on the truck full time as we have a high garage door. A local friend with a FWC - year round mounted - covers with a tarp but also adds a couple of 4x4 posts as braces/supports inside along the center line of the camper to guard against a crushing snow load on the roof.

 

[Taku]

We live in east Idaho at 6200' so long winters. ATC is on full time and outside 100% of the time. Had a few leaks through the screws that were easily fixed with Dicor. No hail damage, but others have had that - no real damage but a nice settlement from the insurance company. Eight years on the truck outside and it is still in good shape. I do clean the snow off when we get a significant snowfall, but using a soft neoprene kind of scraper my wife found somewhere works well.