Keeping an RV outside

Bagarre · #1 04-23-2013, 08:57 AM

Hi Everyone,
I'm thinking about buying an RV6 or RV7 but I need to keep it tied outside all year long.
Hail, wind and sun damage aside...how water proof is the cabin area?
Or how waterproof can you make the cabin area?

The tip up canopy looks like it would drip water all over your avionics and instruments and the slider looks like it would drip all over the seats.

Getting a hangar is simply not an option (if it was, I'd keep the C170 and buy a Pitts).

Has anyone else had to solve this problem?

Thanks.
-David

pa38112 · #2 04-23-2013, 09:00 AM

I had a 6A outside for about 4 months. It got wet until I put a Bruce's cover on it. That seemed to work fine keeping the water out.

moll780 · #3 04-23-2013, 09:11 AM

+1 on the bruces cover. very good protection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa38112

I had a 6A outside for about 4 months. It got wet until I put a Bruce's cover on it. That seemed to work fine keeping the water out.

longranger · #4 04-23-2013, 09:22 AM

David,

I see that you too are getting tired of the nitpicky BS required to keep a type certificated airplane in the air. Welcome over to the Dark Side!

Bagarre · #5 04-23-2013, 09:56 AM

Hey Miles, I didn't know you were building a 7.

Yeah the never ending "Approved" debates are wearing me down little by little. That and we never seem to have four people in the plane and never seem to fly as fast as we want but always seem to burn too much gas

Our mission is: Me, My Wife, Two folding bicycles and a day trup. In the 170; that's Ocean City but in a 6 or 7, it's the Outer Banks.

My real concern is keeping a bubble canopy outside in the weather all year long. My wife's concern is sight seeing with the wing on the bottom.

RickWoodall · #6 04-23-2013, 10:20 AM

Bruces covers INCLUDING full wing and emp covers would be wise. Nice product.

If summer, and good warm weather something like Abby from Flightlines lightweight canopy cover or comparable would be a must. Does a great job keeping water out. I would never leave my plane outside even over one night without a basic light nylon cover on the canopy.

Beancounter · #7 04-23-2013, 10:28 AM

I have left my 9a tipup out in nasty weather. Didn't have a choice. A targa strip and appropriately placed strips of electrical tape have kept the inside completely dry. The tape even comes in the right colour.

flyboy1963 · #8 04-23-2013, 11:20 AM

I use a bruce's cover on the canopy, seems to keep water out, but I leave the vents open so a little air blows thru so it doesn't condense inside.
Yup, one month after I bought 'er, it hailed and dented my ailerons and elevators!

after a year of watching snow collect around the fuel caps, I started putting low-tack vinyl decals over them between fueling ( adds about 10 knots too!

.....but oddly, I've rarely had water in the fuel due to 'leaky' caps.

Other than 'storage' .....having a plane outside can be a P.I.A. when it comes time to do the annual, or daily maintenance. Power, tools, water, etc. if not nearby really complicate things. I guess you could send a 6-pack, Timbits and/or flowers to your nearby hangar owners to keep in their good books.

Jim P · #9 04-23-2013, 12:17 PM

Bruce not only makes a great canopy cover, but he makes some great inlet plugs which you'll also want.

Bagarre · #10 04-23-2013, 05:18 PM

I have a Bruce canopy and engine cover for the 170. They really are great, I wasn't sure if they'd be water tight enough for a canopy like the RV tho. It's good to hear that people are already doing it.

IMO Sun damage is the worst (next to hail) but at least you don't need a step ladder to polish an RV's wings.

Working in the field is a challenge. Lots of battery operated tools and the trunk of my car looks like a mini work shop. It's not ideal but it's doable for minor stuff like oil changes, instrument replacement, radio installations, circuit re-wiring, strobe installations, tailwheel rebuild, flap rollers...yeah a hangar would be nice.