CoverSeal CEO Ken Huening said rodents who find their way into cars, trucks and RVs from the undercarriage cause nearly $1 billion a year in insurance claims when they chew wires and otherwise trash their temporary homes. A few years ago, that included $18,000 in damage to his own car, which led to the creation of CoverSeal.
Huening first made CoverSeal for cars and has adapted his design for RVs. The CoverSeal covers use a weighted bottom to form a protective seal around the RV. The bottom edge is made from a waterproof, 10-mil, high-grade tarp. The seal keeps out rodents, as well as wind and other debris that can blow up under traditional covers if they flap in the breeze.
The various RV industry sizes forced Huening, an engineer by trade, to alter the company’s original design. For RVs, he created an apron that provides the same undercarriage protection as his traditional car covers.
“Anyone who wants to cover their RV has probably already gone out and bought one,” he said. “So, rather than throwing that away, the RV apron can work with their existing cover to provide that added protection. Just put your traditional cover on, then cinch up the RV apron over it, and the vehicle is protected.”
The RV apron is not limited to offseason use. Because the apron can be put on or taken off in minutes, it can be used anywhere. Winter campers might find the RV apron provides added warmth.
“You can lose a lot of heat through the floors,” Heuning said, “so the RV apron holds to the ground and blocks the wind that tries to come up under the RV.”
The concept is simple in its approach, but Huening said he finds himself working to educate potential customers about its ease of use.
Made from 600 denier polyester, the RV apron is sold in sections to make the apron lighter. The covers and apron are sold in silver only. Huening said the color reflects 90% of the sunlight and can keep protected surfaces cool and unfaded.
Huening said the company has considered making full RV covers, but the various heights and lengths needed to equip the entire industry would require more variations of the cover than he’s willing to take on at this point.
“We are growing,” he said. “We grew 50% last year and we are on track to grow another 30% this year. We will see where it takes us from here.”
Huening also makes CoverSeal truck covers for short- or long-bed pickups. To learn more, email [email protected] or call 408-529-3347.
