Precautions/protection for Hail Storms?

[Shedboy]

Have recently moved to 6000 foot elevation in Rocky Mountains where hail storms are normal. First hail storm destroyed the crank-up vents, hail was about the size of marbles. I notice a large number of RV's in outdoor storage lots that don't seem to have any protection.

Am thinking of adding plastic vent covers but they don't look any stronger than the vents themselves. Any recommendations for sturdy well-made covers or other approaches for hail protection?

[workinrvers]

one advantage of the vent covers, even though they are plastic, is if the hail comes and is big enough to cause damage the vent cover should shield the vent itself from damage. This would keep water from entering the RV until repairs are made. We also live in a hail prone area, aside from the vent covers we don't do anything special. Have been through a couple of the bigger storms and have had to replace the skylight over the shower, some clearance light lenses and a repair to one spot on the fiberglass roof that had small spider cracks. Our vents are covered and the covers were not damaged so they may be stronger than we think. Not sure,aside from garaging it, how to prevent future damage, thinking about a windshield cover to cushion any hits to the glass while parked.

[Shedboy]

Thanks for the info Workinrvers, coincidentally, I got a flyer from Camping World the other day "50% off vent covers and accessories". Lots of choices and princes at Search - vent covers - Camping World

Fan-tastic Ultrabreeze Vent Cover - White


has a convincing video comparing the air flow performance of different styles and manufacturers, but no data on strength. All of the vent covers use polyethylene plastic, polycarbonate would be a more durable material.

I wonder if spending $120 for two of these to protect $28 of existing vents makes any sense, maybe so if the RV is protected from the resulting water damage. If the new covers can't endure the hail, thats $120 a year plus water damage. Maybe a Rubbermade tote upside down with vent holes could be riigged to the roof.

Thanks for solving a mystery, I too lost a side marker lens and never figured out how it happened. It was at the same time the vent cover was damaged!

[neub]

The vent covers will hold up to significant hail. 7 or 8 years ago was in a hail storm in Nebraska that broke out all my marker lights, skylight, both air conditioners and when they started replacing the roof covering had to also replace the substrate as well due to damage. Of the two vent covers one had a couple of the vent grids cracked.