- Choose SFS AquaShed for rain, fog and humidity: triple-layer top that beads water, triple-layer breathable sides.
- Choose Olefin HD for sun and heat: a top panel that reflects sunlight and keeps the RV cooler.
- Olefin HD's listing adds a ladder cap, 4 gutter spout covers and a 3-year warranty.
- Both are Designer Series, both breathe, and both come in the 28'7" to 31'6" band compared here.
SFS AquaShed vs Olefin HD is really a question about your weather: does your trailer fight moisture or sun? Both are ADCO Designer Series covers with polypropylene sides. The difference is the panel over the roof, which is the part that takes the most punishment.
To keep the comparison fair, we put two covers in the same length band side by side: the SFS AquaShed 52245 and the Olefin HD 36845, both for travel trailers of 28'7" to 31'6". Every detail comes from the listings.
ADCO 52245 Designer Series SFS Aqua Shed Travel Trailer RV Cover - 28'7 Inch -
ADCO 36845 Designer Series Olefin HD Travel Trailer Cover 28' 7" - 31' 6"
AquaShed vs Olefin HD: the specs side by side
| Spec | SFS AquaShed 52245 | Olefin HD 36845 |
|---|---|---|
| Length band | 28'7"-31'6" | 28'7"-31'6" |
| Listed size | 381 x 104 x 102 in | ~ Not listed |
| Top panel | Triple-layer SFS AquaShed | Olefin HD, reflects sunlight |
| Sides | Triple-layer designer polypropylene | Designer polypropylene, reinforced top and bottom |
| Designed for | Moderate climates, high moisture | All climates |
| Strapping | ~ Not detailed | ✓ Slip-seam top and bottom, weighted buckle |
| Ladder cap | ~ Not listed | ✓ Included |
| Gutter spout covers | ~ Not listed | ✓ 4 included |
| Warranty stated | ~ Not listed | ✓ 3 years |
| Fits A/C, ladders, slides | ✓ Stated | ~ Not stated |
On paper, Olefin HD lists more included parts and a warranty term. SFS AquaShed lists exact dimensions and explicit fit notes for A/C units, tall walls, slide-outs and ladders.
Both covers also share the same basic idea: a roof panel designed for the weather that hits it hardest, and lighter, breathable sides where moisture needs to escape. Neither listing claims a snow-load rating, so in snowy regions plan to brush off heavy buildup.
Roof fabric: water shedding vs sun reflecting
SFS AquaShed
The triple-layer SFS AquaShed top panel is ADCO's answer to wet climates. The fifth wheel versions say it beads water on contact. Breathable sides let trapped vapor escape, which is what keeps mildew and black streaks from forming under the cover.
Olefin HD
The Olefin HD top panel reflects sunlight and keeps the RV cooler, according to the maker. Its sides are water resistant but breathable. ADCO calls it the most durable all-climate travel trailer cover on the market, which is a maker claim rather than a measured result.
One more practical difference is color. AquaShed covers are sold in gray, which hides dirt. Olefin HD comes in gray and white, with the lighter top working with the reflective fabric to keep heat down.
How widely is each line offered?
SFS AquaShed is the older, broader line. Across the ADCO size listings we reviewed for this site, it appears far more often, from pop-ups and horse trailers to 43-foot fifth wheels. Olefin HD covers four rig types.
Size listings by fabric line
ADCO listings reviewed for this site
The Olefin HD sizes we found are a travel trailer (28'7" to 31'6"), a Class C (23'1" to 26'), a Class A (31'1" to 34') and a fifth wheel (31'1" to 34'). If your rig falls outside those bands, SFS AquaShed or UV Hydro is likely your only Designer option.
ADCO 52245 Designer Series SFS Aqua Shed Travel Trailer RV Cover - 28'7 Inch -
Check price →ADCO 36845 Designer Series Olefin HD Travel Trailer Cover 28' 7" - 31' 6"
Check price →
ADCO 52844 Designer Series SFS Aqua Shed Class C RV Cover - 26'1" - 29'
Check price →
ADCO 36813 Designer Series Olefin HD Class C Motorhome Cover 23' 1" - 26'
Check price →How to choose between them
- Name your climate: humid or rainy points to AquaShed; hot and sunny points to Olefin HD.
- Check the band: Olefin HD has far fewer sizes.
- Weigh extras: a ladder cap and spout covers save you buying them separately.
- Think about storage term: neither is the Storage Lot line. For months unattended, read our Storage Lot cover review.
Want both weather and frequent access? UV Hydro adds zip doors on both sides; see how it ranks in our best travel trailer cover roundup. Motorhome owners can compare the Class C versions in our Class C cover guide, and fifth wheel owners in our fifth wheel guide.
Fitting, care and what both covers share
Whichever roof panel you choose, the fitting routine is the same. Both are Designer Series covers made to go on over a trailer with its A/C unit, ladder and slide-outs in place, so there is no need to remove roof gear first.
- Prep: wash and dry the roof, retract slides, and pad any sharp corners or awning arms.
- Gutter spouts: the Olefin HD box includes 4 spout covers; with AquaShed, buy or improvise caps so the spouts cannot puncture the fabric.
- Ladder: Olefin HD includes a ladder cap that reduces wear in that spot. Otherwise wrap the top rungs with foam.
- Straps: Olefin HD lists slip-seam strapping that cinches at the top and bottom, with a weighted buckle you toss under the coach.
Both fabrics are described as breathable. That is the feature that separates a proper RV cover from a hardware-store tarp, which traps condensation against the siding and leaves mildew behind.
Store either cover clean and dry when it comes off. Folding it loosely, roof panel inward, keeps the outer surface from picking up dirt that would rub the finish next season.
Which one fits real-world storage?
Geography is the easiest tiebreaker. Here is how the choice plays out in a few common storage setups.
- Seattle driveway, October to April: SFS AquaShed. Moisture is constant and sun is weak.
- Phoenix side yard, all year: Olefin HD. Heat and UV dominate.
- Midwest, hot summers and wet springs: either works; Olefin HD's warranty and extras tip it slightly.
- Gulf Coast: humid and hot. SFS AquaShed in a light colorway, where offered, or Olefin HD.
All trailer sizes are in the travel trailer covers catalog.
Neither cover is better across the board. SFS AquaShed is the pick for wet, mild climates and has the widest size range. Olefin HD is the pick for sun, and its listing is more generous with a ladder cap, 4 gutter spout covers and a 3-year warranty. Pick the roof panel for your weather, then confirm the length band.
FAQ
Which is better, AquaShed vs Olefin HD, for a humid climate?
SFS AquaShed. ADCO designs it for moderate climates with high moisture, with breathable sides that the 5th wheel listings say virtually eliminate mold and mildew.
Is Olefin HD waterproof?
The listing calls it water resistant but breathable. It is not sold as a sealed waterproof tarp.
Do both covers have zip doors?
Neither of these two listings mentions zip doors. ADCO's UV Hydro line is the one that lists zipper entry on both sides.
Which has a longer warranty?
The Olefin HD listing states a 3-year warranty. The SFS AquaShed listing compared here does not state a term.
Are both covers the same size?
Both are sold for travel trailers of 28'7" to 31'6". The AquaShed listing gives a cut of 381 x 104 x 102 inches.