The DC-4/6/7 and Constellations all had fabric covered rudders. During heavy maintenance checks a fabric tester was used to determine if it had deteriorated. The dope that had been applied would dry and crack but a "rejuvenator" could be applied that softened it and extended its life. Aside from that we had very little trouble with fabric covering, at least in my experience.
Still, it did happen. On a very windy night on the ramp one of our mechanics had to re-lamp a DC-6B red anti-collision light which, Douglas in its wisdom, had placed atop the vertical fin. We had a very tall "fly ladder" mounted on a four-wheeled base. A fixed ladder went up at an angle to the midpoint and a second fly ladder was extended above it being pulled up by a rope. When extended to the height of a '6B fin (or even worst a '7C) it was very flexible. The aircraft was moving a lot too being buffeted by frigid gusts. The inevitable happened, I think the end of the ladder contacted the rudder and a hole was torn in the fabric.
It was going to require a "high-speed" patch which meant sewing and doping. It then transpired that none of us, all A&P licensed mechanics, had touched a needle since school and getting licensed. Anyway it was too cold for doping and it went off to the base hangar and attention by a fabric shop mechanic.
Some of the radar Constellations had their center rudder which lived aft of the radome on top, fixed (deactivated) in place in place and metal covered. Apparently the two outboard fins and rudders were sufficient.
Fabric covered controls were definitely lighter than metal covered ones. The higher speed of turbine aircraft ended their use on transports.