The Best Car Cover

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:45 pm

My wife's car gets the garage and mine has to sit outside, so I'm thinking about a cover in preparation for the winter. There seem to be loads about ranging from £20 - £200. I need something to withstand the winter and last for a decent length of time, so has anyone any experiance with any particular make that they could pass on some advice on pls.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:26 pm

I bought a cover for my TR 7 - although it's garaged for the winter, in summer it sits out. Cost me ~ £100 and it's excellent. Only snag is - the straps under the car MUST be done up every time - which means down on knees passing the strap through and then round the other side to catch it and clip the ends together. But with the straps on it has withstood some very windy and wet weather. Obviously you need to make sure there are no sharp edges on the car which would tear the material - eg I put a little bit of tape over the end of the retracted wireless aeriel to be sure it won't rub a hole. I think it was 'Coverzone' - not the cheapest one in their range and not the dearest either! It's well made and it does keep the car dry and allows ventilation/breathing so the car is not wet inside the cover. However I make a point of NOT putting it on the car if it's wet - only fit to dry car. I can look at the storage bag tomorrow to get the details.

Post by **Robins** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:01 pm

A cover is no substitute for a garage. Thats what the instruction said when I bought mine, and that cost over £200. They are right. For light rain yes fine but for constant heavy rain they get soaked and take ages to dry. When it's really wet, it clings to the car. and despite being breathable I can't see a wet cover clinging to a damp car does the paint any good. Building a car port would be a better option, just a roof so theres plenty of ventilation, from experiance this is far better.
Oh and the cheap ones are a waste of money. All my toys have noah covers from covercraft, but now also do have a dry garage to live in all year round. They are quite thick and spungey so act as great nock protectors aswell.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:57 pm

My cover was from www.cover-zone.com and it is the mid-range cover, but it DOES keep the car absolutely dry in even the wettest weather. Yes - damp air will still circulate round the car - but no worse than in a 'car port'. Yes - a good dry well ventilated garage attached to the house for some warmth (as mine are!) is the best solution, but for summer storage this cover is well worth the money. I suppose in warmer climate (than Ecosseland) - in a sheltered position, it would be fine all year round. But you MUST do up the straps every time - I found out the hard way when mine blew off the car one day.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:03 pm

Thank you Mr 9000 !!!
Unfortunately I have only garage space for one and the wifes won (2 years restoring it probably sway's her argument) but I agree a garage is best. Just felt I wanted to do that little bit more for the old gal than just sit outside getting weathered though....

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:38 pm

cover zone are good but go for the better one they do, 100 quid sounds like a lot for a cover, but it money well spent in the long run.

Agree that you MUST do up the straps, easiest way to do that is adjust it only on one side so that you got a long bit of slack on that one side, tie a few washer or something similar to that and its easy to throw under the car and find on the other side

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:56 pm

I tie the straps to a large wooden spoon weighty enough to go under the car but being wooden does no damage!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:49 pm

Good tips there on the straps -however it's on my TR7 which is s very wide car - and so I have to use a stick to pass the strap under the car - a spoon would never do it!

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:40 pm

Knowing me I'd chuck the strap under with something heavy on the end and knock the sill off

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:09 pm

Porridge?

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:12 pm

NOT on my car Young Lady

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:13 pm

No on the wooden spoon to add weight! you haven't seen my porridge!!!

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:32 am

You've never invited me for breakfast.....!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **GERRYCAPON** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:27 pm

Hi,
I just got a cover from www.coveryourcar.co.uk
I got the storm force cover as, like you my moggie is outside.
It is a perfect fit for my 4 door saloon and they also give 2 mirror socks to cover the mirrors and there are 2 under straps.
It cost £149 +p&p but I got a bit of a deal.
Regards,
Gerry

Post by **tonym911** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:20 pm

I spoke to the Coverzone folk and a very honest guy there suggested the second one up from the bottom (Voyager) one was the one to go for, not the super-dear one. I followed his advice and although we've not had disastrous weather down here it's working fine so far. Good close fit on the Moggy, comes to halfway down the wheels and elasticates itself nicely under the tailpipe and front bumper. Fifty odd quid including undercar straps and a posh bag.

Post by **tonym911** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:21 pm

I'll take a snap of it 'in action' tomorrow and post it up.