How do you make a car cover stay on the car!

Post by **ani** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:54 pm

Heavy showers and a windy day prompted me to put the cover on the pick-up. The cover has a plastic catch on the bottom edge each side but I can't se how to attached them together. Having now retrieved it twice from the trees

I thought I'd just ask the question. Surely you don't have to crawl underneath it and tie it down

Post by **Judge** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:58 pm

Does yours have elasticated ends and an under belly strap?

Post by **ani** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:02 pm

It does have elasticated ends. Maybe it should have a strap that goes under the belly - all I have is the black plastic catches but no strap. The cover came with the car - maybe I can get one? Although how on earth do you get the strap under the car to the other side - do you try ad throw it across?

Thanks

Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:17 pm

I used cloths line to put between the catches and yes you just throw it under, and then lie in the puddle ( bound to be one where you need to lie ) and pull it through from the other side of the car.

Post by **ASL642** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:18 pm

Tie the end of the strap to a biggish wooden spoon and "shy" under car belly. It won't damage anything but is just heavy enough to take the strap with it. Retrieve it the other side and do up Simples!

Post by **ani** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:20 pm

Gee thanks - all high-tech stuff then

Me thinks a couple of extra long bungees might work well

(Still got the splinter and finger hasn't fallen off yet - hopefully it will grow out!)

Post by **ASL642** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:24 pm

Ouch! from the tree?

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:24 pm

do you try ad throw it across

Yes. Find a short bit of wood (or a small spanner) and tie it to the end.

As for holding it on. Get a couple of ratchet straps and use the suspension componants front and rear to hook them on they should also help to tension the cover and reduce the flapping that can scuff paintwork.

Post by **ani** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:25 pm

regaliaqueen wrote:Tie the end of the strap to a biggish wooden spoon and "shy" under car belly. It won't damage anything but is just heavy enough to take the strap with it. Retrieve it the other side and do up Simples!

Hey that's just a great idea - I'll try and get a replacement strap and a spare wooden spoon

I'll try and do this when the neighbours arn't looking - they already think I'm somewhat mad and if they see me chucking a wooden spoon under the car they will probably get the men in white coats to take me away

Post by **ASL642** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:27 pm

My neighbours came out and wanted to "have a go"

Post by **ani** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:34 pm

regaliaqueen wrote:My neighbours came out and wanted to "have a go"

This gets better and better - why not charge 50p a time - good game for next years National - unless of course you prefer the track

regaliaqueen wrote:Ouch! from the tree?

No yesterday when I decided to build a wood-store - http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/hunter.ani/WoodStore#

Far more dangerous then working on the moggie

Never want to see a clout nail or a three inch screw again!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:46 pm

Covers tend to balloon up when the wind gets under them... I find a couple of spare wheels helps stop that... One on the roof and one on the engine bay

Post by **ani** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:13 pm

Good idea - maybe a couple of bags of compost would work:-) Ah yes and if you're only 5ft 1in don't even try to put it on when the wind is actually blowing. I nearly ended up in the tree with it

<br>

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:24 pm

Good idea - maybe a couple of bags of compost would work:-) Ah yes

That's actually a much better idea than spare wheels!! The weight stops the cover lifting - when they lift up, they catch more air and end up in the tree / next door / never seen again...

Fortunately none of mine would be made to look worse by dropping a spare wheel on them

Post by **ASL642** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:54 pm

I couldn't possibly lift a tyre onto the roof either and knowing my luck the compost bag would burst

Vikki's got a lovely cover, but it's so heavy I have trouble putting it on. It's a good snug fit as well so it stays put while I play "throw the wooden spoon underneath"

Post by **moggie-tom** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:32 pm

I've seen a car cover held on with some large magnets before. I'm guessing it would scratch the paint so not a good idea.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:38 pm

There should be two straps attached to the clips - with pull-tight arrangement. I suppose bungees would be ok. I push mine under the TR7 (much wider than a Minor!) with a broom handle - yes it is a buffer fitting the cover - but it's well worth while ! Make SURE there no sharp edges - they will tear it shreds in no time. I stick a bit of tape over the end of the (pushed down!) wireless aerial