Outdoor car covers

[timster]

Looking to buy one for my car this winter,car will probably only be used on weekends if its dry.Been looking at classic additions but read some reviews about them not lasting long.Have been looking at these also

http://www.coveryourcar.co.uk/stormforce.htm

anyone got any real world experience of these or others?

[jon-]

timster said:

Looking to buy one for my car this winter,car will probably only be used on weekends if its dry.Been looking at classic additions but read some reviews about them not lasting long.Have been looking at these also

http://www.coveryourcar.co.uk/stormforce.htm

anyone got any real world experience of these or others?

That looks like the auto pyjama i had for my mr2. Great at keeping water out, but was a pain in the ass to clean and eventually tore through due to use.

[LooneyTunes]

I used to use a very lightweight breathable one from Covercraft - can't remember the name of the fabric but the water just used to bead and run off. Packed down incredibly small too, which meant that taking it away wasn't a problem.

One of the toys lived outside under it for a good 4-5 years and even after sitting there all through winter came out looking the same as when it went in.

I can't remember how much it cost, but it wasn't cheap.

[timster]

I'm considering a lightweight breathable one too,just so many out there to chose from!

[Leebo77]

timster said:

Looking to buy one for my car this winter,car will probably only be used on weekends if its dry.Been looking at classic additions but read some reviews about them not lasting long.Have been looking at these also

http://www.coveryourcar.co.uk/stormforce.htm

anyone got any real world experience of these or others?

I've got this one, with the lock too. It's pretty good, does exactly what it says on the tin.

[rocket]

I bought a Stormforce about 3 months ago and have been very pleased with it so far. Its nice and thick and fits quite snuggly on the car, but is not fully tailored. It is fitted with 2 straps which can be passed under the car to help keep it in place. I was worried that it might move around in the wind and rub the bodywork, but mine seems snug enough and doesn't move.
After a heavy downpour the bottom of the cover gets gritty from the rain bouncing off the ground, so its important to brush that grit off before moving the cover over the bodywork, but this would apply to any cover. The car itself stays bone dry under the cover.
It comes in a storage bag, but the cover is bulky and I've never been able to get it back in that bag!

[timster]

Thanks for the replys,looks like a stormforce cover it is.

[Ozzie Osmond]

I've never understood car covers. So far as I'm concerned if a car can be driven around in the great outdoors it's certainly capable of being parked there!!

[roscozs]

I bought a fully breathable and soft insulated car cover for the Mini, however a word of warning. During the winter we experienced gales. In the morning the weather was fine but when I came home from work the car cover flapping about had taken the paint of the wing mirrors and boot. Make sure the cover is a tailor fit and has straps to hold it secure.

[Garlick]

Before I had a garage the TVR lived under a cover for the worst of the weather. I've been pleased with it and it's now used inside the garage as a dust cover. Damned if I can remember the name of the manufacturer now, if you want to know I'll go and look tomorrow

[timster]

Garlic that would be great if you could do that,but don't want to spend anymore than £150 ish quid on one.

[SEE YA]

Well had a few carcovers some cheap some not so cheap covercraft etc .

So in the end I got a Portable garage much stronger and does not touch the paint work?. I got it from Ebay not new around £200.

It keep my wifes Karmann beetle 69 nice and dry, and you can even work on the car.

Edited by SEE YA on Tuesday 30th August 18:55

[zabba]

I use an outdoor cover on my S2 exige, from here http://www.specialisedcovers.com/

It's custom made for the car so fits like a glove, very well made and also breathable but waterproof. I only use it if the car is clean and dry, to prevent condensation building up inside. It's also quite expensive at about £200 but I am very happy with it and feel like it offers a lot of protection from the elements.

[Garlick]

timster said:

Garlic that would be great if you could do that,but don't want to spend anymore than £150 ish quid on one.

A quick check tells me it's one of these: http://www.cover-zone.com/monsoon-car-covers.htm

I'm happy with it

[Johnboy Mac]

rocket said:

I bought a Stormforce about 3 months ago and have been very pleased with it so far. Its nice and thick and fits quite snuggly on the car, but is not fully tailored. It is fitted with 2 straps which can be passed under the car to help keep it in place. I was worried that it might move around in the wind and rub the bodywork, but mine seems snug enough and doesn't move.
After a heavy downpour the bottom of the cover gets gritty from the rain bouncing off the ground, so its important to brush that grit off before moving the cover over the bodywork, but this would apply to any cover. The car itself stays bone dry under the cover.
It comes in a storage bag, but the cover is bulky and I've never been able to get it back in that bag!

Also purchased a Stromforce last month and so far seems up to the job but I suspect there are better covers available but no doubt more costly. The only gripe I have, as you mentioned it's not fully tailored and suspect it's not fully waterproof in really heavy prolonged downpours.