Car cover

[RumbleBee]

I have recently had to move to temporary accomodation which has no garage. Chim used to stay in the garage all week and used only at weekends. Now it lives outside and I use it pretty much every day except for about 1 week a month when it doesnt move. I dont like leaving it out in the rain, worried about electrical contacts going rusty, dampness and the roof getting filthy. Planning to invest in a quality car cover.

The fleecy lined ones obviously sound like a good idea. But will this fleece damage the mohair of the roof (mine is a nice dark green that I have managed to keep as new so far). Looking at a Monsoon cover for £109. Bit pricey, but could save me more in the long run. Anyone had any experience of this or recommend a good cover.

Many Thanks

B

[mav 1]

I was given a Covercraft Gore-Tex type cover when I bought my Chimaera last year. The car has lived outside under the cover ever since.

No problems with damage to roof or leaking. I have even put a little plastic window in it so the parking permit/tax-disc can be seen.

I have found it useful to wash and re-waterproof the cover (I do it yearly) with NikWax Tech Wash and TX Direct.

Some guys swear by the Leven hood cover, but the car park that I park my car in has lots of trees - lots of dust and bird poo - so I wanted a full car cover. Takes 2 minutes to put on and take off and keeps the car clean and free from prying eyes.

Get 4m of steel cable and the appropiate bolts and padlocks to secure it under the car though.

[im]

I've got the Monsoon 'Summer' and 'Winter' Covers for my Chim and they do exactly what they say on the tin.

Summer cover will 'resist' water from (say) a sharp shower.

Winter cover will 'repel all water ingress' including standing snow etc.

The bags that you store the covers in are prone to split but Monsoon will send you out a freebee replacement if you ask them.

Damn good covers in my opinion.

[2Munkys]

I bought a tailored 'Coverzone Monsoon' for the Griff late last year and I'm very pleased with it. Soft enough on the inside to keep the lacquer safe yet robust and watertight. Two underbody straps have kept it in place through the gales we've had of late too. My car has been kept outside for four years and this is the best cover I have experience of (4 in total). Good price too when you look at the cost of the competition.

[RumbleBee]

Sounds like a monsoon it is.


Many Thanks all.

[symphonysid]

I use the Hamilton Classic Outdoor Moltex - it's fleece-lined, waterproof, breathable and you can put it on even when the car's wet - I've been very impressed with it, even in the very high winds of late!

[bigdods]

Covercraft are very pricey and not waterproof, they look great but you do get a lot of standing water under the cover after a heavy rainfall. I replaced mine with a Hamilton classic moltex and never looked back its great, hard wearing, can be put on wet and doesnt damage the paint.

[Overhere]

Just beware, I had mine parked on the road for a year, The Leven half top is easy and keeps the water out of the cabin, but in windy conditions it ended up chafing the paint work, as did other full covers, plus the full covers must be pulled tight and tied off or you wake up and the cover is in the next doors gargen.

I've moved to a house with a garage (I keep telling my wife we didn't move just for a garage for the Tiv! ;-) If I had to park it outside again I'd use the leven half cover but I'd line the edges with felt, and make sure not to put it on if it was really dirty.

I have 3 covers (experimenting) including the leven half cover, they're just in the loft if you want one.

[BryanWilton]

I have a Monsoon cover

Bought it about 6-months ago & have found that sometimes there is really bad condensation on the underside of the roof

I drive the car virtually every weekend so its not such a problem, but I don't think i'd leave the cover on for long periods without driving the car (with heater on of course)
Suspect you would end up with rotting carpets, etc

I don't know how other covers compare, this might be the norm...

[im]

Hmmm......I had my 'Winter' monsson cover on ALL winter in 2006/07 and didn't have any problems like that.

Were you using monsoons 'Winter' Cover or 'Summer' Cover?

Again, I've got and used both with no problems.

[BryanWilton]

Winter cover...