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Educate Me On Vehicle Covers

2

2BLAZERS

1/2 ton status
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Oct 12, 2001
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Location
KEIZER, OR
I have never bought a vehicle cover but was interested in one for my K5 that will be sitting outside in the raining Willamette Valley (Oregon) all winter. Its my weekend toy!! Does anyone have some knowledge about the good brands and/or recommended websites to order from? They all say they hold up to the elements but I want to order the best one for keeping the truck dry and clean. Someday I'll have a shop but that's a few years away.

Thanks for all your help.
 
Unless your paint job is very nice, a tarp does wonders.
 
I don't care if you buy the most sought after cover in the world that says it keeps out the elements i would recommend that you pull the cover at least once a month and hose the vehicle off and let dry then put the cover back on. ALL covers will eventually let moisture through the cover and start wrecking havoc on the vehicle.
 
if it is not parked on the street, then why not a canopy?

PP012.jpg
 
If your gonna tarp it, make sure you put bedsheets, or better yet moving blankets on the vehicle first..

Either way, tarp or cover, it is best to remove it periodically and air it out... The interior "padding" from a cover or blankets will retain some moisture...
 
This past summer I had my hard top off for a couple months but kept it covered up with a tarp at night or when I knew I wasn't going to drive it for a few days. Needless to say those brass looking eyelets rusted so now I have 2 places on my hood where it screwed the paint up. :angry1:
 
I just went through all this a few months ago so I'll relay what I know.

Option1:
You can get a custom cover made from many different suppliers at a cost of $200 and up (sometimes way up) depending on materials used. Type "custom car cover" in google and you'll get a bunch of vendors with search engines that allow you to input vehicle model, etc.... These covers are generally well built with mirror pockets and stuff like that. I would consider this if I owned some kind of exotic car, but I don't.

Option2:
I didn't want to pay that much but I wanted good breathable material that prevents condensation ,doesn't scratch paint, repels water, resists tree sap, and doesn't heat up on hot days.

I found a manufacturer called Budge that makes generic covers for full size SUVs like full size broncos ,ram chargers, and blazer/jimmys. The size is (17'L x 72"W x 64"H) They have 3 types:
UB-2 - Budge Lite SUV Cover (Cheapest around $50)
UK-2 - The Premier SUV Cover (More expensive around $75)
USD-2 - The Shield SUV Cover (Most Expensive around $90)

I ended up buying the USD-2 since my truck has new paint and will be parked outside in the rain under a sappy tree that has already completely ruined the paint on another truck. It appears to fit fine on my 72, but is a pain trying to put on and take off a 10" lifted rig with 35s. Especially in the wind. I also bought their cable lock CBL-1, but that was a complete POS and I wouldn't recommend it.

Cheapest price I found (incl shipping) was www.bestpriceautoaccessories.com

Also, if you have nice paint and you want to keep it that way, you need to wash your truck before putting the cover on or you'll grind any dirt/dust into the finish.

hope this helps,

ottoman
 
Masiony said:
if it is not parked on the street, then why not a canopy?

PP012.jpg
Click to expand...

I have already tried the canopy thing for one of my trailers and they don't hold up to the wind very well. I am now working on replacing the canopy with one of those steel carports that can handle 100 MPH winds. The Blazer needs to be infront of two trailers so I don't want it in a canopy blocking my atv enclosed trailer or my utility trailer.
 
ottoman said:
I just went through all this a few months ago so I'll relay what I know.

Option1:
You can get a custom cover made from many different suppliers at a cost of $200 and up (sometimes way up) depending on materials used. Type "custom car cover" in google and you'll get a bunch of vendors with search engines that allow you to input vehicle model, etc.... These covers are generally well built with mirror pockets and stuff like that. I would consider this if I owned some kind of exotic car, but I don't.

Option2:
I didn't want to pay that much but I wanted good breathable material that prevents condensation ,doesn't scratch paint, repels water, resists tree sap, and doesn't heat up on hot days.

I found a manufacturer called Budge that makes generic covers for full size SUVs like full size broncos ,ram chargers, and blazer/jimmys. The size is (17'L x 72"W x 64"H) They have 3 types:
UB-2 - Budge Lite SUV Cover (Cheapest around $50)
UK-2 - The Premier SUV Cover (More expensive around $75)
USD-2 - The Shield SUV Cover (Most Expensive around $90)

I ended up buying the USD-2 since my truck has new paint and will be parked outside in the rain under a sappy tree that has already completely ruined the paint on another truck. It appears to fit fine on my 72, but is a pain trying to put on and take off a 10" lifted rig with 35s. Especially in the wind. I also bought their cable lock CBL-1, but that was a complete POS and I wouldn't recommend it.

Cheapest price I found (incl shipping) was www.bestpriceautoaccessories.com

Also, if you have nice paint and you want to keep it that way, you need to wash your truck before putting the cover on or you'll grind any dirt/dust into the finish.

hope this helps,

ottoman
Click to expand...

Thanks, I order one last night, I ordered the size one for an Excursion so I can cover the front winch bumper, lights and the rear spare tire on the swing out carrier. I let you know how it all works when I get it. Thanks for the web address.
 
2BLAZERS said:
Thanks, I order one last night, I ordered the size one for an Excursion so I can cover the front winch bumper, lights and the rear spare tire on the swing out carrier. I let you know how it all works when I get it. Thanks for the web address.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of getting the suburban one also but opted for the smaller one since I don't have a winch, spare tire, and gas can mounted (yet). It'll be interesting to know how it all works out.
 
guys
I'm thinking about buying one of these covers, how are they working out?
I am also looking at a covercraft cover. But for the price it looks like Budge may be the way to go. Thanks

-scott
 
I received it but it is still sitting in the garage have not put it on the truck yet, just have not had time yet. I'll try to get to it this weekend if the weather is nice enough to wash the truck. I swear its been raining for months now. And if we have a decent day I'm at work or out of town.
 
Update to an old thread...

I've had my Budge "Shield" cover on my 72 Blazer outside for the last 2 years in San Jose California (it was parked indoors before that). Over that time it's been through rain and some strong winds during two winters and a lot of sunlight over two summers. Last weekend it started seriously falling apart. There are small and large tears all over the front of it. It now tears easily when grabbing the fabric and lightly pulling apart.

Maybe my expectations were too high but I was hoping for more than 2 years worth of use. I will be buying a replacement from another manufacturer.
 
Sorry for the dis-appointment, but thanks for the update.
 
OK, I looked it up on their website and my Budge "The Shield" cover has a 10 year warranty for workmanship and materials. I sent it off yesterday for repair or replacement. They didn't have a phone number or e-mail address. You are expected to just send it to an address postage paid and they send it back to you. The warranty seems pretty good for the price.
Hopefully it all works out.
 
I had a cover from california car cover. They make tons of different fabrics and they can even be customized if you have large mirrors, or bigger bumpers. They are a bit pricey, but the quality and fit is excellent.
 
Bump!
I received my warranty cover a few weeks ago.
I must say, I was quite impressed with the quick turnaround. I take back any bad thing I said about this company.
 
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