Do You Need Car Covers, and What Are The Best Ones On The Market in 2021?

Car covers are a great protection option for all kinds of vehicles because it helps to protect them from natural elements, including rain, snow, and dust. They also stop some kinds of parking lot accidents from damaging your vehicle as well as keeping away vandals from hitting your car with spray paint, keys, or other vandalism tools.

In fact, you could say that they are almost a necessity if you own a car or truck these days. In this article, we’re going to talk about why you need them and what is the best type on the market today.

What are Car Covers?

Covers are, as the name implies, covers that you put over your vehicle when it is in storage or outside in the elements. They are made from durable materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), canvas, and other synthetic fibers.

The covers usually slip onto vehicles easily enough because they are well-balanced to conform to the contours of any make or model. You can get them for cars, trucks, vans, crossovers, SUVs, and even motor homes without too much friction. Cover Types There are two primary types of cover: hard and soft car covers.

Hard Car Covers

Hard covers often consist of a layer of PVC on top with some kind of natural fabric underneath them. It is typically treated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading and weathering damage. The thin layer of PVC atop helps to give the cover some structure without adding too much weight or bulk.

You can usually get these covers in large dimensions that will fit your entire vehicle, providing complete protection from incoming elements (snow, rain, dust) while parked outside. They have typically touted as “all-season” covers because they do provide better coverage than some other types of covers, but they aren’t waterproof so you need to run them through an automatic car wash if they get covered in snow or mud before putting them on your car.

These hard car covers come in three key types: snap-on, corrugated plastic, and custom fit.

Snap-on

Snap-on car covers are not designed to last long, but they are really easy to put on and take off. You can quickly slip it off your vehicle in the morning before driving away, for example. These typically don’t cost much (around $20), but you will need to replace them at least once every year if you use them regularly because of their propensity to rip or tear over time.

Corrugated plastic

Corrugated plastic hard car covers are made of plastic that is cut into thin strips and then layered on top of each other. The layer is topped with PVC just like other types of hard car covers, which provides the structure that holds this type up. Since these layers do not bond together enough to a solid sheet, you can easily fold this car cover-up into the trunk or back seat for easy carrying.

Custom-fit

Custom-fit hard car covers are designed to wrap around your vehicle like a glove, making it very secure and comfortable. Since they are custom-made for specific vehicles, you need to make sure you choose the right one when shopping around for this type of cover. They can be pricy though because of their sturdy materials and high craftsmanship levels.

Soft Car Covers

While hard covers provide better protection against harsher weather conditions (snow, rain, ice), soft car covers are ideal to use during milder climates because they are typically lightweight and snugly fit to help keep out dust. Some people choose these types of covers if they want more breathability than hardcovers can provide, which is especially ideal if you live in a dry climate where moisture isn’t as much of an issue.

Soft covers generally contain natural fibers like cotton or wool since they are easier to work with than PVC and vinyl materials. These types also help keep the inside of your vehicle smelling fresh since there is no plastic odor like you sometimes find on other types.

These soft car covers offer more breathability than hard ones, but they typically cost more (around $50) because they are custom-fit for your vehicle. You may need to pay extra for features like reinforced seams, storage pockets, and elastic hems because these attributes make it easier to put on and take off the cover especially when you’re traveling long distances.

Some Of The Best Brands On The Market

The Cover Guy

The Cover Guy is a company that has been in business for many years now, with its original location based in New York.

Car Covers Direct

Car Covers Direct has earned the distinction of being an industry leader because they offer reliable customer service and products that are sized correctly for your vehicle.

AutoTruckToys

AutoTruckToys is another well-known company in this market with locations all over the nation. They provide competitively priced car covers alongside fast shipping options so you don’t have to wait long before putting these items on your vehicle.

BC Racing Wheels

BC Racing Wheels specializes in custom wheels, but they also carry unique car accessories like steering wheel covers and custom floor mats along with car covers to ensure you get what you want.

The overall consensus on car covers is that they are great for protecting your vehicle against harsh weather conditions and other forms of damage. If you live in an area with unpredictable weather, consider investing in a hard cover since these products can last longer than the average soft one over time even if it’s more pricey to purchase initially. Whichever type of cover you choose, be sure that you do your homework before deciding upon just any seller to make sure that it fits the exact model of your vehicle correctly.