Best outdoor car cover?

[RooflessVW]

As the title states, I'm looking for an outdoor car cover for my Phaeton. It will be outside in North Carolina weather from May and through June. Need something to keep the water, pine needles, and pine pollen off. The Phaeton's biggest flaw is that the drains can clog and soak the Kessy, immobilizing the car. I keep the drains clean and the car parked inside, but I will have no control as I am out of the country for the month and a half it will be parked outside.

I'm selling one house and finishing another and they're not quite lining up.

I have considered renting a storage unit vs buying a car cover. A storage unit is preferable, but having the car parked at a relatives will allow me to leave the battery maintainer installed.

I'd like to keep the cost under $400 if possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[440Magnum]

$400 will easily buy you WAY more car cover than you need, IMO! You can get custom-fitted ones for less than that.

I had a period of a bit over a year where I had to keep my Ram 1500 outside. I bought one of the higher-end parts-store car covers, similar to this one:
https://www.pepboys.com/product/details/626822/00797

And it served very well. It doesn't keep it totally dry in very heavy rain, but water doesn't just run through it either. It dries out quickly after rain stops, and breathes so things don't get moldy. Keeps leaves and dirt off, even has enough padding to protect from small-ish hailstones (that one got put to the test twice). Once it gets dirty its very hard to clean unless you have an industrial front-loading washer, but that's true of all car covers. I'd recommend it, or even one a step down the rung, for just a 2-month stint outdoors.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Hopefully the location is sheltered from wind. I've seen the finish ruined on a car because the cover was constantly moving back and forth in a breezy spot. It is very hard to keep it from moving a bit no matter how hard you tie it down.

 

[drtyler]

I have had pretty good luck with the NOAH fabric car covers.

The only downside is they are bulky when off of the car, but they protect it well from the elements.

They are usually custom sized for the car, not universal fit. Last one I bought from AutoAnything with a coupon code (search around the net, and you'll find one).

 

[InhalingBullets]

We get a lot of hail here in Texas, these are amazing.

https://www.hailprotector.com/store/#!/SUV3-HAIL-PROTECTOR-Car-Cover-System-231-to-270-in-length-Any-Size-Hail-FREE-SHIPPING-and-FREE-MOBILE-APP/p/59756879/category=0

 

[bmwjohn]

I don't know that they are the best but car covers at Advance Auto are usually under the 40% discount codes. They seem to have problems figuring ot the correct sizes, as covers for volvo 245's listed several sizes and prices, but going to store and reading boxes produced decent quality and price.

 

[RooflessVW]

Right now I'm looking at a custom-fit car cover from either Covercraft or California Car Covers. I was leaning towards the Noah fabric, good to see a recommendation for that, and the price is definitely right, at about $280.

I'm glad the notion that a loose fitting cover could wear the paint in the wind; this is a concern of mine that I forgot to voice. It will be parked behind/beside a garage if I go the cover route. Unfortunately I seem to be the only one in my family that feels garages are for cars.

I'm also waiting on an email back from a local vehicle storage facility. If they agree to leave the thing parked and plugged in I may go that route.

 

[FastLane]

I bought a cheap cover that says Motor Trend on it off amazon. It worked great. The Mustang was fine over winter outside. I took it off several times to start up the car. I was impressed.

 

[silveravant]

If you are worried about the battery why not put the car in storage, remove the battery and put it on the battery tender at home?

 

[RooflessVW]

Because there are an unbelievable amount of readaptations to perform if the batteries are removed without something in place to maintain the settings! Not to mention, I will not be home to remove them, and there is a pyrotechnic battery severing device...

Phaeton Battery Replacement

The car will also maintain its leveling and activate the compressor and tank purge from time to time.

 

[Malo83]

Go with the CalCarcover, one of the best on the market

 

[Islandvic]

check out AutoAnything.com

I dont have any affiliation with them, but I have made plenty of purchases from them. Free S&H, no tax, price matching, customer service are all reasons why I buy from them.

They prob have those brands you mentioned plus other premium cover manufactures for your Phaeton.

They usually have 5-20% off coupon codes floating around. If a current promotion code doesn't work with what you want to buy, add the item to your cart and click the "Chat with Rep" button. It probably named something else but I cant not remember what it exactly is called.

A CSR opens a chat box with you and can see your cart, even if you are not logged in. Tell them you are ready to buy, buy your coupon code is not eligible. Ask if they have any other coupon codes that work. If not, just ask if they can match it or meet you in the middle.

I purchased some Husky Liner Floor mats or a AVS Hood deflector once that wasnt eligible for a 20% off code. But the CSR gave me 15% off instead b/c I told them I'd buy it right now if they could do it.

What type of battery tender do you have?

 

[RooflessVW]

Thank you for your post, but the deed is done. I've ordered a California Car Cover Ultraweave in blue.

I'm using a Deltran Battery Tender. I have their dual-bank model so I can float the starting and Vehicle Power Supply batteries simultaneously.

Also, I get a 403-forbidden error when I try to visit the autoanything site. It may have something to do with the country I'm in.

 

[RooflessVW]

My wife and father took care of a quick spray wax and covering it up, as well as ensuring the tender was properly connected.

Here it is, until the house is completed in early July:

If I could do it again, I would have paid the extra $25 to remove the logo and have "P H A E T O N" embroidered on the front.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Nice cover! How much was it? I've always bought those cheapos from Walmart. I'd love to have one of those CA ones!

 

[RooflessVW]

Because of the size of my car and the material I chose, the total came out to $329.

Once my house is finished, I will probably continue using it as an indoor cover to keep the dust and pollen off while I'm away.

I haven't seen it in person yet, but my pops says it beads water like crazy and fits very well.