Truck Cover: Good Or Bad?

dkpeppard · July 20, 2009

We recently had some severe hail storms here in Denver. My 2000 GMC was hit for about $3000 worth of damage last month, June. I took the car into CARS collision center where they fixed the truck. Most of the work was PDR (paintless dent repair) but for the hood they had to take it off, sand and repaint it.

As you can imagine, I am quite apprehensive about damage again. I don't have a spot in the garage right now for the truck, so I bought a Covercraft Evolution 4 Car Cover from Autoanything.com (hail resistant). I called CARS to see how long my new paint needed to cure before I could wax the truck and use the car cover. They told me 30 days, but to not use the car cover at all as it would scratch the paint.

What is your experience with car covers on your rigs? There were over 600 reviews on Autoanything that were all positive from truck owners, hence why I moved forward with the purchase. August 1st will be when I can start using the cover, so any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Zembonez · July 20, 2009

A cover will surely reduce the occurance of damage but any decent sized hail would likely still cause damage. I'd bet the cover would fend off smaller hail that might otherwise damage the truck though. Better than nothing!

dkpeppard · July 20, 2009

A cover will surely reduce the occurance of damage but any decent sized hail would likely still cause damage. I'd bet the cover would fend off smaller hail that might otherwise damage the truck though. Better than nothing!

Thanks. I'm more concerned with CARS stating the cover will scratch up the truck, therefore do not use a cover for any reason. What are your thoughts on that?

Bowtie2Sierra · July 20, 2009

I don't have any personal experience with covers but it seems to me that there will be scratches on your paint if the following occur:

1. You put your cover on a dirty truck and the cover rubs the dirt hence small scratches in the clear coat (albeit very small).

2. Foreign material gets caught on the backside of the cover and causes damage (scratches) to the clear coat.

Personally, I'm not sure how a cover would NOT scratch the paint unless both the vehicle and the cover are perfectly clean. BTW, when I say scratches, I'm talking small scratches that you would have to look for and could be easily buffed out. FWIW, I'm really picky so I would notice it....most others probably wouldn't.

Zembonez · July 20, 2009

A cover will surely reduce the occurance of damage but any decent sized hail would likely still cause damage. I'd bet the cover would fend off smaller hail that might otherwise damage the truck though. Better than nothing!

Thanks. I'm more concerned with CARS stating the cover will scratch up the truck, therefore do not use a cover for any reason. What are your thoughts on that?

If the truck AND the cover are clean, it should be a non issue. Hard part becomes keeping both clean all the time. It doesn't take too much to figure out that any dirt on the surface of the truck is going to get ground into it when the wind whips and moves the cover around. I've only used covers on vehicles stored indoors for long periods myself. Never thought having a cover outside would be s very good idea (because of the daily dirt and grime)... but I don't have any real science to back that up other than fear of scratching the paint.

So... in a roundabout way. I am not much help there!

obe-kenobe · July 21, 2009

I have the Wolf "Noah" truck cover for about a year now. Its nice and thick. I am not sure about large size hails but I do know it helps protect from the hot Florida Sun. Just need to make sure the truck is clean as everyone stated. Also, the cable tie down will help from wind lifting or flopping the cover. The cover is a little bulky and its a pain at times. Need to avoid dragging on the hood when you roll it up or put it on. If its after a rain storm, forget about taking it off. My truck is my secondary vehicle. So, its not as much of an issue for me. If its a daily driver, personally I wouldn't bother unless I enjoy washing my truck daily.

Just my 2cents. Good Luck.

C. Charles Hahn · July 21, 2009

I don't have any personal experience with covers but it seems to me that there will be scratches on your paint if the following occur:

1. You put your cover on a dirty truck and the cover rubs the dirt hence small scratches in the clear coat (albeit very small).

2. Foreign material gets caught on the backside of the cover and causes damage (scratches) to the clear coat.

Personally, I'm not sure how a cover would NOT scratch the paint unless both the vehicle and the cover are perfectly clean. BTW, when I say scratches, I'm talking small scratches that you would have to look for and could be easily buffed out. FWIW, I'm really picky so I would notice it....most others probably wouldn't.

Exactly what I was coming in here to say. Just be careful about cleanliness with the cover and the truck.