When it comes to protecting your prized possessions—whether it’s your rugged RV, sleek sports car, or beloved boat—a vehicle cover is like armor for your investments. These often-overlooked accessories serve as your vehicle’s first line of defense against the elements, keeping them in pristine condition for your next adventure. But before you make a purchase, it’s essential to understand the factors involved in choosing the right vehicle cover. Let’s set sail on a journey to uncover the ultimate guide to vehicle covers!
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Vehicles face a variety of threats from both natural and man-made sources, regardless of whether they are stored indoors or outdoors. A high-quality cover acts as a barrier, providing multiple layers of protection.
Choosing the right vehicle cover is more than just picking one off the shelf—it’s about finding the perfect blend of protection, convenience, and value for your specific needs. With countless options available, understanding what you need to know before buying a vehicle cover will help you make an informed decision. Here’s a detailed guide to what you should look for in a vehicle cover:
The fabric of your vehicle cover is its most critical component. It determines how well the cover performs against the elements and how long it lasts.
The way a cover fits your vehicle is crucial for its effectiveness.
Pro Tip: Always measure your vehicle, including any additional features like roof racks, mirrors, or antennas, to ensure the best fit.
The climate where you store your vehicle plays a significant role in determining the type of cover you need.
Water-resistant covers provide some level of protection but may allow minimal water seepage under extreme conditions. These are better suited for mild climates.
Pro Tip: For extreme climates, consider covers with multi-layered protection that combines waterproofing, UV resistance, and durability.
A vehicle cover is only helpful if it’s easy to use. If it’s cumbersome or time-consuming to put on and take off, you might find yourself skipping it altogether.
While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing in a high-quality cover often saves you money in the long run by reducing maintenance, repair, and replacement costs.
Pro Tip: Consider the value a cover adds in terms of preserving your vehicle’s condition and resale value. Spending a bit more on a durable, high-performance cover can pay off significantly over time.
Every type of vehicle has unique needs when it comes to protection. Custom-fit covers for RVs and boats are tailored to your specific vehicle, ensuring maximum effectiveness and providing the best defense against the elements.
Best RV covers for winter protection are essential, as RVs endure more exposure to the elements than most vehicles, often parked outdoors for extended periods. A quality RV cover offers:
Boats face unique challenges due to prolonged exposure to water, salt, and sunlight. A proper boat cover should include:
Cars are exposed to a variety of environments, from city streets to suburban driveways. Car covers are available in two main types:
Motorcycles may be smaller but require just as much protection. Key features include:
To keep your boat and RV covers in top condition, regular maintenance is key. Here are a few simple tips:
Crash Course:
Truck covers protect vehicles from environmental damage while keeping paint, mirrors, and other external accessories in pristine condition. But with so many options out there, how do you zero in on the best truck covers for your vehicle?
Rather than spend hours researching, reading this truck covers review will ensure you’re making a quality, cost-effective choice for your vehicle. Consider our top picks to help narrow your search and save time.
Through our extensive research and testing, we looked for reliable truck covers that are safe for your vehicle, easy to use, weather-resistant, and durable.
After extensive research and testing, we think that CarCovers.com, Seal Skin, Eevelle, Empire Covers, Covercraft, Budge, and Kayme offer some of the best truck covers based on material quality, ease of use, fit, and overall value.
The table below outlines our ratings for some of our favorite truck covers based on the above-mentioned criteria:
We researched truck covers, looking for those featuring durable materials and multi-layer designs. After considering customer ratings and prices, our product testing team ordered the most promising truck covers at a range of price points. A team member tested each product, taking note of each truck cover’s material quality, fit, and ease of use. Each truck cover was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
We think this is one of the best all-around truck covers, due in large part because of the durable, weather-resistant materials. The Platinum Shield utilizes a layer of microporous film that creates a water-resistant barrier that also allows for evaporation, preventing the buildup of mold and mildew.
You can see how the Platinum Shield performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the CarCovers.com Platinum Shield:
Pros and Cons
Pros
Material
The material of the Platinum Shield is among the best truck cover materials that we’ve tested. Not only is it essentially tear-proof, it’s also water-resistant with excellent breathability. You do not want a truck cover that is 100 percent waterproof. That’s because some water incursion is inevitable and can cause mold and mildew if it doesn’t evaporate. The Platinum Shield has a microporous layer for optimal breathability.
Fit
CarCovers.com truck covers are custom fit to your vehicle, and CarCovers will replace items that do not fit properly. The cover we ordered for our truck was slightly too large, but we were able to secure a snug fit using the tie-down straps.
Ease of Use
Though especially tough, the Platinum Shield is not particularly heavy. The front and back ends are clearly labeled, so we had no issues attaching this truck cover. We further secured this cover using the supplied tie-down straps.
Folding away this truck cover is made difficult by the thick material. However, the carrying bag is large enough that you don’t need to perfectly compact this truck cover in order to store it.
Choose the Seal Skin Supreme truck cover if you need something that can withstand the elements. The outer material is treated for UV resistance and the double-stitched seams reduce water incursion, making this a good year-round truck cover.
You can see how the Seal Skin Supreme performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Seal Skin Supreme:
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Like the CarCovers.com Platinum Shield, what is immediately apparent about Seal Skin covers is the durability of the material. It is both thick and breathable for ultimate protection. Another thing that stood out about the Seal Skin cover is the soft interior that will prevent accidental scratching.
Material
Seal Skin covers are made with a mixed polypropylene and cotton fabric for the best of both worlds—protection from the elements while being soft on your car’s paint.
Fit
The Seal Skin cover fit a little too loosely on our test vehicle. The included tie-down straps allow for some adjustment and this cover certainly isn’t going to blow away once installed. Because the cover is so water-resistant, having a slightly loose fit actually helps with airflow and prevents the accumulation of mildew.
Ease of Use
The downside of the 5-layer design is that it results in a very heavy truck cover, making it harder to install. It’s possible to lift this cover over your truck with one person, but it is much easier with help. The thick material also makes it difficult to fold this cover tightly when storing it away.
For indoor truck covers, it’s best to find an option that is soft, fits snugly, and provides excellent breathability. The CarCovers.com Black Satin truck cover meets these criteria. We recommend it because of its light weight, excellent fit, and durability.
You can see how the CarCovers.com Black Satin performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the CarCovers.com Black Satin:
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Indoor truck covers like the CarCovers.com Black Satin truck cover are not made from thick materials like outdoor covers are. As such, they aren’t quite as rugged. However, the Black Satin truck cover is stretchy and the seams are double-stitched for improved durability.
Material
The Black Satin material is soft, stretchy, and sure to be gentle on your vehicle. The thin material makes this truck cover easy to fold away and store while also tightly fitting your vehicle. Though it is thin, this material is tough—more likely to stretch than tear—and all the seams are reinforced.
This truck cover is not suitable for outdoor use, and would soak up rain rather than repel it. However, it is breathable and soft, making it an ideal indoor truck cover.
Fit
This cover fit our test vehicle perfectly. The elastic material makes for a better fit than rougher truck covers.
Ease of Use
The light weight makes this a very easy-to-use truck cover. The front and back portions are clearly labeled, and the Black Satin truck cover is perhaps among the easiest truck covers to install with a single person. This cover also fits into the storage bag very easily. Thicker truck covers can be a pain to fold away.
The Eevelle Tour truck cover is comparable to the Seal Skin of Platinum Shield truck covers. It is not quite as durable and features fewer layers. However, it is also less expensive and will nonetheless provide decent protection from the elements. Best of all, it fits well and is easy to use.
You can see how the Eevelle Tour performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Eevelle Tour:
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
We like this truck cover and despite advertising a “semi-custom” fit, found that it fit as well as most custom-fit truck covers. What makes the Tour Performance truck cover stand out is the lower price point compared to similar offerings. It does feature fewer layers than the Platinum Shield, though is still a rugged option.
Material
The material doesn’t feel especially thick, so we wouldn’t expect it to fair as well against hail as the Seal Skin Supreme cover. However, it is resilient and suitably water resistant. We don’t expect this cover to be easily torn and it is guaranteed by a warranty for at least two years.
Fit
This “semi-custom” fit truck cover fit our vehicle nicely. It is not a problem if a truck cover is somewhat loose, as this allows for more airflow. What’s important is that it is secured, and the Tour Performance includes straps for this purpose.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is where the Tour Performance most stands out. Not that any truck cover we recommended was particularly difficult to install or remove. What is nice about the Eevelle cover though, is the included carrying bag. Most truck covers come with such a bag, but these are usually so small that it is difficult to fold the truck cover tightly enough to fit inside.
The carry bag that comes with the Tour Performance is plenty big. While we wouldn’t recommend it, you could roughly stuff the truck cover into the bag with little care and it will still fit. Folding a truck cover is similar to folding a fitted bedsheet, so a larger carry bag like this can make a big difference when it comes time to put away this truck cover.
The American Armor StormBlock cover is a thick, multi-layer truck cover designed primarily to keep water off your vehicle. It’s rip-proof and coated with a hydrophobic exterior coating to stop water incursion.
While the cover is semi-custom fit, it also includes tie-down straps to ensure it stays in place even during the heaviest winds. See more about how we score the StormBlock truck cover below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Empire Covers American Armor StormBlock:
Tehu Product Page
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
We found that the American Armor StormBlock was a durable truck cover for this price range. It is an especially thick option that is likely to last as long as your vehicle. The waterproof properties of this cover were unmatched by any other cover during our testing.
Material
The StormBlock uses a virtually tear-proof and especially thick material. The inner lining is soft to prevent scratching and the outer layer is treated with a hydrophobic coating. Rather than absorb water, it beads on the surface of this cover.
This property does make us wonder about the breathability of the fabric. While no water can get in, these features also reduce the amount of moisture that can escape. We wouldn’t recommend using this cover for extended periods, but it is the perfect cover to put on when you know a big storm is coming.
Fit
American Armor truck covers are sold in several sizes:
You won’t need to measure your own truck, but Empire Covers will automatically select the appropriate size if you provide your vehicle’s make and model. Ours fit perfectly, staying tight even without tie-down straps.
Ease of Use
This truck cover is a similar weight to typical outdoor truck covers. If you have a larger truck, it can take some effort to put this cover on without the help of a second person. That said, it is possible to attach this cover yourself, and the tie-down buckles aren’t difficult to use. These are plastic clips with nylon straps.
Choose the Covercraft Sunbrella truck cover if you are mostly concerned with sun protection for your truck cab. A cab cover can be easier to install than a full cover but will keep your cab shaded, protecting your paint and interiors.
You can see how the Covercraft Sunbrella performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Covercraft Sunbrella:
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
We like the look of the Sunbrella and found it easy to install once we figured out which way was the front (the labels are hard to find).
Material
The Sunbrella material is not as weather-resistant as other truck covers we’ve tested. Though the materials are treated to resist moisture, this cover is more designed to protect from UV rays than rain. The material is breathable, however, so there is little risk of moisture buildup.
Fit
This cover fit our truck, though it hung loosely. However, there are grommets for tying this truck cover tighter to your vehicle. There is no antenna patch included, but this wasn’t a problem for our test vehicle which has a removable antenna.
Ease of Use
The smaller size makes the Sunbrella truck cover easier to use than larger, heavier alternatives. We deduct some points, however, because the Sunbrella doesn’t come with any kind of carrying bag.
The Budge Lite sports an elastic hem and built-in grommets for easy installation and peace of mind that it will stay secure even in high winds. This truck cover comes in six size options, ranging from 197.0 to 264.0 in. Its largest size is designed to fit models such as the Chevy Silverado and Ford F-350. We also like the Budge Lite’s price point—under $50 for the basic model.
You can see how the Budge Indoor Light Truck Cover performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Budge Indoor Light:
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
The Budge indoor cover fit our test vehicle well and was not hard to install. For the cost, we found this to be an excellent truck cover. Of course, in material quality, the Budge does not compare to our premium picks.
Material
The Budge is made with cheap material, reflected by the low price point. The cover is, however, thin and breathable to reduce moisture buildup. The inside of the cover is not as soft as a Seal Skin or CarCovers.com cover.
Fit
Budge has a semi-custom fit and we found it adequately fit our test vehicle. Tie-down straps are included which ensure this cover won’t blow away.
Ease of Use
The lightweight design of the Budge makes it easy to throw over a truck and remove when necessary. The storage back is sewn into the end of the cover, guaranteeing it will never be lost.
The Kayme truck cover is a good option for an outdoor truck cover if you are on a budget. While it does not seem to boast the material strength of some of our other recommended truck covers, it is a solid option for the price (under $100). This six-layer cover will reflect harsh UV rays and keep out precipitation.
You can see how the Kayme 6-Layer Heavy Duty Truck Cover performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Kayme 6-Layer Cover:
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
When we tested the Kayme truck cover we found it to be similar in style and design to the CarCovers.com Platinum Shield. However, the overall quality is a little bit lower compared to the Platinum Shield. The Kayme truck cover does not offer a custom fit and the material does not seem as durable.
Material
The Kayme offers six layers of protection, including a soft inner layer to keep your vehicle free of scratches. The silver surface material can reflect UV rays and is highly water-resistant.
The quality of the stitching and overall construction of this truck cover is good for the price but doesn’t compare to a high-end truck cover such as the CarCovers.com Platinum Shield, which is noticeably stronger and more tear-resistant.
Fit
This cover was a little large for our test vehicle. The Kayme is not sold as a custom-fit truck cover, so fit will vary from vehicle to vehicle. This truck cover likely fits some vehicles better than others.
The Kayme does come with three tie-down straps, while many truck covers only include one. This allows for a more secure fit.
Ease of Use
We had no difficulty getting the Kayme truck cover attached to our vehicle. Since this cover was a little big, we used the tie-down straps. There are three straps which means a better fit in the end, but this also means an extended installation time.
Like many truck covers, the Kayme comes with a storage bag. We had little difficulty rolling up this truck cover and returning it to the bag, which was suitably large.
As far as truck accessories go, there are few products in the automotive industry as useful as a quality truck cover. However, there are a few factors to consider when buying a truck cover. Below, we outline how a truck cover’s fit, materials, and added features should affect your purchase decision.
Compare Truck Covers
The fit of your truck cover can affect its ability to guard against damaging environmental factors. Truck covers that are too large may result in material rips due to strong winds or cause water to pool in certain areas. Truck covers that are too small may not fully cover the bed or tailgate of your truck and offer little protection.
Most truck covers are sold as either custom-fitting or have a universal fit. A custom-fit truck cover is matched to the length, width, and height of your vehicle. Universal fits are designed for trucks up to a specified length and tend to fit a bit more loosely on some vehicles.
We recommend truck covers with an elastic or adjustable hem to give the vehicle a snug fit.
Some truck covers use multi-layer systems, while others opt for a single layer. Depending on the truck cover’s function, different layers are needed. Here’s a breakdown of common cover materials:
For added security and convenience, look out for the following features when deciding on a pickup truck cover:
Truck covers can range in price from roughly $40 to over $500, according to our research. While we believe that the difference in quality will be apparent between two truck covers on opposite ends of the price spectrum—we don’t believe you need to spend $500 to be happy with your purchase in most scenarios.
Other than fit and finish, consumers should be looking for companies that stand behind their products, according to Hunter Gill—owner of aftermarket truck accessory retailer TEQ Customs.
“You can always get a good idea of a product’s quality by the warranty the manufacturer offers,” Gill said. “No company is perfect 100 percent of the time, so in the event of premature damage or defects, you want to know that the company will take care of any issue for you.”
We advise consumers to seek out covers with warranty periods of one year at minimum.
Ultimately the style of truck you own and where you typically park it will be your biggest considerations as a customer looking to purchase a truck cover. We’ve researched and analyzed multiple different truck covers for a variety of needs at competitive price points. We firmly believe that our buyers guide will help you find a high-quality truck cover that fits your needs.
Below are some common frequently asked questions about truck covers:
To select the truck covers featured in this buyers guide, we consulted our network of experts for their thoughts on vehicle covers. These experts have over 100 years of combined experience in aftermarket auto fields ranging from detailing to accessories to tires, and everything in between.
They helped us identify the qualities that would be most important to someone looking for a truck cover. One important feature we looked for in particular was truck covers that would not retain moisture.
We next ordered a number of truck covers for testing, with an aim to try out truck covers at a variety of price points. We also ordered the most popular products from retailers like Amazon and RealTruck. When ordering these covers, we look at factors such as material quality, customer ratings, and prices. Even after our initial testing, we continue to keep an eye out for new quality truck covers and may update this page if we come across more worthy recommendations.
For our in-person testing, a team member tried each truck cover on a Truck, taking notes on how well the covers fit, material quality, and ease of use. Each cover was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria. These truck covers were tested using a Chevy Colorado.
Material
For this testing category, we first took note of each truck cover’s materials. Strong and breathable materials that prevent water accumulation and mold scored better in this category. During testing, we observed how the material stretched across our test vehicle and gauged its durability, noting any rips or tears. We also like to inspect the seams and stitching, looking for quality stitchwork that doesn’t easily fray.
Fit
We gave the highest scores in this category to snug-fitting truck covers that managed to envelop the entire vehicle. Loose-fitting truck covers that can be well-secured with tie-down straps could still receive a high score in this category. Truck covers that are especially baggy or could blow off in a strong wind scored poorly in this category.
Ease of Use
Our ease of use rating is an evaluation of how quickly a truck cover can be installed and removed, as well as how easy it is to fold and store. To score well in this category, a truck cover should be easily attached and secured by one person in a few minutes. Truck covers that fold away well, or fit easily into a carrying case also received high ratings in this category.
How We Score Products
Every truck covers we test is given a score between 1.0 and 5.0 stars in each category. Here’s what those star ratings mean in concrete terms:
Why Trust Automoblog
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
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