Winter covers

[Nigel Heyward]

Hi all, my Alphard won't fit through my garage door, and I'm not convinced that one of those tent style ones from Clarkes (Machine Mart), will survive the frequent tornados that rip through our patch, so am considering an outdoor winter cover, have any of you members got/had one?, and if so, any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Edited November 3, 2022 by Nigel Heyward
Spell check.

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, Nigel Heyward said:

Hi all, my Alphard won't fit through my garage door, and I'm not convinced that one of those tent style ones from Clarkes (Machine Mart), will survive the frequent tornados that rip through our patch, so am considering an outdoor winter cover, have any of you members got/had one?, and if so, any recommendations would be much appreciated.

 

Hello Nigel,

 

Tornados in Berkshire ?

As an ex US resident (from the mid west) I don't think so.

I have had the misfortune of being caught in one. Just a half mile wide.

A real Tornado will rip the cover off and explode all your windows. maybe even lift your van off the ground and dump it somewhere down the street.

If it is dropping hail, as they usually do, you won't have windows to explode and all your panels will be covered in indentations the size of cricket balls.

 

I have a good quality, thick, windscreen cover, for the summer and night time privacy.

I would not use it in the winter south westerly gales as, no matter how tightly it is secured it, will rub your paintwork.

 

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

 

[Nigel Heyward]

Haha, actually I'm in Kent, but I take your point re Tornados, it's just that sometimes it sure sounds like one. 😀

[Geralt]

11 hours ago, Rojie said:

Tornados in Berkshire ?

Yep. Around 30 per year in the UK according to the Met Office. Granted they're not the monsters seen in the US!

[Rojie]

5 hours ago, Geralt said:

Yep. Around 30 per year in the UK according to the Met Office. Granted they're not the monsters seen in the US!

 

This does surprise me.

I am not surprised about the 100 plus mph; but the touch downs I am.

[Teekay]

On 11/3/2022 at 6:42 PM, Nigel Heyward said:

Hi all, my Alphard won't fit through my garage door, and I'm not convinced that one of those tent style ones from Clarkes (Machine Mart), will survive the frequent tornados that rip through our patch, so am considering an outdoor winter cover, have any of you members got/had one?, and if so, any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Did you find any decent rain / winter cover for your Alphard / Vellfire?

 

I'm wondering if second Gen Alphards and Vellfires have same cover?

 

Can it be ordered from Ali baba? Can't find decent quality online in UK..

[Nigel Heyward]

I've ordered one from Auto covers .co.uk, (find them online), but haven't actually received it yet, so can't comment on the quality etc, funnily enough, I literally emailed them last night to find out what the delay is as I ordered it on the 11th, when I do take delivery, I'll put a post on here as to my opinion.

[Nigel Heyward]

OK, as an update for any members following this topic with perhaps a view on purchasing a cover from Auto covers UK, be aware that after nearly three weeks since confirming my order, they have informed me (only because I contacted them first & asked for status), that they have cancelled it due to them updating their bank details, whatever that means, it smacks of a touch of BS to me, anyway, after getting an initial reply I am now getting no contact either by email or phone, my recommendation is 'AVOID '.

[Rojie]

13 minutes ago, Nigel Heyward said:

OK, as an update for any members following this topic with perhaps a view on purchasing a cover from Auto covers UK, be aware that after nearly three weeks since confirming my order, they have informed me (only because I contacted them first & asked for status), that they have cancelled it due to them updating their bank details, whatever that means, it smacks of a touch of BS to me, anyway, after getting an initial reply I am now getting no contact either by email or phone, my recommendation is 'AVOID '.

 

If members review this company on Trust Pilot, they will, almost certainly, agree with you.

 

[Nigel Heyward]

Update.......finally had a reply from a lady at the company, very apologetic and explaining the cancellation issue, have now had my CC refunded and have re-ordered, so hopefully a product review will follow.

[Teekay]

https://www.coveryourcar.co.uk/store/home.php?cat=326

 

These guys said they do a Vellfire cover of "voyager" material (~£95 on eBay) and "stormforce" cover (~£195) that has two years warranty. Description of materials is in pic below or use the link.

 

Any suggestion which cover might be better?

 

FYI @Nigel Heyward

[Nigel Heyward]

When I started getting issues with Auto covers, I looked into alternatives and found the stormforce cover which would definitely have been my next option, my only concern with that one was the sizing for my particular van, don't know about the Voyager, but note on the write up that it's only water resistant, not waterproof which you might find an issue, definitely worth considering the stormforce though, as the one I'm buying has gone up in price considerably, now £259.00.

[Teekay]

31 minutes ago, Nigel Heyward said:

When I started getting issues with Auto covers, I looked into alternatives and found the stormforce cover which would definitely have been my next option, my only concern with that one was the sizing for my particular van, don't know about the Voyager, but note on the write up that it's only water resistant, not waterproof which you might find an issue, definitely worth considering the stormforce though, as the one I'm buying has gone up in price considerably, now £259.00.

One more interesting thing came up was that Nissan Elgrand cover fits Vellfires! Anyone heard this? @Rojie

 

I'm thinking of stormforce too but wanted to hear practical feedback here if it is worth it.

[Nigel Heyward]

Rojie, there sees to be a bit of a grey area on sizings with these covers, especially the 'off the shelf one size fits all', varieties, there's a company on Amazon, Mobile Garage, that do a lot of van covers, and each size is designed to fit a few vehicle models, so obviously just a 'general' fit, which I suppose would be OK, however, I'd be worried about it flapping off in a stiff wind, which is mainly the reason I stuck with Auto covers, it's a bit more expensive, but hopefully will fit perfectly.

[Rojie]

On 12/4/2022 at 11:41 AM, Nigel Heyward said:

Rojie, there sees to be a bit of a grey area on sizings with these covers, especially the 'off the shelf one size fits all', varieties, there's a company on Amazon, Mobile Garage, that do a lot of van covers, and each size is designed to fit a few vehicle models, so obviously just a 'general' fit, which I suppose would be OK, however, I'd be worried about it flapping off in a stiff wind, which is mainly the reason I stuck with Auto covers, it's a bit more expensive, but hopefully will fit perfectly.

 

Hi Nigel,

 

Good luck with the Auto Covers.

Please update us all when you can.

 

I do not have a whole cover, just a screen cover (from Fuel Lagoon) which I would wholeheartedly recommend; but I do not use it in winter.

 

I have a full cover for another vehicle which, if attached very carefully, does not rub the paintwork or get blown off in a gale.

I actaully use it in the summer to prevent sun damage to paintwork and headlights.

 

I am not, yet, aware of a custom fit weather proof cover for the Alphards, Gen 1 or Gen 2, or Vellfires.