Affordable car cover to suit Alphard.

[PalePisces90]

Happy new year everyone!

 

Some of the miserable weather that wracked the UK at the tail end of 2022, the harsh frosts in particular, prompted me to enter the market for a car cover for my Alphard (dwelling as it does on the driveway due to the 'garage' being full of assorted tat!)

 

I reviewed a number of rather expensive options at the following links:

 

https://www.carcoversfactory.co.uk/covers/van/toyota/alphard?type=standard-edition&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4-7tk5Pe-wIVCYBQBh2HQQlAEAAYASAAEgICdvD_BwE

 

https://autocovers.co.uk/shop/?make=Toyota&model=Alphard&years=2007&body=Minivan&submit=FIND

 

https://www.stormcarcovers.co.uk/products/toyota-car-covers-1?variant=43611580203225

 

 

I then trawled the Alphard club forums here, noting that one user had an unhappy customer service experience with Autocovers.co.uk, but after finding no recommendations for products on any of the above sites, I went for a much more affordable option from the link below:

 

 

https://gbr.grandado.com/products/cawanerl-outdoor-car-cover-anti-uv-sun-shade-rain-snow-scratch-protector-mpv-cover-windproof-for-toyota-alphard-2002?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzOnW-pHe-wIVh7TtCh19bgEXEAQYBCABEgKKp_D_BwE

 

The manufacturer lists the specification as the following:

 

• Special Features: Dustproof, Anti-UV, All Weather Suitable
• Origin: CN(Origin)
• Material Type: Polyester Taffeta
• Item Width: 2m
• Item Weight: 1.5kg
• Item Type: Car Covers
• Item Length: 5.2m
• Item Height: 1.9m
• Car Model: For Toyota Alphard 2002
• Brand Name: cawanerl

 

It is also described as '95% waterproof'.

 

The product is manufactured and dispatched from China ( my example took approx 30 days to arrive from point of order.)

 

I attach some images below for others' reference. Having fitted the cover for the first time I have a few observations and minor criticisms:

 

• The cover has one zip to allow front door access but it was clearly designed for a left-hand drive vehicle, so it is on the passenger side!
• Perhaps reflecting its price, this cover does not have the multi-layer quilted padding that might protect the bodywork from damage caused by modest wind-borne debris (branches, smaller roof tiles etc). 
• The cover I received did not have the 'wind-proof buckle' fixing shown in the website images, though the elastic suspended hooks present on my example are perfectly serviceable in securing the cover on all four wheels.
• It also required the addition of short bungees, one either side of the vehicle, to anchor the cover amid-ships to underneath the chassis (the cover does have small metal rings on either side to facilitate this as pictured below).   
• The overall fit is pretty good and the elasticated elements around the 'hem' really help secure the cover under the front & rear bumpers. 

 

 

 

I hope this post is useful to others interested in purchasing car covers and that it will be the basis of a discussion whereby other members can put forward their own experiences/product recommendations.

 

Thank you for reading!

[Chris.ac]

I was going to suggest fitting it inside out, that would allow the zipped section to be on the drivers side, but then I see the material surfaces are different on the inside vs outside.

[Nigel Heyward]

As I write, I am STILL awaiting delivery from Auto covers uk, it's getting ridiculous now.

[PalePisces90]

Sorry to hear that you still have not received your cover, Nigel.

 

When/if it does appear, it would be great to get your feedback on the product.

 

I hope it is worth the wait!

 

 

[Rojie]

15 hours ago, Nigel Heyward said:

As I write, I am STILL awaiting delivery from Auto covers uk, it's getting ridiculous now.

 

Distance Selling Regulations. Cancel the order and request your bank to refund your payment if the seller won't.

They can do that, but may need a little persuading. Same with Paypal if you paid that way.

 

And..... Don't forget to update Trust Pilot !

[Nigel Heyward]

I finally took delivery of my cover from Auto covers UK a couple of weeks ago, and fitted it today for the first time, well, to say I'm disappointed with it would be a bit of an understatement, the quality of the cover itself seems fine, but where they got their sizes from is a mystery, it's about 3 inches too short in length, so doesn't stretch under the rear bumper, and I'm the width it comes up a good 5 inches short on each side, in addition, the positioning of the front straps is such that I have to literally feed it through the wheels to get it to work, generally unimpressed.

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, Nigel Heyward said:

I finally took delivery of my cover from Auto covers UK a couple of weeks ago, and fitted it today for the first time, well, to say I'm disappointed with it would be a bit of an understatement, the quality of the cover itself seems fine, but where they got their sizes from is a mystery, it's about 3 inches too short in length, so doesn't stretch under the rear bumper, and I'm the width it comes up a good 5 inches short on each side, in addition, the positioning of the front straps is such that I have to literally feed it through the wheels to get it to work, generally unimpressed.

 

Hi Nigel,

 

Sorry you are so disappointed, but thanks for letting us all know.