Corvette: Outdoor Car Cover Reviews
Protect your Corvette, inside and out, with a quality car cover that will keep it factory fresh for years to come.
This article applies to the C5 Corvette (1997-2004), C6 Corvette (2005-2013) and C7 Corvette (2014-current).
Car covers are designed for many applications. In this article the application is limited to outdoor, all weather protection. For those who want to protect their 'Vette from the effects of weather and the sun, this purchase can be instrumental.
Before jumping into the comparison, realize that there are many aspects to consider about the car cover. Not only does the cover protect the car, it must be reliable, convenient to store, easy to use, cost-sensitive, not damage the vehicle, and maintain a good fit even during high winds. Here, these factors are taken into consideration, and offerings from CoverCraft, Wolf Car Covers, StormShield, and California Car Cover Company are evaluated.
Note that many of these covers use the same material. The difference for California Car Cover Company is that they custom make the cover and turn it in about two weeks time. In other cases, the same cover is marketed under a different name for a different company. In order to avoid confusion, realize that the aforementioned companies sell car covers; however, they don't always make them. Therefore we will compare the offerings based on the claims each company has about the products in addition to the feedback on websites such as CorvetteForum.com.
As a final thought before investing in car covers, both good and bad are mentioned on the forums in respect to evaluating these products. This article summarizes these comments and provides a starting point. For more detail, visit the related discussions at the end of the article.
Outdoor Car Covers
CoverCraft |
Wolf Car Covers |
StormShield |
California Car Cover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price |
$259-441 | $91-204 | $259 | $441 |
Size |
Custom fit by model |
Custom fit by model |
Custom fit by model |
Custom fit by model |
Performance |
Good | Fair | Good | Good |
Lifespan |
Not listed | 1.5 to 3 years | Up to 3 years | Not listed |
Warranty |
2-4 years | 2-4 years | 3 years | 5 years |
Best Value: Wolf Car Covers
CoverCraft
Price – $259-441
Size – Custom fit based on model
Performance – Mostly good reviews. The thicker NOAH model protects against hail whereas the WeatherShield appears to be more manageable and compact.
Lifespan – Not listed
Warranty – 2-4 years
CoverCraft offers a variety of styles including the WeatherShield and NOAH. Prices range from $259 to $441. The website is a good way to do an in-depth comparison for making a final decision. This is mainly due to the tables that are provided, showing the attributes for the various covers. There is also an in-depth description of the cover as well as a picture. Several tabs allow you to customize your choice for model, coupe or convertible, and color. In order to best compare all of the models offered by CoverCraft, visit their website. The forum feedback on CoverCraft is generally good. Of those listed, the WeatherShield and NOAH were recommended the most. The NOAH appears to be thicker while leaving patterns and moisture under the cover. There is some debate as to weather a car cover should seal out all moisture or breathe in order to avoid mildew. Other comments include a preference for the thicker NOAH due to its tendency to better protect against hail. The WeatherShield was rated as more manageable and compact. Recommended for those who need superior protection from the heavier elements, such as ice and hail.
Wolf Car Covers
Price – $91-204
Size – Custom fit by model
Performance – Fair in performance due to residue and ripping as soon as a year and a half
Lifespan – 1.5-3 years
Warranty – 2-4 years
Several forums claim that Wolf has gone out of business; however, they are still for sale at J.C. Whitney. Further claims state that CoverCraft has since assumed the Wolf line, which appears to be the case if you visit the JC Whitney website where most of the links bring you to CoverCraft products. There were kudos for Corvette Central replacing Wolf Car Covers without much hassle. At a price range of $91 through $204, these covers might be worth investigating as they seem to be less expensive than the CoverCraft offerings.
The main complaint with the Wolf was that it left a residue on the paint. This complaint seemed to follow the product to the CoverCraft line if in fact the Internet is truthful about the transition of the name brand. Some people vowed never to use them again although their money was refunded. Others reported the Wolf only lasted one and a half years before it began ripping and succumbing to the elements. One person liked its ease of use due to being light and flexible. They also praised the cover for not scratching their car. One negative was the water residue under the cover that they were willing to live with. Recommended for those who want the least expensive solution.
StormShield
Price – $259
Size – Custom by model
Performance – Good
Lifespan – Up to 3 years
Warranty – 3 years
StormShield covers range in price from $200, when coupled with a coupon, to upwards of $300 depending on which forum you read. Pay attention to the dates as many of the forums are a decade or more old. The price that was found was $259 at the Prestige Covers website.
The main debate about the StormShield was whether a "peach fuzz" backing was included. Most did not have this backing. However, it was stated that the lack of a backing did not result in scratched paint. One person complained about rain leaking in at the seams. Another complained about the cover blowing off at the front and the back. However, another contributor dispelled the blown cover comment and had only praise for the product. Recommended for those who want solid, all-around performance and easy availability.
California Car Cover
Price – $441
Size – Custom fit to model
Performance – Overall good
Lifespan – Not listed
Warranty – 5 years
California Car Cover (CCC) comes in at the top price of $441 for our evaluation; however, it does have the longest warranty at five years. CCC appears to use the same material as CoverCraft. The WeatherShield is claimed to be marketed as the Superweave. The nice thing about these covers is they are made to order. It takes two weeks to get one; however, once received, the fit was praised often. Recommended for those willing to pay the most up front for a reputable product with the longest-lasting warranty.
Summary
Wolf products will be cheapest and are available at J.C. Whitney. The best website is CoverCraft, as it provides a good comparison based on application. This will be extremely important when considering where you live. The forums do provide some regional input; however, it would be best to do some independent research in order to get the most for your money. StormShield offers a good product with good reviews, but you may have to do some searching to find it in the U.S. It was only shown as being available in the UK.
Related Discussions and Sites
- Covercraft WeatherShield HP Car Covers - CoverCraft.com
- Prestige Covers Website - Prestige-carcovers.co.uk
- California Car Covers - Calcarcover.com
- J.C. Whitney Wolf Car Cover listing - JCWhitney.com
- Which Car Cover? - CorvetteForum.com
- Best Outdoor Car Cover? - CorvetteForum.com
