How to Choose the Best Storage Cover

The three biggest environmental threats to your stored vehicles or equipment are moisture, dust, and UV-rays. Moisture from the air and rain can cause corrosion and mold, dust and dirt can settle in the nooks and crannies of gears and motors, and UV-rays can dramatically age, fade and damage surfaces and colors. With the right professionally-designed cover, your ride will be completely protected.

Here are the key factors to consider when determining what type of cover is right for the what, when and duration of your storage needs.

Know Your Storage Location

Ahead of time, be conscious of where you plan on storing your item. If you know your mobility scooter, motorbike, boat, etc., will be fully exposed to the elements as you transport it or store it outdoors, you will need a heavy duty, weather-resistant or waterproof cover. Make sure you choose a cover that will adequately protect from UV light, as UV will fade bright colors, especially in upholstery, and can turn certain types of plastic brittle over time. If you have a covered outdoor storage area, a medium weight cover that is water-resistant but not necessarily waterproof might be fine. If you just want to cover a recreational vehicle in your garage, a light-but-tight dust cover might be just the ticket. For transporting items in varied outdoor conditions, look for covers that are designed with vents to prevent air currents from ballooning the cover as you cruise down the freeway, as well as slits for tie-downs. In the case of some motorcycle covers, many have soft upper lining to prevent the cover from causing windshield scratches as it is buffeted in the wind.

Determine Frequency of Use

In states with drastically different seasons (here’s looking at you, Wisconsin), you will probably only ride your Harley or snowmobile for only a few months out of the year and store it in the off-season. Make sure your cover can protect your toys from dust without letting moisture set in, and think about enhancing that protection with accessories to reduce the risk of mold, mildew, and corrosion. If you ride your motorbike all year around and are looking for a cover that will only be using for a few hours or days during transportation, or overnight, look for a cover with heat-resistance so that you don’t have to wait for the motorbike’s pipes to cool before fitting it over your ride.

Select a Cover with the Proper Fit

This is especially important when storing items for multiple months, because moisture can quickly build up in a humid environment and not only enhance corrosion, but also provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew to form on fabrics and upholsteries. A properly-fitted, breathable cover with limited gaps will allow moisture to escape and have no pockets to trap dampness. With boats and automobiles especially, a properly-fitted cover lowers the chance of a field mouse, snake or other critter from sniffing out a cozy spot to nest in.

Think About Accessories to Complement Your Cover

To thoroughly cut down on the damage caused by your storing environment, particularly if you’re planning for long-term storage, there are several products on the market designed to minimize both corrosion and humidity during storage. Volatile corrosion inhibitors, sometimes called vapor corrosion inhibitors, or VCIs, can be used to prevent rust before it happens. They can come in packets, papers, waxes and other styles, and are placed between the object and the cover. Desiccant packets are a great resource if you know there is some dead space under your cover, as they can slip in and absorb moisture to keep the humidity down. In smaller garages, using a dehumidifier to maintain proper moisture control will not only help reduce moisture build-up with your stored snowmobiles, motorbikes, lawn mowers and other items, but it will also provide a comfortable, climate controlled space for any additional stored items. To reduce the risk of pests, dryer sheets can be used to deter small animals from making a home in upholsteries or around important cable lines.

Browse Our Selection

Discount Ramps offers a wide selection of storage covers for cars, snowmobiles, mobility scooters, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs and golf carts, and boats. For longer term protection or off-season storage, we also offer covered carports to reduce damage from the elements.