Trailerable cover recommendations?

[Expidia]

I need to buy a new cover but it has to be both "custom" fit to my Lund and also trailerable and will be used for backyard storage too on and off season.

The OEM cover from Lund is about $650. I've found two sites that sell custom fitting covers for my model: 2007 Lund 1425 Classic SS (SS is side console) and both are less than half of what the OEM costs and their higher priced options probably are the same or similar fabric as the OEM anyway.

First source is boatcovers.com: They have two trailerable Fabrics. One is a 13 oz coated poly and the other is a two ply poly same 5 year warranty for either one. Price diff is about $45 more for the two ply 9 oz.

I'd like to stay lighter weight because it's easier to gather up and stick it in my trunk or back seat after I launch. But maybe the 13 oz weight is better for trailering???

I would also have to buy a set of tie down straps which ups the price but this source does offer free shipping. As do some other sites but most don't offer a "custom" fitting cover for my model.

The other source is: BoatCoversDirect.com: Custom fit for my model. Sewn in outboard cover. I think I like this feature because I have trouble getting my old $50 Wally World cover to fit in the back now because of the motors cables leaving critter holes around the cover. It's been great for my past boats storage wise though. Can't use it for trailering though.

The other feature I like with this company's cover is it comes with 1/4 inch shock cord sewn into the hem all around for a snug fit. Their high end fabric is about $56 more than the other dealers. Might have braided tie down cord or I might have to buy a tie down set for this cover also.

Top end fabric is their 8 oz solution dyed poly guard and next fabric down for $31 less is their 11 oz poly cotton fabric.

So I'm leaning towards the 2nd vendor mostly because of their all around sewn in shock cord feature. BUT WHICH FABRIC WOULD YOU RECOMMEND I GET? I don't care about solution dyed colors because all fabrics choices offer their basic grey and it's grey I want anyway.

The second source says they are made in the USA and by Carver Industries for past 20 years. I don't know who Carver is but the info on their site at least sounds like a better cover than from the first source.

Anyone have experience with these fabrics for trailering purposes or have ordered a custom fit cover from either of the two companies above?

Or can anyone recommend a better source for a "custom" trailerable cover for me to check out before I order?

Thanks in advance for any input

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trailerable cover recommendations?

I found the best price here on Iboats.I have one of the OutDura covers from Carver,It by far is the best and strongest fabric i have ever seen on a boat cover.It has sewn in padding at the wear points around the windshield,bow ect.Carver has been around a long time.The factory is in SC.
I also have a Sharkskin cover that is more light weight and fits nice too.Both have sewn in elastic cord around the bottom.Both have a 5 year warranty.
I priced them through all the other sites online and got the best deal through Iboats!
Also both i bought are trailerable and included the straps and free shipping.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trailerable cover recommendations?

iboats has the best selection/prices I've ever seen. If they don't have a perfect fit, the only other choice is custom.

 

[Esox]

Re: Trailerable cover recommendations?

I would never buy a pre made "custom" cover. More often than not they just don't fit right. If you are going to be trailering with the cover it needs to fit perfectly otherwise it will just shred itself to pieces. I would suggest going to a canvas shop and having one made from "top gun" or "sunbrella" fabric. It won't be cheap but it will fit right and provide years of service.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailerable cover recommendations?

Do it yourself for less than $100. This one is four years old, travels 500 miles round trip at freeway speeds, and you'll note it does not require tie-down straps. It has a nose bra that allows me to cover the boat at night but I can leave the trolling motor on. I do need to remove the windshield but that pops off with four quarter turn fasteners. My previous boat was made the same way back in 1996 and is in use yet today. My daughter and son-in-law own the boat. This cover is made of very heavy vinyl that has a good backing. Any material can be used and it's readily available on-line. If you can't or won't do this yourself but want a truely custom fit, check the yellow pages in your area for tent and awning companies that do custom work. You tell them what you want, what fabric, and they do the rest -- probably about 20% cheaper than any retailer. Pay attention to stress points (sharp corners, etc.). Remember one thing -- a cover that flaps will destroy itself at freeway speeds.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Trailerable cover recommendations?

I found the best price here on Iboats.I have one of the OutDura covers from Carver,It by far is the best and strongest fabric i have ever seen on a boat cover.It has sewn in padding at the wear points around the windshield,bow ect.Carver has been around a long time.The factory is in SC.
I also have a Sharkskin cover that is more light weight and fits nice too.Both have sewn in elastic cord around the bottom.Both have a 5 year warranty.
I priced them through all the other sites online and got the best deal through Iboats!
Also both i bought are trailerable and included the straps and free shipping.

Thx for your response. I checked them out before I posted my question. For my needs none are "custom" fitting. Only semi. They don't list tie down kits anymore coming with them and a very limited color selection and grey not being one of any of the trailerable choices. Better quality only shows black and beige.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Trailerable cover recommendations?

Do it yourself for less than $100. This one is four years old, travels 500 miles round trip at freeway speeds, and you'll note it does not require tie-down straps. It has a nose bra that allows me to cover the boat at night but I can leave the trolling motor on. I do need to remove the windshield but that pops off with four quarter turn fasteners. My previous boat was made the same way back in 1996 and is in use yet today. My daughter and son-in-law own the boat. This cover is made of very heavy vinyl that has a good backing. Any material can be used and it's readily available on-line. If you can't or won't do this yourself but want a truely custom fit, check the yellow pages in your area for tent and awning companies that do custom work. You tell them what you want, what fabric, and they do the rest -- probably about 20% cheaper than any retailer. Pay attention to stress points (sharp corners, etc.). Remember one thing -- a cover that flaps will destroy itself at freeway speeds.



Thanks Sivertip: That picture of your cover is perfect for what I'm looking for (but I'm not that handy to do it myself). I'm going to bring that pic of your cover down to the shop that I had make up my enclosure. It wasn't cheap (about $740 with tax) but it came out much better than I expected it would. I just didn't want to spring for another $600 for just a cover.

I too like to take my 4 turnscrew windshield off when trailering and for storage too. I take the windshield off to save on gas due to the extra wind drag and protection from flying stones. Also while under trees for storage to protect it from falling branches.

Yours looks like the same style boat as mine. I really like the bra idea and I see you have the motor covered too. I'll show them the pic. I was worried if I bought a pre-made custom fitting cover I'd have to leave the windshield on at all times for trailering or it would be flapping. I think if I go the route of my shop making one up. I'll see if they can put a zipper on top of the part that goes over the windshield so I can attach the flap down on the cover when the windshield is off the boat for trailering. Cause sometimes I like to leave the windshield on.

I guess I'll just have to start dumping some of my accumulated old boating accessories on Ebay or Craigslist to come up with the extra dollars for the shop to make up a cover up for me. This way I won't feel as bad spending so much money for just a cover!

 

[Expidia]

Re: Trailerable cover recommendations?

I would never buy a pre made "custom" cover. More often than not they just don't fit right. If you are going to be trailering with the cover it needs to fit perfectly otherwise it will just shred itself to pieces. I would suggest going to a canvas shop and having one made from "top gun" or "sunbrella" fabric. It won't be cheap but it will fit right and provide years of service.

Ya, thats why I asked about if anyone has experience with these pre-made covers because I was afraid if it wasn't a perfect fit it would eventually tear itself up on the highway.