Car cover from 1.1 ripstop

[wmw999 2,452]

Yeah, this is lame, but what the heck. We have a class B (van-sized) RV that's stored outside 3 seasons when we're not driving it. There are trees where it's stored, so it gets debris etc on the solar panel and everything else up there. We drive it about two-three months out of the nine or so it's out there.

I've thought about making a top cover, and figure 1.1 ripstop cover might keep stuff off. not waterproof so it won't hold moisture. Ive certainly sewn with ripstop, and am aware it'll eventually disintegrate, but not for several years.

Thoughts?

Thanks
Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[peek 21]

If you check with awning manufacturers or upholsterers that do awnings, they will be able to give you sources for the fabrics they use, which will have built-in ultraviolet protection. The fabric might not cost much more than parachute type fabric. It might last for many years, even if exposed to direct sunlight.

[wmw999 2,452]

after (of course) posting this, I decided to Google RV covers for our model. They're less than $200; for that price, I'll buy one. We won't use it when traveling, so it just stores in the basement when we're gone. I hadn't seen any, so I guess I figured I was the first person in the entire universe to think of it

Thanks
Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[riggerrob 643]

Sunbrella is the leading fabric for awnings, lawn furniture, Arab covers, etc. Since it is made of acrylic, it deteriorates very slowly in sunlight.

[hackish 8]

What riggerrob said. I know sailrite sells it. A local company just bought a tractor trailer load of it surplus. I meant to buy some just for fun as it was about $1 per yard but the entire load sold out in a week :(

If you really really want to use ripstop nylon get some 1.9oz stuff normally used for hammocks. It will last a lot longer.

-Michael

[dpreguy 14]

1.1 ripstop will deteriorate in a year or even sooner. Waste of effort. Sunbrella is acrylic and yes, will last much longer, but it is very heavy, very expensive, pretty hard to sew and repulsive to the touch to put on and off. It is fine for boom covers for sailboats, and such, but would be too heavy and overkill for a car cover.

I suggest their other product: Surlast. Much cheaper, easy to sew, and is kinda the standard for covers. It isn't as resistant to the sun as Sunbrella, but is pretty close.
Just heavy enough to do the job, but light enough to be easy to handle to put on or off. We do some sail repair at the loft so I am familiar with both of these fabrics. Recommend you not go with Sunbrella.

[pchapman 279]

riggerrob

Sunbrella is the leading fabric for awnings, lawn furniture, Arab covers

Looks like a phone mangled that... I always expected burkas and chadours to be lighter weight than Sunbrella....

[riggerrob 643]

pchapman

***Sunbrella is the leading fabric for awnings, lawn furniture, Arab covers

Looks like a phone mangled that... I always expected burkas and chadours to be lighter weight than Sunbrella....

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Grown!
I meant to say "car covers."
Apologies to my Arabic-speaking neighbors.
Some days I wonder if Spell-Check was invented by Satan?