Used a truck cover my wife bought me last Xmas for the first time today......actually first time ever using a cover on a vehicle.......man this thing is huge I just stuffed it onto the back seat after I pulled it off seems like it could be a pain trying to fold/roll this thing up nicely after every use.....just wondering what others who use one do.....I really want to use it everyday to help avoid the beat down the Arizona sun puts on vehicle but if it's gonna be a hassle it might go back in the box if I can make it fit

 

I am against truck covers for one reason....they scratch the hell out of your paint. Dirt always get s in and under the covers and you will have tons of swirls in your paint before you know it. If you are really worried about the sun...clean and protect your paint properly and use a wax or sealant regularly. Sealants last longer than waxes...and if you are the type to not wax your vehicle often that's what I would go with.

 

I keep my classic under cover all the time. After a few times of removing & re-covering you get a method down. The truck might be a little harder since it is much higher.

 

Appreciate the input....have heard negatives in regards to using one.....just figured a cover wouldn't hurt the finish any worse than the sun...... will definitely get some of that paint sealant stuff and use it......must say tho it was like unwrapping a present when I pulled that cover off

 

Sun damage is nothing compared to dragging dirt across your paint. If you have a garage queen with a cover on it and barely remove it then that would be ok. Dragging dirt across your paint is almost equivalent to dragging sand across it. The scratches form in the clear coat and after awhile dull your shine (swirl marks). It can surely still happen with wax or a paint sealant and improper washing techniques but IMO a cover would make it worse (especially being outside).

 

I concur with everyone else, you don't want to use a cover. Lots of folks use them to cover classics that are in a garage for an extended period of time. But those aren't out in the elements for dirt and stuff to blow under.

You don't want to risk paint damage by trying to use one outside.

 

A properly fit cover that is properly installed will do it's job. Like Tom pointed out if the cover allows dirt to get up under it and it blows around in the wind, it will leave marks in your paint. You do need to wipe the truck down before putting the cover on. I use a California Duster on my car.
In the long run it's probably a better idea to make sure you use the proper wax or sealer for you conditions. The sun cause red paint to oxidize faster than just about any other color so you will want to make sure it is protected.

 

Kept my Bright Red '01 outside under a cover for the first 6 years or so(until the cover dryrotted away). Here in central CA there is plenty of summer dust in the air. Used my Ranger for work and F150 for weekends so everyday covering was not an issue.
Never noticed any scratdching or wear on the edges/corners.


FWIW, I also kept my black laquered Javelin outside under a cover as well.

 

I get the "it'll scratch your paint" ......but anyone from Arizona can attest to the effects of the sun pounding your paint into oblivion.......after about 6 or 7 years darker colors especially......starts on hoods and tops of vehicle......I don't really mind swirls or webs or whatever you want to call em I think that looks better than paint faded out down to bare metal.......next one if there is a next one will be white.....although I do love that ruby red

 

I never lived in Arizona but I have spent some time there growing up in the 70s. One of the things I remember was seeing a lot of cars with primer coming through the paint. My uncle said it the sun literally burns the paint off cars. It's a better situation than the rust problems we have here. Someday I will live some place sunny and warm.

 

Well if you are not concerned about swirl marks in your clear coat then I would go with something like this cover. It is rated 5 star for heat and looks to be their best protection. As stated from others you will have to get into a routine for the best way to fold and unfold your cover daily. On those rainy days it will be a royal pain to be placing the cover on the truck for sure...but if you are mainly only concerned with the heat this cover looks to protect well and it is on sale! There might be other covers out there that may be better I don't know...I just did a search for a truck cover and since I would have to have the best cover I would choose the best protection. I am not sure if I put in the correct dimensions for your truck...I put in supercrew with 5.5' bed.


Ultimate Shield Truck Cover SuperCrew Cab Extra Short Bed(5.5 ft) 2013 F-150 Ford Truck Covers

I found this video and was laughing at the way they embellish things in it...lol




Have you thought about buying a sun shade for your driveway?? It would save you from having to use a cover all the time and can extend quite a ways out from your house to protect your truck (I do not forsee you putting the truck cover on your truck everywhere you go). Here is a link to one company I found with a search.

Residential Carports | Shade-N-Net

I think that is plenty to think about for now.