Wheel Covers - who Bothers?

[Nigel L]

So, not using the van everyday, it stands out in all weathers.
Bought some wheel covers this week, which are elasticated and just fit around the tyre. They stop most of the rain getting onto the disc and brakes, plus keep the wheels clean. Anyone else do this, or is it just me getting a bit too OCD

 

[Spaghetti]

I admire your dedication but I’m not sure I could be bothered to put them on and off each time.

 

[Loz]

Why not cover the whole van?

 

[Paynewright]

Nigel,

Where did you get them from - I was recently thinking about a different use for them.

I own a 911 (996 c2) which does about 3000 miles p.a. One of the problems with weekend cars is that owners wash them and put them away with wet discs which then rust and the pads stick. The 911 is particularly bad as the vented discs are also drilled. The discs were truly shocking on my car before I changed them!

My thoughts were to cover the wheels while I wash the bodywork (2 bucket method) and stop any water getting into the brakes. I can either wipe the wheels down or wash before I go on a run so heat will dry them out.

You’re not the only one with pedantic tendencies (I wont use the term OCD in case it offends people who really have OCD, in this ever increasing PC world we live in)

Regards
Ian

 

[Kind of Blue]

I agree with Loz. If the van is just standing for long periods of time then cover all of it with a cover or tarp.

 

[Paynewright]

I agree with Loz. If the van is just standing for long periods of time then cover all of it with a cover or tarp.

I really dont like outdoor car covers - only needs a bit of grit / road film and a windy day and your paintwork is scratched to bits. Far better with a good carnauba or ceramic wax coating. I use colinite 476

 

[Tourershine]

Actually, in my industry, tyre perishing is a huge problem due to the fact Caravans and Motorhomes can sit for prolonged periods in the UV, which is a huge factor in tyre perishing.
It's advised a Caravan has it's tyres changed every 4 years for this reason, and the fact that a Caravan tyre can still have it's full depth of tread often leads to owners ignoring the advice and the next we hear about it, is on Radio 2's travel news. So I think they are a great idea if your T6 is going to be sat for long periods at a time.

I'm not sure a full cover would cover all four wheels and tyres anyway.

 

[JOG]

wheel socks?

 

[Kind of Blue]

Wax sound perfectly fine to me. The car is going to get wet when driven any way. The best thing is a car port with plenty of circulating air and reduced UV and yes a wax. Cars are an expensive item for sure but these days they seem to be a bit precious to my mind. Its not just here but everywhere it is the way things have gone some take up a double parking space and and so on. Rust on wheels comes off the first time the brakes are applied and will be rusty again next time they are parked up for a week end. Rusty disks used to be seen a good on motorcycles it was a sighn of quality, all Brembo disks rusted Japanese discs tended not to and the latter were poor in the wet and when cold comparatively. I am sure things might be different to day, I have no idea. My vehicles just stay under the sky, I just pull the excess leaves off them.

 

[Kind of Blue]

wheel socks?

What about a hot water bottle.

 

[Trouts]

You’re not the only one with pedantic tendencies (I wont use the term OCD in case it offends people who really have OCD, in this ever increasing PC world we live in)

I always prefer to call it CDO.
then it's in alphabetical order like it should be...

 

[JOG]

What about a hot water bottle.

and a bedtime story?!!

 

[Kind of Blue]

and a bedtime story?!!

Hot milk?

 

[Nigel L]

Nigel,

Where did you get them from - I was recently thinking about a different use for them.

I own a 911 (996 c2) which does about 3000 miles p.a. One of the problems with weekend cars is that owners wash them and put them away with wet discs which then rust and the pads stick. The 911 is particularly bad as the vented discs are also drilled. The discs were truly shocking on my car before I changed them!

My thoughts were to cover the wheels while I wash the bodywork (2 bucket method) and stop any water getting into the brakes. I can either wipe the wheels down or wash before I go on a run so heat will dry them out.

You’re not the only one with pedantic tendencies (I wont use the term OCD in case it offends people who really have OCD, in this ever increasing PC world we live in)

Regards
Ian

Hi Ian, if you put ‘Heavy Duty Tyre Covers’ into ebay, it brings up loads of options.
I have a TVR in the garage, and i do exactly what you are thinking, place them over the wheels whilst washing the car, and then doing the wheels afterwards, allowing the car to be placed back in the garage dry.
Then thought, they would work on the Campervan. So brought a second set. They are about £14 for 4, so not expensive.
My Van dosen’t stand for long periods of time, but often isn’t used for say 3-4 days, so this is when I put the covers on.
Whether it’s a sports car or a van, I do love to see nice wheels and callipers on a vehicle ( just my thing!), so thought for a couple of quid for each wheel, and literally 30 seconds to put them on, think they are a no brainier (for me anyway)

 

[JOG]

Actually, in my industry, tyre perishing is a huge problem due to the fact Caravans and Motorhomes can sit for prolonged periods in the UV, which is a huge factor in tyre perishing.
It's advised a Caravan has it's tyres changed every 4 years for this reason, and the fact that a Caravan tyre can still have it's full depth of tread often leads to owners ignoring the advice and the next we hear about it, is on Radio 2's travel news. So I think they are a great idea if your T6 is going to be sat for long periods at a time.

I'm not sure a full cover would cover all four wheels and tyres anyway.

Good advice @Tourershine! We have a hoofing great big twin-axle and have it serviced every year. Two years ago, we were told that we need to keep an eye on them as they're at the end of manufacturer's guidance/use date. Last year we were told we'd need this done next time. This year, when booking the service, he was up front and told me that he would check the tyres but to expect a call mid-service telling me I'd need to change them. (So, I did!)

So, when you have the guys in the in business giving free advice like @Tourershine has above and my local friendly caravan man does, invariably it is for a good reason. Whether we love or hate Sally Traffic, we don't need to feature on her bulletin!

 

[JOG]

Hot milk?

and a choccy bikkie if you settle down?

 

[Nigel L]

The number of times when at car shows, you see people still with original tyres on, as they have lots of tread left on them.
We call them ‘Ditch Finders’!!

 

[Paynewright]

found them! looks like they make a set that will cover the 285 rears

 

[JOG]

The number of times when at car shows, you see people still with original tyres on, as they have lots of tread left on them.
We call them ‘Ditch Finders’!!

"Ditch Finders"............brilliant!

 

[Kind of Blue]

Could use bin liners or garden sacks!