Storaging a truck with a vehicle cover

[Mangosteen]

I have to store a truck for a few months outside of Hilo, Hawaii. It rains a little bit there. (150 inches a year). And of course, its warm and humid too all the time.

If I use a standard vehicle cover, will moisture accumulate inside the cover and cause rust problems. Should I just leave it outside so it can dry out after the rain?

I know a garage would be best, but I don’t have access to one.

Some one will be around to drive it occasionally.

[SanDiegoTim]

You are quite right about the car cover. The problem is that moisture will accumulate inside and not have a way out. I had problems in this regard here in San Diego. Could be worse where you are as I’d think the combination of temperature and humidity could also lead to a mildew problem. One company you could trust for a straight answer is California Car Cover Co. Don’t have its URL handy, but a search will find them quickly. They make covers with many materials. Perhaps they have one that will breathe enough.

[Mangosteen]

@SanDiegoTim

You are quite right about the car cover. The problem is that moisture will accumulate inside and not have a way out. I had problems in this regard here in San Diego. Could be worse where you are as I’d think the combination of temperature and humidity could also lead to a mildew problem. One company you could trust for a straight answer is California Car Cover Co. Don’t have its URL handy, but a search will find them quickly. They make covers with many materials. Perhaps they have one that will breathe enough.

Tim, Thanks for the lead. Great website!

[GreasyJack]

Good car covers breathe, but then they also don’t protect from rain. Many a new convertible owner has learned this to their dismay. What car covers primarily protect your car from is sun, wind-blown dust and frost. I think Hilo’s climate is pretty darn close to ideal for preserving a car, so unless this truck is some sort of antique with an original paint job, I wouldn’t bother with a cover.

[Mangosteen]

@GreasyJack

Good car covers breathe, but then they also don’t protect from rain. Many a new convertible owner has learned this to their dismay. What car covers primarily protect your car from is sun, wind-blown dust and frost. I think Hilo’s climate is pretty darn close to ideal for preserving a car, so unless this truck is some sort of antique with an original paint job, I wouldn’t bother with a cover.

Thanks for your comments, Jack.

I would consider a place like Phoenix to be ideal for preserving a car. Little rain, low humidity and no really cold weather. Just keep it out of the sun either with a cover or in a garage.

I’m worried about the very high rainfall and year round warm humid weather it would be exposed to in Hilo.

[zoltar7]

Depending on the value of the truck, and the reasonableness of putting up a temporary structure at the storage location, what about a portable garage?

I’m thinking something like the 10x20 canopy from Costco, should run around $200.

[Mangosteen]

@zoltar7

Depending on the value of the truck, and the reasonableness of putting up a temporary structure at the storage location, what about a portable garage?

I’m thinking something like the 10x20 canopy from Costco, should run around $200.

It can get windy. Securing the cover to the truck might be easier than securing a portable garage to the ground, but its something I was considering.