# Storaging a truck with a vehicle cover **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 21, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671 "2012-05-21T23:57:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671/1 "2012-05-21T23:57:08Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671/2 "2012-05-22T02:28:35Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671/3 "2012-05-22T03:23:49Z")
> [@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! ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671/4 "2012-05-22T03:58:57Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671/5 "2012-05-22T04:33:57Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![zoltar7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b38774/32.png) [@zoltar7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoltar7)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671/6 "2012-05-22T05:31:00Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/storaging-a-truck-with-a-vehicle-cover/622671/7 "2012-05-22T22:52:33Z")
> [@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.