Even though "covers" was listed as one of the topics here, I have been unable to find it; thus this new post.

Which manufacturer/brand is best? Which materials are actually better than the others? What have been your personal experiences?

Has anyone had experience with this one? http://kennoncovers.com/cabincovers.html

Been perfectly happy with my Kennon covers. Probably 6-7 years on them. Spoiler Mesh wings, mesh horizontal, and Sunbrella/ WeatherMax cabin (can't remember which it was back when I bought mine). I have various other brands of engine covers. No complaints with Kennon covers, and they fit well. Mine are used continually from October through April every year. We don't get a whole lot of strong UV during those months. The spoiler covers and mesh covers do great in the wind, as far as not flapping, and killing any lift. Aviation Covers Inc., and Bruce's Custom Covers are a couple others you might want to compare.
-DP

I had Kennon spoiler mesh covers on a 180 once upon a time and liked them. They are no lighter than the coated poly covers and they sometimes let moisture through to create a rough ice layer in certain freeze/thaw conditions. The ball/loop fastening system was clunky. The mesh covers don't billow in the wind and the airplane sits quietly in a big blow which can be a big comfort for those us with no hangars. I currently have coated spoiler poly covers from Alaska Wing Covers for my 170. The covers use hook/loop fasteners (I like) and they are not vented so they billow a bit in the wind, which frets at the leading and trailing edge. They were old and faded when I bought the plane a few years ago. I'm looking at replacement probably next year. I think I will try the Alaska Wing Covers vented poly covers with spoilers next but I haven't done my comparison shopping yet so I will be interested to see where you go with this.

BeeMan wrote:I had Kennon spoiler mesh covers on a 180 once upon a time and liked them. They are no lighter than the coated poly covers and they sometimes let moisture through to create a rough ice layer in certain freeze/thaw conditions. The ball/loop fastening system was clunky.

BeeMan, I agree with you about the ball/loop fastening system being clunky, but I don't believe Kennon uses that any longer. Mine use sewn-in plastic tabs with molded hooks, and little eyelets sewn into the end of the bungees. The cabin cover uses wide fastex buckles and little molded plastic hooks on the ends of the bungees. It's pretty tidy and you can still work them with mitts on if you need to.
-DP

So maybe more to your point, I am also looking at a winter cabin cover but want something light that stuffs well. I will need penetrations for my lifting eyes and com antenna so additional vents may not be needed. The prefab, lined, antistatic covers look bulky and hard to put on the plane, particularly if the wind is blowing. Ironically the ball/loop fasteners may have an application with the cabin cover so you could balance on the wheel or strut and toss the balls to carry the cover aft of the trailing edge after fastening the leading edge to the boot cowl. Again, I am interested to see where you go with this so please post your path forward here.

I have Kennon wing and horizontal covers for my Citabria. I like them. They are water proof and keep the UVs out good. Billowing a bit in the wind but not bad. They have the hook/loop fastening system and it works great. Looking forward to responses here as I am looking at canopy and engine covers...

A1Skinner wrote:...Looking forward to responses here as I am looking at canopy and engine covers...

If you're dealing with anything but extreme deep cold, and have decent preheat ability, Aviation Covers makes a very nice engine cover. They have a material which is thin insulation with a layer of silver Mylar sandwiched in the middle. The product is very compact, form-fitting, and they did a number of nice customizations on mine. Ask for Jo-Ang.

Thanks DP. I'll check them out. I do have a oilpan heater which does do a good job of preheating. An insulated cover would be nice.

Has anyone tried the Wiggy's engine cover. I'm lookin to get a nice one, instead of the old sleeping bags I currently use...Was thinkin it'd be good to have something that would double as an extra blanket for survival gear too. I'll look into the Aviation Covers one you mentioned DP.

Thanks

I use the Kennon engine cover because it keeps the heat really well, but it is horribly bulky.
Kennon windshield cover is top notch so I assume their cockpit cover is also.
As for winter wing covers, Arctic Covers are by far the best Ive found, they pack small and dont freeze to the wings! they don't have a web sight but if you google it a phone number comes up, they are in Manitoba.

I have used Bruce's and Tanis covers. Both are high quality products and service. Bruce's does engine covers and light and heavy canopy covers. Tanis does engine covers. Tanis is the highest quality, but I think Bruce's is functionally just as good and a better value.

It helps to see them side by side.

Mike

I did a great deal of Internet shopping for covers recently. Settled on Alaska wing covers. Linda was very helpful and the covers fit perfect. Of course, I forgot to tell her about my static wicks. They were very responsive to fix my mistake. I've only had them on for 2 months. If they hold up I'd recommend them.

Brett

I use a Bruce cover over my cabin when parked on the ramp or camped next to my plane. Bruce also has engine and other covers and provides almost infinite customization to deal with antennas, temperature probes and anything else that sticks out from the plane. This shot shows the Bruce cover in place. I was on the ramp at the Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF), and the APP jet center moved my plane into the hangar because of an expected ice storm. I had some pretty good company here!

When Kennon came out with their "sunbbrella" covers, I ordered a set of wing covers from them.. UV is the biggest enemy of covers. Those went through two seasons, then essentially fell apart......UV deterioration. I called them and they said the covers were no longer under warranty....too old. Haven't bought anything from Kennon since. Hopefully, they've got their materials figured out now, but I wouldn't trust their customer service.

I second using Alaska Wing Covers or Aviation Covers...both make good stuff, and back their products.

I'm a firm believer in NO monster engine covers. I want minimalist insulation in engine covers.....and stuffability. Those monster covers from WIGGYS are a waste in my experience. Try sleeping in one sometime . You'll regret it if it's cold. You need to carry survival (or camping) sleeping bags in any case. A RELATIVELY thin, pack able engine cover is the ideal.

Finally, let's say you get stuck out somewhere in weather, and need to spend the night to wait on weather.....next morning should be fine WX. Now, you have your "sleeping bag/engine cover". Are you going to use it to sleep in, and turn this into an actual emergency because your engine won't start in the AM? Or the alternative?

That engine covers not going to hold heat all night, no matter how thick it is....in real cool WX. You're going to have to get up and run the engine a couple times that night with a cover.....but if you're bundled up in that cover, you'll be up all night running the engine. I've been in this situation.

Good compact covers and compression stuff sacks can get both sleeping bags and thinner engine covers down to reasonable sizes.

MTV

Bump an old thread...
Anyone have any experience with http://www.planecover.com/highwing_splash.htm ?
Looking for a good cover for my 172.

Thanks

FWIW, I've been very happy with my whole list of Kennon covers, and they've treated me well. I started with the engine cowl cover 11 years ago, then added:
prop and spinner covers
windshield cover
pitot cover
cowl plugs (custom made, same price as stock plugs)
wing mesh spoiler covers
AOA probe cover (custom made, same price as pitot cover)

Other non-cover items from Kennon: full set of inside window reflector covers, padded aileron control locks.

My only issue has been that the cowl cover is really bulky, but that can be tamed somewhat with compression straps. With its thickness, and whatever insulation they use, it will keep my engine warm enough to start easily in 15F weather after sitting for approximately 6 hours, the longest I've left it in that kind of cold, parked on the windy Laramie ramp.

Most of the time, my airplane is hangared in an unheated hangar, so I have no idea whether they improved the threads for keeping things all together before or after I bought, but they mention that on their website.

Cary

We got a Bruces engine cover for the S7S. Fits like a glove. They called me a couple of times and asked for a picture and a measurement or two. I was impressed that they would do that instead of just sending something that's "close". The material is nice, not super bulky like those from Kennon.