The Eight Best Jeep Covers For Winter


Owning a Jeep is a serious investment. It can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work. Due to the unique design of a Jeep, it requires some special attention to help it last a long time. Protecting your Jeep from the harsh elements of winter is a simple and important move you can make to help extend your Jeep’s life.

There are any number of great winter maintenance and care steps to take with your Jeep, but a simple and effective one is to invest in a winter cover. For anyone who can’t store their jeep in the garage, this protects your Jeep from snow, wind, and ice all season long. Most of the best covers out there are truly designed for year-round protection. Let’s take a look at the eight best jeep covers for winter. 

Smittybilt Jeep Cover

The Smittybilt Jeep Cover is a great year-round cover to protect your Jeep from the elements. It is made of “space-age” fabric that protects your interior and exterior, while still allowing breathability to keep your paint and any custom designs safe. This cover protects your vehicle from sun, dirt, dust, moisture, and pollution.

Smittybilt 835 Full Climate Cover

Smittybilt covers feature a specialized diamond bond stitch pattern that allows air to escape, while keeping other elements out. The spun bond polypropylene fabric is water repellent by design to keep all the rain, sleet, and snow off your ride. 

It comes in a variety of sizes and models to fit whatever Jeep you are sporting. Best of all it comes with a storage bag, a lock, and a cable to prevent theft. It’s super easy and convenient to toss on and off your vehicle all on your own. This is definitely a great all-purpose cover to keep your jeep safe from any unwanted winter damage. 

Platinum Shield Jeep Cover

Carcovers.com is an industry leader in high-quality vehicle covers. The Platinum Shield Cover is the top-of-the-line cover offered by this online retailer. It features all the bells and whistles you could want to ensure that your vehicle is protected no matter what. Best of all, carcovers.com includes a guaranteed fit and a lifetime warranty.

The special UV treated fabric not only protects your car from the harsh sun rays, but it is also coated with a polyurethane layer to repel water and let it roll right off. The front and rear hems are made of super strong elastic to ensure a snug fit that won’t blow off in the wind. The sides feature reinforced grommets so you can use the included cable lock to protect it from theft. 

CarCovers Platinum Shield SUV Cover

The folks at Carcovers.com are experts at matching you with just the right cover. The platinum shield cover will protect not only your jeep, but will easily cover a spare rear mounted tire or any other additional external parts and accessories you’ve got hanging about. The underside of the cover also features a soft fleece lining so you can be sure there won’t be accidental scratches.

This is one of the pricier covers on the list, but it is definitely well worth it. The platinum shield technology is sure to keep your jeep safe no matter the weather so you can keep enjoying it all year long. 

CoverMaster Gold Shield Jeep Cover

CoverMaster’s Gold Shield car covers are a highly regarded product and are built just for you. The gold shield features five-layer protection so you can rest easy knowing your jeep is safe. The top three layers are polypropylene making the cover totally waterproof. Then there is a breathable middle layer to prevent oxidation and a fleecy bottom layer to prevent scratches. 

Cover Master Gold Cover

CoverMaster covers are custom fit so you can just enter your particular year, make, and model and they’ll take care of the rest. Much like the previous picks, the CoverMaster Gold Shield comes with a storage bag and cable lock. These covers are designed for a more snug fit so it could be a bit more difficult to get on and off all on your own.

This cover is completely hole-free, so they also include an antenna patch. If you can’t remove your antenna, you’ll need to cut a hole for it, and then seal the opening with the antenna patch to maintain the full effectiveness of the cover. This particular cover is a great value for the price of about $150. An excellent investment for anyone who wants quality without breaking the bank.

Autsop All Weather Car Cover

The Autsop All-Weather Car Cover comes in a variety of sizes so you can be sure to find one that works for you. This particular cover features 6 layers of serious protection, guaranteeing your vehicle’s safety. There is a padded layer of protection to further protect the vehicle from any potential hail damage which could be a big bonus depending on your area. 

Autsop SUV Cover

While this protector offers similar protections as the others mentioned, there are a few key differences. This protector features bright reflective strips along the front, back, and mirrors to maintain high visibility at night and avoid collisions. If you are forced to park the car on the street or in an area near traffic of any kind, this could be a real lifesaver.

Autsop Reflective Strip

Another interesting difference with this cover is it has a specially designed driver’s side door area. There is a waterproof zipper that allows you to open the driver’s door without having to remove the entire cover. This is great if you need to just jump in and grab something. To accommodate this design, the cover does feature rearview mirror pockets instead of a wider cover.

Some users have noted that these mirror pockets show more wear and tear than the rest of the cover simply because they are a bit more exposed than the rest of the car. It doesn’t seem to be a serious issue, but it is one worth noting. This is one of the more affordable cover options on the list and is definitely worth considering for that handy driver’s side door access. 

iCarCover All-Weather Vehicle Cover

The iCarCover All-Weather Vehicle Cover is another perfectly solid choice if you are looking for reliability and functionality. This cover strongly resembles some of the choices above but may appeal to some more than others. For starters, it comes in a tremendous assortment of sizes so you can be sure to find the right fit for you.

iCarCover

The cover is 100% waterproof and weatherproof, guaranteed to protect your vehicle all year round. The chemical-free cover keeps your car safe from harmful UV rays and wintry precipitation. The cover supposedly reflects UV rays keeping the vehicle cooler underneath the cover on those hot summer days.

Much like some other covers described, this one is multi-layered with a soft fleecy side to prevent scratching. It also comes with anti-theft straps, an antenna patch kit, and best of all, a seven-year worry-free warranty. In the unlikely event that anything happens to your cover, then they will happily replace or fix yours under the warranty.

Hail Protector Cover

Ok, let’s talk about something a little wild and a whole lot different than the other covers. The Hail Protector Cover is super unique and may not be right for everyone, but could be just right for you. Now, this unique cover actually inflates into a giant balloon-looking shield to protect your vehicle in the event of a hail storm. 

Hail Protector Car Cover

According to the manufacturers, the Hail Protector Cover can be installed in less than five minutes and can then inflate in less than five minutes as well. There are three choices for power sources including an AC adapter, AA battery pack, or a cigarette lighter adapter. There is a remote control inflation system so you can simply hit a button and the cover balloons up.

The company also has a specially designed app to alert you in the event of incoming hail. The app is available on iPhone and Android devices and customers get free access to the app with the purchase of a cover. It comes in six different sizes and costs between $390 and $550. It’s one of the stranger covers on the list, but if hail is a concern in your area then it might be just the one.

Altindal Car Cover and Hail Protector

The Altindal Car Cover and Hail Protector means business. This heavy-duty cover features 6mm thick protection from hail and severe weather. There is no metal on this cover so you can trust there won’t be any accidental scratches as you take it on and off. The cover is also water repellent to keep any puddles from piling up on top of the vehicle. 

Altindal Hail Protector Cover

This cover doesn’t fully wrap up your vehicle tight and isn’t quite as all season protective as some of the others mentioned. It is also considerably heavier and more expensive. But if you are most concerned about strong winds, hail, and falling debris, then this tough shield could be the right choice for you. 

The cover features sixteen different straps to secure it in place. This way you can trust that it won’t blow away in those strong midwest wind storms. It does offer UV protection, but won’t keep your car quite as cool as some of the other broader use covers on the list. 

Smittybilt 1061 Cab Cover

Here is another great offering from the folks at Smittybilt. This 1061 Cab Cover is specially designed to protect the interior of your Jeep. It fits snugly over the windshield and covers the entire cab, including your mirrors. It is made of water-resistant material and is easy enough to pop on or off all by yourself.

Smittybilt 1061 Cab Cover

This is obviously a pretty specific product and doesn’t offer nearly the amount of protection all the other covers on the list do. It is in fact strictly to protect the windshield and interior, thus leaving the rest of your exterior exposed. However, this could be all you’re looking for if you are one the many Jeep owners who like to always have their top off and enjoy the freedom that only Jeep can provide. This would be a great choice to keep in your Jeep while you’re out and about and be able to throw it on if a suprise storm hits.

If you are looking for something smaller and ultra portable for light interior protection, then this is a great choice. If you are looking for year round, heavy duty protection against any of the possible natural hazards that may occur, then you should look to one of the other covers mentioned above. This could be a great supplemental cover to have with your larger main cover. 

What Are Some Important Factors To Consider When Purchasing a Car Cover For Your Jeep?

There seems to be a limitless supply of car covers out there. They come in so many different shapes and sizes and all the jargon can start to blur together. After you look at too many of them, you may forget altogether what you are actually trying to achieve. Keep an eye out for these important factors when you are shopping for a car cover for your jeep.

How Does The Car Cover Fit?

Often you will see two primary kinds of fits. A generic fit and a custom fit. The generic fit is sort of like a giant bag that will cover a vehicle up to a certain size. The custom-fit is exactly what it sounds like, a cover custom-designed to fit snugly around your specific make and model.

Custom-fit covers can be a challenge for Jeeps as no two Jeeps tend to be alike. With so many aftermarket bumpers and roof racks and everything of that nature, custom covers can be tricky to find the right one. Be sure to look at the details (like overall dimensions) and maybe even ask the seller if they would design a cover just for you. This would truly ensure you had a genuinely perfect fit.

Here are some things to know about generic fit car covers.

  • Large enough to fit a wide range of vehicles
  • Looser fit
  • Easier to put it on by yourself
  • Less secure in the event of heavy winds or storms
  • Usually cheaper
  • Great for basic, general use, or people who want to take the cover on and off frequently

And here some things to know about custom fit car covers.

  • Specially designed for your make and model (important for Jeeps since the Jeep shape is very unique)
  • Tight fit
  • Could be more challenging to put on alone
  • Very snug and secure in high winds or storms
  • More expensive due to the custom design process
  • Great for longer-term covering and more secure protection

How Often Will You Be Putting On and Taking Off the Car Cover?

If you haven’t put a car cover on or taken it off before, it can sometimes be challenging and frustrating with the wrong product. Snug car covers offer great protection, but it can be a real bummer to have to wrestle with taking the cover off and putting it back on all the time. 

Definitely consider how often you will be putting the cover on and taking it off. If you intend to do this daily, then you will definitely want to invest in a lightweight, portable, generic cover. This will not only be easier to pop on and off at your leisure, it will also store easier for daily use. 

If you are intending to cover the vehicle for the season or several weeks at a time, then you may be less concerned about the portability or ease of use. Some lightweight portable covers don’t offer quite as exceptional protection from all the elements, so if you want your cover to do the work all season, definitely go for something a little more serious.

What Kind of Weather Are You Most Concerned About?

Not all areas experience hail storms and tornadoes. Plenty of people can comfortably leave their vehicles outside year round without the fear of softball size hail shattering the windows or a broken branch being flung through it by a twister. But this is definitely an important consideration when you are looking at covers.

If you do live in an area that experiences regular hail storms, and serious ones at that, then you may want to invest in a cover specifically designed to protect from hail and debris. The inflatable cover or heavy-duty thicker shields may look silly at times, but will definitely keep the body of your car safe.

Just remember that these specialized covers don’t necessarily offer the same great protection from the rest of the elements. Where they shine in hail protection, they may be lacking in ice or UV protection. So, your local climate is crucial information to consider when you are picking out your new car cover.

What Is the Car Cover Made Out Of?

Lots of the best car covers offer similar multi-layer protection to keep your car safe and scratch free. Definitely look for a cover that features a fleece lined or other soft inner fabric to keep from scratching your car as you pull it on and off. There is not a guarantee that a scratch won’t happen, but these softer insides definitely help prevent them.

Multiple layers are another common and desirable feature of protection. Each layer is usually designed to help with particular protection, either against rain, UV rays, or scratches. Any single layer covers probably can’t stand up to too much stress from the elements. Look for something that is at least three layers if possible. 

Will Car Covers Damage the Paint Job?

We’ve mentioned how many of these covers are designed with a soft inner lining to avoid scratching the paint, but the fact is that it could still happen. When used absolutely correctly, you should be able to avoid any scratches. However, that doesn’t mean it is 100% perfect.

A custom fit cover is less likely to result in any accidental scratches than a generic cover. This is because it is a tight and snug fit on the vehicle. Generic fit covers have some amount of excess fabric that will be prone to flapping in the wind on stormy nights. This flapping excess fabric can actually cause dirt, dust, and debris to scratch the paint on your vehicle if you’re not careful. 

If you are using a generic cover and want to do more to avoid scratches, then you should clean your car regularly. Dirt, dust, and debris that is clinging to the car’s surface is what usually causes scratches as the cover flaps or when you put it on and take it off. Keeping your car’s surface free of any of that increases your chances of avoiding marks. 

The other paint concern at hand is moisture. Excess moisture can affect a car’s paint job. Some waterproof covers may be too good at waterproofing and not good enough at breathing. A waterproof cover should also be made of breathable material so that moisture isn’t trapped inside the cover.

If the material isn’t breathable then excess moisture can build up under the cover over time. This moisture will slowly cause corrosion resulting in discoloration and even rusting. This is less of a concern if you are able to store your vehicle inside a garage, but if left outside, definitely find a breathable cover. 

What Are Other Possible Car Cover Hazards?

If you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, then you should find yourself in good shape when using your car cover. However, even the most careful among us are prone to mistakes. There are a few hazards you should keep an eye out for. 

  • The first and biggest one is any metal grommets. These grommets may be in place to secure weather or anti-theft straps to the cover, but they also pose a risk of scratching when the cover goes on and off. Usually, there is a specific way you should put the cover on and remove it to avoid this. Be sure to follow these steps to avoid this risk. 
  • Another hazard to look out for is moisture. We talked a bit above about how it is important to have a breathable car cover to prevent moisture from being trapped underneath. Well, it is also important that you put your cover on when your car is dry.

    Putting a car cover on over a wet car is a quick way to trap excess moisture inside and lead to corrosion or mold. Whether you just got the car washed or if just finished raining a little bit, be sure to let the exterior completely dry before you saddle it up with that cover, or you may be coming back to a smelly, moldy sight when you return. 
  • Lastly, you need to look out for your car’s antenna. Lots of antennae are removable or retractable and that’s great. If your antenna is either of these things, then you can just do that before putting on the car cover. Most car covers don’t come with holes designed for your antenna to slide through. 

    If you can’t remove or retract your car’s antenna, then you’ll need to cut a hole and use one of the aforementioned patch kits. Most of the generic car covers come with an antenna patch kit and instructions for going about it. Effectively, you’ll be cutting a hole in the car cover to allow the antenna to poke through, then sealing up the surrounding space.

It isn’t exactly what we might call a perfect system, but sometimes it is the best you can do. Be careful when cutting the hole and patching it back up. You’ll want to get it as close as possible to the initial tight seal so that you aren’t opening up your vehicle to unnecessary exposure and letting in rain, dust, snow, wind, and everything else. 

Protect Your Jeep To Show It Off For Years

Any of the car covers above could be just the right thing to protect your ride from the harsh natural elements. The Jeep community is a tight-knit group full of dedicated Jeep lovers. You’ve likely put lots of time, money, and effort into your Jeep and you should go the extra mile to give it the protection that it deserves. Don’t let a freak ice storm ruin what you’ve worked for.

The most important thing of all is to pick a cover that works for you. Different climates and different users will want different products. If you live in a particularly windy area, then you should definitely purchase a product with great wind straps and tie-downs. If you live in an area prone to hail, then consider one of the heavier duty hail protection options on the list. 

No matter where you live or what you drive, you want to keep your Jeep safe. There’s nothing worse than rolling up to friends and being asked about that scratch or the dent or some other damage on your vehicle. Avoid all of that and avoid costly repairs by investing in a high-quality cover now. 

Pay close attention to the materials and their intended use. Remember that a high-quality cover won’t be cheap, but you shouldn’t have to spend an arm and a leg either. Wind damage wears down covers the fastest, but a good cover should last you for many years to come. Your Jeep was born to bring adventure but keeping it protected will ensure you can do so for many years and as always…keep The Wilderness on YOUR Side!

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