Welcome to the new coverable blog. We will be adding lots of helpful tips about protecting your outdoor gear in the months and years to come.
Look for our new cover sales website --- CoverDeals.com is now open.
Welcome to the new coverable blog. We will be adding lots of helpful tips about protecting your outdoor gear in the months and years to come.
Look for our new cover sales website --- CoverDeals.com is now open.
Before putting your boat away for the winter, it is important to prep it for the long sleep. The first place to start is with the engine. This will be the messiest part of this endeavor but the engine is usually the most expensive and least expendable item of your boat. Clean the engine and change the oil and the filter. Having dirty oil sitting in a dirty engine will be an even bigger mess in the spring.
Drain the cooling system. If it’s like a car and has a closed system,
refill it with the recommended antifreeze and water solution. If it’s an open system, flush it out with
water. If your boat has a
carburetor, drain the gas out of the tank. Use the drain screw found at the bottom of the
bowl. Fill the tank with a fuel
stabilizer after putting the screw back.
If you have a bathroom, pump out the holding tank until as dry as possible. Treat the tank with a deodorizer that can be found at supply stores. Try to get in the habit of removing as much of your boating gear as possible and putting them in their designated spots. It may be a hassle but you don’t want your life jackets, cushions or sails to collect moisture.
Open up all the hatches and lockers if you’re going to keep your boat in a garage. On the flip side, keep all hatches and lockers closed if your boat will be kept outside. Spray the bilge, head and lockers with a light mist of anti-mildew spray. Consider putting a dehumidifier in the boat if you’re going to be storing it outside. Lastly, get a boat cover to act as an extra helping hand during the winter months to ward off harsh weather, animals and small accidents.
When it comes to choosing a boat specifically for wakeboarding, and hopefully entertaining on the side, it’s important to know the difference between a boat made for wakeboarding and one that isn’t. Wakeboard boats are specially made for the purpose of creating wakes. Then of course, wakeboarders can perform their tricks on these wakes. Like ski boats, wakeboard boats have ballasts but their ballasts generally have much more weight, thus making bigger wakes when the boat is moving. The wedge on a wakeboarding boat also helps shape the wake that the ballast makes.
Shopping for a wakeboarding boat, new or used, can prove to be stressful. Most have the same basic features such as upholstered seating, carpeted floors and sides, a wakeboard tower, ballast, wedge and steering mechanisms. Wakeboard boats start to vary when it comes to engine types, fuel capacity, and accessories. Some wakeboard boats come equipped with a special button that lets you adjust the shape of the wake you desire with one push. Some boats have bigger ballasts that can create bigger wakes for more experienced riders. If you feel like going green, some boats have exhaust systems that reduce the amount of carbon monoxide emitted into the air. For your personal comfort, some have seats designed with lumbar support for those long days on the water. Special additions include diving platforms and even mufflers to keep the noise to a low roar.
As earlier stated, accessories can make a huge difference between one wakeboard boat to the next. While most boats come with a stereo system, some come with tower cans that will protect your speakers from the elements as well as amplifiers and satellite antennas. The compartments and lockers onboard will vary with the size and price of a boat but one plus to buying a used boat is often time you’ll score used boards, ski hangles, ropes, life jackets etc…
Other wakeboard boats come not only with boat covers, but also with cockpit covers. While most wakeboard boats have heaters and a bar, others even have hot water showers. Some even have clamp down board racks, pop-up bow and stern cleats, and batteries with a battery switch. A few even come with a lounge remote control and halogen docking lights.
If you’re in fact looking to buy used, going online is a good place to start. Wakeboard boats can be found on online auctions or classified websites. If you buy used online, but through a manufacturer, you may even score free shipping. Approach shopping for your wakeboard boat as if you would when shopping for a house. Go to various dealers and write down the ones you like. Then, do your own research on each model until you decide on the one that fits your needs and price range. Most importantly, get a boat that fits your individual style.
It may be long before you put your boat away for the winter but it’s never too early to prepare your boat and yourself for a hard winter. The first place to start is with the engine. This will be the messiest part of this endeavor but the engine is usually the most expensive and least expendable item of your boat. Clean the engine and change the oil and the filter. Having dirty oil sitting in a dirty engine will be an even bigger mess in the spring.
Drain the cooling system. If it’s like a car and has a closed system,
refill it with the recommended antifreeze and water solution. If it’s an open system, flush it out with
water. If your boat has a
carburetor, drain the gas out of the tank. Use the drain screw found at the bottom of the
bowl. Fill the tank with a fuel
stabilizer after putting the screw back.
If you have a bathroom, pump out the holding tank until as dry as possible. Treat the tank with a deodorizer that can be found at supply stores. Try to get in the habit of removing as much of your boating gear as possible and putting them in their designated spots. It may be a hassle but you don’t want your life jackets, cushions or sails to collect moisture.
Open up all the hatches and lockers if you’re going to keep your boat in a garage. On the flip side, keep all hatches and lockers closed if your boat will be kept outside. Spray the bilge, head and lockers with a light mist of anti-mildew spray. Consider putting a dehumidifier in the boat if you’re going to be storing it outside. Lastly, get a boat cover to act as an extra helping hand during the winter months to ward off harsh weather, animals and small accidents.
Traveling with your dog may sound like an easy load-up and go, but there are things to keep in mind in order to safely and happily travel with your dog. Before hitting the road, consider going to the vet for a routine check-up to make sure your dog is healthy and able for a road trip. Like children, remember that your dog needs to be in a safe and comfortable environment. Try not to keep your dog in the back with boxes or furniture that can easily slide or injure your dog. Consider a barrier along the back that will your dog safe and off your seats at the same time. Seat protectors are also available so if you don’t have a barrier, you can still keep your car seats in mint-condition. Like humans, some dogs can get car sick. Feed them a light meal before the trip and try to feed them minimally during the ride but feed them water as necessary. Take frequent stops along the way to avoid accidents and allow them, and yourself, to stretch out and re-fuel. Before you head out, check for anything that can choke or poison your pup. Dogs love the likes of antifreeze and chocolate for example but both are deadly to them so be safe and do a once over before hitting the road.
It’s enough trouble
to shop and buy a car. Once you sign on
the dotted line you can relax, but not just yet. You want to keep your car in the best shape
possible and with the gas prices increasing like crazy; you want to get the
best bang for your buck. But how do you
do that? Here are a few things to keep in mind to keep your car running at its
best.
Always keep the fluids filled. Make sure
that at any given time your car’s oil, coolant, brake, transmission and
windshield wiper fluids are where they should be. Most Lube services will do this for free in
between oil changes. You can also
request they double check that all hoses are in tact and leak free.
Check your windshield and windows for chips and cracks. Being unaware of any glass damage can give
you a headache later. What looked like a
small crack can turn into a spider crack all the way across your windshield
before you know it. Getting a
professional to repair and damages can save you a lot of money in the long run.
If you park on the street, consider a car cover to protect from scratches and
weather damage.
It’s always a good idea to check online, in the newspaper, or on the radio
where construction is taking place and where you can expect a slow
commute. Not only do you need to slow
down to avoid injuring any workers, there are often uncomfortable dips and holes that can wreak havoc on
your shocks and possibly more importantly, fines are often higher in
construction zones so save some money and slow down.
Know what kind of weather to expect. Check you tires, lights and wipers before heading out. Wipers that don’t work properly or
insufficiently can put you in a compromising and dangerous position and can
turn a normally safe drive to a dangerous endeavor.
Always buckle
up. If not for safety, do it to save a
buck or two. In most states, buckling up
is the law now.
Keep cool, and I don’t mean turn on the A/C. Keeping a check on your temper is always a good idea. It’s no secret that holiday shopping,
screaming kids and hot summer weather can cause stress and frustration. Driving when feeling any extreme emotion
(anger, sadness, extreme happiness) can cause you to be distracted and may lead
to a fender bender or worse. Always try
to avoid sending off rude gestures to the jerk that cut you off and receive
rude gestures at an “adult” level.
Don’t drink and drive. Period. Also, don’t drive when you are extremely
tired. Nodding off at the wheel can be
deadly. Pull over if you have to.
Don’t just take your car’s gauges as an opinion, but as a rule. If your temperature gauge is climbing or higher than normal, your car could be on its way to overheating. Try switching on your heater and slowing down to cool down the engine. Never try to solve the issue yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing. Never open the radiator’s cap when the engine is warm. A roadside assistance service comes in handy in these situations.
Whether you use your ATV for work or pleasure, it’s important to keep it in tip-top shape if you want to keep it running well. As with many things, winter is a time to put things away for a few months. Rather than just closing up shop and hoping your ATV will start in the spring, there are steps you can follow to help ensure a smooth start come spring.
First things first, clean your ATV from top to bottom. A good cleaner, brushes and elbow grease will come in handy for this endeavor. After cleaning, be sure to dry it thoroughly and spray everything down with WD40. This will take care of the water drips that your towel missed and prevent rusting.
Next, take a few minutes to write down some figures. Check the lights, wiring, cables and levers to make sure they’re all working. Jot down those that aren’t working along with anything else that will need attention. If applicable, check the CV boots for cracking. Water trapped here will be a major pain later if ignored.
Also, don’t forget to check your front and rear differentials. Check to see if they’re full and what color the oil is. If the oil looks a milky brown it should be changed immediately. Change your engine oil and filter if needed as well.
Lastly, check your battery. Clean the terminals and consider connecting a trickle charger. If the battery dies after long periods without use, it will probably die for good and you’ll have to replace it with a new one. Inexpensive chargers are available and come in handy so you can start up your ATV right away in the spring. After all your hard work, don’t let it go to waste. Invest in a cover for your ATV to keep out the elements and add a little extra protection.
Whether you use your ATV for work or pleasure, it’s important to keep it in tip-top shape if you want to keep it running well. As with many things, winter is a time to put things away for a few months. Rather than just closing up shop and hoping your ATV will start in the spring, there are steps you can follow to help ensure a smooth start come spring.
First things first, clean your ATV from top to bottom. A good cleaner, brushes and elbow grease will come in handy for this endeavor. After cleaning, be sure to dry it thoroughly and spray everything down with WD40. This will take care of the water drips that your towel missed and prevent rusting.
Next, take a few minutes to write down some figures. Check the lights, wiring, cables and levers to make sure they’re all working. Jot down those that aren’t working along with anything else that will need attention. If applicable, check the CV boots for cracking. Water trapped here will be a major pain later if ignored.
Also, don’t forget to check your front and rear differentials. Check to see if they’re full and what color the oil is. If the oil looks a milky brown it should be changed immediately. Change your engine oil and filter if needed as well.
Lastly, check your battery. Clean the terminals and consider connecting a trickle charger. If the battery dies after long periods without use, it will probably die for good and you’ll have to replace it with a new one. Inexpensive chargers are available and come in handy so you can start up your ATV right away in the spring. After all your hard work, don’t let it go to waste. Invest in a cover for your ATV to keep out the elements and add a little extra protection.
When it comes to choosing a boat specifically for wakeboarding, and
hopefully entertaining on the side, it’s important to know the difference
between a boat made for wakeboarding and one that isn’t. Wakeboard boats are specially made for the
purpose of creating wakes. Then of
course, wakeboarders can perform their tricks on these wakes. Like ski boats, wakeboard boats have ballasts
but their ballasts generally have much more weight, thus making bigger wakes
when the boat is moving. The wedge on a
wakeboarding boat also helps shape the wake that the ballast makes.
Shopping for a wakeboarding boat, new or used, can prove to be stressful. Most have the same basic features such as
upholstered seating, carpeted floors and sides, a wakeboard tower, ballast,
wedge and steering mechanisms. Wakeboard
boats start to vary when it comes to engine types, fuel capacity, and
accessories. Some wakeboard boats come
equipped with a special button that lets you adjust the shape of the wake you
desire with one push. Some boats have
bigger ballasts that can create bigger wakes for more experienced riders. If you feel like going green, some boats have
exhaust systems that reduce the amount of carbon monoxide emitted into the air. For your personal comfort, some have seats
designed with lumbar support for those long days on the water. Special additions include diving platforms
and even mufflers to keep the noise to a low roar.
As earlier stated, accessories can make a huge difference between one wakeboard boat to the next. While most boats come with a stereo system, some come with tower cans that will protect your speakers from the elements as well as amplifiers and satellite antennas. The compartments and lockers onboard will vary with the size and price of a boat but one plus to buying a used boat is often time you’ll score used boards, ski hangles, ropes, life jackets etc…
Other wakeboard boats come not only with boat covers, but also with cockpit covers. While most wakeboard boats have heaters and a bar, others even have hot water showers. Some even have clamp down board racks, pop-up bow and stern cleats, and batteries with a battery switch. A few even come with a lounge remote control and halogen docking lights.
If you’re in fact looking to buy used, going online is a good place to start. Wakeboard boats can be found on online auctions or classified websites. If you buy used online, but through a manufacturer, you may even score free shipping. Approach shopping for your wakeboarding boat as if you would when shopping for a house. Go to various dealers and write down the ones you like. Then, do your own research on each model until you decide on the one that fits your needs and price range. Most importantly, get a boat that fits your individual style.
As if getting a nice paint job for your car isn’t stressful enough, what with high prices and deciding what color you want to get, the hard part is actually maintaining the paint job after you get your car out of the shop. Here are some tips on how to keep your car looking good as new.
Keep your car clean. Wash you car or take it to a car wash on a regular basis to keep things
like bird droppings, bugs and dirt from destroying your vehicle’s
exterior. Rain water won’t suffice as a
wash either because even it can have damaging chemicals that can ruin a paint
job. If you do wash your car by hand,
choose a soap that is made for vehicles. Basic soaps can strip the wax. Try to avoid using just any old towel too; use cloths designed
specifically for washing vehicles. Try
to find a shady spot to wash your vehicle and make sure the surface is cool.
Park your car in a garage or shaded area. Keeping your car parked in the shade will protect your paint job from obvious sun damage. Salt, tar, dust, mud and gravel, among other things, can also cause damage to your paint job so if you have a readily available garage, park it in there. If you don’t have a garage to park your car in, try a car cover as a nice substitute. This will protect your car from almost all ailments and are relatively inexpensive.
Picking an RV can be just as stressful as choosing the vehicle you drive or the boat you take on the lake. Below you can find some tips on how to choose the RV that’s right for you and your precious cargo.
Travel Temperature:Consider what type of temperatures you’ll be doing most of your traveling in. Will you be RVing in the summer heat or following the autumn leaves in the fall? Do you see yourself as a snow bird escaping the winter chill to your warmer retreat? Or will you be sweating it out of Miami heat to get to those snow-capped mountains?
Road Conditions: Keep in mind if you’ll be traveling mostly on the highways and interstates. The type of vehicle that cruises across five time zones' worth of highway won't take you off-road to that little-known romantic location in the Smoky Mountains.
Sleeping Sound:Who will you
be toting along on your trips? While
children can double up on pull-out beds, teenagers are obviously larger and may
demand more privacy. Let's face
it - when it comes to sleeping space, sometimes size does count. Try to also imagine all of your gear in the
RV before you purchase one. Space can
fill up fast and an RV that looked plenty big can easily be suffocating. If
you’re traveling to remote locations, stocking extra food may be something to
consider, which means you may need to take more cargo space into consideration.
Location: If the majority of your stay will be in a campground, you'll have very different needs from the family going to off-road locations where there's nothing but beavers and bears. Your dealer can help you assess your utility needs.
Planning Meals:Whether you’re an indoor chef or barbecuing fiend will help decide on the type of appliances and extra accessories you may need? Gadget lovers will need more appliances and counter space, but foodies need more pantry space. Also, will you be eating indoors at a table or outside under an awning?
Extra Curricular Activities:Some equipment can go inside but you'll need roof racks for canoes, bikes, ski gear, etc. If you're planning on towing a car, boat or other vehicle, you'll need a more powerful RV than you would if you were packing light.
Living the Dream:No matter what type of RV or camper suits your needs and hitting-the-road desires, be sure to get one that suits your needs and don’t be afraid to look at used RV’s. After it’s all said and done, be sure to keep your RV in tip-top shape by using a cover while not in use and follow all maintenance tips to keep it running smoothly.
