Tarps that will hold up over time

What type of rack do you have? Is it a slide out bumper or something else. Just be sure you check on weight limits since it is a blind spot, you will not be able to see if something goes wrong. Most people who travel with bikes generally do not cover them. I would look for tie down straps to hold them in place.

Most covers and tarps are quite capable of standing up to the wind. However, you need to make sure the cover/tarp are bound tightly around the gear they are protecting.

It is a loose section flapping back and forth in the wind which tears them apart, adding extra stress to the fabric.

I've carried two bikes and a sewer tote for over 15,000 miles over the past 18 months with a canvas cover I bought from Camping World over the bikes. No problems with wear, but I had four ratcheted tie-down straps holding the cover in place.

I also used four strong cable bicycle locks to lock the sewer tote, each bicycle and the rack individually to the rear bumper, just in case the holder failed. It didn't.

Yes, all that took an extra 10 minutes of so to tie down, and something else to check at each stop to ensure everything was still tight and secure.

Go to a tent &awning place and have them sew up what you need, I have some canvas tarps are made of the same material they use in backwoods tents that are over 60 years old and still do not have holes in them. They last. JMHO

Itchey Feet wrote:
Go to a tent &awning place and have them sew up what you need, I have some canvas tarps are made of the same material they use in backwoods tents that are over 60 years old and still do not have holes in them. They last. JMHO

LIKE
A marine sailmaker is another option.

Or, if you can sew, another good option is to order used Billboard vinyl (google it). It's dirt cheap, ripstop, UV resistant, made to stand up to extended outdoor conditions and it sews easy.

I've made quite a few covers with this stuff and if you don't mind a black or white color (there's an advertisement on the other side) then you can get them pretty cheap. For instance, I ordered a 12' X 48' piece and shipped to my door was only $56. I'm still using pieces from it.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish by covering the bikes? Personally the only thing that I really am concerned about keeping dry are the seats. As such, I usually wrap a plastic grocery bag around my seat. The bag doesn't create enough wind resistance to pull it off going down the road.

Take the seats off and use one of those elastic nets to keep the cover from flapping. BTW are you sure the brake lights will still show after covering the bikes?

spoon059 wrote:
What exactly are you trying to accomplish by covering the bikes? Personally the only thing that I really am concerned about keeping dry are the seats. As such, I usually wrap a plastic grocery bag around my seat. The bag doesn't create enough wind resistance to pull it off going down the road.

I'm curious about the same thing. For the seats we use a Saddle Johnny. They work excellent and won't blow off. We carry our bikes in the bed of the truck.

To keep the chain in good shape we use Boeshield T-9