I have pretty much been forced into going with a cover by the sun. We live in the high desert of NW Nevada and the sun's rays are intense here all year long and we don't have a indoor place to store it. I am still trying to find the absolute best cover I can and am willing to pay for it. I am a strong believer in, "You Get What You Pay For." Ours is coming up on 6 years with no over and it's really starting to show the effects of the sun and weather. When you measure the length do you include the front cap bulge? Ours adds about 2 feet to the length.
Bill