Thanks for the sugestions, I'll look them up.
As for the tarp suggestions, like I said, done that. Standard blue tarp to super heavy, dense weave. Better and cheaper to go with the cheap then the expensive heavy duty and just replace every year. And white always seemed to not degrade from the UV's as bad as the blue and green. And again, the wearing off of the paint is why no tarp is going on the new one.
Tried the tennis balls and folded towels and pool noodles, neoprene rubber kneeling pads..... they just shift and fail.
I think if I wasn't eventually building a storage barn, I'd measure and have the local awning shop make one out of Sunbrella fabric. That stuff is tough. Most of the stock ones I've put a hand one feel like that weed barrier fabric just a bit thicker.
Warranty not covering the roof part of the cover???? That's a bad joke!