
Camper tire covers are essential for protecting your tires from the elements, especially harmful UV rays, dry rot, and weather damage. Making your own tire covers is a cost-effective way to ensure a perfect fit for your camper tires, and it's a simple process that involves measuring your wheels, patterning fabric, sewing hems, and assembling panels. You can use a variety of materials, such as acrylic, marine-grade fabric, or vinyl, to create custom covers that protect your tires from damage and extend their lifespan.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | Protect camper tires from sun damage, weather damage, and UV rays |
Materials | Fabric, tarp, bungee cords, plywood, treated lumber, vinyl, silicone spray, magnets, canvas, wire, acrylic, marine-grade fabric, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. |
Tools | Sewing machine, hotknife, binder, scissors, tape measure, awl, marking pencil, ruler, cutting glass |
Techniques | Patterning fabric, sewing hems, creating hook-and-loop flaps, assembling panels, measuring wheels |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right fabric
When choosing the right fabric for your camper tire covers, it's important to consider the specific needs and environment in which your camper will be used. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the appropriate fabric:
- UV protection: One of the primary purposes of tire covers is to protect your tires from the sun's harmful UV rays, which can cause dry rot and deterioration. Look for fabrics with excellent UV resistance, such as those with a UV-protected coating or treatment. Marine-grade fabrics, for example, are designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the sun and are an excellent choice for tire covers.
- Water resistance: If you plan on using your camper in areas with high humidity or frequent rainfall, consider choosing a waterproof or water-resistant fabric. This will help keep your tires dry and prevent water damage. Some fabrics, like vinyl, are naturally water-resistant and can provide adequate protection.
- Breathability: While it's important to protect your tires from the elements, you also want to ensure they have proper ventilation. Look for fabrics that allow airflow while still providing protection. Some breathable fabric options include cotton or cotton-polyester blends.
- Durability: Camper tire covers need to be durable enough to withstand the elements, including wind, rain, snow, and sun exposure. Choose a fabric that is thick and sturdy, such as canvas or denim. The fabric should also be resistant to tearing and abrasion, especially if you plan on using your camper in rugged terrain.
- Ease of cleaning: Consider selecting a fabric that is easy to clean and maintain. Some fabrics may be machine washable, while others might require spot cleaning. Look for fabrics that are resistant to stains and dirt buildup, as this will help extend the life of your tire covers.
- Colour and design: The colour and design of the fabric can also be important factors. Lighter colours tend to reflect sunlight better, keeping your tires cooler. You might also want to choose a fabric with a design or pattern that matches your camper's aesthetic or adds a personal touch.
Overall, when selecting the right fabric for your camper tire covers, prioritize UV protection, durability, and water resistance. By considering the specific needs of your camper and choosing a suitable fabric, you can ensure that your tire covers provide effective protection and enhance the longevity of your tires.
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Measuring wheels
Measuring the wheels of your camper van is a crucial step in making tire covers. Ill-fitting tire covers can be blown away by the wind, rendering them useless. Therefore, it is essential to accurately measure your camper's wheel diameter and width to ensure a secure and protective fit. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Park Your Camper on a Flat Surface
To ensure safety and accuracy during the measurement process, make sure your camper is parked on a level surface. Engage the parking brake for added safety.
Step 2: Access the Whole Rim
If necessary, adjust the steering wheel so that the front wheels and rims are more accessible for measurement.
Step 3: Choose a Wheel
Measure any wheel, as all wheels on a given camper should be the same size.
Step 4: Clean the Rim Edge
Wipe down the edge of the rim to ensure clear visibility and a precise starting point for measurement.
Step 5: Measure the Wheel Diameter
Using a tape measure, stretch it across the centre of the wheel, from the top centre to the bottom centre, to measure the outer diameter. Ensure the tape measure is straight and taut. Record this measurement, as it is crucial for determining the correct tire cover size.
Step 6: Measure the Wheel Width
Next, measure the width of your camper tire by spanning the tape measure from sidewall to sidewall. This measurement is also important, as RV wheel covers come in size ranges that correspond to specific diameter and width measurements.
Step 7: Find the Right Cover Size
RV wheel covers typically come in size ranges like 19-22 inches, 24-26 inches, and so on. Match the diameter ranges that correspond to your measured tire width to find the right cover size for your camper tires.
Step 8: Consider the Type of Cover
There are three main types of wheel covers: single-wheel covers, dual-axle covers, and axle-wheel guards. Single-wheel covers are fitted to each individual tire, dual-axle covers protect two wheels with one cover, and axle-wheel guards span across three or more wheels.
Additionally, covers can be made from various materials such as nylon, plastic, or heavy-duty vinyl, each offering different levels of protection and durability.
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Patterning fabric
When patterning the fabric for your camper tire covers, there are a few important steps to follow to ensure a perfect fit. Firstly, measure your tires accurately. This will ensure that your fabric is cut to the right size and will result in a snug fit for your tire covers. Take measurements of the tire's diameter and width, as well as the depth of the tire wall. You can use a tape measure or a measuring wheel for this step.
Once you have your measurements, it's time to cut your fabric. Choose a fabric with excellent UV resistance to protect your tires from sun damage. Marine-grade fabric or vinyl fabric are great options. Cut the fabric according to your measurements, adding an extra inch or two to the width and diameter to allow for hems and a secure fit.
You can also create a pattern or template on paper first before transferring it to your fabric. This will help you visualise the final product and make any necessary adjustments. Mark the measurements on the paper, then cut out the pattern. Pin the pattern to your fabric and cut around it, ensuring a precise and symmetrical shape.
After cutting, you can start sewing the hems. Fold and iron the edges of the fabric to create neat hems, then sew them in place. This will give your tire covers a professional finish and prevent the fabric from fraying. You can also add binding tape to the edges for extra durability.
By following these steps for patterning the fabric, you'll be well on your way to creating effective and attractive camper tire covers that will protect your tires from the elements and prolong their lifespan.
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Sewing hems
Preparing the Fabric Pieces:
Before you start sewing hems, you should have already measured your camper tires and cut out the necessary fabric pieces. You should have two circular pieces for the front and back of the tire and one rectangular piece for the tread. It's important to select a sturdy fabric, such as marine-grade vinyl or sailcloth, that blocks UV rays and moisture to protect your tires effectively.
Folding and Stitching:
- Fold each short end of the rectangular piece under by about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm). This creates a neat edge and provides a seam allowance for stitching.
- Using a heavy-duty sewing machine with a heavy-duty needle, sew straight stitches across the folded ends of the rectangle. Remember to use polyester nylon thread that matches the colour of your fabric. Leave a 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) seam allowance as you sew.
- Repeat this process for both short ends of the rectangle to complete the hemming.
Attaching the Rectangle to the Circles:
- Find the middle of the rectangle on one of its long sides. Pin or mark this centre point.
- Align the centre point of the rectangle with the top point of one of your circular fabric pieces. The rectangle will cover the tread, and the circle will cover the face of the tire.
- Sew straight stitches across the length of the rectangle, attaching it to the circle. Again, leave a 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) seam allowance as you sew.
- Repeat this process to sew the opposite side of the rectangle to the other circular piece.
Now that your hems are sewn, you can continue with the rest of the assembly process for your camper tire covers. Remember to follow the rest of the instructions carefully to ensure a secure and functional tire cover.
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Adding velcro and binding
To add velcro and binding to your camper tire covers, follow these steps:
Firstly, cut your chosen fabric to size, ensuring it will fit your tires comfortably. You can do this by measuring the circumference and diameter of your tires and adding a few inches to each measurement to allow for ease of movement and adjustments. Consider using a fabric with excellent UV resistance, such as marine-grade fabric, to provide maximum protection against the sun's rays.
Next, fold and sew the hems of the fabric to create a neat edge and a strong base for your velcro and binding. You can use a sewing machine or hand-stitch the hems, depending on your preference and equipment available.
Now, it's time to attach the velcro. Cut strips of velcro to the appropriate length, ensuring they will fit comfortably around your tire. Sew one side of the velcro strip to the inside edge of the fabric, creating a flap that will reach around the tire and secure it in place. Place the corresponding piece of velcro on the outside edge of the fabric, so when the flap is closed, it creates a secure closure.
Finally, add binding to the edges of the fabric to create a neat and durable finish. Use a binding tape that complements your fabric colour and is specifically designed for outdoor use, offering UV resistance and durability. Fold the binding over the raw edge of the fabric and sew it in place, ensuring that all edges are covered.
By following these steps, you will have successfully added velcro and binding to your camper tire covers, creating a secure and protective covering for your tires.
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Frequently asked questions
Tire covers protect your tires from the elements, including harsh UV rays, and can help to maintain their appearance and tire pressure. They can also extend the life of your tires.
You will need a fabric with excellent UV resistance, such as an acrylic, marine-grade fabric. You will also need materials to measure and cut the fabric, as well as tools to sew and assemble the covers.
You will need a tape measure, a cutting tool, a sewing machine, and a hotknife or hot wire cutter. You may also need a sewing table, scissors, and a ruler.
There are two main ways to measure for tire covers. You can either note the "tire size" or measure the diameter and width of the tire.
You can use a hook-and-loop flap or a hook-and-loop strap to secure the tire covers around the axle.