COMPLETE GUIDE TO 4X4 WHEEL COVERS

Click Superstore 4×4 wheel covers guide:

Rear spare tyre covers are used on 4×4 vehicles and some caravans, vans, scooters and suv vehicles These are very popular and come in various sizes, types and designs.

They serve four purposes

  • Protects the tyre

Reduces the chances of theft and vandalism. Protects the tyre from sun and rain and thus improves the life of your spare tyre over a period of time

  • Appearance

This completes the look of the vehicle. It looks good and adds value to the vehicle.

  • Advertising

A fantastic way to advertise your company. This gets high visibility and one can put a telephone number or website easily on this. Normally the garage which sells you the 4×4 puts their own advert on here, but its best to replace this with your own. Text or pictures can be added easily or you can stick on a vinyl round picture.

  • Personal Touch

Creates your own message, logo, picture or character. Unique personal touches can be put on your vehicle. Some even put a picture of their pets or their logo or text words of their own.

Types of wheel covers

There are three types of wheel covers

  • Soft covers

image of soft wheel covers

These can be plain black, silver or white. They also come in various printed designs. The material is normally faux leather with a elasticated mouth which firmly fits around the tyre. This snaps shut at the rear of the tyre. The elastic is usually a thick 5mm strong band which has the two ends stapled together inside the cover and sewn into the mouth of the cover. It is easier to print your own artwork on the semi rigid or plastic covers. The soft covers are good for silk pad printing using plates but these are not economical for a one off print. You cannot put a vinyl sticker on a soft cover but you can on a semi rigid or a metal cover. You can use a personal pad printer to put your own design

  • Semi Rigid plastic covers

These are normally plastic front made of tough abs plastic with faux leather sides. This has an elasticated mouth with a thick 5mm elastic band sewn inside the mouth of the cover. This is then put on the tyre and snaps shut at the rear.

It is very easy to fit and installation takes about 3 minutes.

These very suitable for vinyl stickers as well as pad printing. Vinyl round stickers can be purchased easily and you can even email your personal logo picture or text message to a vinyl printing company and they will then give you the printed vinyl in a round circular shape. You will need to know the diameter of your circle for the vinyl.

These can also be spray colour painted to match the exact colour of your vehicle. They normally come in a choice of black or silver as standard.

image of wheel covers Steel and Chrome metal covers

  • These normally have locks and keys and have brackets riveted on the ring.
  • The ring itself is metal and has a safety insulating rubber gasket or bead on both sides of the ring all the way round. This helps to make it fit nicely and stops any rattling sound. It also prevents water from going inside the ring.
  • The locking mechanism has various adjustment points to allow for adjustment. If your spare tyre is new or worn it will make a difference to the overall diameter of the tyre and therefore a good spare wheel cover will have adjustment points to allow for this.
  • The front ABS disc is made of toughened plastic for safety reasons. This slightly flexes and bends to firmly be wedged under the round curve of the metal ring
  • Both the ring and the abs front disc are supplied covered with a Anti Scratch film. This prevents scratches during manufacture and transport. It is advised to keep this anti scratch film on whilst fitting and only remove it once the ring is firmly fitted on to the tyre.
  • The metal covers can also be spray colour painted to match the exact colour of your vehicle. They front disc normally come in a choice of black or silver as standard.

 

image of 4x4 wheel covers

WHEEL COVER SIZES

There are over 260 sizes of rear spare tyre out there. It is important to get the correct size for your tyre. Soft covers and semi rigid covers do flex and have an elasticated mouth so there is a greater adjustment allowance when fitting. However steel metal and chrome ring covers do not flex and the size must be precise and accurate.

HOW TO KNOW YOUR TYRE SIZE

The tyre size is written on the round surface of the tyre. Sometimes if your spare tyre has already got an old cover you need to remove the old cover to read the tyre size. It is important not to just use one of the other four tyres size and assume it’s the same because in some cases the spare tyre is a different size than your four tyres.

This is normally shown for example as 205/70/R15.   The “R” refers to the rim size in inches so you could have a 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or even 19 inch rim size. Knowing your rim size alone is not enough as you will need the full tyre size as shown on your tyre for eg 265/65/R16.

SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE

The Steel metal chrome covers are metal products and may have sharp edges – Mind your hands & wear gloves. Please regularly check the tightness of your tyre cover. If this is loose or the lock is faulty do not use it on the road. Remember to keep your keys safe. Children should be kept away. Use a light oil spray inside or wax /polish regularly to keep your ring shiny. Make sure the lock is at the bottom to ensure water drainage. Avoid high intensive automatic car washes. If your ring gets scratched and as it gets older over the years, you can colour paint your wheel cover using oil paint.

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Complete Guide For Car Roof Racks

Roof racks are common features in modern vehicles especially SUVs and mini-vans. They are usually installed along the length of the roof of a car and are designed to provide additional capacity for loads carried on the roof of a vehicle. Users can attach roof racks to the roof of their vehicles using brackets or roof bars. Roof racks can be added to the roof of a vehicle as an attachment

Types and Sizes

There are many types of roof racks including steel roof rack and aluminium roof racks. You can get roof bars for rain gutters or Roof bars for attaching to Parallel bars.

image of 4x4 roof racks

Aluminium Racks with Cross bars are generally available for about £99 . Steel roof racks with 6 or 8 fitting brackets are generally in the range of £200 to £300.

Steel or Aluminium?

Steel roof racks are more expensive and are stronger .These come in sizes of 1.2m, 1.8m or 2.2 meters long. These are used mostly for vans and larger 4×4 vehicles where a heavier load carrying ability is required. Aluminium racks are mostly around 1.2m long and are lighter and hence better for fuel consumption . They are mostly adequate for normal cars , 4×4 vehicles and general family type of use. Aluminium racks are available in silver or black powder coated aluminium.

How do I measure my Roof Size ?

Measure the length and width of the roof of your vehicle. Do not buy a roof rack which juts out and is bigger than your roof. It is dangerous and you will have problems with your MOT if any part of your roof rack juts out and extends beyond the outline area of your vehicle. You can buy a rack smaller than your roof size or its exact size but not bigger. Aluminium Racks are available in 3 sizes

50 inches x 38 inches, 55 inches x 39.5 inches or 63 x 44 inches long

Roof Bars

It is important to know the distinction between parallel bars and cross bars. Parallel bars are also referred to sometimes as “rails” and are generally vehicle specific whereby the holes and bolts fit certain makes and models only. Cross bars are generally compatible and generic and are mostly supplied with a roof rack. These have to provide a stable foundation for mounting roof racks. Most roof racks come with cross bars but parallel bars are generally bought separately if your vehicle does not have any..

parallel and cross bars

Advantages of a Roof Rack and why you should get one.

You never when you will need that extra space. Roof racks provide additional capacity for storing various items. Many people consider roof racks as open storage platforms for their vehicles. With a roof rack, you can pack as much or little as you want. Roof racks are especially important for carrying odd shaped or extra large items. You can also fit Roof Boxes on to your roof racks.

Whether you are going on a trek or holiday, you will probably have a lot to pack for you and your family. Some of the items that you may probably need for your trip include suitcases, bags, coolers, mountain bikes, . The list of items to pack on your next trip can be quite long. Unfortunately, your vehicle may only have space for a few items. In addition, you probably would not want your friends to spend the long road trip tightly packed in your vehicle. Roof racks provide additional storage for your car so that you and your family can have enough space in the car for that long road trip.

Aerodynamics, Weight and Fuel consumption

It is important that your roof rack does not slow your vehicle down or cause too much friction against the wind . Most roof racks have an aerodynamic front slope designed to cut into the wind flow and reduce resistance and wind friction.

Aluminium racks are about 10kg and do not make a substantial weight difference or increase your fuel consumption. Steel roof racks are around 35kg

How do you fit Roof Racks?

First look at your vehicle – does it have rain gutters/ridges or does it have parallel bars?

image of fitted roof bars

If your vehicle has Ridges/Gutters you can simply attach the brackets directly on to them. Alternatively you can get two Cross Bars to attach to them

If you have a vehicle with Parallel Bars you will need Cross Bars to go across upon which he roof rack will fit

If your vehicle has neither then you will likely have to get Parallel bars fitted first before you can buy a roof rack with cross bars. Most roof racks are sold with either Brackets or Cross bars as a set together.

Are there Different sizes of Roof Bars or Brackets?

Measure from the ridge gutter to the top of the roof and it could be 6, 9 or 11 inches. Roof bars are available in these sizes and there is some adjustment allowance. For vehicles with Gutters, the brackets required also some in different lengths most need the standard brackets and some need longer brackets.

roof rack sizes

How do you hold down your luggage & Safety Considerations

 It is important to secure your luggage safely. Most roof racks come with side bars or cages which form a semi box but this generally is not enough on its own. You can hit a bump and the luggage can lift off. You can use elasticated hook straps or tie it up securely to ensure it does not move during transit. Always check that your roof rack is safe and secure before starting your vehicle. Do not overload your vehicle and do not allow goods to outstretch beyond your vehicle. Avoid high speeds when you have a loaded roof rack. It is the drivers responsibility to check all the brackets and fittings are tight and secure before moving the vehicle.