Bicycle Mechanics - Who makes a nice enclosed bike rack?

I have searched and do not see anything to my liking. I do have an enclosed trailer but in an instance on just wanting to throw the bike(s) on the truck or suv and protect them from theft and the elements. I don't want to have over 10k in bikes sitting on the back of my truck in the middle of the lot when I want to stop by the store to pick something up. I do see there are several large looking hitch mounted boxes (meant for traveling/storage) used for storage on the back of a motor home. I would like something stylish and functional. I already have several hitch type mounts but the idea is to protect my investment from the elements and the bad guys.



Requirements;

hitch mounted.

something that is legal (lights and must be able to mount my license plate)

semi permanent

a stand alone security system and lockable

to be used year round and will protect my bikes from the elements

hold two mountain/road bikes

oem look



Wondering if some of you out there have made your own? if so how.

I am thinking about an aluminum frame with fiberglass enclosure. I want the fiberglass enclosure to maintain the lines of my vehicle.

flush mounted oem style lighting with a third brake light. Painted the same color as the vehicle. a stand alone security system, with pager and GPS. Lockable is a must! No touch frame mounting (thinking Saris Pro mounting inside the enclosure), my bikes are carbon. I am thinking about an enclosure that lifts upward and to the left. I am thinking the whole assembly will weight 70-80 pounds with a small battery (lighting and charging will come from the vehicle power). I am also considering adding an electric actuator that will lift and lock the enclosure to the lower hitch mount (that will add around 15-20 pounds to the already heavy rack. Anyone have any input it would be greatly appreciated. Your pictures would be a plus. I am guessing that a custom build would be around 2,500.00 plus materials

Chrysler makes a very nice lockable bicycle enclosure, they call it a minivan. I love mine.

Have never seen or heard of such a thing.

Sportworks makes a nice rack that holds 2 bicycles in a cargo bay of an MCI coach.

How about a "cap" for your pickup's bed?

Ford Aerostar should fill the bill. If that's too family-man for you, get a german or swedish crossover and some dark rear tint.

i'd be shocked if you could find anything to meet a wish list like that. not saying that what your wishing for is odd- it's not- it is just so very particular. I think that you'll have to build it.

how long does It take to hook on the trailer , ?

maybe buy a smaller one just for bike carrying.. ??

I have an SUV, van, a truck with a topper, a few hitch mounted carriers and two trailers.
I was looking for quck and easy access to my bikes. I don't want to crawl around the van to retrieve the wheels and parts. I don't want to assemble the bikes everytime I ride the bike.
I want to be riding in less than 30 seconds and just put the bike back. Call me OCD but that was what I looking for or looking to do.

Really no one out there would want something like that? Besides costs why would one not?



added:
I basically have a vehicle I use for the bikes. I wanted something nice to haul them around when I ride my bikes. I want to be able to ride every other day and not worry about the bikes if I make a stop in between the ride and the garage.

A road bike is (roughly) 6' long, 4' high and 2' wide. That's a pretty bulky item to enclose.

I agree. I take it most people just though it in the truck or leave it on a rack?
I have looked everywhere and have scene nothing like it. I wonder how many people would like something like that?

trade one van in and get a Dodge Sprinter, they are a stand up delivery van
then you can fit bike transportation fittings into it.
walk in un clip the mounting hardware, and set the bike on the ground.

OR,

Draw out what you want and hire a welder to make it.
dimensioned drawings is the best way to communicate, in that case.

If you have a lot of people wanting to know where you got that , afterwards,
then you will have an idea about how many want one..

A friend, here is a skilled welder, short of having a business and all that overhead.
but likely you are a long ways away.

somewhere in the past I saw a small trailer with a clam shell opening top,
that was to allow the bike and wheel to be clipped in to what is basically
a roof rack on the bed of the trailer.
by side hinging the cover reaching in to remove the bike is made simple.

It was years ago , I think in one of those Colorado posh bike catalogs.


the Pro Teams support cars always use roof racks, their's are custom welded ,
that is how they deal with fast spare bike/wheel changes



Of course you could just ride the bike starting from your house and solve the transport thing that way.. dont forget your bike lock..

;)

What about a trailer? pick your style: http://www.google.com/images?num=10&hl=en&q=enclosed+trailers&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1680&bih=895

Or a Van, or a truck, but it's a bit awkward to drive a truck every day (and the fuel consumption is terrible)

Already have a van, truck, SUV and trailer!

I was envisioning something custom to match the color/lines and finish of the vehicle.
I have already planned on the fabrication and have the tools/resources to make it happen. I am thinking an aluminum frame and fberglass enclosure. I will be using oem taillights and the third brake lights. It will cost a small fortune but I thnk it will be well worth it.

What abount constructing a sliding platform for a van and bolting some upright racks (like those found on the front of busses) to it. It wouldn't need a full size van because the entire rack would be loaded from the rear of the van, I'm thinking of something about the size of a Ford Transit Connect.

http://www.letsgoaero.com/ProductDetail.asp?Pid=17

these guys get close to what you are asking for. Have to remove the wheel though, so might not work.

http://www.letsgoaero.com/ProductDetail.asp?Pid=17

these guys get close to what you are asking for. Have to remove the wheel though, so might not work.



I saw that when I was looking for something. That is the closest thing I found out there. I asked several RV shops and they all told me it leaks a little after a few years in the hot sun. I appreciate all the help

[QUOTE=tek1;11538498]
Wondering if some of you out there have made your own? if so how.

I am thinking about an aluminum frame with fiberglass enclosure. I want the fiberglass enclosure to maintain the lines of my vehicle.

The lines of your vehicle are the least of your worries.

The safest place is usually inside of vehicle, all those add on carriers and whatever attract attention. Parking is difficult.

Vans are great, as are pickups with a Fiberglass shell. I use one by ARE http://www.4are.com/ on my F150, it cost around $1100. Painted to match the truck. I use a Bed Rug http://www.bedrug.com/ inside. It covers the bed and walls in padded marine grade carpet. It's very sweet ... I use it camping too.

Wondering if some of you out there have made your own? if so how.

I am thinking about an aluminum frame with fiberglass enclosure. I want the fiberglass enclosure to maintain the lines of my vehicle.

The lines of your vehicle are the least of your worries.

The safest place is usually inside of vehicle, all those add on carriers and whatever attract attention. Parking is difficult.

Vans are great, as are pickups with a Fiberglass shell. I use one by ARE http://www.4are.com/ on my F150, it cost around $1100. Painted to match the truck. I use a Bed Rug http://www.bedrug.com/ inside. It covers the bed and walls in padded marine grade carpet. It's very sweet ... I use it camping too.

I really am not worried about attracking attention. You should see the vehicle as it already attracts enough attention. On a side note: I have a truck with a topper, a van and trailers already. I guess I already have my mind set on something like this so we are going to have it built and I will post some pics of it to see what you all think. We was talking and we might us an electric actuator to lift the top. I am out of my mind! :)



[QUOTE=tek1;11538498]
Wondering if some of you out there have made your own? if so how.

I am thinking about an aluminum frame with fiberglass enclosure. I want the fiberglass enclosure to maintain the lines of my vehicle.

The lines of your vehicle are the least of your worries.

The safest place is usually inside of vehicle, all those add on carriers and whatever attract attention. Parking is difficult.

Vans are great, as are pickups with a Fiberglass shell. I use one by ARE http://www.4are.com/ on my F150, it cost around $1100. Painted to match the truck. I use a Bed Rug http://www.bedrug.com/ inside. It covers the bed and walls in padded marine grade carpet. It's very sweet ... I use it camping too.

I guess I refer to different term in "truck" - > here's what I call a truck (http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/rod_simmonds/2006/febcd/taupo-ewe-sale-jan-06/gordons-volvo-fh12-460.jpg)

Ha! Ha!





i guess i refer to different term in "truck" - > here's what i call a truck (http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/rod_simmonds/2006/febcd/taupo-ewe-sale-jan-06/gordons-volvo-fh12-460.jpg)

I think you're obsessing over the one idea of a carrier and not considering options. You say you have a pickup with a topper. For a road bike there is room under the topper to lay in place fully assembled on all but the most "boutique" style of trucks. To make access easier you could rig up a sliding insert that you grab and haul back and out with the bike laying in a few locator blocks to hold it in place. LIft it clear, set it down to one side, slide the flat carrier back under the topper and close the tailgate. Reverse for putting away. A slider of this sort is easily made using thin plywood for the deck and you could even add self adhesive strips of UHMW plastic as runners to the wood to make for easier sliding. The insert would be sized to fit closely front to back and between the wheel wells so it doesn't bang around. Blocks of wood with soft carpet facings in notches would provide saddles for the frame tubes to rest in for locking the bike in place against shifting.

That's just one option. You also have an SUV which could likely be equipped with some sort of easily removed insert to do much the same thing.

Yes you could produce a big monster carrier of this sort but as you've already found out no one is willing to make such a beast because there are so few vehicles that could carry it without becoming a danger to the driver or becoming rediculously large a lump on the back with the related vision issues and clearance issues for going over curbs at driveways. Also most owners are OK with washing the bikes now and then and don't worry about a bit of road dust. Now if your bike is a carbon frame bike then you're right to worry about rock chips and the like. But for that a custom sewn Lycra or similar stetchy upper side cover pulled on over the bars, saddle and wheels after the bike is mounted up would provide a trampoline like surface to guard against any rocks that bounce over the vehicle and endanger the bike. And it would be a far more universal solution, fit more closly to the shape of the bike so there's less rear vision blockage and a LOT cheaper and easier to handle. And as for any risk of rocks off your own rear wheels that's easy. Fit the vehicle with mud flaps if it doesn't already have them. You'll be doing your bikes a favour as well as other cars following you.

I am not worried about the costs. I really am not worried about the bikes, rock chips or dust. I really want something custom (I spent over 10k on a paint job for my SUV). I want something and I was figuring many on here would be helpfull in the ideas and concept. Seems like people just go for the cheap and easy route. I know many of you spend more than 5-6k on your bikes out there. With many having 4-5 bikes they ride all the time.

As far as not being able to look out the back window, I already use cameras.... I really don't care what's behind me as I already have pasted them up :)

Safety
I was going to add a wireless camera to the rack itself. The rack would have it's own lighting matching the vehicle. We are guessing the unloaded weight with out the electric actuator will weight in at around 90-100 pounds. The carrier would likely stay on the vehicle all the time as I use it solely for transporting the bikes. I normally use a trailer when I ride with friends or need to bring 3 or more bikes. Thanks for all the replies, just wanted to stay positive.



I think you're obsessing over the one idea of a carrier and not considering options. You say you have a pickup with a topper. For a road bike there is room under the topper to lay in place fully assembled on all but the most "boutique" style of trucks. To make access easier you could rig up a sliding insert that you grab and haul back and out with the bike laying in a few locator blocks to hold it in place. LIft it clear, set it down to one side, slide the flat carrier back under the topper and close the tailgate. Reverse for putting away. A slider of this sort is easily made using thin plywood for the deck and you could even add self adhesive strips of UHMW plastic as runners to the wood to make for easier sliding. The insert would be sized to fit closely front to back and between the wheel wells so it doesn't bang around. Blocks of wood with soft carpet facings in notches would provide saddles for the frame tubes to rest in for locking the bike in place against shifting.

That's just one option. You also have an SUV which could likely be equipped with some sort of easily removed insert to do much the same thing.

Yes you could produce a big monster carrier of this sort but as you've already found out no one is willing to make such a beast because there are so few vehicles that could carry it without becoming a danger to the driver or becoming rediculously large a lump on the back with the related vision issues and clearance issues for going over curbs at driveways. Also most owners are OK with washing the bikes now and then and don't worry about a bit of road dust. Now if your bike is a carbon frame bike then you're right to worry about rock chips and the like. But for that a custom sewn Lycra or similar stetchy upper side cover pulled on over the bars, saddle and wheels after the bike is mounted up would provide a trampoline like surface to guard against any rocks that bounce over the vehicle and endanger the bike. And it would be a far more universal solution, fit more closly to the shape of the bike so there's less rear vision blockage and a LOT cheaper and easier to handle. And as for any risk of rocks off your own rear wheels that's easy. Fit the vehicle with mud flaps if it doesn't already have them. You'll be doing your bikes a favour as well as other cars following you.

Get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Folding-Hitch-Mounted-Carrier-capacity/dp/B002MAO034

and bolt 2-4 of these to it:
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/62/330/30039?g=1

A cable lock for the front wheels passed thru the hitch loops adds more security. A tarp makes it water resistant.

Every few years someone dumps their nest egg on a trip to Interbike to showcase an amazing new enclosed hitch rack or similar security product. Maybe it's your turn. :)

the second link does not work?




Get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Folding-Hitch-Mounted-Carrier-capacity/dp/B002MAO034

and bolt 2-4 of these to it:
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/62/330/30039?g=1

A cable lock for the front wheels passed thru the hitch loops adds more security. A tarp makes it water resistant.

Every few years someone dumps their nest egg on a trip to Interbike to showcase an amazing new enclosed hitch rack or similar security product. Maybe it's your turn. :)

Build a bike rack inside the trailer you have, then.

MrD has the picture.. one method..

you can make it hook to the walls , or out of aluminum or wood
and roof rack parts, to lay on the floor of the triler you have.

or you could wait till someone else , makes it for you ..

Back to #12.. I heard the Dodge Sprinters with the Mercedes Benz Diesel engines got 35mpg.
Local newspaper publisher owns one.

http://nissanpartspeople.com/searchproduct.asp?model=Xterra&catid=330407224250000&year=04&productdesc=Interior+Bike+Carrier

buy or make something like this

As far as not being able to look out the back window, I already use cameras.... I really don't care what's behind me as I already have pasted them up :)

Perfect! It's off topic but would you answer a question for me? When you look at the TV screen for your rear view camera does it show the view that you would get it you turned around to look over your shoulder or is it like what you'd see in a rear view mirror?

it is almost the exact same image as the rear view mirror.


for the sack of not being too geekie, I record the views while the vehicle is in motion for the cameras and also when the alarm is triggered. I don't know too many people who look over their shoulder. My windows are all blacked out so you can hardly see out of the sides and rear anyways, even the windshield is fully tinted.



http://nissanpartspeople.com/searchp...r+Bike+Carrier

buy or make something like this

I have a few similar setups like that. I don't want to remove the wheel.

The only racks I like are the Saris Thelma and Saris Pro - they are a decent rack

I built a nice bike rack inside my trailer.. I just ride the bike up and "dock" the bike. it only touches the tires, not the wheels or frame . Holds the bike in securely wiht nothing else. A few at the bike shop said it was the coolest rack they have seen. I had it epoxy painted to match the trailer and SUV. It only holds one bike and I think we had 35-40 hours into it. The next one I make like that will be out of fiberglass and aluminum for the sakes of really having something exotic to look at.....



Build a bike rack inside the trailer you have, then.

you can make it hook to the walls , or out of aluminum or wood
and roof rack parts, to lay on the floor of the triler you have.

or you could wait till someone else , makes it for you ..

heard the Dodge Sprinters with the Mercedes Benz Diesel engines got 35mpg.

I am not worried about the costs. I really am not worried about the bikes, rock chips or dust. I really want something custom (I spent over 10k on a paint job for my SUV). I want something and I was figuring many on here would be helpfull in the ideas and concept. Seems like people just go for the cheap and easy route.....

AH! Now I see. This has nothing at all to do with practicality. It's just something that you are wanting to do. That's a whole other matter. It's now a project on it's own that will provide you some utility in the end. Now THAT concept I can identify with.... :D

The big issue is going to be doing a molded part that is that big and has clean lines. The only way I know of to get a nice finish on such a big surface that will then be painted to match the vehicle is to have a plug made to high standards similar to those of a high priced boat and from that plug make a female mold and from THAT make the part. We're talking about a LOT of high priced labour time for that sort of craftmanship unless you're going to do the work yourself. But do you have the skills to do this type of work to the level of finish that is required to avoid a lot of waviness in the surfaces?

From the little I've been involved with on making plugs and molds over the years I'd suggest that by the time you pull your first half shells out of their molds that you will have spent the same or more as your $10K paint job cost you. That's two plugs for the lower/inner shell and rear/upper shell (I'm assuming an angled split here so the case opens up in a way that facilitates access to the bikes). I would also suggest that if you go to the size and trouble to make the molds for this and want to see if there is a market for a few a year that you plan on room for two road bikes. That would increase the attractiveness to a slightly bigger portion of the bicycle community. Either way the final cost of a "kit" of parts will scare away all but the select few that think like you. But with today's population if you choose to market it at arms length through the shop that popped out the prototype and if they will take on the job you stand to sell maybe 10 to 20 a year if you can keep the cost down to about $1500 to $2000 primered and ready for final paint. One way to cut costs and time would be to opt to build the case around an already available receiver rack for two bikes. Some flanges for mounting the shell would be required but it would be a good start and greatly cut down the development time and let you concentrate on a supportive subframe and getting nice molds made. And for sure you will want to provide lips around the edge to ensure that the case is water proof. This will mean formed aluminium weather seal extrusions similar to those used on some of the hard case motorcycle touring bags and small motorcycle trunks similar to those towed behind Gold Wings and the like.

BCRider,

correct. We have already discussed this with several fabricators. We are going to do a one-off build. The shell with be fiberglass. We are using OEM tailights and the third brake light. They will be molded as they are on the vehicle. First I will come up with the basic design. This will be the hitch and platform that will hold the rack and enclosure. The main hitch and cross bars will be standard steel and the platform and sub structure will be all aluminum. The entire shell will hinge and lift toward the driver's side. We are going to add a wireless camera, flush license plate mount/light - stand alone security/paging with internal power and a gps tracking unit (courtesy of one of my vendors). It will look like it was made for the vehicle with all the lines and features matching the vehicle. My goal is to have one believe it was OEM. As for the fiberglass build. I have talked to several fiberglass manufacturing firms (several I know personally, several my friends know personally). We have access to a rotomold unit that will allow only the external mold to be used. Another company said to design a one off from the substructure out. Finish the exterior and gel coat spray the exterior - or use standard painting practices. I am more concerned with have a 100% match to the OEM color.

I will probably make two units. One to house only one bike and another to house two bikes. I know this sounds crazy but it's ok to be crazy in this world today!

as far as my personal carries - I prefer these to be 100% for my vehicle. I have talked to many other riders and they said they would consider costs up to 3,000.00 painted on average. I don't think that is too crazy as I know one guy whom put over 10k in one of his bikes just recently. That guy has over 20 bikes and none of them are cheap by any means. I guess it's all about your priorities and desires. A fat wallet helps too :)

You're certainly right. In this day of being able to easily spend $6K and up on a higher end bike without blinking an eye the idea of a $3000 covered protective carrier to house a couple of such bikes isn't outlandish at all. Well.... for a lot of the folks around here it is as you saw in the first page of replies :D But I don't doubt that there is a market for enough units over the next few years that you will be able to cover the costs of the molds and end up with your carriers for free in the end. And even if that isn't a worry for you I'm imagining that it would be a big grin to see YOUR carrier design out there on the road here and there as you ride or drive around. And even if you don't want to do it yourself you could sell the whole manufacturing package of molds and jigs to a fabricating shop either outright or on a royalty basis to recoup your time and initial costs. That way you can get your units and then let someone else carry on making the carriers.

Just thinking, if it opens to the side instead of back and up like a hatch back that means it could be an issue in parking lot areas or if you park on the side of a road to explore the area. The big hatch is going to either extend out into the traffic lane or onto the car to that side. I'm thinking that an upward hatchback style opening would avoid such risks.

Just thinking, if it opens to the side instead of back and up like a hatch back that means it could be an issue in parking lot areas or if you park on the side of a road to explore the area. The big hatch is going to either extend out into the traffic lane or onto the car to that side. I'm thinking that an upward hatchback style opening would avoid such risks.

we thought about that already. We might go straight up with it with electrics or struts. we wanted to make the enclosure one piece to avoid other complications in the build. we also thought about one large rear door that swung outward and upward. thanks for pointing that out :)

I am not worried about the costs. I really am not worried about the bikes, rock chips or dust. I really want something custom (I spent over 10k on a paint job for my SUV)..

Holy carp! I spent 10K on my Dodge minivan (used, not very old). It holds my recumbent without any disassembling: open hatch, drag bike out, ride away.

If you want something smaller that will swallow a conventional road bike, how about a Ford Transit: http://www.mpgomatic.com/2008/01/22/ford-transit-connect-van/ . Customized, it's pretty slick:
http://media.mpgomatic.com/images/Ford_TransitConnectSport-530.jpg

Does the vehicle have a rooftop rail setup that is currently unused? I could see something where the roof rails are used to support the fiberglass body. When disengaging the cover, the cover slides upward giving access to the bikes.

One thing to consider also though, how wide is the vehicle. If your bike's end to end length is longer than the width of your car (or really close), the outer shell would be adding a lot of wind resistance to the rear end of the vehicle and possibly cause poor handling at higher speeds.

I think one of the reasons things like this aren't on the market is uncertain wind resistance. Lots of people want something that looks better than a tarp. Anything more substantial though and you are making highway crosswinds pretty dangerous.

Holy carp! I spent 10K on my Dodge minivan (used, not very old). It holds my recumbent without any disassembling: open hatch, drag bike out, ride away.

If you want something smaller that will swallow a conventional road bike, how about a Ford Transit: http://www.mpgomatic.com/2008/01/22/ford-transit-connect-van/ . Customized, it's pretty slick:
http://media.mpgomatic.com/images/Ford_TransitConnectSport-530.jpg

Although... if the bike's cool, you should show it off:
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/203/4521/38007260118_large.jpg

Although... if the bike's cool, you should show it off:
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/203/4521/38007260118_large.jpg

or this way. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/THJjMOBRGNI/AAAAAAAAQVI/yZq9-Ysi4IY/s400/SLC_Ford_GT_wTrek2.jpg

Does the vehicle have a rooftop rail setup that is currently unused? I could see something where the roof rails are used to support the fiberglass body. When disengaging the cover, the cover slides upward giving access to the bikes.

One thing to consider also though, how wide is the vehicle. If your bike's end to end length is longer than the width of your car (or really close), the outer shell would be adding a lot of wind resistance to the rear end of the vehicle and possibly cause poor handling at higher speeds.

I think one of the reasons things like this aren't on the market is uncertain wind resistance. Lots of people want something that looks better than a tarp. Anything more substantial though and you are making highway crosswinds pretty dangerous.


the vehicle I will be using is a larger 6000 pound SUV. my bikes are narrower than the vehicle. lowered with performance suspension. I can tow larger trailers and boats without any issue. It's an SUV so I really am notworried about milage either, LOL. I was considering buying one of the transits for a service vehicle at oneof our locations. Too small for practical use even for us. I like the wow factor, of that looks nice what is it? I get that all the time even with my thelma painted to match my vehicle (when it doesn't have a bike on it) :)

Keep in mind this vehicle will be used exclusively for transporting my bikes. It's not a daily driver. I will be finalizing the design in the next week or so. I have already ordered the OEM lighting and electronics and they shoul dbe here this week. I can't wait to see some progress :)

the vehicle I will be using is a larger 6000 pound SUV. my bikes are narrower than the vehicle. lowered with performance suspension. I can tow larger trailers and boats without any issue. It's an SUV so I really am notworried about milage either, LOL. I was considering buying one of the transits for a service vehicle at oneof our locations. Too small for practical use even for us. I like the wow factor, of that looks nice what is it? I get that all the time even with my thelma painted to match my vehicle (when it doesn't have a bike on it) :)

Keep in mind this vehicle will be used exclusively for transporting my bikes. It's not a daily driver. I will be finalizing the design in the next week or so. I have already ordered the OEM lighting and electronics and they shoul dbe here this week. I can't wait to see some progress :)

So how about a pair of davits on the back for the Transit? You could carry the bikes inside and use it as a dingy for shopping and short trips. You could even get it painted to match the SUV. Now that would be a classy rig!

Keep in mind this vehicle will be used exclusively for transporting my bikes. It's not a daily driver.

So why bother with a cargo box at all? Just select a vehicle whose carying capacity matched your load and customize its interior cargo bay.

Sounds like you're creating the problem with an impractical request. Most of the people here are giving you practical responses. You should be best off talking with a custom fiberglass fabricator in your local area.

A Swagman ($150 approx) hitch rack has provision for locking the clamps down onto the bike frames, and holds the bikes with the wheels in place. For another #30/bike you should be able to get plastic rain covers.