[felix_te]

I was finally motivated today to put my Hail Protector together and test it out on my 22 Ascent. Despite the 103-degree heat, burning sun and complete lack of rain or hail, I just had the Ascent washed and was hoping I could inspire the rain gods to come and play.

Please forgive the crappy photos, it was so bright out I could not see the view on the camera very well. It also does not show the Ascent much here, but looking inside shows it baking comfortably in a bath of Texas air.

I have no idea how well this will work with softball-size hail we get or the high winds, but at least it has a fighting chance while I work on cleaning out the garage to park it inside, or if I get caught out and about when the hail comes falling. It is also much better than tarps and blankets strapped down to the car, which was what I did for my old VW that this replaced. Not sure anyone was looking for this but may find it interesting as an option. HailProtector SUV2 was the one ordered. Takes about 10-15 minutes to get on and inflated (until I get more practice). I'm hoping this will encourage some rain in the area, and I'm sure my neighbors are shaking their heads and will keep their distance from me for a while. Better to be prepared! 🌧🌧

 

[TheRaven]

Seems like so often by the time you know it's going to hail, it's done hailing. I guess if there's pretty definite hail in the forecast, though, couldn't hurt to set it up as a precaution. Let us know if you ever get a chance to test it out in a storm.

 

[packout]

I was finally motivated today to put my Hail Protector together and test it out on my 22 Ascent. Despite the 103-degree heat, burning sun and complete lack of rain or hail, I just had the Ascent washed and was hoping I could inspire the rain gods to come and play.
View attachment 17633
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Please forgive the crappy photos, it was so bright out I could not see the view on the camera very well. It also does not show the Ascent much here, but looking inside shows it baking comfortably in a bath of Texas air.
View attachment 17635
View attachment 17634

I have no idea how well this will work with softball-size hail we get or the high winds, but at least it has a fighting chance while I work on cleaning out the garage to park it inside, or if I get caught out and about when the hail comes falling. It is also much better than tarps and blankets strapped down to the car, which was what I did for my old VW that this replaced. Not sure anyone was looking for this but may find it interesting as an option. HailProtector SUV2 was the one ordered. Takes about 10-15 minutes to get on and inflated (until I get more practice). I'm hoping this will encourage some rain in the area, and I'm sure my neighbors are shaking their heads and will keep their distance from me for a while. Better to be prepared! 🌧🌧

reminds me of Rover from the Prisoner.


Be Seeing You

 

[felix_te]

Seems like so often by the time you know it's going to hail, it's done hailing. I guess if there's pretty definite hail in the forecast, though, couldn't hurt to set it up as a precaution. Let us know if you ever get a chance to test it out in a storm.

Some nights it can surprise you but so far those times have been smaller hail. The big ones so far have been predicted so at least I have a percentage of a chance. Plus there's always the jinx effect where putting it on deters Mother Nature from dropping bombs. 😜

 

[xydadx3]

I’m curious how it works… without looking it up myself

Is there a blower inside to keep it inflated? If so, what’s the power supply?
How small does it fold up? Do you take it with you around town all the time?
How soft is any part that touches the paint? Just thinking if it scratches the paint after a handful of uses I’d wonder if it was worth it, especially if it doesn’t actually hail. Otoh it could easily pay off in one use 🤷‍♂️

 

[felix_te]

reminds me of Rover from the Prisoner.

Be Seeing You

lol - that's what it will be like trying to put this thing on during a storm

 

[felix_te]

I’m curious how it works… without looking it up myself

Is there a blower inside to keep it inflated? If so, what’s the power supply?
How small does it fold up? Do you take it with you around town all the time?
How soft is any part that touches the paint? Just thinking if it scratches the paint after a handful of uses I’d wonder if it was worth it, especially if it doesn’t actually hail. Otoh it could easily pay off in one use 🤷‍♂️

This size has four small fans on the end that inflate it and keep air flowing during use. It has a 12v plug-in, battery pack, or 120v AC adapter to use so it's flexible to power. It came in folded up smaller than I folded it up. It's meant to carry in the trunk or back or keep in the garage. It probably takes up about half or 2/3 of the rear cargo strip with the third row up and in use (behind the seats - not sure of the proper term). I'm trying to see if I can compact it more so I can carry it with me. Otherwise, I'll leave it in the garage unless I'm on a road trip through areas known to have hail storms space permitting.
It's pretty soft - dual layer, and not supposed to scratch any more than a normal car cover I suppose. I waited until I just washed it to test - just to be safe. Many people in my area have them and swear by them (or at them).

 

[TheRaven]

Totally reminds me of a bouncy castle.

 

[pdxeca]

Totally reminds me of a bouncy castle.

I was thinking (before the interior shot) that it was a puffy coat...which seemed weird for Texas.

But...you know...Texas

 

[packout]

I was finally motivated today to put my Hail Protector together and test it out on my 22 Ascent. Despite the 103-degree heat, burning sun and complete lack of rain or hail, I just had the Ascent washed and was hoping I could inspire the rain gods to come and play.
View attachment 17633
View attachment 17632
View attachment 17631
View attachment 17630
View attachment 17629
View attachment 17628

Please forgive the crappy photos, it was so bright out I could not see the view on the camera very well. It also does not show the Ascent much here, but looking inside shows it baking comfortably in a bath of Texas air.
View attachment 17635
View attachment 17634

I have no idea how well this will work with softball-size hail we get or the high winds, but at least it has a fighting chance while I work on cleaning out the garage to park it inside, or if I get caught out and about when the hail comes falling. It is also much better than tarps and blankets strapped down to the car, which was what I did for my old VW that this replaced. Not sure anyone was looking for this but may find it interesting as an option. HailProtector SUV2 was the one ordered. Takes about 10-15 minutes to get on and inflated (until I get more practice). I'm hoping this will encourage some rain in the area, and I'm sure my neighbors are shaking their heads and will keep their distance from me for a while. Better to be prepared! 🌧🌧

These bubbles work, howevet their application is limited for many real world hail scenarios.

 

[TheRaven]

I was thinking (before the interior shot) that it was a puffy coat...which seemed weird for Texas.

But...you know...Texas

Texas... indeed! Your comment made me smile, for I grew up there. 18 years of Texas was plenty for me, definitely like Oregon WAY better.

 

[GordonZ]

This discussion brings back memories of Texas auto dealers advertising "Hail Sales" after every major hailstorm. Dinged up new cars for a discount.

Those Texas hail storms could be brutal. Some cars would have shattered windows and their bodies looked like they were attacked with a ball-peen hammer.

 

[woodcan]

As a fellow Texan that gets lots of hail thanks for sharing!
Granted, my wife's Ascent gets parked in the garage while my old Nissan parks outside I like this for when I eventually get myself a new car. I'm sure it gets some odd looks from neighbors