Not every cover keeps turrets from leaking.
Photo By Cpl. Dallas Johnson
Turrets are notorious for leaking, no matter what kind of vehicle they’re on. Aside from being unpleasant, and potentially unhealthy (mold and mildew), leakage can do real damage to the vehicle. The corrosion that results from moisture can impair electronics, degrade performance, and even take the asset out of service.
The easy answer is to cover the turret, but not every cover solves the problem. Many covers fit poorly or lack drain channels. Water and/or snow collects at the center point, making a pool that gets bigger (and heavier) over time. Those pools can leak through the cover into the vehicle and the weight can tear the material and fastening system. Pooling also makes it much more difficult to remove the cover (particularly when it turns to ice), and can be dangerous to personnel.
“The easy answer is to cover the turret, but not every cover solves the problem.”
If the cover employs a superabsorbent polymer (a diaper-like material) it can get so heavy that personnel are unable to remove it. There have been instances when a crane was required to lift the cover off the vehicle.
It’s also important to completely cover the turret ring so that driving rain and/or melting snow doesn’t seep through into the vehicle.
The answer is to employ a cover that’s made from the right materials (waterproof, hydrophobic, highly air-permeable) and designed to channel rain/snow melt away from the turret and off the vehicle. With the right cover, you can prevent pooling, fabric failures, and water penetration.
As we collaborated with the customer on this JLTV cover, special attention was given to drainage channels in order to prevent pooling.
It’s critical to cover turrets, but equally important to employ a cover that will actually keep the water out and channel it away from the turret.
Give us a call to learn more, or visit our Protective Covers page to learn more about the critical elements of an effective cover.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.