Car seat cover recommendations

Spot on except what do you mean removed the rear belt ? Surely you don't mean the rear seat belts? I didn't have to remove anything to get the rear ones on.

Just to reinforce pretty much what you already said . . . I did unbolt the front seats and tip them up to make it a lot easier. I used a plastic tool about the size and shape of a tongue depressor) to get them down under the plastic molding in the front of the front seat (you don't have to take that off). There is a bunch of stuff under the front seat especially if you have power seats - you don't need to un-hook anything but as has already been said you don't want to be blindly be hooking straps to random things. The other thing, which I agree with, you probably don't even need the straps as the covers fit so tight anyway but I did fasten them with the straps anyway just because they are provided. There is a little cut out where I guess the manual seat adjustment is located on the driver's side.

Anyway I can't believe how much more I paid in the past for the more famous neoprene seat covers (hey at least you can order color accents with them if that's your thing) but these are every bit as good a fit and quality (yeah I know - no color accents).

 

I think I wrote that first paragraph after installing the fronts, I did the front and rear install on different days. No, you don't need to remove the rear, just tip them the way they are designed to. The rear center receiver buckle is the belt that needs to be unbolted to get the bottom right side seat cover installed.

Hopefully this clarifies things.

Color accents? I sit on the seats, so I don't see them!

 

Well OK if that's what you did but I didn't unbolt the rear center receiver buckle - I mean the bottom seats on my truck pull up and and out of the way from from the buckle receivers. Anyway I am with you I am glad I discovered them.

 

The center belt does a weird thing where it like comes up and through the cover in an odd way. I don’t remember exactly as it’s been over a year since I installed mine, but I didn’t unbolt it either. If the belt were to lock up and be pulled in an accident I felt like it would still do its job. The cover would have to stretch or tear out of the way but I wasn’t overly concerned about it since I almost never have anyone back there, let alone in the center. I actually pulled the bottom of the 40% seat out and put it in the shed to have more storage space

 

I have the Carhartts and they fit good after a wash. But I really want the wet omelettes

 

Thanks for the replies.

It looks like neoprene is the way to go but I do have a question about it. How well does it breathe? If I'm sitting on the seat for several hours of driving, will I have the back of my legs damp with sweat?

The costs vary. The Rough Country ones cost about $200 (best price, just not big on having that RC logo on it). The Coverking ones cost about $675 for the good ones, $435 for the regular neoprene. Wet Okole would be about $564

I'm not too worried about the price, don't mind

The other type I was looking at were the Coverking’s Spacer Mesh material seats for $415. Would lose out the water resistant but probably real comfortable on long trips.

With dog hair, leather would be better but probably wouldn’t be as durable as the neoprene.


Thanks in advance.

 

Do a little more research on the CoverKings. IIRC someone posted that they paid about what you found and they only lasted a couple of years. Can't find it right now, but maybe start searching when you have time. Could be wrong, but might be worth a little more of your time.

EDIT: Found it. Says they only lasted about six months!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...3rd-gen-today.399305/page-13055#post-28812408

 

Interesting...
I've had Coverkings on mine for a bit over five years now (the Spacer Mesh ones)... They still look like when I put them on (well, maybe a little dirtier lol) I'd recommend them myself, though I would agree the spacer mesh material might trap a lot of dog hair.

 

Again, I’ve had Wet Okole’s in my past 2 Tacomas over a time period of 14 years, so I’ve got a bit of experience with them.

The neoprene is fine in both the summer and winter. No sticky or burned legs in the summer, and comfortable in the winter. My kids don’t hesitate to climb into the truck even after it has been sitting in the beach parking lot all day.

The thin cloth cover on the neoprene keeps the rubber material away from the skin and the material doesn’t hold heat like some others do.

Wet Okole does offer custom logos on their seats if that is of interest to you. While not on their website, they do offer vehicle brand logos as well. I have “TRD” on my seat backs to complete the OEM look.

I can’t tell you if the Wet Okole’s are $350 “better” than the RC alternatives, but I can say I was so pleased with how my first set lasted over 12 years on my 2010 (with a dog and 2 toddlers that are now teenagers), I didn’t even think to consider other brands. Buy once, cry once.

 

I've had carhartt camo seat covers for 3 years now. The fit isn't terrible, but imo, could be better vs other manufactures. I'll give carhartts one thing, they are one tough seat cover, and fairly simple to install. They saved my seat underneath a couple times already, preventing some sharp tools I was carrying in my rear pants pockets from punching through.

 

Great to know. Maybe they just had a bad set. I’ve had CoverKing car covers and they were well made; lasted a long time.

 

Again, thanks for the responses.
I think I'll be going with the Wet Okole's.

 

In my prior post I refrained from mentioning the brand because I don,t want to start anything.
I have been using Wet Okole for years and years, maybe 20+ 4 vehicle. - they are great and last forever.
I went with RC, only because I just discovered them and folks seem to like them.
I figured for the price, why not give them a shot.
I can't say they last forever because I have only had them 6 months.
But I will say the fit and quality so far match Wet Okole - like I said in my other post if color accents etc
are important to you then I guess Wet Okole is the way to go.

 

I know this thread is already leaning towards neoprene, but with dogs? No way in hell.

I haul 3 epic shedders in the back seat. A weekend will blow up the cab. My annual week long road trip will make you think that every visible surface has been carpeted with 1970s van style shag.

Before covers, it would take two trips to the car wash plus 4 solid hours of vacuuming, lint rollers, scrapers and tweezers to make the interior passable again. Not clean, just passable.

After clazzios PVC covers and floor liners - the same level of clean can be achieved in less than 30 minutes of vacuuming plus a quick wipe with leather conditioner. That's it.

The interior is so much better. It stays cleaner longer, and it's easier to remove smells.

As for longevity, they don't have a scratch on them. Granted, I lay down a cheap dog hammock on top of the seats, but even then they look brand new.


No way would I do neoprene. Not with shedding dogs.



This was one weekend. One.





And this is what it looks like right now. Not clean. But passable.








And one third of the wrecking crew.






Have dogs - go leather.

 

Leather looks nice and would be real easy to clean but I think the dogs nails would eventually poke a hole in it.
I feel you with the heavy shedding dogs though. Fortunately, back when I had a heavy shedder, I was driving a 15+ year old Dakota that was a second vehicle and I really didn't care that much about the fur. The pup I have now has short fur, hardly sheds and cleaning of the seats really hasn't been that much of a problem as long as I keep up with it. Still, some materials are harder to remove fur from than others. There is also the muddy paws, dog drool, and just wet dog. I also carry certain items on my belt that will wear a hole over time...
My car seats are black/charcoal and I like the looks of it. The RC is all black and has that RC logo on it. If I want a logo, I'll get the TRD Off-Road logo that WO has available.
All that said, there are a bunch of good options out there which is a plus.

@rbdudeman - I am intrested. Please post a pic of the rear seat. If it matches, maybe we can work something out.

 

Gotta agree with Rock Lobster.
Had neoprene for years when I used to surf and surf fish a lot. These were the auto parts covers and they didn't ever last too long. AND hair stuck to them like bandit. Sold the 05 I had for 17 years and the seat looked great being kept under some kind of cover. Got my 22 a year and half ago and decided to get something better for it that didn't hold hair. Clazzio
Luna sheds year round and I take her everywhere with me fishing, working in marina yards (which get muddy) Ace, Home Depot and covers look great except for a little dirt. It's overdo for cleaning and vacuuming as you see all the hair but virtually nothing stuck to the seat. PVC w/leather inserts.

 

Oh, one last thing...compare the warranties. Clazzio is 3 yrs on their better materials and one year for the others. While some (mentioned above) are only 90 days.
Plus if something or Luna should cause a hole I can always just buy that seat part alone.

 

I'm 1 week into my Rough Country seat covers, but I don't use my truck like most and don't have a pet. I sold my '17 Tacoma just two months ago with 26K miles. Mine is a mall crawler and I work from home, so limited use. I'm also not thrilled with the RC logo, but the covers were reasonably easy to install, the price was fair, and the fit is excellent. I also unbolted the rear seat belt, and unbolted/tipped back the front seats for the install. Even with that, it took me less than an hour. Very happy with them so far. I'm still on the fence when it comes to the headrest covers. I kind of like the color contrast.

 

Tough crowd! Pictures as requested, along with a cameo shot with my newly installed TRD Sport take-off's.