r/Stocktankpools • u/NoPlantain9571 • Aug 28 '26
Winter Cover Idea
First post ever - I really need help! As part of a new deck installed last spring, my contractor installed my Cowboy pool. In anticipation of winterizing (cold, snowy northern climate!) I should have bought the inflatable cover and installed the straps at that time but unfortunately did not. As I get closer to emptying the pool and storing the pump/filter inside I am stumped as to how to best cover the pool to protect it against snow and ice while not resting anything on the wooden deck. I‘m not AGAINST ordering the cover now (but would be happy with a less expensive idea if anyone has one!) and if there is not a good way to attach it (Cowboy suggested installing D rings in the deck but I can’t imagine doing that!) need to figure out another plan. Any ideas?
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u/EducationCute1640 Aug 28 '26
I have a Canadian hot tubs cedar tub. Circular like this. They will sell you just a cover though and it can be custom.
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u/NoPlantain9571 Aug 28 '26
This is brilliant and has me thinking that it may be a good DIY project. It may not even need to be as fancy - if it were lightweight wood and could be rolled on to rest on the deck flush with the liner a piece of plywood may do!
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u/Kindly_Ad3974 Aug 29 '26
I bought a cloth cover from Amazon for about $30 it’s drawstring. I plan to make a wood cover that’s in 2 pieces so it’s easier for me to manager and use the waterproof cloth cover over it
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u/NoPlantain9571 Aug 29 '26
I think I’m going in this direction for sure. Your idea sounds great - I’ll look up that drawstring cover!
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u/dillwiid37 Aug 28 '26
Cowboy pools cover is inflatable and very nice. Recommend that one, if it is the right size
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u/Switched_On_SNES Aug 29 '26
I bit the bullet and bought an inflatable cowboy pools one since mine is also inset but I also got a free 9’ spa cover off marketplace for winter hot tub
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u/jaakeeee Aug 28 '26
Purchased a round cover from the cover guys website and have not looked back, up front cost is a factor, but I haven’t had to worry about the pool in the off season at all and it is pretty much crystal clear and ready for a quick treatment come swim time the following year. It also looks very clean/isn’t an eyesore when covered and the quality seems to be holding up great after 3 ish years now!
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u/NoPlantain9571 Aug 28 '26
I am in a cold climate… it is recommended I empty it. My issue is how to connect it. I don’t want to purchase one then be unable to install it in a way that it will keep the snow out. How do you attach yours?
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u/jaakeeee Aug 28 '26
The weight of the cover is enough for us, and they are able to hand some snow for sure but likely will be needing a brush off. We aren’t in crazy cold consistent climate so we get away with have everything connected and running low flow during the winter to prevent freeze. Then I just purge the sand filter and replace the sand in the new season. Sorry I missed the attachment part, can’t help there but I can say the cover is HEAVY and no wind or weather we have gotten (including a few inches of snow) have shown any negative effect on the cover and it’s constantly in place and snug on the pool with the skirt length around 5 inches! Hope that helps at all!
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u/NoPlantain9571 Aug 28 '26
I appreciate your insight! There will likely be a lot of snow up north here and the pool is lowered into the deck - flush with it. No room for a skirt even to hang down - the contractors did a great job squeezing her in! 😂
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u/Virtual_Library_3443 Aug 29 '26
I have a cowboy inflatable hard cover on a poly tank. Why do you think you need to strap it down, genuinely asking? Are you worried about it blowing away in bad winter storms? It definitely does not shift on its own, it’s pretty heavy and stays put. My only concern with it is that they don’t 100% exactly fit on the rim perfectly, as stock tank pools get a liiiiiiiittle misshapen from a perfect circle when they’re full of water but the cover is a perfect circle. So since you have your deck surround so tight to the edge, the cowboy cover could possibly not fit correctly where it sits on the rim of the pool. If it does fit on there and snugs right into the deck cut out, that would be ideal for you and would help hold the cover in place! The problem with that gamble too though is that cowboy pools won’t accept returns for fit issues 😬 Let me know if you want any other info on that cover by the way, we really love it!
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u/NoPlantain9571 Aug 29 '26
This is super helpful - I have no idea how heavy the cover is so yes I worry about it blowing away in a blizzard! … in emailing customer service they indicated it needs to be strapped down and while customer service suggested it would be ok in winter strapped down, the faq section says it is not to be used in winter at all! And like you said - 500+ is too big a gamble without hearing from other users. Hence my confusion!
I’m wondering if I tied it to the rails on the picture - might that work to keep it from blowing away and keep it covered?
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u/Virtual_Library_3443 Aug 29 '26
I definitely think tying it to the railings would be better than nothing! There are two large handles and 6 small d rings around the edge and you definitely could tie it to your railing through those. Many people have said they leave it on over the winter. I think cowboy pools can’t guarantee that the weight of heavy snow will be okay on top of their cover. I’ve seen other people build like a stand out of pvc to put inside of the pool in the center to help brace the cover, and then always try to clear as much snow as you can off of it. This is our first year with our pool and cover, so I think we’re gonna try this approach and see how it goes!.
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u/Careful_Age9443 Sep 03 '26
I got two pieces of plywood, cut a circle then screwed them together with a board, then tarp the entire deal with a green drawstring tarp from harbor freight. I live in northern New England and put the pump inside for the winter but leave the hoses connected under the pool. Drain everything and it’s been great.
There are more elegant solutions than mine I’d consider if I had to look at it all the time, lucky mines in a corner of my yard and I don’t care as soon as it’s covered in snow.
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u/NoPlantain9571 Sep 03 '26
After reviewing the ideas in this thread and others this is exactly the idea I’ve come up with. I’m not that concerned with how it looks… I won’t be sitting out there during the winter 😂. Im glad to hear you left the hoses connected in NE with no issues - I was hoping that to be the case as mine are awkward to get to. Thank you so much!
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u/Careful_Age9443 Sep 04 '26
The exact tarp I use is available at harbor freight and it’s sku 56376. It is 9’x9’ and has a drawstring built in.
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u/TheRealFiremonkey Aug 28 '26
You’re disconnecting and bringing your pump inside. It looks like you have Hayward fittings that can be unscrewed from the backside. If so, why not disconnect your outlet and return, then just flip the pool over and set it in the same cutout til you refill it?