It's really not that bad. Yes, they do snag, and yes, you need to be more careful when installing/removing the covers. As a benefit, the VG's help hold the covers in place, which is nice when you are trying to install covers by yourself in high winds.
A friend has a set of VG's on his plane and he uses a 4" wide strip of material with a snap on both ends that he stretches over the VG's (length of wing) and snaps (male part of snap riveted to wing) into place before putting the covers on. Crash
The best setup I have seen, and the one I use, for VGs and mesh covers is the strips Crash referenced. Stoddards in Anchorage has them. You could make your own. If you do, use vinyl for freezing rain. The snap on attachment is as described, the wing tip is simply done by contact cementing a 1.5 by 3 inch piece of velcro. Without the strips, I lost VGS. With them, I keep the VGs.
Interesting. I have never had a snag or lost a vortex generator inspite of all the predictions. I do hang up on the trim on my landing light with wing covers. The protective cover does sound like a very good idea, however. You will not like trying to get all the snow and ice out of the VGs and if you leave it there, you are on a good start to turning the VGs into spoilers.
I might stop into Stoddards and pick up a VG cover to use even when I don't use the full covers.
Do the VG covers also have a spoiler? I sleep better with the spoilers on the wing covers.
OK Thanks for the info. I might have to break down and put a set on. See more and more on aircraft every day. I guess the old rope the frost off the wings trick would be out though.