Canopy garages/shelters

[carhunter]

A couple of my project cars will have to sit outside while I reorganize the barn. They're not super nice but I don't want them exposed to the elements.

Was thinking of trying one of these portable shelters. I'd put it in a spot that's protected from wind, but can I expect one to last more than a few months? For under $200 I can cover 2 cars and several pallets of parts. This one seems a little nicer than the HF ones that use the crappy poly tarps.

http://www.hayneedle.com/sale/12x26tancanopyenclosurekit.cfm?source=pla&adtype=pla&kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=NA082&gclid=CImjk8CL87MCFctcMgodJE0AeQ

 

[Gary S]

They should work if you have a nice enough climate. If you live where you ever get a good snowstorm, they can collapse from the weight of the snow, come down on the car, and damage it.

 

[miner]

That is a pretty good price. I have been thinking of this for a temporary shed until I build one next season. Most I was looking at were much more expensive. THanks for the link!

 

[Eds Garage]

Costco has one of the better ones that I've seen. The HF ones are cheesy in comparison. They work OK but DO NOT park anything of much value in them. Strong winds or heavy snow can take them down and either of those conditions can come about by surprise. I used one to temporarily shelter a newish car once while I was reorganizing my garage and a freak wind storm came through and tore the garage off it's anchors and jumped all over the car doing about $6K in paint damage. I will never use one again for anything other than lawn mowers and such.

 

[carhunter]

Thanks, I didn't even think about snow loads. Might give this one a try then but will have to keep an eye on it this winter.

 

[ddawg16]

For what your planning....it's a good idea....just don't leave it out for a couple of years.....

What is nice about them...use it what what you want now...when done...clean it off....put it away...and when you have a party or some other temp use....you have it.....

You could even use one of those as a cheap paint booth.

 

[luvit]

Thanks, I didn't even think about snow loads. Might give this one a try then but will have to keep an eye on it this winter.

you won't be able to stop the snow/ice.
i live in SW Ohio, and if you have had 1 ice storm each winter, like we have, it will not survive.. even simple snow loads.. seen a couple of them collapsed and the owners didn't touch them again until spring.

.

 

[46Nash]

I had a large shelter logic tent out in my yard for 2 years before I built my garage to store my Pinzgauer and quads etc.. My brother is going on his third year with a shelter logic tent to store his mustang. Mine and his are both in great shape still, and mine was just resetup by someone to store a tractor. The key is to get one with strong poles, like the shelter logic kits have. They both held alot of snow just fine, , stayed up during blizzards of 18" snow, high winds, hurricanes etc. Both of ours used the ground anchors from the kit. In my case, I also used ratcheting straps to also connect it to the truck.

Just make sure to go out there and hit the snow off the roof with a broom if more than a foot accumulates. You can do it from the inside, thats the easiest way, the snow will just slide off. The first winter my brother and I had our tents was 2 years ago when we literally got a foot of snow each week in January. Was very happy I had the tent at that time.

The biggest problem you will have is moisture. Put down a tarp on the floor and also cut out a square up top on each gable end and install some cheaper louver vents to vent the moisture.

 

[upndown]

Maybe i'm missing something..Read the product info, That's just for the sides,front & back walls..not the frame and top

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've used several of these for projects and for public events at cityfairs and other with my events logistics volunteer group. The hard part is not keeping them from collapsing, but from the darn things becoming kites!

These have large cross sections and no real weight. They are very easy to catch the wind and blow away. Our solution is to use a couple of five gallon buckets filled with concrete (you could use gravel and water for temporary use) that is then tied with ratchet straps to the framework. Tie into the top frame rails, not the legs. You want to have all the weight low, but tied to the tops so the legs are always in compression. It's not a bad idea to strap the buckets to the legs as well at the base which will help keep them from skittering sideways as well.

If you are going to do this out in a yard, then the screw in tiedowns for dogs are cheap and very effective too as a backup.

 

[carhunter]

Maybe i'm missing something..Read the product info, That's just for the sides,front & back walls..not the frame and top

Ha! Good eye. I wondered how it could be so cheap. Will have to do some more research.

That's almost as bad as the craigslist carport ads that offer a $695 carport and then in the fine print it says "roof only"

 

[theoldwizard1]

There are several place on the 'net that sell canopies. Canopy Masters actually sells tarps made in the USA !.

The also carry heavier gauge tarps for permanent installation and frame kits with higher pitch for snow country.

 

[46Nash]

Shelter Logic is also made in the USA. In fact, I actually picked up my tent from the factory near Waterbury, CT.

 

[carhunter]

Another site I came across with DIY compoents
http://www.creativeshelters.com/

 

[Gary S]

Read post #12 in this link.
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117352&highlight=garage+collapse

 

[luvit]

have you seen the blacksmith thread?
if you can bury some 4x4 posts, you may have less costs and a much better structure.
you'll likely be able to spend as much or even less than that tent with the same or less labor. -- you can possibly do it cheaper if you avoid corrugated steel.

i built a structure once and put it on top of the ground, no buried posts, but 4x6 were the bottom where the studs met it. -- i used in-ground screw achor things just in case the wind got strong.

this could help avoid the permits or the county auditor.
i had a county auditor stop by 3 years later because they saw a new structure on google satellite images..
however i did not have any buried posts, so no new taxes for luvit...

.

 

[Cardboard Man]

Back in 1996 I purchased 2 12x20 shelters from Cover It, which has now become Shelter Logic. At the time they offered a 10-year and a 20-year fabric. I bought the 20 year fabric figuring they were being generous and I'd maybe get 8 years out of it. 16 years later they are still doing the job even after being completely disassembled and moved. The stitching for the zippers failed but was easy to repair. These are installed on a gravel base using auger type anchors.

Last spring I put up a 10x10 Shelter Logic for a garden shed. Much thinner fabric but I was not looking for heavy duty. Frame assembly was easier and I felt the components had improved. This one is anchored to a concrete pad using Tapcons.

I feel that these shelters do what they claim to do, are very good quality, and provide a good value for the money.

 

[805gregg]

I've had a 20x40 motorhome shelter for 15 years, I used to buy cheap Chinese tarps for $120. They would last about 3 years, last year I bought a good tarp from My Tarps.com
22 gauge and will last 15 years, custom made in the US.

 

[carhunter]

have you seen the blacksmith thread?
if you can bury some 4x4 posts, you may have less costs and a much better structure.
you'll likely be able to spend as much or even less than that tent with the same or less labor. -- you can possibly do it cheaper if you avoid corrugated steel.

i built a structure once and put it on top of the ground, no buried posts, but 4x6 were the bottom where the studs met it. -- i used in-ground screw achor things just in case the wind got strong.

this could help avoid the permits or the county auditor.
i had a county auditor stop by 3 years later because they saw a new structure on google satellite images..
however i did not have any buried posts, so no new taxes for luvit...

.

Thanks for the blacksmith link, I missed that.

 

[unslow1]

A couple of my project cars will have to sit outside while I reorganize the barn. They're not super nice but I don't want them exposed to the elements.

Was thinking of trying one of these portable shelters. I'd put it in a spot that's protected from wind, but can I expect one to last more than a few months? For under $200 I can cover 2 cars and several pallets of parts. This one seems a little nicer than the HF ones that use the crappy poly tarps.

http://www.hayneedle.com/sale/12x26tancanopyenclosurekit.cfm?source=pla&adtype=pla&kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=NA082&gclid=CImjk8CL87MCFctcMgodJE0AeQ

That is the same one I have. I just bought a new cover and kept the poles. I have been very impressed. The first one lasted 3 years. A couple of small tears showed up during the spring winds. It just ripped during the fall ones. It seemed to get more brittle this year. Mine is a Shelterlogic 10x20. It held up to some very heavy snow. Well over a foot. Just make sure you pull the side poles down to tighten up the top. The anchors are not enough. I also drove stakes for support in wind.

 

[unslow1]

If you are anywhere near a Pep Boys they usually stock the Shelterlogic 10x20. It's sale price is about $230.
http://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9395505/

 

[camarotoolman]

Those metal car ports are cheap and seem to be pretty good. Buy, then sell when you are done. I found 1 at a yard sale for $100 not long ago.

 

[Lippyp]

I stored my truck in a 10' x 20' one for a year or so, my only tip is to make sure its well anchored down. First time we put it up I foolishly thought as it was in a sheltered spot between some 10' high stone walls it'd be ok to leave it until the next day, wrong! Big gale overnight and at 3am my wife and I were out there dismantling it as it had flipped on its side and was beating the **** outta my old Isuzu trooper that I'd parked under it, bent some of the poles. Next time it got well screwed down to the old stone flags it was set up on. I bought it from Costco.

 

[deb7743]

I am happy with my Shelter Logic canopy garage that I have had for 5 years. It really works well for me. I have the round style, so when it snows, it generally falls off and does not stay on top creating a heavy load. I also like the fact that it is made in the USA! Here is the site that carries Shelter Logic. Northstarcanopy.com