Recomendation on portable garage

[roverguy]

I need to store one of my project cars outside for the winter.

I live in New England & as you may know we had almost of 10' of snow here last year! A banner year. Normally 3-5', but it can sometimes be wet & heavy.

One of my big issues is I am on the coast (1000' from the ocean), so wind can play a factor.

I only have a limited spot to put it in and it gets some pretty direct wind.

Don't want to have it blow apart or collapse on my car.

Any recommendations, brand/model etc?

Hoping to get something in a 10 x 16' size (round top) for around $500-$600.

Thanks

 

[Randy in Maine]

Suggestion:

Call one of these guy and get a shipping container. Sell it or keep it when you are done.

http://www.uscontainersales.com/ma/boston.php

 

[maxpower_hd]

Diddo on the container or look online, like Craigslist, and get a truck box. You will spend around the same amount of money and have something much more sturdy with an actual garage door.

 

[RoscoTom]

You're on the right track wanting a round top.

Snow load killed my Shelterlogic 10x20.
It is (was) a gable style.

I put in a lot of effort cleaning the snow off, but it's hard to keep up when you get a 20 incher overnight.


Tom

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

If you end up with a carport style tarp shed, the killer for these is the fabric sagging between the metal supports. You can help this out by using ratchet straps to string between the pipe support beams/rafters to help support the flexible material and reduce the amount of sagging.

Another trick for snow conditions is to put in a small heater and let it keep the area slightly above freezing. Yes, it will lose all that heat, but it also won't let snow build up on it.

If you have space for a container, those are very nice. Not many places will let you park a container in your yard unless you're out in the country. Same for truck boxes.

 

[T_R]

I'm in Maine 4 miles from the ocean. Same deal as you. None of those portable garages will survive in these conditions.

If it's a small car, I'd look into one of those amish sheds with the wood floor. If it's just for winter storage you could get the car into something as small as 8x16 or 10x16 with carriage doors or a roll up door on one end.

 

[sublimate]

I'd get a small enclosed trailer.
Easier to sell when you're done and you might find you want to keep it.

 

[Randy in Maine]

Also if it is a car that you don't need access to over the winter, you might consider storing it somewhere for the winter. One of my buddies stores a Monte Carlo and his boat/jetski/motorcycle in a "county fair" storage barn for a couple hundred bucks for the winter. I think they have about 60 cars parked in there pretty tight in the barn he uses at the fairgrounds.

 

[58Yeoman]

Also if it is a car that you don't need access to over the winter, you might consider storing it somewhere for the winter. One of my buddies stores a Monte Carlo and his boat/jetski/motorcycle in a "county fair" storage barn for a couple hundred bucks for the winter. I think they have about 60 cars parked in there pretty tight in the barn he uses at the fairgrounds.

This. The county fairgrounds here will do the same thing. Once your car/boat/etc is in there, it's closed up so there won't be any traffic in there til spring.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Either a round top or one with the frame designed for snow (steeper pitched roof).

 

[maxpower_hd]

I know several people who have had the "quality" round top tents collapse with the snow too. They are "better" but still hard to keep cleaned off. The only one I know of that survived was one where the guy happens to own a backhoe so he was able to move the snow built up around the sides to keep them from caving in. I would prefer something with a solid roof if at all possible. They call those temporary garages for a reason. If you are only looking to get one or two seasons out of it then fine but anything more is a bonus in my opinion.

 

[Rod N]

Just as important as the structure is the floor. You would be amazed at how much moisture can come out of the ground. If you are restoring the car, 6 months of storage could set your restoration back big time.
I'd pay the $75-$100 a month to store it in a proper garage.

 

[T_R]

Just as important as the structure is the floor. You would be amazed at how much moisture can come out of the ground. If you are restoring the car, 6 months of storage could set your restoration back big time.
I'd pay the $75-$100 a month to store it in a proper garage.

This is true, you really need a tarp under the car too.

 

[Brian_WK]

If there is a place out there that rents half shipping containers for moving purposes it may be cheaper and they will pick it up and drop it off.

Or if it is going to be longer just purchase one and sell again later. As commented above.

10 foot of snow load won't even touch it and most seal up nicely.

Brian

 

[roverguy]

Thanks for the recommendations. I can't put a storage container in my yard.

I did think about a small used car hauler, but they are still $2000 & up from the few listings I saw.

Other problem is the car is just roller, so would need to trailer it if I was going off site.

If I didn't need the side of my shed to pile snow I was thinking of a quick & dirty 2x6 with plywood roof and tarps on the side.

 

[sublimate]

I did think about a small used car hauler, but they are still $2000 & up from the few listings I saw.

The nice thing is when you go to sell it you should be able to get the same $2k, so it's essentially free...

Other problem is the car is just roller, so would need to trailer it if I was going off site.

Car hauler has you covered there too.

 

[roverguy]

Except in taxachusettes you have to pay sales, excise and title fee.

 

[ixlr8]

I live in mid-coast Maine, 300 ft from the waters edge. I have a 14x24 domed fabric shelter from MDM in Milford CT. It is presently 8 years old, sits on the top of a rise so it see the full force of the wind, it has survived 70 mph winds and 1.5 ft of snow. Biggest issue was the cable anchors pulling up in the spring due to the soft ground. I put in 36" auger anchors and haven't had an issue since. The fabric is starting to show signs of wear and I expect that I will need to replace it at about the 10 year mark, which happens to be the length of the warranty when I bought it. The warranty's are shorter now.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Title fee is $75, registration is $65 I think and on trailers they go by the price you paid not book like a car so $125. So $2265 wouldn't be that bad to me. But The enclosed ones I have looked at were more like $5K.