ShelterLogic - Garage in a box?

[ckpitt55]

So for the upcoming winter, I need to secure a workspace for myself to do some rust repair on my car. I've got a single bay, but it's going to pretty filled up with parts/tools/etc. I was thinking about something like this would do just fine, as all I need is something to keep the elements off of my work and take the edge off while I'm working: http://www.shelterlogic.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=da68f888-9353-4e0e-8bd1-9df80095b3e8&CategoryName=Garages

Has anyone had any experience/success with a shelter like this?

Also, what would be my best bet as far as heating goes? Forced air propane cannon?

Any input is appreciated

 

[Bear]

My neighbor had one til a wind storm came along and put it in my yard one winter day. Problem was she did not have it pegged or screwed down so blew away fairly easy. Must not have upset her too much as I see she has replaced it with another one. Need to ask her what she thinks about it one of these days.

 

[onewaydave]

Those things are all over the place around me. The road departments use them for salt bins and cover for a loader to load up the spreaders. I see them advertized in FarmTech catalogs and the life span of the plastic cover is rated 3-5 years. I know the one down the road from me has been up with the same cover for 10 years. Theirs are mounted on those huge concrete bricks (about 3' x 5') for a knee wall.

I've thought about putting one up but my 1-2 year projects tend to be 5-10 years.

I would think a propane heater would do fine, plenty of ventilation. Just no insulation.

Dave.

 

[upndown]

HF has a 10x20x8 shelter logic for $300 - 20% coupon= $240.. don't know if that will be wide enough for you?

 

[MScott]

I had one a few years ago to store a collector car. Went away on a winter vacation for a week and there was a heavy snow storm. The structure collapsed on my car due to the snow on the roof. It was one of the heavy framed units (2" tubes) not the flimsy thin tubed models.
Since you live in PA and probably get a lot of snow, I would hesitate unless you can be there to keep it swept off.

 

[xrdad]

I have the 10X20 version.
It's OK and has held up well to wind/storms.

But the humidity in there is ridiculous and I'm not sure how comfy I'd be with a propane heater in there? Between the fumes and the risk of fire

It's most certainly a temporary solution.
I wouldn't leave any tools in it, let alone a car without paint.

 

[KenB]

I've had a few of these for many years. The new designs with ratchet straps on the end panels are great. I've never had a snow load problem here in W PA using steel tubing. Condensation has been my biggest issue, so make sure the floor has some kind of vapor barrier and install gable vents. A torpedo heater may generate more moisture than you want, but electric should work fine. Self-drilling screws are a great way to install things on the tubing inside, like lights, outlets and shelves.

Ken

 

[wildhorsehans]

I have 2 of them. 1 is 6 years old and has been through snow and ice storms with no problems at all. I stored my Bass boat in there for a few years, now I keep my 1964 Ford Falcon in it. Just starting to leak as the sun and weather has started to take its toll on the cover. The second one is new. I just put it up to keep the Wife's 450SL in. For the money and for how long they last I am very happy with them. I have never tried to heat one though and can't help on that.

 

[pmason0]

I used one for a year or two to store the tractor and a few other items before I had the pole barn built. I think I had 6 or 8 of those screw in anchors holding it down.

 

[bdkruger1]

I had one about five years ago. Didn't even keep it a month. Mine was a wind rated, heavy duty framed also. I HATED it. Had it staked down in 6 locations and it still caved in on my 65 chevy during a wind storm. As mentioned above, the condensation is unbelievable. I remember going in there one time during a wet, heavy snow and it was actually raining inside the pos. I would never buy one again.

 

[saabman]

I have a couple of them, and to make them a bit more roubust I lay 2x6 ledgers on the ground. I anchor the ledgers to the ground and screew the tube feet to the ledger. I have not had any problem with them lifting up. For snow load, I do periodically knock the snow off from inside.

 

[trbomax]

I just put a 12 x 20 up a few days ago for some temp hay storeage.You can get 225 sq bales in one if anyone cares! I set the screw anchors in sacrete as well as the other post feet. What really pissed me off was they hve you level and square the frame,then take it all apart to slide the cover on,so I give it a 4/10 for cover attachment engineering.It was also impossible to get all the wrinkles out of it,like the cover is an inch to big all the way around,so 3/10 for fitment.It seems solid enough,but I will be brooming off all snow,so 8/10 for structure design. All in all, for another 1k$ and in roughly the same ammount of time we could have built a 16 x 20 post building and been done with it.

edit) trying to heat that thing while there is a vehicle in it would be an invitation to cremation.

 

[ckpitt55]

seems to be pretty mixed reviews and a lot of concern about humidity retention and catching things on fire.

so let me rephrase the question - are there any better solutions out there for temporary shelter that wont break the bank? as i mentioned before, i do not have enough room to do this in my single bay. ideally id love to put up another building but it just isnt in the cards at the moment.

 

[trbomax]

If I had it to do over I would buy one of those steel covered carports that you see for between 800 & 900 $. I would then throw 2x4 end walls in it and cover the sides/ends with barn steel. I would put foil faced foam house wrap between the steel and the frame. It would not sweat and be reasonably easy to heat. You would have 2k $ in it though,but it would be portable (no permit) and moveable later on.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

so let me rephrase the question - are there any better solutions out there for temporary shelter that wont break the bank?

IMO, I don't think you can beat them for quick / easy / low cost.

I have 10 x 20 round top that stood up to over 2 feet of snow we got a couple / few years ago. It's about 10 years old now and the cover has started to deteriorate - but I couldn't pass up the deal for quick storage - free in my case during a coworkers divorce.
My frame is fine and it is anchored so I'm gonna order a new canvas and keep using it.

 

[wildhorsehans]

I just put a 12 x 20 up a few days ago for some temp hay storeage.You can get 225 sq bales in one if anyone cares! I set the screw anchors in sacrete as well as the other post feet. What really pissed me off was they hve you level and square the frame,then take it all apart to slide the cover on,so I give it a 4/10 for cover attachment engineering.It was also impossible to get all the wrinkles out of it,like the cover is an inch to big all the way around,so 3/10 for fitment.It seems solid enough,but I will be brooming off all snow,so 8/10 for structure design. All in all, for another 1k$ and in roughly the same ammount of time we could have built a 16 x 20 post building and been done with it.

edit) trying to heat that thing while there is a vehicle in it would be an invitation to cremation.

I care. I would love to be able to store that much hay. Is it on pallets or just on the ground? I was thinking of pallets or putting down a blue tarp and stacking the hay on that.

 

[nosnerd]

where i used to work yrs ago...we used to sell these...

these are the cats *** compared to the shelter logic ultra thin wall ****....

http://www.abrisharnois.com/en/products/temporary-shelter.php

iirc..the guy who handles sales name is marcel...an older gent who has tons of engineering experience...


this is what i am getting..oval tube with 8oz tarp..for my dirty jobs and sandblasting;

http://www.abrisharnois.com/en/products/double-car-shelter.php in green tho



alan

 

[ckpitt55]

thanks alan, ill check them out. how would a yankee procure one?

also not sure if this will make a difference as far as moisture control, but i plan on putting this thing up in my driveway.

 

[nosnerd]

chuck,

me thinks a shelter is a shelter...but we have had these in the family since like-forever..i can tell you..there is a 10-15 degree diff inside one in our harsh,but short winters...

my dad used to store his olds 98 regency for the winter in one for yrs..only thing he would lay down styroform on driveway...drive it up..and jack it.

they offer up to a 12 oz tarp !!!

IIRC,most xr1220s sell in the $599-649$ retail..i know some of you will say holly ****....but there is a world of difference here in quality.

XR 18 x 20 (oval tubing and a welded tarp) for $1800.00... i will mount on drilled PT 4x4s runs along bottom and anchored in ground using perma anchors..

like anything else..no probs..would ship on 2 pallets for the larger i assume..the smaller ones are packaged in one box..so truck freight for sure...

i dont see why they wouldnt want to take your money lol..just find a dealer in ontario...like in alexandria ..they are 1 hr from USA border...


good peeps i tell ya.i have visited the plant back in 2005

 

[stout1]

If I had it to do over I would buy one of those steel covered carports that you see for between 800 & 900 $. I would then throw 2x4 end walls in it and cover the sides/ends with barn steel. I would put foil faced foam house wrap between the steel and the frame. It would not sweat and be reasonably easy to heat. You would have 2k $ in it though,but it would be portable (no permit) and moveable later on.

My dad has one of these at his place in Wisconsin just north of the Dells. It's snow rated & he's never had a problem. They enclosed the whole thing and even put in a garage door. He keeps a pontoon boat & a fishing boat inside along with a small atv trailer.

 

[tcianci]

What if you move stuff out of the garage into the shelter and then do your project in the empty garage. It would be easier to heat the garage than the shelter.

 

[trbomax]

I care. I would love to be able to store that much hay. Is it on pallets or just on the ground? I was thinking of pallets or putting down a blue tarp and stacking the hay on that.

I put down a silver tarp and then pallets.

 

[bazzateer]

What if you move stuff out of the garage into the shelter and then do your project in the empty garage. It would be easier to heat the garage than the shelter.

Probabaly has all his tools in the garage and doesn't want to leave them out in a temporary shelter.

 

[ckpitt55]

Probabaly has all his tools in the garage and doesn't want to leave them out in a temporary shelter.

this.

 

[saabman]

I also put heavy duty tarp on the ground and use pallets on top of that.

 

[kap]

I had a 10' x 20' Shelter Logic similar to the one in your first post. Had it for a couple of winters. Stored a car, a lift, and misc. equipment while I built my garage/barn. It held up pretty well, but if you get a lot of snow, you've got to brush the snow off.
I bought a smaller one (8 x 12) that I put up behind the garage/barn to store the "shed stuff" - don't want all that stuff in with the cars and equipment! Since it was smaller and I plan to keep it for a long time, I bought the "rounded roof" style - most snow just slides off, and it seems MUCH stronger. I also built a platform floor and bolted the side rails down to the platform. Very dry and it won't blow away. If you're putting this on your driveway, I would recommend buying some railroad ties or 6" x 6" beams. Lay them down and bolt the lower side rails to the beams or railroad tie. Also - recommend that you buy the 12' wide - the sides slope in and you'll need the room to work.

 

[december45]

We are across the US from you, we got one from cosco 10' by 20' $199 We bought one to take to the coast just above San Francisco. The wind can really really blow and we can have some really cold rain. Probably not as bad as in PA in the winter. Ours stands up to the wind and with a propane heater we are comfortable. I was pretty happy with the one we take to the coast so I bought another one to park a tractor, the sun just tore it up this summer, one summer and the sun rotted it to just about nothing left.

 

[ckpitt55]

thanks for the replies. so its looking like i'd be ok structurally if i anchor it down well and keep the snow off of it, with the round top being a bit stronger than the peak top. i understand that this setup isn't ideal but it's certainly one of the most cost effective ways to do what i need to do.

what about heating and ventilation though? i'd assume that if i can keep it at 45-50 degrees when working that would be good enough. perhaps i could put some foam board on the sides of the garage in between the tarp and frame to better insulate it? propane is out because one of the main combustion products is water vapor, as some of you mentioned that is something i dont want building up inside. i have a **** ton of oak firewood, would it be crazy to put a small woodburner in there as long as i have it well spaced/insulated from the sides and vented out the ceiling somehow?

maybe i could install these and modify one to be an exhaust for the burner: http://www.shelterlogic.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=c85d5388-1dcf-4b0b-9788-9ded00f32b24&CategoryName=Shelter%20Accessories

regardless of what i use for a heat source, it will not be running unless i am in there working. so i'm not overly concerned about burning the place down because i'll be monitoring it, though i realize some amount of vigilance will be required to keep things safe. thoughts?

 

[saabman]

BTW, these go on sale every once and a while at Tractor Supply. Best sale I can remember was $300 with front and rear roll up kits.

 

[some zilch]

i had the heavy duty shelter logic "garage in a box". it was the worst thing iever bought. i had to ratchet strap every joint together or the wind would pull it apart even though it was anchored with 12 anchors, plus strapped to the truck inside it. the rooof would sag just enough to catch and hold water, which would then freeze, and become a 400lb block of ice that was stuck to the material. i had to clean it off every time it snowed.

the condensation inside it was unreal. it completely ruined the truck i had inside of it

 

[DFW-LSX]

My father in law has had one for a few years now, he went the extra mile on install and it apparently paid off. The things I can remember he did was to put a screw through each connecting point to hold it together, extra anchors, lined each side with cinder blocks, and then coated the whole thing in some type of UV resistant paint. Its held up fine for 2 years that I can remember.


Sent from somewhere in Tx using Tapatalk

 

[Scoutman]

I put 2 of these up and have really enjoyed having them. I was putting them on dirt so I laid plastic and gravel with pretty good results for the humid south. For anchoring I used T posts pounded in and hose clamped to the poles. It has held up great and the only thing I'd have done differently was to do a better job keeping the ground water from running under. I'm taking them apart and will be looking for them a new home soon cause they won't fit in at the new place.

I did a full writeup with lots of picts

 

[5lima30]

Our local TSC had one set up (2) years ago in their side lot to keep woodburning pellets in. Two back to back wet snows caved it in big time! Just something to consider!

 

[geezer48]

dont waste your money on that junk,i put one up 10-10 after 3 mo. it riped at the top beam.i would not give you 2 $ for every one made!

 

[burleyfarm]

Mines a 20x12x12 round roof and its been through a northern michigan winter. I store my tractor parts and projects in it. I used it this past spring for a paint booth. It gets VERY HOT in the summer despite two vents in the end. late in the winter I used a small electric heater to raise the temp to a reasonable level to do some degreasing and tractor tear downs. It's brown so it absorbes the suns heat really well. The rounded roof handles the snow much better as it slide right off. You should really consider a round roof for snow. I bought mine at Menards. I have not had any problems with wind. Remember, you get what you pay for. These are not garages, just temporary storage.

 

[ckpitt55]

Mines a 20x12x12 round roof and its been through a northern michigan winter. I store my tractor parts and projects in it. I used it this past spring for a paint booth. It gets VERY HOT in the summer despite two vents in the end. late in the winter I used a small electric heater to raise the temp to a reasonable level to do some degreasing and tractor tear downs. It's brown so it absorbes the suns heat really well. The rounded roof handles the snow much better as it slide right off. You should really consider a round roof for snow. I bought mine at Menards. I have not had any problems with wind. Remember, you get what you pay for. These are not garages, just temporary storage.

i'm well aware. if i had other options i wouldn't be considering this.

did you have any problems with moisture buildup? i'm assuming you left the vents in over the winter?

 

[joebiodiesel]

Lots of good info here. I used two 8X20 round roof setups from Shelter Logic. One of them stood for over 10 years before I caught the fabric on my snow plow. It ripped it badly. I replaced it with another one.
Here are my observations.
If the ground they are on is wet, it will be wet inside. Mine were on sand that was above grade. There was condensation in there for the first year, then it dried out nicely.

I lived in a Lake Effect Snow area. My neighbor placed his right along side his house. He wasn't able to keep the snow out from between the shelter and his house. It didn't last the season before the tarp ripped and it collapsed. You can't allow snow to put pressure on them. That said, mine survived many snowfalls over 5 feet, but you've got to get the snow off of them, and away from the edges.

I never tried working in mine. I think they would be too tight for that. I used mine strictly for storage. I kept my old tractors and hit/miss engines in them.

My 2 cents.

Joe

 

[ckpitt55]

I never tried working in mine. I think they would be too tight for that. I used mine strictly for storage. I kept my old tractors and hit/miss engines in them.

Joe

indeed, i believe an 8' would be a bit tight. for that reason i'm looking at 12-13' models. my car is about 6-6.5' wide, leaving me with roughly 3' on each side. i figure i can just offset the car to one side, leaving me with about 5' of working room on whatever side i'm on. then when i'm done with that side i'll just shift it to the other side of the "garage" and repeat. to me the additional convenience of a two-bay width is not worth the additional cost.

several things i've taken from this thread, notes for myself and possibly others as well:

1. moisture control is important. more ventilation is better. install vents to allow for natural airflow in/out and consider vapor barriers on the ground to minimize anything rising upwards.

2. keep snow and heavy loads off of the tarp. consider round top design due to increased snow load/structural rigidity. many mention tearing of tarp where it contacts the top frame tube - consider installing a pad or something to distribute the load over a broader area.

3. anchoring is important. right now for installation in a paved driveway, i'm looking at laying down sand to establish a level surface (not the entire area, only wide enough for railroad ties), laying down railroad ties on top of the sand establishing a "footer" for the garage around its perimeter, then bolting each leg flange to the ties.

4. heating - propane/kerosene are out due to moisture production and release of other biproducts into an otherwise poorly ventilated area. currently considering electric heaters or a small wood burner exhausted through a modified vent. pipe would need insulated from tarp to prevent melting. basically limited to radiative heating. also considering installing foam board around interior sides in between frame and tarp to make it a little easier to heat. might aid natural air flow as well (less heat loss outwards, causes hot air to rise upwards and out of vent, drawing fresh air in behind it)

any additional comments / thoughts are more than welcome, thanks for everyone's input

 

[Big Gus]

Why not just put up one of those metal carports? They're a little more money, but, I would assume, quite a bit more structurally sound.

 

[ckpitt55]

Why not just put up one of those metal carports? They're a little more money, but, I would assume, quite a bit more structurally sound.

considering this if i can find a deal, but the cheapest new one i've seen is in the $900 range, before you put sides on it, insulate it, anchor it, etc.

this can be done with the tent for probably $300-400 less