Can anyone recommend a good, solid winter car shelter?

[DerekT]

Hi folks. I'm a new Camaro owner and also new to these forums. As such, I have a completely new set of things to worry about as well!

My original plan was to sell my old car to help pay off the new Camaro and buying a set of winter tires and rims, but after having her for a few weeks, I've decided that I can't bear the thought of what winter driving would do to her. So now, I'm faced with the dilemma of how to store her for the winter. I've read up a fair bit on how to properly winterize her but I'm lost on what I should do for actual storage. I don't have a garage and local storage rental facilities are @ $200/4wks + tax.

I've poked around a little on the forums and read what some others have had to say. Some suggest just buying a good car cover (like the Noah) and leaving her outside. Others have pointed out that dirt and grit can get up under the cover and the cover can move around in the wind, so leave her uncovered. Others have used portable car ports/shelters but I've been getting mixed messages on their durability.

Given my limited options, here's what I'd like to do.... First, I plan to buy a cover. Next, I was going to get my driveway extended and buy a "good" portable shelter. This would get her off the grass (moisture) and the new driveway would provide a solid anchor for the shelter. This way, the cover would protect the Camaro and the shelter would stop the cover from moving around in the wind and also block the dust and dirt.

My quandary right now is which brand of shelter to buy. While snow buildup is a bit of a concern, I can be diligent about knocking the snow off the roof before it builds up too much. I'm more concerned about finding one that will stay up in the occasional high winds that we have around here. With the new driveway, I can make sure that it's well anchored down but I'm somewhat worried about the wind twisting it or blowing it down.

Can anyone recommend a particularly solid model/brand with a strong gauge and cross-bracing? If brand names are a no-no on the forums, you can send me a private message. I'd also welcome any other suggestions or advice you might have.

Help me out, guys? Winter will be here in no time....

[montreal2010yellow]

Where in Canada do you live?

[h2oplay]

If I HAD to leave my car outside all winter, I would wax it up and leave it uncovered, the cover WILL cause damage if left on for months at a time outdoors, there's no way around it. Just the wind alone will move the cover around on your paint, imagine what it will do when dirt gets introduced up under there, and it will. I would pay the money for indoor storage and sleep much better all winter.

[Wantconvertible]

Originally Posted by DerekT

Hi folks. I'm a new Camaro owner and also new to these forums. As such, I have a completely new set of things to worry about as well!

My original plan was to sell my old car to help pay off the new Camaro and buying a set of winter tires and rims, but after having her for a few weeks, I've decided that I can't bear the thought of what winter driving would do to her. So now, I'm faced with the dilemma of how to store her for the winter. I've read up a fair bit on how to properly winterize her but I'm lost on what I should do for actual storage. I don't have a garage and local storage rental facilities are @ $200/4wks + tax.

I've poked around a little on the forums and read what some others have had to say. Some suggest just buying a good car cover (like the Noah) and leaving her outside. Others have pointed out that dirt and grit can get up under the cover and the cover can move around in the wind, so leave her uncovered. Others have used portable car ports/shelters but I've been getting mixed messages on their durability.

Given my limited options, here's what I'd like to do.... First, I plan to buy a cover. Next, I was going to get my driveway extended and buy a "good" portable shelter. This would get her off the grass (moisture) and the new driveway would provide a solid anchor for the shelter. This way, the cover would protect the Camaro and the shelter would stop the cover from moving around in the wind and also block the dust and dirt.

My quandary right now is which brand of shelter to buy. While snow buildup is a bit of a concern, I can be diligent about knocking the snow off the roof before it builds up too much. I'm more concerned about finding one that will stay up in the occasional high winds that we have around here. With the new driveway, I can make sure that it's well anchored down but I'm somewhat worried about the wind twisting it or blowing it down.

Can anyone recommend a particularly solid model/brand with a strong gauge and cross-bracing? If brand names are a no-no on the forums, you can send me a private message. I'd also welcome any other suggestions or advice you might have.

Help me out, guys? Winter will be here in no time....

You can keep it at my house it a be like both of ours .but were keep it at my house

[Wantconvertible]

Originally Posted by h2oplay

If I HAD to leave my car outside all winter, I would wax it up and leave it uncovered, the cover WILL cause damage if left on for months at a time outdoors, there's no way around it. Just the wind alone will move the cover around on your paint, imagine what it will do when dirt gets introduced up under there, and it will. I would pay the money for indoor storage and sleep much better all winter.

Agree 100%

[vcamarorosinski]

ARIZONIA.

[united1]

Try "shelter logic" I've got the one for truck's and SUVs and it seems much more rugged than the smaller ones. It's got the cross bracing for extra support. I poured a concrete pad for it and anchored the legs to the concrete , it seems to hold up very well. We just got hit with hurricane Irene and it held up no problem.

[DerekT]

Originally Posted by montreal2010yellow

Where in Canada do you live?

Hi. Sorry for taking so long to respond...I assumed that I'd receive an email anytime I got a forum reply. My bad.

I live way out east in Newfoundland. Waaayyy out east....

[DerekT]

Thanks for the replies guys - I really appreciate it!

@ h2oplay: I really wish I could afford indoor storage but that would be almost $1000 for the winter. I considered leaving it out uncovered and I was hoping for a little consensus. Otherwise, I'd have to start making arrangements soon.

@ Wantconvertible: LOL - nice try...!

@ vcamarorosinski: I haven't heard of that brand. Where are they available from?

@ united1: "Shelter Logic" are available at Canadian Tire. I considered them but the reviews on the CT website were a bit poor. Of course, that might just be because of the particular models they have. Which one do you use?

The one that I've been seriously considering is made by "Harnois Shelters", in particular the XR12. But I suspect that the larger consideration is going to be the anchor system that I put in place. Right now, all I have is grass sod over land fill. Wondered about pouring concrete anchors, putting down ground anchors, etc. etc. It can be a bit overwhelming and I'm no engineer.

[SRFnSNO]

I had this one for 2 years. then in last years snow storm we got hit with 28" and it collapsed on my 2010. If only I had knocked the 1st layer of snow off before work.

http://www.bjs.com/shelterlogic-20-x....product.24616

[united1]

Originally Posted by DerekT

Thanks for the replies guys - I really appreciate it!

@ h2oplay: I really wish I could afford indoor storage but that would be almost $1000 for the winter. I considered leaving it out uncovered and I was hoping for a little consensus. Otherwise, I'd have to start making arrangements soon.

@ Wantconvertible: LOL - nice try...!

@ vcamarorosinski: I haven't heard of that brand. Where are they available from?

@ united1: "Shelter Logic" are available at Canadian Tire. I considered them but the reviews on the CT website were a bit poor. Of course, that might just be because of the particular models they have. Which one do you use?

The one that I've been seriously considering is made by "Harnois Shelters", in particular the XR12. But I suspect that the larger consideration is going to be the anchor system that I put in place. Right now, all I have is grass sod over land fill. Wondered about pouring concrete anchors, putting down ground anchors, etc. etc. It can be a bit overwhelming and I'm no engineer.

Shelter logic S.U.V./truck shelter 13'x20'x12' it has the extra cross bracing and I have it anchored into the concrete. I would still feel more comfortable raking the snow off when it got too extreme. But it seems to be strong .

[DerekT]

Originally Posted by SRFnSNO

I had this one for 2 years. then in last years snow storm we got hit with 28" and it collapsed on my 2010. If only I had knocked the 1st layer of snow off before work.

http://www.bjs.com/shelterlogic-20-x....product.24616

Oh, man...I think something inside me just died....

Heartbreaking - I can't imagine how you must have felt.