Temporary Storage Dilemma

I need to store a Mopar and don't have space right now. We are going to build a detached garage this summer but need storage now.

Storage Unit at local Companies go for about $200.00 per month.

Anyone use a fully enclosed outdoor canopy for storage with good results? They sell for about $400-$600 on line. Some of these look pretty nice and well made.

I live in Tennessee so we don't have extreme winters.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Look for an old enclosed car hauler. You might find one for less then a couple thousand. Good for storage and the wind won't blow it away. When you're done you can haul your car in it, use it for storage, or sell it and get most of your money back. Plus it's easy to move around and you can lock it.

Or, do as I did, a Conex for $1,800

Personally, I can "WRAP" and "COVER' a car pretty damn well...If I had to!
Some offer a Air Tight Bubble

Harbor Freight has a temp portable garage for $200 (just got a catalog today).
I like the enclosed car hauler idea best.

I have a tent garage I use for a paint booth. I used it for storage one year. I recommend setting it up for from your bedroom window, on a windy night it's noisy as hell.

If your going to build a garage and it's almost the end of January I would think storage in your area would be required for about 3 months max. That's not a lot of money to layout if the storage area is secure, fairly dry and near at hand especially if it's $200/month. I actually stored a vehicle for three winters inside a framed crate I made with a 1/2 contractor grade plywood and econ grade studs. The bottom was merely a plastic tarp layed on the ground with the box framed over the car like a big shipping container. The sides and top framed panels were modular and held together by deck screws. It could easily be assembled and disassembled in minutes by two people. The plywood absorbed any moisture on the inside and kept the weather out as there was another cheap plastic tarp applied over the top and stapled on the sides.Total cost was $250 and considering I used it three winters in a row it was a good investment. I still assemble it in a smaller form as a temporary spray booth for paint and powder coating. Once inside the car was raised off the ground slightly with crosscut logs from a tree my neighbor took down. They were fitted under the car at it's jacking points. There was never any condensation inside, no vermants and no rust formed after storage.When all is said and done, and if the panels deteriorate to the point where they can't be used, I'll repurpose the wood or burn it for fuel. Depending on where you live, your neighbors and local laws you may consider paid storage as opposed to any kind of structure you may put up, retail or not. I know a guy who bought a storage bag for his car but after two weeks he had to remove it because of condensation on the interior walls. He missed the instructions that said to suck the air out of the bag using the inlet port of a leaf blower which probably would have prevented this. I'm sure these bags work well and some even come with a dessicant that you place inside before sealing.

Hey Yatz, any pics of said wooden container??

I would let it "rough it" outside for a little while....

If the commercial storage rental unit is well maintained and secure I'd pay the money if its just for a few months. I just got through doing this at a CubeSmart facility, highly recommend.

You poor Bastards. No weather where I live.

Bulls*(t Dennis,you have weather,,,,,,,,,it's always GOOD!

Dennis H said:

You poor Bastards. No weather where I live.

Click to expand...

No, You've been pretty wet like I and a few other of us Left Coasters out here.

i live in newengland bad snow crushes barnes like crazy .ive used those 400. dollar 24 foot shelters . get round top if you live in snow belt .snow slides rite off . i get 4-5 years out of them , i put down 6 inches of crushed stone , it stays pretty dry in there !! and lots of space for storage !!! 18 years later !! shelter logic sells the wholesale clubs a cheaper version . smaller diameter tube and wall thick ness !!

I went with a nice used 28' enclosed car trailer I found for a really good price $6,000 (has a ton of options). Been a pretty good investment, except for tire replacement costs.

I live in the country and I rent a 10X20 storage unit from a little old lady for $50/month. I've stored my 71 Charger, 69 F100 and 71 Satellite in there at various times.

Good luck!

What I ended up doing was getting a new shed 12x28' to replace our existing one. Re-enforced floors and garage door opening on one side. I will use this as storage until we make some decisions on attached garage.

Needed new shed anyway so this made the most sense to me. No I have to figure out a ramp. Have about a 12 inch ledge to deal with.

Storage units here are not so expensive but I rented one in a brand new facility for only 75 bucks a month! It was a 14x25 and well tall enough to put in a loft. That was 10 years ago and rent went up to 125.00 but that's still cheap. Over the years I've been getting rid of stuff and wanted to move out but still had enough stuff to over fill my shop plus had a car there too. About that time an enclosed trailer came up for sale from a friend of mine and the price was right so it's now my storage building for the car and the odds and ends. After a couple of years or so, the trailer has been paid for with the storage building price. Just can't believe how much stuff I had in that building!