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Portable (instant) Garages

MarPar

MarPar

If it weighs, it pays
FBBO Gold Member
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In GTXtacy Illinois
I currently have a MoPar under a crappy, leaky car cover...

DSC05291.jpg

So I am looking to add a portable (semi-permanent) garage on the side of my real garage (on grass) and I have just enough room for a 24ft.L x 12ft.W x 8ft.H shelter.

*sigh* yes, it's the suburbs...but I digress...

I think this may fit the bill

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200471161_200471161

I ask ye, Members of FBBO, for your experiences, opines and comments for this (potential) year-round setup.

thank you in advance...:headbang:

-Mar
 
I hope that's not your GTX under that leaking car cover. I saw another thread awhile back about another option an FBBO member used that seemed preferential to the one your looking at. Sorry don't remember the thread title. Looks a little flimsy for the Windy City area. I'd want something more stable. Assuming you have the room why don't you build a car port?
 
Snow and wind cause those flimsy portable garages to do bad things, like collapse, blow around. I live in Maine and have seen many go up and eventually come down. Unfortunately, I would never use one for my car! Now, my wife's car, that's a different story! :headbang:

The steel one seems a little better option depending how it is secured. Good luck!
 
My buddy has this exact one and I helped him set it up. Its fairly secure from blowing away since he has it between his house and fence. The only issue with it, which is a big one, is the roof material will last about 3-4 years before the sun starts to destroy it. This is year 4.5 on it and it leaks and looks like its going to tear this year around the sun beaten areas.

Its works for its purpose but not a long term solution.
 
Xp29h said:
Snow and wind cause those flimsy portable garages to do bad things, like collapse, blow around.
Click to expand...

Used to keep my Sport Ram in one. Had it anchored into the ground with steel cables and bolted to timbers the full length.
I kept raking the snow off to keep it from sagging or tearing. Then after one windy night, I woke to find a crumpled mess half over the fence with one of the timbers lodged firmly into the corner of my hood! I was not happy as I just had it painted. I haven't bought one since.
 
GetX'd said:
I hope that's not your GTX under that leaking car cover. I saw another thread awhile back about another option an FBBO member used that seemed preferential to the one your looking at. Sorry don't remember the thread title. Looks a little flimsy for the Windy City area. I'd want something more stable. Assuming you have the room why don't you build a car port?
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Good Lord no!! lol she lives in her house along with the Dart. it's the Newport under the cover.

Cornpatch MO said:
I sell 12X20 all steel carport for $695 plus state tax ---installed on your level ground.....................MO
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Corn, how does it get mounted to the ground? This will be next to my garage on the grass.

Like Xp and Glenwood have mentioned, this thing standing up to wind, rain and snow is my biggest concern.

Also, what do y'all think of spraying Pam (or something similar-fluid film maybe?) to the roof so it sheds the rain and snow better?

thanks!
 
MarPar said:
Also, what do y'all think of spraying Pam (or something similar-fluid film maybe?) to the roof so it sheds the rain and snow better?

thanks!
Click to expand...

It sheds water fine until the UV from the sun and wear & tear from the plastic rubbing on the frame wear it out.
I wouldn't use cooking spray unless you're planning on frying some eggs up there lol
They make a spray for boat cruiser tops for UV and water repellent, but these are cloth tops. Not sure if they'd be effective on plastic.
 
My friend used a similar canopy for his projects. He used nylon covered steel cable and cable nuts to tie the bottom together across floor area. He laid plywood over the cable to cut down moisture and the weight of car holds it and cables/tent down. He then puts a large tarp over top which changes when the tarp gets sun damaged. Looks ugly but is fairly effective.
 
A friend did a total resto on a 64 Cutlass in one of those things. It took 2 of them, 2-3 years life span. He eventually put steel siding on the frame. We call it the Armadillo.
 
If I would have had one of those on my place last Sunday it would probably be somewhere in Canada now. We had a storm blow through here with 60+mph winds that blew part of my neighbors roof off and did a lot of damage in the area. I didn't have much damage on my place (a couple of small trees down) but I'm pretty sure that one of those shelters would be gone. Just something to think about.
 
Temporary tent/garages like the one from Northern Tool may not be approved if you are in a residential area with any kind of zoning laws.
 
I had one over my 69 Sport Satellite convert years ago, tied to the ground and used cinder blocks. A crazy stormy New England night broke the welds on the frame and it dented up my fender and hood AND the wind blew a cinder block up against my 69 Dart front steelie and scraped up the paint. I was out there in the middle of the night trying to tie it down until morning. I felt like Captain Ahab going after Moby Dick. I will never buy another one.
 
Yikes!! after hearing all these horror stories, I think I may go in a different direction...
 
The steel carport attaches to the dirt with washers welded to a piece of rebar on concrete i would imagine you would use anchors . My friend sold them the model he had on his car lot survived a tornado and a hurricane if u are allowed to put one up thats what i would do .
 
There are different ways of anchoring to the ground. They come with 8 rebars that have a washer or nut welded to the top Those go thru the bottom steel rail and into the ground about 3 ft. If that is not enough , you can get earth anchors and attach them to the car-port. On concrete they install expanding bolts thru the bottom rail and into the concrete. Later on, if you want it, you can enclose the sides and end with regular metal sideing. .................................MO
 
Cornpatch MO said:
There are different ways of anchoring to the ground. They come with 8 rebars that have a washer or nut welded to the top Those go thru the bottom steel rail and into the ground about 3 ft. If that is not enough , you can get earth anchors and attach them to the car-port. On concrete they install expanding bolts thru the bottom rail and into the concrete. Later on, if you want it, you can enclose the sides and end with regular metal sideing. .................................MO
Click to expand...

thanks MO. so then it's a pretty standard anchoring system.

how does it do in high winds though? im assuming since its metal (and I would get the sides from the outset), it would be pretty heavy, no? might could do better than a fabric garage I would think.
 
I've had both types that were mentioned above.

If you have the choice, don't use the fabric one unless you're trying to go as low buck as possible. Try to get the steel (or whatever material they use, aluminum) instead. It's more secure overall and you won't have to worry about bad/hot weather wearing it out. The fabric one was easy to put up, but heavy snow and ice crushed the frame on it and almost damaged my car. The metal one would have lasted a long time, but I finally got a real garage instead and I was able to disassemble and sell that one as I didn't have room for it at my new home.

Whatever choice you go with, make sure it has all sides. Sometimes they only come with the "roof" portion.

Good luck with your choice.

The size of either one is plenty of room to work under as well, so that shouldn't be a concern.
 
there ya go IF anchored where it doesn't blow away! but, zoning in the "burbs???"

you build it if zoning allows. 2 1/2 squares steel for roof. $50 to 80 per square. treated 4 x 4's 2 x 6's , 2 x 4's, some ring nails and roof screws, total what? $400 maybe ???? way less here in Mo. not inc. sides!!! good luck!
 
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