Outdoor Winter Storage

[Arn]

I'd like to keep my car at home for the winter but I don't have a garage. Any recommendations for a good cover for a Canadian winter? Im also wondering about an antenna patch. I don't like the idea of a way for snow & ice to get under the cover through the hole so I'm thinking of removing the antenna mast & placing a microfiber cloth over the base to protect the cover. Any other suggestions?

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[Tucker80]

If you're storing outdoor you're better off leaving it uncovered. The covers no matter how nice will let small particles in between the cover and the paint. Add in a little wind and the surface will be getting tons of micro scratches.

 

[Cplennon17]

If you're storing outdoor you're better off leaving it uncovered. The covers no matter how nice will let small particles in between the cover and the paint. Add in a little wind and the surface will be getting tons of micro scratches.

I can attest to this. Left my car out over vacation with a sealskin cover on it due to a storm coming. All the moving it did during the wind left little scratches all over.

I purchased a 12x20 car port from Harbor Freight (https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ft-x-20-ft-trucksuv-portable-garage-58741.html) and will see how it goes!

 

[robvas]

Storage unit....

 

[Skye]

Most lean towards not installing an outdoor cover, primarily for the reasons already given.

An additional concern I'd have with one: it creates a welcoming environment for varmints.

I'd do a really good detailing inside and out, follow many of the tips in the following threads and clear the snow off and from around the car as you remove it from the drive and walks.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mus...HcrYMgAQrQIoAnoECBwQAw&biw=1466&bih=743&dpr=2

Edit,

And the trees. Being in Canada, you're probably already on it, but I'd take a look up at the trees now, see if any branches need to be trimmed back or removed. It's a good time of the year to do it.

 

[sk47]

Hello; I have not used one but a thing called CAR CAPSUEL looks to be the answer. You driv e the car in. Close it up. Has a small fan of some sort which blows air into it and keeps it inflated. They make an outdoor use version.
Keeps rodents at bay and stops mold as well by the ads.

 

[sk47]

Outdoor Car Capsule | Outdoor Car Storage & Car Cover

Hello; I forgot about advertised hail protection. I imagine there are other brands.

 

[Arn]

That looks like a great solution. The price isn't too bad either. I never knew any such thing existed.

 

[J17GT]

Storage unit....

This is the answer.

 

[Swtbabybilly]

Im actually dealing with this same issue myself and have been dreading it myself for about a month. Before you get a car capsule look into more yourself I found people saying they ain't that great and worst thing I saw was many complaining about mold all over the capsule and on the car. Again I suggest you do your own research and make your own decisions but figured id share with you what I saw. Best of luck

 

[sk47]

Before you get a car capsule look into more yourself I found people saying they ain't that great and worst thing I saw was many complaining about mold all over the capsule and on the car.

Hello; This is good advice. I suggested the product but cannot give any personal experience as i have not used the product. The mold question was raised in a different thread so i went to the product website. They claim the constant flow of air prevents mold. I do not dispute this claim but it has been damp and rainy here since Monday morning so do wonder.
Good luck

 

[Mach VII]

Another worry of using a cover outside in winter is the real likely hood of it freezing to the car. Makes it real tough to get to it without damage to cover or car.

 

[Skye]

I was interested in the Car Capsule cost to operate, then considered some other attributes.

From a few posts and the company site, then rounding up, two, 400 CFM fans draw about 20W, or .167A of power. Your provider will give you kWh costs, but let's say a few bucks a month.

But I'd pass on something like this, for the following reasons:

- If outside, the unit needs to be tied down. In my area, Winter storm winds of 40-50+ mph / 65-80+ kmh are not unusual

- Snow accumulation. Waking up with several inches to "a lot" is common. On a unit such as this, snow will have to be cleared from the roof. Fastening a rope and making a few laps now and again will help with that. But how much weight before it comes down? Strain on the fans? IDK.

- Space. The cubes are pretty large. It's one big block. See tie down requirement above; these will need space, and a location, to be secured

- The fan assemblies will eventually burn out. I'd like to think this company continues to produce the same fan (same size and power requirement) as they did years ago, the same hookups for a direct swap. If not, what then?

- The assemblies have filters which will need to be replaced

- At the end of the season, it needs to be stowed somewhere

- Covering and uncovering the car will have the same effect of using an outdoor cover (see potential for scratching)

- The system does prevent condensation. It does not control humidity. If you're in a humid environment, that might be a concern. It's something I'd need to read up on. Greenhouse effect when the Sun comes out? I'd need to read up on that to

- Security. If visible from the street, someone is gonna slash it, either as a prank or when they're drunk and think alien autopsies are being carried out inside

Faced with the same circumstances as the OP, the best overall solution for me would be a storage unit. We have several in town. Most are "regular" for all types of storage. Some are dedicated to vehicles.

Short-term, maybe a storage location this season. Long-term, installation of a concrete pad or drive extension, something allowing the vehicle to be parked a bit or completely away from street side. Like a driveway that leads to a patio. Summer season, it's a patio. Winter, it's a pad for the car. I realize a drive or pad might not be possible, for all kinds of reasons.

YMMV.

Edit,

- The fans and vents will need to be kept clear during a storm. Most of us, we understand how the snow falls and drifts at our residences. Placement needs to be considered

- The unit itself will need to be cleaned. Wiped down where driven on, etc.

 

[sk47]

Greenhouse effect when the Sun comes out? I'd need to read up on that to

Hello; I went to the website yesterday to find a link to the outdoor type of capsule. The ones pictured had opaque skins. I suspect the dark skins will absorb some heat as any dark surface but may stop the greenhouse effect. Thing is this is merely a guess. I do not actually know.

The OP has an unfortunate situation. I checked the location. Ontario which I figure is in Canada. I watch Highway Thru Hell TV shows. I get the likelihood of bad winter conditions. Fair chance of snow and ice conditions which make driving the car near impossible. Even when you could drive there will be the salt. So, parking needs to happen.
Parking outside with or without a cover can let rodents find a home, and they will.

Several potential downsides to the CAR CAPSULE notion which need to be thought about. My brother has been parking his pontoon boat in my yard the last few winters. He props up a cover. He has to come over to clear rain or snow. My guess is the CAPSULE will shed rain, but I do not know about snow.

I did not check when on the site but maybe they have a number to call so these questions can be asked.

The OP is faced with deciding on a least punishing option. Park outside with just a typical but nice cover might allow for scratches, mold and rodents.
Even in a storage place rodents might get in. A friend parks his cars in a basement garage and still gets mice.

 

[Arn]

Well, at the end of the day I decided to put Traci Lords into storage. $140/month for a spot in a heated warehouse & it goes month to month. Thanks all.

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