Clarke garage /workshop

[yellow elan]

Has anybody got one of The Clarke garage/workshops, sort of tent for your car. They look ok in the video. Would like some feedback before I buy . Does your car sweat in them in summer?
Thanks
Alun

[bobtail4x4]

yes but I have not put it up yet,
I know a few people with them, seem ok.

[tapkaJohnD]

I'd ask a similar Q about a Coleman "Event Shelter".
Canvas side walls can be fitted, for complete coverage, while good air circulation, less damp.

I'd like to get one to use in the paddock at race meetings, instead of an 'easyup'.

Opinions? Experince? Thanks!
John

[356D]

Yes, I bought one as a temporary measure whilst I was designing and building a garage extension.

It was put up on a concrete slab that was made for the garage extension and I bolted it down using concrete anchors. Being in a windy part of Scotland it stood up well although was snug up alongside a traditional building.

Its strong and easy to assemble and parts are available from Clarke in the event of damage.

It's built such that the front and rear panels are left off the ground and so air flows underneath and through the structure. As such, the front and rear panels move about quite a lot and could marr the paintwork if parked too close. I ended up stapling a large sleeper at one end to prevent this from happening and stop wind blown water / leaves etc accumulating. Condensation is a problem with warm days, cool nights and I hung a tarpaulin from the roof to make it double skinned and catch any drips.

I already had a cair-o-port from a previous barn related temporary garage situation and so put this up inside to provide better protection and ran a dehumidifier inside this over winter.

Overall, I would use one again in a similar situation / for temporary cover as it was much better than leaving a car outside or under a fitted cover but it is absolutely no substitute for a proper garage or even a car port with enclosed sides.

[Krikkit]

tapkaJohnD said:

I'd ask a similar Q about a Coleman "Event Shelter".
Canvas side walls can be fitted, for complete coverage, while good air circulation, less damp.

I'd like to get one to use in the paddock at race meetings, instead of an 'easyup'.

Opinions? Experince? Thanks!
John

I've been using a 4m one for a few years, fantastic bit of kit. Everything is decently heavy duty, and lasting very well indeed.

The only thing I would say is that you might want two pairs of hands to put it up, not really a one-person job (although it can be done)

[Robkent]

Just a Warning to any one that's looking at the Clarke Garage / Workshop.

I purchase one of theses back in June 2023 a 6m x 3m size. Really nice size can work on my car, and its protected from weather, and still store other bit it there.
Well its just after xmas. and been really peed with it. Back in the summer just had cotton sheet over my classic car to perfect.... Winter every thing goes mouldy/ Rotten with the moisture formation. You really need to go into the garage with umbrella as its dripping/running with moisture. I cant see anyway to prevent this.

Now have had to cover everything in there and buy a Car cover.

Its not fit for purpose. so been Warned.

[Demelitia]

You must really be annoyed at it if you’ve taken the trouble to come back in time and whinge about it.

[donkmeister]

Robkent said:

Just a Warning to any one that's looking at the Clarke Garage / Workshop.

I purchase one of theses back in June 2023 a 6m x 3m size. Really nice size can work on my car, and its protected from weather, and still store other bit it there.
Well its just after xmas. and been really peed with it. Back in the summer just had cotton sheet over my classic car to perfect.... Winter every thing goes mouldy/ Rotten with the moisture formation. You really need to go into the garage with umbrella as its dripping/running with moisture. I cant see anyway to prevent this.

Now have had to cover everything in there and buy a Car cover.

Its not fit for purpose. so been Warned.

Condensation has been a problem in general for the last few weeks due to the unusually cold followed by unusually clement weather - worth getting some airflow through the garage tent and seeing if that dries it up.
Also worth seeing if the manufacturer has any advice on minimising condensation.

[Pistom]

Has anyone used one for longer term storage? I've got a concrete pad that's a good hard standing out of the way and these seem effective cheap covers.

I'm thinking of parking a car kin one which only sees occasional use.

[chrisr29]

Yes. Same as you had a concrete pad and stick one on there. Lasted four years before the covering ripped and shredded in the wind. They’re ok but condensation is a big issue. Ok if you want to work on a car in the rain but I wouldn’t use it for long term storage.

[Pistom]

chrisr29 said:

Yes. Same as you had a concrete pad and stick one on there. Lasted four years before the covering ripped and shredded in the wind. They re ok but condensation is a big issue. Ok if you want to work on a car in the rain but I wouldn t use it for long term storage.

Thank you - I'll pretend not to have read that now and try to store a car in there for a couple of years.

Seriously though, I wonder if keeping ventilation flowing would help - but then I'm going to be getting cats coming in.

I've read that putting foam insulation on the metal poles helps prevent condensation on the metal.

[chrisr29]

The cats will get in regardless. Ours loved it in there due to it being nice and warm when the sun was out. Often found him fast asleep in there on top of something he shouldn’t be on!