Car storage products for outdoor use?
Discussion
Hi all,
I would like to buy a small sports car, possibly a Caterham 7 or a TR6.
Ideally I would store such a Sunday driver in a garage. However, the house I am buying does not have a garage and probably does not have space for one.
Has anyone seen any car storage products that are better than a simple car cover and less likely to lead to the car getting damp/cold/rusty? I am thinking along the lines of heated covers or small pods, perhaps, but any product would have to withstand being outdoors, preferably have some degree of security, and preferably not be too much of an eyesore for neighbours.
If there's nothing particularly suitable out there, then I will look into storing the car off site. However, I would prefer not to do that as it would be inconvenient and ultimately quite expensive.
Thanks for your help!
Rick
I would like to buy a small sports car, possibly a Caterham 7 or a TR6.
Ideally I would store such a Sunday driver in a garage. However, the house I am buying does not have a garage and probably does not have space for one.
Has anyone seen any car storage products that are better than a simple car cover and less likely to lead to the car getting damp/cold/rusty? I am thinking along the lines of heated covers or small pods, perhaps, but any product would have to withstand being outdoors, preferably have some degree of security, and preferably not be too much of an eyesore for neighbours.
If there's nothing particularly suitable out there, then I will look into storing the car off site. However, I would prefer not to do that as it would be inconvenient and ultimately quite expensive.
Thanks for your help!
Rick
belleair302 said:
IS it not simpler and safer to store the car elsewhere, ie with a friend, family or even at a circuit locally?
Having lost all control of my compulsion to buy cars I have resorted to renting various lock up garages because despite three homes there is insufficient space for my cars. In Sutton Coldfield such secure (ish) brick built garages with triple locks on the doors and Chubb padlocks cost me £200pa which is pretty cheap IMO. No portable building can ever offer security IMO although they may be wind and weather resistant. Money well spent I think and your sevenesque car should fit in with room to spare. belleair302 said:
IS it not simpler and safer to store the car elsewhere, ie with a friend, family or even at a circuit locally?
As mentioned in my original post, I would prefer not to have storage off-site. It might be safer, but it's far from simpler. I wouldn't want to have to travel to go and get the car. If the car was stored remotely, I fear it wouldn't get driven as often as it would if it was sitting on the driveway.peterg1955 said:
Peter, thanks for this link. It doesn't look the most attractive product, but I will certainly consider it. It is the sort of thing I pictured in my mind. Do you know of any other products that maybe you could drive into and out of, without having to assemble/disassemble?
throne444 said:
belleair302 said:
IS it not simpler and safer to store the car elsewhere, ie with a friend, family or even at a circuit locally?
As mentioned in my original post, I would prefer not to have storage off-site. It might be safer, but it's far from simpler. I wouldn't want to have to travel to go and get the car. If the car was stored remotely, I fear it wouldn't get driven as often as it would if it was sitting on the driveway.peterg1955 said:
Peter, thanks for this link. It doesn't look the most attractive product, but I will certainly consider it. It is the sort of thing I pictured in my mind. Do you know of any other products that maybe you could drive into and out of, without having to assemble/disassemble?
If you store some cars for 1+ weeks, they will need a battery conditioner permanently plugged in to stop the battery going flat. Outdoor storage will make this option difficult or impossible. A solar charger may get nicked. Outdoor car covers or cocoons can flap and move with the wind and scratch the paintwork. As mentioned above, hire a local garage (ring your council and ask for one), or store it with a professional storage company.
lamboman100 said:
If you store some cars for 1+ weeks, they will need a battery conditioner permanently plugged in to stop the battery going flat. Outdoor storage will make this option difficult or impossible. A solar charger may get nicked. Outdoor car covers or cocoons can flap and move with the wind and scratch the paintwork. As mentioned above, hire a local garage (ring your council and ask for one), or store it with a professional storage company.
I have successfully used solar chargers inside cars on the dash charging via the dash socket. Requires a car where the socket remains live and a low consumption alarm but it does work. Tinted glass will reduce the output but on several rarely used cars mainly classic and specials it has worked and keeps the battery up for me. I must agree with the suggestion that a secure garage is the best option but battery charging unless on mains is then a problem. I use many of my cars in the summer esp the lightweight V8 specials and being able to drop in and shoot off is definitely a good game. Best of luck to the OP.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff