Less than ideal classic car storage
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Hippea

Original Poster:

3,830 posts

98 months

Yesterday (21:44)
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I currently find myself in a scenario in which I have less than ideal storage for a classic car, a 1969 Volvo Amazon in good unrestored condition. My neighbour is a friendly farmer who is happy for me to store it in an open barn (which it’s been in all summer) or a standard shipping container. Now we are entering colder times how mad is it storing it in an open barn? It’s water tight but open to the elements from the front and obviously not insulated. Or should I stick it in a shipping container?

Barn is similar to below but empty



bobtail4x4

4,397 posts

138 months

Yesterday (21:49)
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the open barn is the best solution for storage, plenty of air movement,

until the rats find it,

a container will sweat intermally,

Penny Whistle

7,555 posts

199 months

Yesterday (21:51)
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I've heard too many tales of serious condensation in containers to consider that option. I guess if you have power there then a dehumidifier might mitigate. I'd prefer a breathable well-fitting car cover in the open barn. With several mousetraps scattered around. And take the car out for a drive as frequently as possible.

Olivera

8,744 posts

268 months

Yesterday (21:56)
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Storing a car in a metal shipping container in the UK is about the worst idea possible. Go for the barn.

aeropilot

40,540 posts

256 months

Yesterday (22:18)
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bobtail4x4 said:
the open barn is the best solution for storage, plenty of air movement,

until the rats find it,
Rats will be the big issue in the barn.

CABC

6,294 posts

130 months

Yesterday (22:22)
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Carcoon with 12v deep discharge battery will last a week. even if it deflates it's still sealed.
rats and mice love a stationary car.

Hippea

Original Poster:

3,830 posts

98 months

Yesterday (22:24)
quotequote all
aeropilot said:
bobtail4x4 said:
the open barn is the best solution for storage, plenty of air movement,

until the rats find it,
Rats will be the big issue in the barn.
Even if it’s cleaned and checked on regularly? The barn is 5 minutes from me

niva441

2,151 posts

260 months

I had my car in a council lock up with a metal roof. The car was always covered in the condensation dripping off the roof in cooler weather.

Hippea

Original Poster:

3,830 posts

98 months

niva441 said:
I had my car in a council lock up with a metal roof. The car was always covered in the condensation dripping off the roof in cooler weather.
A friend has a similar problem, the council replaced the asbestos roof with a metal one and now it s really bad for condensation. Never had a problem before.

This is the problem with the open barn, although it s great for air circulation the car is covered in dew overnight. I’m not sure how detrimental this is

Penny Whistle

7,555 posts

199 months

I think your best option is, as suggested above, to invest in a carcoon and a couple of big leisure batteries, one in use and one on charge at home.

OutInTheShed

14,389 posts

55 months

A friend of mine had a lot of his stuff in a container all last winter. He's over the border in Cornwall.
Last winter was very, very wet down here, but all his stuff was fine due to:
1) Nothing goes in the container unless it's properly dry.
2) The container has a good floor and is raised on concrete supports, so no rising damp.
3) About £25 worth of 'chemical moisture remover' things

Barns, around here, often have damp floors. And open buildings in certain weather conditions you get as much dew as you do outside, both on your car and on the underside of the un-insulated roof. Your local climate may vary!

Personally, I think it's important to check things frequently.

-Cappo-

20,842 posts

232 months

Every time someone asks about storing a car in a shipper, the same replies about condensation are given.

Have any of you (except the poster above) actually stored a car in a shipper? I have, more than once. They re ventilated, and there s never a drop of moisture in there, winter or summer.

I know someone with an 5 acre garden and all his ride-ons, a quad, chainsaws, etc etc are stored in a container. They don t get wet.

I know of companies who offer long-term domestic storage. Those goods are all kept in shippers. A mate s company uses cardboard packaging extensively. All the new cardboard is stored in several 40 footers. Wouldn t be much use if it came out damp.

@OP, the shipper is by far your best option. The condensation thing is a myth.