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HankScorpio
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Joined: August 30, 2010
Posts: 274
Location: Connecticut
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 Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:20 am Post subject: Garage Tent (review) |
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I thought I'd share my experience with my car tent if anyone has been considering getting one.
2 winters ago I bought a garage tent to store my beetle in.
http://www.harborfreight.com/content/videos/portable-garage-video.html
Some holes have torn open and the little bungie hold-downs hare all shot.
Not so thrilled.
Admittedly the frame has held up nicely through some heavy snows. (including the one that took out 98% of the power in CT this past October.)
A) Now I can either replace the cover, with another cover or a tarp.
B) Buy the bigger beefier constructed tent at costco for $200
C) Build a proper shed garage for ~$3000 ish...
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Semper_Dad
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Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 2607
Location: HELL Paso, TX
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:51 am Post subject: |
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I've had the Costco garage for quite a while. Windstorm took the entire rig halfway up a maple tree several years ago. Cover has been replaced by a blue tarp for some time now. Keeps 80% of the weather off. Ideally it would be nice to have a more permanent structure with a concrete floor. I HATE crawling on gravel. Proper garage would be in the nieghborhood of $30,000.
May want to think about building a carport designed so that you could later enclose as time and money becomes available.
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Mike Fisher
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Joined: January 30, 2006
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Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:12 am Post subject: |
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My neighbor just finished cladding his frame with steel siding & building custom doors! He has his '50 Mercury in it with an electric heater Running. 
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Typ3nut
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Joined: October 08, 2002
Posts: 395
Location: MI, MotorCity ManCave
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:24 pm Post subject: Portable Garage Tent |
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If your looking for cheap storage a garage tent is the way to go but don't by a cheap quality piece of crap brand, buy something that you can get a replacement cover for and a company that has been around.
I have had a Garage Tent for almost 10 years now with the original cover that is made by Shelter Logic and it has served it's purpose well. It's been through harsh winter snow storms, high winds and most all other inclement weather conditions. You can purchase a better grade cover depending upon your usage. I also put a wood flooring with moisture barrier and anchoring kit. Much cheaper than a permanent garage and something you can take down if you decide to move.
Talk with a Sales Rep. @
www.shelterlogic.com |
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shano63 
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Joined: October 06, 2006
Posts: 3088
Location: Poughkeepsie NY
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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A guy on my route built a nice wooden shed for his 67. Next time I see him I'll ask where he got it and how much. Personally, I think that's the way to go.
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old DKP driver
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Joined: March 30, 2005
Posts: 2229
Location: Los Gatos,Ca.
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject: portable garage |
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I also bought one fro Shelterlogic and it seems alright.
i had my bus in it while doing a remodel and now it's just for
overflow storage.
But it has held up thru wind and rain.
I like the one you posted" Hank" ,As the ends extend down farther .
the shelter logic has flaps at the top and can blow in or out and let the
rain in.
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cdennisg
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Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 9933
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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For those considering whether to buy a garage tent or build a real garage, keep in mind that most municipalities will need a building permit and setbacks for locating the garage. A garage tent is a temporary structure, and will likely not fall under any of those limitations.
I have considered a garage tent in my backyard to keep a bus out of the winter weather, but I see so many of them collapsed and blown away around here that I figured it wasn't worth it.
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notchback
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Joined: December 16, 2003
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Location: 208
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| cdennisg wrote: | | I see so many of them collapsed and blown away around here that I figured it wasn't worth it. |
I had to anchor mine down to railroad ties. Our wind down here in SW Idaho blows like crazy. My Costco Ghetto Garages are nearly 9 years old. The tarps have never lasted more than a year. I have no sides or ends to mine anymore since they ripped up long ago. Just a 12 X 20 tarp across the top. I've had to buy several sets of bungee balls on eBay to keep them going. Even on railroad ties, the wind still moves them. The most it's moved them is 7 feet. After every wind storm here I have to move them back to their proper place. A friend just down the road bought one. I told him it needed anchored, but he didn't do it. 2 weeks later it was blown across 40 acres and not a single pole was straight.
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cdennisg
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Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 9933
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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| notchback wrote: | | cdennisg wrote: | | I see so many of them collapsed and blown away around here that I figured it wasn't worth it. |
I had to anchor mine down to railroad ties. Our wind down here in SW Idaho blows like crazy. My Costco Ghetto Garages are nearly 9 years old. The tarps have never lasted more than a year. I have no sides or ends to mine anymore since they ripped up long ago. Just a 12 X 20 tarp across the top. I've had to buy several sets of bungee balls on eBay to keep them going. Even on railroad ties, the wind still moves them. The most it's moved them is 7 feet. After every wind storm here I have to move them back to their proper place. A friend just down the road bought one. I told him it needed anchored, but he didn't do it. 2 weeks later it was blown across 40 acres and not a single pole was straight. |
My neighbor put one up right next to the property line anchored to some railroad ties. A few months later it was upside down in my yard, and mostly destroyed. He managed to salvage it for awhile, but eventually threw it away.
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| Olddog52 wrote: | | horn test. one tab to ground, the other to a 12 volt source. Listen intently for a sound. |
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anthracitedub
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Joined: June 20, 2007
Posts: 1657
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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| I have a shelter logic 12 x 20.... It's held up to 5 Michigan winters. I have to say it is worth the 300 I paid for it. |
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bugninva
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Joined: December 14, 2004
Posts: 8888
Location: sound it out.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:03 am Post subject: |
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| anthracitedub wrote: | | I have a shelter logic 12 x 20.... It's held up to 5 Michigan winters. I have to say it is worth the 300 I paid for it. |
sounds like the "garage in a box" that is marketed through Tractor Supply Company around here.... I've heard great reviews about it by a couple folks that have it near me..
http://www.tractorsupply.com/shelterlogic-reg-land...-h-1110468
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19super73
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Joined: October 18, 2007
Posts: 3730
Location: Cité Soleil
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:16 am Post subject: |
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If you have the room and you are going for something more sturdy yet something that can be moved, buy an old sea can. This is really the only pic I have of mine but I bought a 48' sea can which stores 3 of my cars, I painted the interior, built shelving in the far end of it, rigged up contractor lighting inside and more shelving down the length. Best money spent!
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| Glenn wrote: | | Only a hack would have to take the rear apron off to remove a stock engine. |
| JerryMCarter1 wrote: | If it is something just stuck eventually it will wear down and go away.
Run it for awhile and see if it gets quieter |
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HankScorpio
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Joined: August 30, 2010
Posts: 274
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:25 am Post subject: |
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I'm trying to figure out a better system. I want to reclaim some of my tiny yard...
Presently I have my daily driver (mini cooper) in my detached garage.
My lawn mower and snow blowers in the old metal shed with busted doors behind the garage.
The beetle and gas grill in the tent behind the shed.
I can fit the mower and blower in the garage with the mini but it's very tight.
I think I should get rid of the shed but part of me thinks that's stupid because it's way more of a "structure" then the tent. Even worse the tent will probably be empty except for the winter because I'll be working on the bug in the garage and leaving the mini in the driveway when it's not snowing.
I'll try posting some pictures when I get home tonight.
I've thought about getting an old trailer container. It seems like that would work very well but no offense to anyone that seems less classy then the tent... |
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HankScorpio
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Joined: August 30, 2010
Posts: 274
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:29 am Post subject: |
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| Oh a sea can was what I was thinking of for a trailer... Once again no offense I'm not trying to be snobby here but it doesn't sound very class to have a sea can in the yard. Maybe I could put siding on one or something... |
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19super73
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Joined: October 18, 2007
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Location: Cité Soleil
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:43 am Post subject: |
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That's why I said "if you have the room" and other things. If you have a small yard and other restrictions, sea cans aren't an option for you. I'm sure the local law would have an issue with you placing one in your yard! 
Luckily I have unlimited space but I still try to keep things from looking trailer park. I repainted the sea can and build two wooden sheds, painted as well, for my cars and parts. I can't stand having things untidy.
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'75 La Grande Beetle, 1st in Class, Das Volks 2011
'75 110 Standard Beetle
'71 Doublecab
'73 412 wagon "Nasenbär"
| Glenn wrote: | | Only a hack would have to take the rear apron off to remove a stock engine. |
| JerryMCarter1 wrote: | If it is something just stuck eventually it will wear down and go away.
Run it for awhile and see if it gets quieter |
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HankScorpio
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Joined: August 30, 2010
Posts: 274
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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a 20' sea can would probably work well to replace the tent and shed, and I don't think the the neighbors would care... no clue about the city
I also don't like the idea of putting semi tracks in the yard getting the can back there... I'm not happy with the tracks left in the front from the trailer that dropped off the bug.
I'll probably go with adding new tarp over the tent.
a sea can wouldn't look worse then what's hiding back here now...
Last edited by HankScorpio on Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:25 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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HankScorpio
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Joined: August 30, 2010
Posts: 274
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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| 19super73 wrote: | | Luckily I have unlimited space but I still try to keep things from looking trailer park. |
I'm very jealous I believe I have ~0.15 acres... There would be some advantages to having unlimited space.  A nice barn with a fun collection of worthless cars... I can only dream |
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19super73
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Joined: October 18, 2007
Posts: 3730
Location: Cité Soleil
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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| HankScorpio wrote: | | 19super73 wrote: | | Luckily I have unlimited space but I still try to keep things from looking trailer park. |
I'm very jealous I believe I have ~0.15 acres... There would be some advantages to having unlimited space. A nice barn with a fun collection of worthless cars... I can only dream |
I'm living that dream!
_________________
'73 Super Beetle w/ all the Sport Bug extras
'75 La Grande Beetle, 1st in Class, Das Volks 2011
'75 110 Standard Beetle
'71 Doublecab
'73 412 wagon "Nasenbär"
| Glenn wrote: | | Only a hack would have to take the rear apron off to remove a stock engine. |
| JerryMCarter1 wrote: | If it is something just stuck eventually it will wear down and go away.
Run it for awhile and see if it gets quieter |
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fred69vert
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Joined: August 17, 2007
Posts: 1998
Location: Home of the US Navy Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, VA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:11 am Post subject: |
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I bought one of those while I was rebuilding my 69 'vert. I had bought a donor body and needed the extra space. I had originally planned to spray it in there but there was not enough room. It was starting to fall apart as I finished the two year resto and I threw the tarp away. Eventually the frame went as well, since I no longer needed it.
It was cheap, and fit my needs.
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Suesanctuary
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Posts: 765
Location: Wishing we were still chest deep in Vw Parts at the Wolfe Estate.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: Garage Tent (review) |
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| HankScorpio wrote: | I thought I'd share my experience with my car tent if anyone has been considering getting one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/content/videos/portable-garage-video.html
Some holes have torn open and the little bungie hold-downs hare all shot.
Not so thrilled.
Admittedly the frame has held up nicely through some heavy snows.
A) Now I can either replace the cover, with another cover or a tarp.
B) Buy the bigger beefier constructed tent at costco for $200
C) Build a proper shed garage for ~$3000 ish...
|
Yup, looks like the one I bought for hubby Xmas of 2010, it'd only been up for about a year and had Exactly the same issues. Bob has replaced nearly all of the lil bungies with zip ties. He actually got a hold of a giant roll of construction grade plastic, like 20mil thick, last fall. (It is often used to lay on the ground, then lay your driveway gravel over top of it, keeping the weeds and grass from growing up thru the rock.) We draped it over top of the existing material, zip tied it to the frame, it's still holding up great so far.
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