Anyone in snow country have experience with a car shelter?

[Lake161]

Out situation:
We don't mind digging out the car after storms, but our newish car has just acquired its second significant dent from falling pine cones. We don't want to take the trees down, so we need to protect the car. Rather than build a carport or garage, we were thinking about something like this: http://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/garages/sheltertube/sheltertube-wind-and-snow-rated-ultra-duty

Any thoughts? Any experience with this or other brands?

[Malum Prohibitum]

For less than two grand, you could build a similarly sized shed-like structure that is much more attractive.

[Lake161]

For less than two grand, you could build a similarly sized shed-like structure that is much more attractive.

Unfortunately even a shed or carport requires a building permit inluding an engineers stamp to show it can handle 120 lb psf snow load. We may save up and do a proper carport, but I wanted to explore other options.

[bobechs]

Well, since you are open-minded about it,

howzabout:



upholstery?

[Lake161]

Well, since you are open-minded about it,

howzabout:



upholstery?

We did wonder if you could get some sort of quilted cover that could absorb the impact of the pine cones. The things leave 2" diameter dings on the hood/roof.

[Lake161]

Well, since you are open-minded about it,

howzabout:



upholstery?

We did wonder if you could get some sort of quilted cover that could absorb the impact of the pine cones. The things leave 2" diameter dings on the hood/roof.

Turns out there is such a thing. They are called hail blankets.

http://hailblankets.com/about.php

This may work for us.  We have a small lot so we've always resisted the idea of a garage taking up a big chunk of the yard. It maybe a bit of hassle hauling a icy/snowy cover off and on, but surely no more work than scraping ice and snow off the windows all winter.

[RetiredAt63]

Car tempos are common here - if you don't have a garage you put one up in November, take it down in April. They are common enough that municipalities have rules about when they can be put up and when they have to come down.

[lthenderson]

For less than two grand, you could build a similarly sized shed-like structure that is much more attractive.

Unfortunately even a shed or carport requires a building permit inluding an engineers stamp to show it can handle 120 lb psf snow load. We may save up and do a proper carport, but I wanted to explore other options.

Those type of shelters never last too long. The plastic gets brittle and eventually shreds and grommets get ripped out etc. Building permits and engineering stamps are generally not expensive or hard to get. Unless you are planning on just using this for a few seasons, I would save up my pennies and do it right the first time around.

[BudgetSlasher]

For less than two grand, you could build a similarly sized shed-like structure that is much more attractive.

Unfortunately even a shed or carport requires a building permit inluding an engineers stamp to show it can handle 120 lb psf snow load. We may save up and do a proper carport, but I wanted to explore other options.

Those type of shelters never last too long. The plastic gets brittle and eventually shreds and grommets get ripped out etc. Building permits and engineering stamps are generally not expensive or hard to get. Unless you are planning on just using this for a few seasons, I would save up my pennies and do it right the first time around.

I tend to agree, I'd rather save and buy a worthwhile item. I've know a few people with them and they've never really held up. I certainly would not spend 2k on something that I would consider disposable; at least the harbor freight versions are not as much money down the drain.

I cannot image that there are not kits available for purchase that already include the necessary engineering documentation. And permits are what they are, but here they aren't expensive at all.

[Sibley]

Question. How the heck does a pine cone put a 2 inch dent in a car?

[trachma]

Neighbors on both side have these, and they’ve lasted for years with no problems I can see. They handled the Great Boston Snows of 2014, when we were buried under 8+ feet on the ground most of the season — but theirs have a semi-circular top, not a peaked roof.

[Car Jack]

There are some that are obviously NO.  That harbor freight one, for example.  Read the reviews.  A florida guy had his fall apart with rain.  Rain!  Would never hold up with snow.

There are good ones out there, but you want a "real" snow rating.  I had a Home Depot steel shed and the first good snowstorm (Boston area), it completely collapsed.  I later went to Reeds Ferry Sheds (NH and New England locals) for a "real" shed. 

The last thing you want is to think you're protecting your new car only to get 4 inches of snow and find that your car is now covered with steel poles and dents from where the shelter caved in on it.

[TrMama]

Snow shelters (aka Abris Tempo, or Abris Temporaire) are de rigeur throughout the province of Québec. For some unknown reason, no one there builds enclosed garages. Only a few older homes have carports. There are even special abris tempos that go up around the outside of exterior doors and form tunnels to the car shelters. Even though we lived there, and had abris tempos, for several years, I never did understand the logic.

However, if you want one keep these things in mind:

1. Get one with a sturdy frame and make sure the tarp part is made from cold resistant fabric. Personally, I'd get a Made In Quebec one and avoid the hardware store versions like the plague. Given the exchange rate, it'll likely be cheaper than the one you posted plus it will be sturdy and replacement parts will be available for when some little part breaks or goes missing over the summer. For example, https://abristempo.com/en/ 
https://www.protegez-vous.ca/Automobile/abri-dauto-temporaire-vaut-il-mieux-louer-ou-acheter-620b70
http://www.abrisharnois.com/en/

Search for Abris Tempo

2. Make sure it's anchored into the ground with 24" stakes. The stakes will stay in the ground forever, so you only have to do this once. Piling heavy things onto the bottom supports will be totally insufficient once you get a strong wind. Ask me how I know . . .

3. If you get a lot of snow, be aware that as it slides off the roof, down the sides and onto the ground, it causes the walls to bulge inward. Once there is 8ft of snow and ice on the sides of the abris it starts to feel pretty claustrophobic inside. If you get a lot of snow, get an abris that is 2ft wider than you think you need.

[BudgetSlasher]

I personally have not sure one, as I have been lucky enough to have a garage, but most people I know who have used that style have complaints. Some of them are about longevity or duritility, some complain about having to adjust the covering every year. And while I do not know the owners or the story, I have see a couple that have either torn and dropped everything onto the car or, worse yet, actually collapsed onto the car.

Then again, most people around do not spend a lot of money on their enclosures, so your mileage may vary.

If it were me I would want a more durable solution and if I used one it would be a stop gap.

Also 120 PSF snow load? in CA? Are you sure you did not swap the snow load number with the wind speed? Here in Maine, if there were a code, I would have to build to 60 PSF roof snow load and 105 MPH for wind, doubling the roof snow load in CA seems a bit extreme.

[Sibley]

I personally have not sure one, as I have been lucky enough to have a garage, but most people I know who have used that style have complaints. Some of them are about longevity or duritility, some complain about having to adjust the covering every year. And while I do not know the owners or the story, I have see a couple that have either torn and dropped everything onto the car or, worse yet, actually collapsed onto the car.

Then again, most people around do not spend a lot of money on their enclosures, so your mileage may vary.

If it were me I would want a more durable solution and if I used one it would be a stop gap.

Also 120 PSF snow load? in CA? Are you sure you did not swap the snow load number with the wind speed? Here in Maine, if there were a code, I would have to build to 60 PSF roof snow load and 105 MPH for wind, doubling the roof snow load in CA seems a bit extreme.

Sierra cement.

CA has pretty much every possible climate/environment. Some areas get a LOT of snow, and some of that snow is extremely heavy and wet. Just depends on where you are.

[Car Jack]

Just have it built.  I cheaped out and built a metal shed like your description.  The snow caved in the roof and I spent the summer taking the piece of shit apart, thowing pieces on my snowmobile trailer and bringing it to the scrap yard.