Thinking Ahead - Winter Storage
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,221
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From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Thinking Ahead - Winter Storage
Anyone store their car outside? I've lost the garage that I've used for years. I live near Albany NY. Can be well below zero and lots of snow sometimes. Crazy to do it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Not the best of ideas, to leave it out in the snow, ice, etc. I've done it with a car in the far more temperate mid-Atlantic area (No, guys, not a Corvette!). Fully covered, tied down, etc.
The thing is, you have to figure out how to secure a car cover (the best of car covers will cost you big bucks) so that it doesn't blow off in a big wind, and/or scratch your car from constant wind movement. It can be done, but it requires time and effort and experimentation.
I'll tell you how I did it if you decide to go the outside storage route. Check out other prior C4 threads on car covers; there've been several in the past 6 months. Lot of info on them.
Then, start thinking of all the things that need "protecting" if you do leave it outside by making a list.
The thing is, you have to figure out how to secure a car cover (the best of car covers will cost you big bucks) so that it doesn't blow off in a big wind, and/or scratch your car from constant wind movement. It can be done, but it requires time and effort and experimentation.
I'll tell you how I did it if you decide to go the outside storage route. Check out other prior C4 threads on car covers; there've been several in the past 6 months. Lot of info on them.
Then, start thinking of all the things that need "protecting" if you do leave it outside by making a list.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 6
From: Red Sox Nation! RI
Have you considered one of those self storage places? They have different sized containers (whateveryoucallem) and there are some big enough to store a car. I know most of them allow bike and car storage. You could probably get one for about $75 a month based on what I've seen.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Drive it down to Jersey, I'll drive it around for you instead, much better than storage, just make sure you have a decent set of tires so I can do burnouts!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie Md
I too, lost my garage a few years back
I use two car covers.
The first cover I put on is a Noah...nice soft underside...no problems in the most violent of winds.
However, I cut a generous portion of the cover where the theft plastic rings are located on the Noah Cover. (Most covers have them located on the "side" where the doors are).
I then sewed these plastic rings onto the middle front and the middle rear of my second cover. (Right where the elastic stretch part of the material is).
I then went to Auto Zone and bought (4) 12" bungee cords.
I use (2) in the front and (2) in the rear...and then crawl under the front and rear and find a place to attach them to the Vette.
Prior to me doing this...both covers would eventually blow off the car in 15 MPH winds.
No more...the problem is solved.
I use two car covers.
The first cover I put on is a Noah...nice soft underside...no problems in the most violent of winds.
However, I cut a generous portion of the cover where the theft plastic rings are located on the Noah Cover. (Most covers have them located on the "side" where the doors are).
I then sewed these plastic rings onto the middle front and the middle rear of my second cover. (Right where the elastic stretch part of the material is).
I then went to Auto Zone and bought (4) 12" bungee cords.
I use (2) in the front and (2) in the rear...and then crawl under the front and rear and find a place to attach them to the Vette.
Prior to me doing this...both covers would eventually blow off the car in 15 MPH winds.
No more...the problem is solved.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by UDLUV12
I too, lost my garage a few years back
I use two car covers.
The first cover I put on is a Noah...nice soft underside...no problems in the most violent of winds.
However, I cut a generous portion of the cover where the theft plastic rings are located on the Noah Cover. (Most covers have them located on the "side" where the doors are).
I then sewed these plastic rings onto the middle front and the middle rear of my second cover. (Right where the elastic stretch part of the material is).
I then went to Auto Zone and bought (4) 12" bungee cords.
I use (2) in the front and (2) in the rear...and then crawl under the front and rear and find a place to attach them to the Vette.
Prior to me doing this...both covers would eventually blow off the car in 15 MPH winds.
No more...the problem is solved.
I use two car covers.
The first cover I put on is a Noah...nice soft underside...no problems in the most violent of winds.
However, I cut a generous portion of the cover where the theft plastic rings are located on the Noah Cover. (Most covers have them located on the "side" where the doors are).
I then sewed these plastic rings onto the middle front and the middle rear of my second cover. (Right where the elastic stretch part of the material is).
I then went to Auto Zone and bought (4) 12" bungee cords.
I use (2) in the front and (2) in the rear...and then crawl under the front and rear and find a place to attach them to the Vette.
Prior to me doing this...both covers would eventually blow off the car in 15 MPH winds.
No more...the problem is solved.
But your way sounds easier.
I was also going to recommend a simple, front and rear tie down using a cinder block and string/rope.
