Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

winter storage or not???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 05:50 PM
  #1  
bugsas99's Avatar
bugsas99
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 723
Likes: 3
From: pittsburgh pa
Default winter storage or not???

live north of pittsburgh and yes winter is here. currently have vette parked in paved driveway and covered. have no room right now to store out of outside elements. looking at local storage options. my question is has anyone ever had a problem with leaving car outside for the winter where it gets damn cold and snows alot. sure it is just a car. but in all reality it is my baby. the other night had wind gusts to 50mph. got up to go to work and car cover was in neighbors front yard. i seen local storage prices going for 60 dollars a month. large enough to put car in. not heated though. seriously considering it. getting my baby out of weather for xmas!!! would a climate control unit be so much better than a non heated one??? any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. thanks guys. and happy holidays!!

Last edited by bugsas99; Dec 4, 2007 at 07:24 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 06:15 PM
  #2  
Cozmo's Avatar
Cozmo
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Default

There was a good post on this subject here the other day. I am no expert as we do not have the weather here that you have there. I think you would be fine in a non heated environment. I would put fuel stabilizer in it, fill the tank and put a battery tender on it. Someone in the other post mentioned putting dryer sheets under the hood and in the interior. I think that may be to keep pests out.

Hopefully some more knowledgeable folks will chime in. Good luck
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 06:18 PM
  #3  
C5R USA's Avatar
C5R USA
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,763
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
Default

If you keep it covered and it's in a driveway your relatively
safe.Snow is no bother also,since it won't be mistaken
for a snow drift if it was parked in the street.

Wind and ice are definitely a factor though.I'm not sure
which car cover you have but,mine has grommets on it
if I need to secure it when it has been outside under high
wind velocity.

Ice can be bad also,the only thing I can suggest is not park
it next to trees or any other objects that might break off
under weight of ice and land on your car.

I was in a moving transition last January and had to leave the
'Vette outside for awhile.Thankfully I had the CoverKing stormproof
cover.We had a really bad ice storm here and I ended up
with about an 1/8" ice frozen to my cover.
Also a tree branch fell on the rear quarter and just ripped
the cover thankfully no paint or body damage.

Normally though under any circumstances I keep it sheltered
under 4 walls and a roof.

Just my $.02 worth. Stay warm...
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 06:37 PM
  #4  
R Devil's Avatar
R Devil
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,997
Likes: 1
From: Life is a game/Golf is serious. IA
Default

Spring for the $60 a month deal if you can plug in a battery tender.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 06:43 PM
  #5  
JETZ's Avatar
JETZ
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Default

$60 a month! A local self storage near me is $320!!!
Jump on it!
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 06:44 PM
  #6  
jrose7004's Avatar
jrose7004
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,508
Likes: 1,842
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

When you store the car outside with a car cover those wind gust just beat the paint to death. I'd go for the $60.00 and store it inside.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 07:03 PM
  #7  
Funn One's Avatar
Funn One
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by jrose7004
When you store the car outside with a car cover those wind gust just beat the paint to death. I'd go for the $60.00 and store it inside.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 07:11 PM
  #8  
csexton's Avatar
csexton
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 30,045
Likes: 4
From: Danville Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by Cozmo
There was a good post on this subject here the other day. I am no expert as we do not have the weather here that you have there. I think you would be fine in a non heated environment. I would put fuel stabilizer in it, fill the tank and put a battery tender on it. Someone in the other post mentioned putting dryer sheets under the hood and in the interior. I think that may be to keep pests out.

Hopefully some more knowledgeable folks will chime in. Good luck


Chuck
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 4, 2007 | 07:14 PM
  #9  
blkchipC5's Avatar
blkchipC5
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
From: Gary IN
Default

Originally Posted by jrose7004
When you store the car outside with a car cover those wind gust just beat the paint to death. I'd go for the $60.00 and store it inside.
$60 is a good deal for "peace of mind".
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 01:08 AM
  #10  
WenD's Avatar
WenD
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Lansdale Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by JETZ
$60 a month! A local self storage near me is $320!!!
Jump on it!

$60 a month is cheap. You will feel better knowing it's safe indoors
I'm paying $149 for 10 X 20 unheated and no electricity. I live just northwest of Philadelphia.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 03:59 AM
  #11  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,542
Likes: 24,834
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

If your finances allow for it, go for the storage space. Not only will the car be safe from the elements, but also from any damage caused from dishonest people that may want to mess with it. Getting a battery tender to keep the battery fresh is a good idea, along with the Sta-Bil in the gas tank. I would also put some old carpet squares under each tire to keep them off the cold concrete floor.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 08:30 AM
  #12  
Greg C5's Avatar
Greg C5
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: LeMars Iowa
Default

I pay $60 @ month for a 10 x 24, no heat, no electricity.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 08:36 AM
  #13  
MAC5's Avatar
MAC5
Drifting
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Default

If the storage facility has no electrical for a battery tender, just disconnect the negative battery cable. May lose some presets but the battery won't drain off.

Last edited by MAC5; Dec 5, 2007 at 10:48 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 08:59 AM
  #14  
merlin5353's Avatar
merlin5353
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: S.E. Michigan
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10
Default

Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I would also put some old carpet squares under each tire to keep them off the cold concrete floor.
How come?
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 09:04 AM
  #15  
rws.1's Avatar
rws.1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Default

local unheated storage here goes from $25-50/month in an unheated poll barn with conrete floors
$45/month will get a heated poll barn with en masse storage ( i.e. no in-out surrounded by cars bumper to bumper side to side and no plug in for a battery tender)
$75/month for a brand new storage facility specializing in car storage ( separate stalls like an underground apartment parking lot) with electrical plug in
$100 a month for a separate heated bay with your own garage door.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:23 PM
  #16  
stingray71's Avatar
stingray71
Burning Brakes
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 191
From: Vienna VA
Default

$60 for 3-4 months sounds like a pretty good deal.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:59 PM
  #17  
SavPrato's Avatar
SavPrato
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by R Devil
Spring for the $60 a month deal if you can plug in a battery tender.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To winter storage or not???

Old Dec 5, 2007 | 05:58 PM
  #18  
Atok's Avatar
Atok
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Default

Well the weather here in Eastern Canada is probably similar to what you get. I use to store a Trans-Am outside years ago. The only issue I had was condensation inside the car. I found when I left snow covering the windshield, and the sun layed on the rear, it created terrible condensation on the inside of the windshield. It would turn to ice and build up! Didn't matter if it was covered or not. So I found if I keep the snow off it I didn't have the condensation issue that bad.

If you have to store it outside I would just keep brushing the snow off it.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 09:55 PM
  #19  
MrEldo's Avatar
MrEldo
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Default

I had an Alfa Romeo spider for years that I stored outside under a cover during winter. It ruined the car in a number of ways. Keep it inside if you can.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2007 | 11:43 PM
  #20  
charlene's Avatar
charlene
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Default

I also live in suburbs of pittsburgh monroeville.Hopefully you have waterproof cover on the vette.Like the other member on here said use sta-bil in the gas tank stick a better tender plus on her.I know someone who puts their vette in a mine for the winter along i guess with other people i have never heard of this but he tells me that is what he does.Don't you maybe have a friend who has a double car garage that might let you park your car in it for the winter?if i had more then one garage i would let you park in mine but i just have a double car garage.Are you a member of a corvette club in pa?I belong to the ccwp the corvette club of western pa.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:26 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE