Car port vs Cover vs Dry storage

I'm in the process of getting quotes to get a car port build at the side of our house. Before I spend the money and get it done I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts about this... my worry is I will get it built and it doesn't really do the job that I need, which is to stop the van going rusty too quickly.

At the moment it is parked on the drive, under Hamilton cover over winter, but open to the elements a lot of the time. When the cover is on it still seams to get moisture underneath.

I have considered dry storage but can't find anywhere close enough, and I like to have the van at home for quick access.

Does anyone keep their van under a car port? I guess it will keep the worst of the rain off, but rain will still blow in and it will still be exposed to the moist air - I live 1 mile from the sea so the air will probably be salty too.

I would keep it under car port and under cover over winter.

Any thoughts appreciated.....

 

Car ports are generally the tops, but not sure about so near the coast.

 

I fancy a car port but it's difficult cos I live in a tower block

 

i have carport , we are similar to sea , i put removable side on one side and drop down canvas on the front for winter bad days , it keeps weather off and its good to get air round bus, good for working in rain too .

 

I'm about 200yards from the sea and use a car port. It protects it from all apart from virtually horizontal rain and means that it dries off quite quickly when it stops.
We can also take it out without having to worry about putting it under cover when wet

 

made it high enuff so can jack it up under roof or put pop up , that side is three sections length ways and three top to bottom with vents at top and gap at bottom , totally all removeable with quick release pins . Canvas comes off in a minute n rolls up , I reckon £350 max all materials thats roof beams side posts roofing corolux etc etc . Built in 4 days i reckon .

 

I use a cover , it's a pain
I envy those with massive garages ☹️

 

check here for regs...just in case you get half way through and get a visit from the BCO....
most car ports are 'attached' to the side of the house

 

Thanks all, some useful feedback. I think the car port is the way forward then. Barney - Ilove what you've done with the canvas on the ends. Do you have any more pics you could send of yours?

 

havnt taken any (and its peeing down n windy here today but , the end canvas has a top piece of 38mm x 22mm timber fixed to it that slots in the side uprights , i then have middle timber across opening and a bottom one that fit into slots (made by fixing two pieces one above, one below cross member 38x22 on front of uprights/posts 100x 100 fence type . I fitted canvas eyelets at appropriate points on side of canvas , then used large split pins on chains and drilled holes ooooooooow this is prob tooo complicated , ill try n remember to take pic when its dry . It just rolls down and ive made it fit tight , it been up nearly 5 years now .I did think about making a spring loaded canvas roller bit like roller blind but ended up with this , if you zoom in you will prob see fastening method .

 

I put mine in storage during the winter months. the facility is full alarmed and very secure. I prefer that than have it stuck on the drive under a cover.

 

I think a car port is a great idea.

It seems to be the fashion now on new build developments. I would imagine you would need planning permission if its visible from the road and neighbours may raise objections to it.

If its just for winter shelter of your van, you could get one of those tent/awnings. I like the car port ideas put forward so far.

Being close to the sea is an issue as my son lives in St. Leonards close to the sea and his van parked outside has suffered much corrosion and its a constant struggle to keep the rust at bay.

Paying for winter storage would be expensive and nothing to show for the money. Having your van in your car port means you can work on it and start it up during the winter.

 

Don't see it as wasted money, if you don't have the space to build car ports etc. Plus I can go and work on the bus while its in storage, I also took it for a drive last weekend to try to get the tyres refitted.

 

Mine lives in an unheated garage...............just been doing some work on her, she was last out at the New Year and is still damp !

 

I pay for a garage that's an hour's drive away from home, as its safe and secure and away from the sea.

Its a temporary measure (and I did used to live only 20 mins away from the garage) whilst I build my own garage at home.

I have kept buses on the drive under cover and the speed at which you see them deteriorate is dramatic compared to when they are inside and dry.

I would say the more safe and secure and properly stored you can keep your dubs is worth the cost involved as it will last far longer and you will be less likely to be having to go down the costly route of bodywork.

In other words the cost of storage is far cheaper than the cost of bodywork.

Just my 2p's worth.

 

My understanding was that the key thing in slowing down rusting was adequate ventilation, so that any moisture would soon evaporate, so an open sided car port, with tarpaulins to pull down if the weather was too bad, seemed to be the best solution.

 

It sounds like you need to look at the ventilation in your garage, your bus shouldn't stay wet for that long.

 

I used a cover for a few years (breathable) and it just kept the van damp all the time ,wouldn't recommend one, would have been better without one.

 

DriftingBear said he has the space to build a car port at the side of his house. Dry storage away from the house was ruled out in the original post for the reasons given.