TSC portable garages, do they last?

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Zachary Hoyt

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

I have been tempted by the 12x20x8 portable garage/tent things at TSC for $299 since it would give me a place to keep the bigger tractor parts where they wouldn't get buried in the snow. Does anyone have any experience with how strong they are and how long they last? I have never seen one set up so I do not know how much snow or wind they can take. Any advice will be much appreciated.
Zach

 

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souNdguy

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

wind and sun here in florida destroy tarp structures in a couple years.. I finally gave up replacing tarps and whatnot and had a metal building put in.

I wouldn't think a tarp structure would have a good snow load rating, and would hope if used in snow it had a high pitch

 

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Jim in Ma.

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

The only problem I had in 5 years was the Wind - You need to anckor it real well. And keep the snow off it.

 

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ShadetreeRet

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

Zach, I'm glad you brought up the subject, been kinda wonderin' about that myself. Being well anchored is a given, but my concern is how UV resistant they are. The cheap tarps that I have been using don't last anytime at all in the sunlight.

 

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PJH

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

I helped our preacher put in a similar structure. I tried to talk him into installing some good screw-in anchors, but he is the smartest man on the planet. He tied the north and west side to the top rail of his chain link fence. East side was tied to - nothing. South side was open (and tied to - nothing) and faced the prevailing wind. When it blew away, it wrecked the fence too.

Based on my one experience with an improperly installed one, I don't think much of them.

 

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

The 'WeatherPort' brand is the best out there.The covers will last 15-20 years,and are hurricane rated with the corect anchors.The snowload is incredible.They were designed in hialtitude Gunnison,Co.(8000ft.).They have been used(successfully)from Mt Everest to the Antarctic.I worked for that company for almost 10 years,did lots of R/D.

 

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sotxbill

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

good for about two years. I use one at a temporary residence and it keeps the snow, rain, and hail off the car. However the snow load finnally starting pulling it apart. But on sale at pepboys for 80 bucks and the fact it protected the car from hail damage, I greatfully bought a new one on sale this year for 56 bucks. I'm stuck on a temp project for 5 more years so it will do for now.

 

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Ivan in Mich

Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

I bought one a few years ago and it lasted about 2 years. I live in the snow belr of northern Mich and I had to pull the snow off it everyday. I anchored it with long stakes and rachet straps and we had a storm go thru one spring that had 90 mile an hour winds and it stood up to that. They will not take much heavy wet snow, thats what did mine in.

 

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DeltaRed

Well-known Member

• Dec 10, 2011

• #1

There are lots oh "cheap imitations" out there.TSC is among them.Yes,those are junk.

 

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Pitch

Well-known Member

• Dec 11, 2011

• #1

I have a Shelter-Logic from TSC. Upstate NY, high winds heavy snow. Got about four years out of it. It is still standing,but with a silver tarp streched across it. The material failed on the lines where it was folded in the box. Frame is still excellent.

 

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Nebraska Cowman

Well-known Member

• Dec 11, 2011

• #1

$300 will by new sheet metal for a 12x20 roof. If you can find a building to tear down for lumber I'd build something permanent.

 

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Truck

Member

• Dec 11, 2011

• #1

I wouldn't even consider one if there is any possibility of you not being there when it snows. All it takes is a couple of heavy snows to collapse one. BTDT. THe only tarp structure I would consider anymore would be a round topped one, as they shed the snow better.

A steel carport will last a lot longer. If you can get them to put the tin on so the ribs run up and down (normally an extra cost option)heavy snow will be able to slide off.Even with horizontal tin you will notice on all but the wettest snows less snow on the roof than on the ground as snow tends not to build up on the slick tin anyway.

Wind will ruin any temporary building. If there is the possibility of high winds, do whatever you need to to tie it down well and place it so prevailing winds will not tend to lift it. Closing in the walls and ends will help a bunch but isn't cheap in the carports....

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Dec 11, 2011

• #1

I've had several over the years.Still use one for my Jeep. covered the roof with corrugated roofing. 6' Cedar fence panels for the sides works good.No snow here but sun ate up the silver plastic cover on the 1st one and wind took the white tarp type covering off the 2nd one. The covering is the weak point on these structures.I run a 3/8th rod thru the near bottom of all legs.place leg in 1/2 of a 5 gal.plastic bucket and fill bucket with concrete mix.This holds them down pretty good.Bury the bucket in the ground close to the top of bucket edge.

 

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DoubleR

Well-known Member

Location

Mid Mi

• Dec 11, 2011

• #1

I just got done building a small 10 ft. by 20 ft. open on one end small building for less than a 1000 bucks. I used pole barn contruction and steel for the roof and sides. It should last for years like the other ones like it I have built. I live in Mi. where I get snow in the winter too. I would save my 300 bucks and put the money towards something more permentant that will last.

 

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Rick Kr

Well-known Member

• Dec 11, 2011

• #1

They work fine. BUT, remember $300 is not a $1000 steel carport.

Around mid-Michigan mine was perfect after two winters of snow and high winds, until my buddy threw a piece of plywood on the ground by it. The wind picked it up one day and punched a hole through the side.

Anyway, most people around here get 3-4 years out of them. I needed something fast and the barn was full. That bought me a little time to plan a permanent lean to.

No problems with snow. Slides right off when the wind hits it. Make sure you anchor it down good and you"ll be ok. I leave the doors off so the wind can blow through.

Your mileage may vary, but they are quick, easy and inexpensive shelter... and temporary.

Rick

 

OP

OP

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Zachary Hoyt

Well-known Member

• Dec 11, 2011

• #1

Thank you all very much, it sounds like I'd better just keep my snow shovel handy to get at the parts. It's nice to know what others real world experience is.
Zach

 

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36 Coupe

Well-known Member

• Dec 15, 2011

• #1

I put up a pole building to shelter my band saw mill.Bought 4 4x6 treated posts for 16 bucks each.Drilled the holes, hit a boulder at 30 inches in the first hole so drilled the rest the same.Had a few 2x6 on hand to start and bought a few more.Too hot to work in the woods in august to get logs out.Brought some poplar logs out in October and sawed out rafters and roof boards.Sawed some cedar for board and batten siding.Building cost 200 bucks when finished.Take a look at picnic table shelters at state road side rest areas for ideas on building.Friend had a small steel building that got flattened by high winds and I see these tarp shelters blown away.My building is open to the north,little snow gets inside.

 

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Cover guy

New User

• Feb 13, 2013

• #1

Hi Rick,
I continue to see these portable garage posts on the forum so I thought we would clarify since we are a dealer for these garages. The Shelterlogic garages are manufactured overseas in China and have a painted steel frame. The frames are pretty rigid and easy to assemble. The covers on these portable units are more thin other manufacturers. Covers are usually the first thing to wear. Other manufacturers have a galvanized steel frame with a heavy duty cover. These units are more expensive, however, the covers can last up to 20 years with the proper car. Anchoring is EXTREMELY vital. If so builds up, knock it off with a dull object from the inside. Our Storage Series portable garage units on the website below are the higher grade.
Portable garages

 

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mkirsch

Well-known Member

• Feb 13, 2013

• #1

Clueless, shameless spammer.

He doesn't even realize that the thread he responded to is about a year and a half old.