Custom cover for protection

[BoyToys]

Any of you fellow Impsters have any solutions for some sort of cover/tarp to protect our machines from the ravages of summer while sitting outside? I've been toying with the idea of building a custom fit cover out of some sort of breathable material, creating templates and some how connecting all the pieces together with grommets/glue...whatever.
Probably more work than it's worth, vs building a carport to park it under.

 

[bczoom]

I see you're in central WA so I don't know if this is an option.
Around bodies of water, there's normally a canvas making guy that drives from site-to-site to build custom canvas covers for boats. He could make whatever you wanted, including doors, windows... Whatever you want.

 

[BoyToys]

I see you're in central WA so I don't know if this is an option.
Around bodies of water, there's normally a canvas making guy that drives from site-to-site to build custom canvas covers for boats. He could make whatever you wanted, including doors, windows... Whatever you want.

If I lived on the coast I'm sure I could find someone. Probably not going to happen this far inland but it might be worth checking around.

 

[rockaukum]

I was using some canvas mainly for the preservation of the tracks then build a lean-to. Provides protection and other functions as well.
ra

 

[300 H and H]

Soft top hoop buildings are popular here in wind swept Iowa as low-cost option for semi-permanent weather protection.
They seem to hold up quite well. Several in the area going on 20 years and still look good.
It has me thinking for none climate controlled storage.

 

[bczoom]

RV or cargo trailer cover?

 

[BoyToys]

Soft top hoop buildings are popular here in wind swept Iowa as low-cost option for semi-permanent weather protection.
They seem to hold up quite well. Several in the area going on 20 years and still look good.
It has me thinking for none climate controlled storage.

That option has crossed my mind. Not sure how well they would stand up to snow load, unless I disassembled it before the first snowfall. I just want to keep the sun and tree drippings off for the majority of the year.

 

[Melensdad]

Soft top hoop buildings are popular here in wind swept Iowa as low-cost option for semi-permanent weather protection.
They seem to hold up quite well. Several in the area going on 20 years and still look good.
It has me thinking for none climate controlled storage.

I used one for several years, the tops can be replaced after they wear too much. But the decent ones have strong enough frames to hold up to winds and they protect the entire vehicle. Eventually I expanded garage space and had no use for it. Sold the frame to a friend of a friend, he put a new top on it.

We have snow, hail, rain, sun, winds here and it held up fine. If you get snowfalls over 12" at a time, might want to knock the snow off the top, but with the curve of the top very little accumulated up there.

 

[BoyToys]

I used one for several years, the tops can be replaced after they wear too much. But the decent ones have strong enough frames to hold up to winds and they protect the entire vehicle. Eventually I expanded garage space and had no use for it. Sold the frame to a friend of a friend, he put a new top on it.

We have snow, hail, rain, sun, winds here and it held up fine. If you get snowfalls over 12" at a time, might want to knock the snow off the top, but with the curve of the top very little accumulated up there.

Just looked at one on good old Amazon, 10x10x8 for $230. Too many negative reviews on the cover material not holding up. I could see adding an additional layer of standard plastic tarp to protect the cheap Chinese tarp from degradation.
As long as it can handle 3 feet of snow, if it doesn't slide off naturally. And we're talking Cascade crud, not the nice light fluffy stuff.

 

[Melensdad]

Just looked at one on good old Amazon, 10x10x8 for $230. Too many negative reviews on the cover material not holding up. I could see adding an additional layer of standard plastic tarp to protect the cheap Chinese tarp from degradation.
As long as it can handle 3 feet of snow, if it doesn't slide off naturally. And we're talking Cascade crud, not the nice light fluffy stuff.

Harbor Freight used to sell them in various qualities, spend more for heavier tube and better fabric.

 

[mtncrawler]

When I was parking outside I drove up on 4 6x6's to keep the grousers up and from sinking in and cut a silver plastic tarp longways to cover the tracks from sun damage. If you're leaving it on the trailer I suggest blocks of wood under the tires and RV tire covers. Ski area groomers around here de-track and store the tracks on end indoors. That's a nice lean-to. A couple timbers will help stop your tracks from freezing to the ground. These guys had track covers custom made about $500 if I remember.

 

[BoyToys]

When I was parking outside I drove up on 4 6x6's to keep the grousers up and from sinking in and cut a silver plastic tarp longways to cover the tracks from sun damage. If you're leaving it on the trailer I suggest blocks of wood under the tires and RV tire covers. Ski area groomers around here de-track and store the tracks on end indoors. That's a nice lean-to. A couple timbers will help stop your tracks from freezing to the ground. These guys had track covers custom made about $500 if I remember.

At the very least I should make some track covers to keep the sun off. No issues last year with the tracks freezing to the ground but that would be easy enough to just drive up on some timbers.
So no, not parked on the trailer. I did jack and block up the trailer to take the weight off the tires somewhat to avoid flat spots. Tires are basically brand new. Should probably cover them too.