winter storage
Turbo Mini Forums

well its coming to that time of the year again. The mini was foolishly left out in all weathers last winter on the drive and suffered as a result. Given the weather is clearly on the turn, I'm thinking what to do with it this year.

I've not got a great deal of space at the workshop to store it there (although I could if I had to) as it would take up valuable work space for the other cars. This would be the best place for it though

Other option would be to get a good tailored cover for it for sitting on the drive. Does anyone have any recommendations for one? I know i'm going to have to pay a bit for a good one.

Final option would be to build a carport to keep it under at the side of the house; time is probably not on my side for that one but I would like something like that longer term.

Thoughts?

I think your options go

1. Inside

2. Carport

3. Umm cover it up !

Im not a fan of covers for outdoor, ive got a super soft cotton cover for mine but for inside. I no they say they let them breath but im still not convinced .
Carport i like , the car doesnt get wet but it can have a good circulation of air arround it

What about a big tent? No connection with myself

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/182287864773

The motorbike swing over covers are probably best... in one of the pics on ebay there is a mini in it! Were about 150 last time i looked

that's my thoughts too. the tent idea wouldn't work as as I don't have the space up the side of the house to erect one and still be able to get past it. Also don't really fancy the idea of it flapping about in the wind (similar issue with the cover to be honest.)

I'm going to price up the carport option as it could go up pretty quickly if I put my mind to it

I built a carport for mine, few bits of timber, a few brackets. Some plastic corrugated sheeting and bolted down to the slabs, even sheeted it up with tarps and got a thick clear plastic tarp off ebay for the front, it's taken everything the weather has thrown at it after redoing the roof to make it stronger (i rushed it first time) and could easily be done in a weekend.

I'd also go with the shakey structure, built from all sorts as long as it's weather tight.

Edited by minimole23 on 27th Sep, 2016.

mines been outside for the last 30 years, another winter wont hurt

although it is very sheltered it still gets rained on :(

i realise though this doesnt help you much

Edited by Brett on 27th Sep, 2016.

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

I've got a monsoon car cover. Best I can do at the moment. My mini has been under it since it came off the road about 4 years ago. Not as good as it when in but nothing a good wash a polish couldn't sort out. There is very slight rusting where water has collected. But nothing to warrant panel changes etc merely just a quick run down and spray with a touch up can

Looks like i'm going for the car port. Spoke to the planners this afternoon so no issue there. Just need to come up with a nice design now. I need to keep access for painting, window cleaning etc on the gable of the house so the roof is going to have to withstand ladder loads as a minimum and i dont want it to look like something steptoe built

Rob, can't you just make it so the roof sheets are removeable in the case of needing ladder access? Would allow the frame to be a lot less substantial.

I could have tom but one of the benefits of making a deck out of the roof is that its bit easier to get to the apex for painting too. my existing triple extension ladders are a metre short.

got a revised plan for a nice architectural designed steel frame which I can get galvanised before it goes up. Not sure it will all be done in time for this winter but will see