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Every car owner, and especially your average gearhead, wants to take care of their vehicles but not everyone has the ability or budget to buy or build a garage. In many cases, it’s prohibitively expensive to build a new structure, or the property can’t accommodate one. That can leave you without a proper home for a vehicle that can provide the indoor protection it needs. Large Metal Buildings
That’s where portable garages and carports come into play. With no need to hire a construction company and go through any lengthy permitting process, these structures can provide ample protection against the elements without breaking the ground or the bank. With a portable structure, the vehicle owner can be up and running in hours, not weeks, and many structures can be set up with basic hand tools.
The most basic structures provide top coverage from rain and the elements, but it’s important to consider the weather and environment around the vehicle. In some cases, a portable garage with sides and more substantial protection is required, and there are also options that effectively act as full metal pavilions with fixed tops. With so many potential options, it’s a good idea to do the research before shopping. Here, we’ve chosen a cross-section of the best portable garages for different use cases. Looking For Car Accessories? Match your car to your style with varied car accessories like seat covers, floor mats and more. Get competitive pricing from top brands here. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Explore Options On Amazon
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Gardesol Extra Large Heavy-Duty Carport
Having a portable garage doesn’t mean putting up a flimsy tent that will blow away at the first sign of wind, and the Gardesol carport is one of the more durable models on sale. It measures a beefy 12 x 20 feet, allowing it to fit large trucks, boats, and trailers.
The walls and doors are removable, so the structure can be used for cookouts and other outdoor events, and the roll-up front door makes opening and closing the structure a breeze. It features 1.5-inch rust-resistant frame rails, and the structure is powder-coated to prevent rust, peeling, and corrosion. Gardesol promises easy installation, and the company backs the carport with a 12-month warranty.
Best Portable Garage for Durability
Best Portable Garage for Durability
Beyond an excellent reputation with buyers, the ShelterLogic Instant Garage offers heavy-duty construction and flexibility of use. The canopy is easy to install, and the all-stell metal frame features 1.375-inch tubes for durability and stability. A unique ratcheting system lets the owner get a snug fit for the canopy, and the waterproof material also resists sunlight, tree sap, and dust. The downside to the Shelterlogic is that its peaked shape means a little less space at the top part of the tent. It’s eight feet tall, so most passenger vehicles will fit just fine, but it might not be great for a tall SUV with big doors, and it isn’t long enough for large pickups.
Arrow Shed Carport Car Canopy
Although it doesn’t provide total insulation, the Arrow Shed is a whole lot more durable than any fabric tent and should last decades if taken care of. Carports inherently don’t have sides, so this option won’t be ideal for everyone, but it will provide protection against leaves, tree sap, falling acorns, sun damage heavy rain and other hazards at a level superior to a fabric tent.
Unfortunately, at more than 600 pounds, it’s also quite a bit less “portable” than tent-style units and harder to set up and break down. It also measures only seven feet tall, which isn’t ideal for a big van or SUV. If you don’t need total all-weather protection and don’t plan to move your carport around much, it does offer beefy protection. We’ve selected a 10 x 20-foot unit here, Arrow also makes 15-, 24- and 29-foot long units for different types of vehicles.
When price matters, the Caravan Canopy Domain offers good protection for less. Measuring 10 x 20 feet, the canopy won’t cover large trucks, but it’s more than spacious enough for most cars, SUVs and other vehicles. You do get what you pay for though, and the Caravan’s price reflects its minimalism. This is a fabric-topped, lightweight carport without any side curtains, so it is not as protective as some others. That said, its bargain price and reasonably rugged construction make it a compelling alternative to the expensive shelters from other companies. If you need a portable carport for occasional use during good weather, it’s a good budget buy.
Quictent Heavy-Duty Carport in Green
Quictent has a strong brand name and is generally highly regarded for its quality, making the low-cost green canopy car shelter a great choice for people looking to save cash. It’s waterproof, sun-resistant and measures 10 x2 0 feet, matching others on this list. The carport features six legs with tie-downs, and thickened feet for better strength and stability than simple post carports like the Caravan unit above. It also comes in attractive color choices, which is a nice extra. Owners report easy setup and installation, but some claim that the product did not stand up to their use and abuse. This doesn’t seem far-fetched, as there’s a limit to how durable such an inexpensive carport can be.
In order to determine the best portable garage for your vehicle, we considered the products most accessible to the widest swath of consumers in the U.S., which also includes performance, price and value. We also considered a broad range of end-user ratings and evaluations by multiple testers.
Forbes Wheels evaluated 10 portable garages and selected the best three products that are the most widely available. Each temporary garage was evaluated on its structural strength and durability, ability to withstand high winds and inclement weather, the price relative to its value and product versatility. In addition to firsthand experiences, Forbes Garage also considers reviews and feedback from multiple end users.
We evaluate all portable garages by the following weighted criteria:
It depends on what you’re using them for. For storage, a portable garage is a much cheaper alternative to renting space in a commercial garage or building a structure on your property, which might require complex permitting. On the other hand, they don’t offer quite as much protection from the elements as a proper structure. For outdoor enthusiasts and amateur racers, portable garages can offer a way to keep vehicles and people clean and double as a camping or event space, all at a relatively low price.
The longevity of the portable garage is variable depending on the quality of the materials and manufacturing. Generally, a good portable carport can last roughly ten to twenty years, but some cheaper options may encounter worn fabrics after less time. Generally speaking, the steel frame will outlast the outer material, though UV-treated polyethylene fabric will last a long time.
Most portable garages come with some sort of anchors, but adding additional ones can greatly help keep it secured to the ground. Remember, these are lightweight structures with lots of surface area. They’re vulnerable to strong winds. The most common applications for anchoring are rebar, concrete, asphalt and sandbags.
For most portable garages, basic hand tools should be all you need to complete assembly. This includes a tape measure, an adjustable wrench, a ratchet and socket set, a rubber mallet, a utility knife and a ladder. Some garages also require screws of various types, but many socket sets will come equipped with the standard heads. A small number of portable garages have proprietary tools.
The assembly time will vary depending on the size and model of your portable garage, as well as if you have assistance or not. Generally, smaller carports can be installed in 2-4 hours, but very large units may take up to 6 to 8 hours and require more than one person for the job.
Most Portable garages are designed to handle harsh weather, including snow. If you only get a sprinkling of snow in your area, then most portable garages will do. Heavy snowfalls, on the other hand, require a unit that’s designed to handle serious winter conditions and the weight of any accumulated snow.
A properly engineered portable garage with a frame made of heavier-gauge steel is a must, and in order to reduce the risk of snow accumulation, portable garages with a round, barn, or peak-style roof are best since they are angled to minimize snow buildup. Notably, open-sided carports don’t offer very much protection against blowing snow or sand.
Generally speaking, no. Portable garages are temporary structures and therefore do not usually require building permits for installation, though if you live in a condominium complex or a residence within a complex, it’s always best to check first. For individuals in private homes, check with your building department or planning commission for specific regulations.
Steel Hall After working in the technology and software industry for several years, I began writing as a way to help people outside of that world understand the sometimes very technical work that goes on behind the scenes. With a lifelong love of all things automotive, I turned my attention to writing new vehicle reviews, detailing industry trends, and breaking news. Along the way, I earned an MBA with a focus on data analysis that has helped me gain a strong understanding of why the auto industry’s biggest companies make the decisions they do. My experience and education have helped me thrive in digging into the details and finding the real stories behind the numbers. I focus on drawing out the most important facts a consumer needs to know to make the best buying choices for their families and themselves, and I aim to do that in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand