Camper Storage questions about steel carports?

Steel carports may not be as nice as a pole barn, but they get the job done, and they do last a good long while, assuming they are built decently.

BroncosFan wrote:
You may like google instead
ripoffreport carolina carports

Lots of bad press out there. Did you personally have issues with Carolina Carports?

Was my understanding, Carolina Carports is the only supplier of the raw materials. Marketing & sales done through many misc. people in communites, Installation is done through local contractors.

That business model itself, lends to hit or miss, Qaulity and service controls. I did find the sales people to hit or miss, finally finding one that would help getting correct info needed to purchase.

I also had a good installation experience and for the $ invested, thought it well worth the investment to help protect my Travel Trailer.

Kind of like the press CW gets here, majority of the INTERNET feedback is the bad press. People don't go out of their way to broadcast when things go smoothly.

Markiemark

You may like google instead
ripoffreport carolina carports

BroncosFan wrote:
Some info here
http://www.bbb.org/northwestern-north-carolina/business-reviews/carports/carolina-carports-inc-in-dobson-nc-12001072/

I've had a little experience with the BBB as a consumer. As noted, being "accredited" means the company paid for it with a promise to be good guys.. "Closed complaints" could mean the one who filed the complaint neglected to reply within 14 days and not necessarily the the complaint was resolved. The number of complaints over a period of time compaired to total units sold may be something to consider but there's no way to know the basis for a filing. If a company had 100 complaints and sold 10,000 items, that would be a pretty good record. I wouldn't make a decision to buy or not to buy on anything posted by the BBB.... IMO...

We love our cheap metal carport. $1000, and it's doing a fine job. Regarding the concern for wind, they anchored ours down with a 3' rebar hammered into the ground every 5' along to bottom rails. If it goes down due to wind, we'll have other problems and an insurance claim.

We aren't going to sell any time in the next 20 years, and comparing the $1k carport to storage fees, it only has to last a few years to pay for itself. Not to mention the convenience of having the trailer home with us.

We do plan to add sidewalls before next winter.

Lynnmor wrote:


I looked at them, but decided to do it right and get a pole barn. Glad I did. If you use the carport idea, you need to add a lot of extras to keep the sun and weather out. Also, they make great nesting for birds and all the "dirt" that that entails.
One advantage to the carport is the low rent (property taxes) compared to more substantial buildings.

X2 While you are spending that much on an open carport just do it all the way and get the pole barn. If you don't you will wish you did later. A pole barn that is unfinished inside with no living space and uninsulated should not be that much extra on property taxes. I wish I had built mine a long time ago.
When you go to sell your house the pole barn will be an asset. The carport will likely cost you $ to have it ripped down.

Some info here
http://www.bbb.org/northwestern-north-carolina/business-reviews/carports/carolina-carports-inc-in-dobson-nc-12001072/

certified106 wrote:
Thinking of buying one of those steel framed carports to park the new 28BHS under and was wondering how many of you use one and what your experience/suggestions would be regarding the use of one? I guess the other option would be to a pole barn but that is a bit pricier and I was looking for cheap storage.

I looked at them, but decided to do it right and get a pole barn. Glad I did. If you use the carport idea, you need to add a lot of extras to keep the sun and weather out. Also, they make great nesting for birds and all the "dirt" that that entails.
One advantage to the carport is the low rent (property taxes) compared to more substantial buildings.

We have the RV carport, here is thread when I prepping for ours, with some pics of several ones & suggetions from many:

RV Carport Prep

Little cheaper way to go, I believe for most.

I was tight on area, would of liked to go wider and longer, was limited to the leveliness of my property.

You need a level area.

I found in my area SOUTHEAST (Atlanta area), there are middle-man sales companies on many corners of communities. They all work for ONE (maybe two) manufactuers, who schedule the material to be shipped in and installed by local contractors. Pricing was pretty Standard and controlled, just some middle man had better informational support than others. Basically did not find any killer deals (also when you see $900 for a carport, prices go up quick as you add length & height to accomodate a RV). Lots of add-ons, to the advertised prices.

Our 26 x 12 one, ran around $2,400. (higher guage, taller, side panels, one end-cap, tie downs) INSTALLED price. Prices may flucuate wih metal pricing & area.

We added side panels, which keeps most of the unit out of direct sun-light.

Installation is quick and easy for the crew (took less than 3 hours).

Postives:
Great having the sun & water kept off (helping slow maintanence with seals, roof, wall issues). Open air'ed so some complaints of Covers causing condensation not an issue. When parked at home in the carport, out of the main weather elements that do cause more maintanence. Less expensive than a complete building.


I did find that limiting to a small one has slowed down my urge to upgrade to a bigger travel trailer, which is a good budgeting trick!


We are super pleased with ours and love having the protection. If you plan on having a RV for a while, have the space and budget, I say go for it!

Markiemark

I don't have the room, but if I did I would have one for sure. I think very secure support/restraint system would be necessary on those very windy (think strong weather) days. That would be my only concern. I would probably sink some concrete supports and bolt the whole thing down. JMO of course.