The 'E' Type Forum

Hi all,

I need your expert opinion. In my never ending search of keeping my etype in the best condition, I am contemplating buying a indoor "car cover solution" to "embed" my car in while being parked in my non heated but well secluded barn. I came across this cair-o-port structure from Hamilton classics in the UK (www.hamiltonclassics.co.uk)

Before doing anything silly (again :)), does anyone have any experiences with this kind of structure and given the fact that my barn is not heated etc. would it be of any help to get the car through the winter (i.e. keep it "dry") or is it a wast of time to use this ?

Many thx for any guidance you can provide me ?

For information, I have included a product description from the site:

"The principal is not new, the Cair-o-port however is. With its external lightweight steel frame, modern state of the art materials and the benefit of three electric fans combine to make the Cair-o-port the most efficient storage system available. The external frame has the advantage of being strong simple and quick to erect, the modern materials are lightweight but strong and are easily attached to the frame. The three filtered fans ensure that every crevice even under the car are kept dry and free of condensation. This combination, along with its attractive price, provide cost effective protection for sports & classic cars, motorbikes, or general household dry storage.

Having the external frame makes access to the Cair-o-port very quick & easy, two vertical zips and a Velcro flap are all that is required to encapsulate or release your treasured possession. The Cair-o-port then remains in place ready for your return. The filters can be easily removed for cleaning. Access at any time for minor maintenance is effortless and work can be carried out inside the Cair-o-port."

ErikAntwerp
1966 4.2 FHC series 1

The most popular version is the Carcoon: http://www.carcoon.co.uk/ Very highly regarded and comes complete with a battery conditioner. Only problem I can see is the car will be left standing in the same position for a length of time which will put 'flats' on the tyres. Solution is to use some TireShoes: www.tireshoes.com So the whole thing will be an excellent way to keep your car over winter without worry.

I bought a Carcoon as every review rated it very highly. It worked very well, but has one major design fault?it?s a playground for this?..



Meet Sid the cat. He was nervous about the Carcoon at first, as it hummed with the noise of the fans. But plucking up courage, he climbed above the Carcoon in the garage, and jumped on it, using it as a trampoline to slow down his decent to the floor. This was great fun, but on the third or forth go, the razor blades he has on the end of his feet did their job, and ripped a great big hole in the top. It deflated rapidly, and so did Sid?s fun, as he was now inside the Carcoon So he set about a comprehensive destruction exercise, in order to get out of his new plastic jail, and the Carcoon was duly taken down the tip.

If you have cats, don?t waste your money. If you don?t have cats, they are probably the best protection you can get. In a damp climate, you will need a small de-humidifier as well.

As for the tyres, that?s a good point David. I always pump mine up to about 50 psi before storage, which seems to keep them just fine for a few months.

David,
Mark,

many thanks for the advice (and warning for the cat !!)

I will let you know how it works.

cheers
Erik

Erik

I came across this review if it is of any help: http://www.petrolheads.co.uk/gassing/to ... =&t=133327 Things to consider seem to be the size when inflated and do you need to take the car out regularly in which case the version with supports seems better e.g. http://www.airflow-uk.com/air-chamber.htm Really depends on how you intend to use it.

David,

Many thx for this. This help quite a bot. I do indeed like to take her out. I do have the space in my barn for both type of systems .

I will just need to decide what is the most important and give it a try.

I will let you kno whwat I decide and how it goes.

cheers
Erik

Erik

You will find that the cold weather is not the problem it's the damp and sudden temrature change that create moisture.

If anyone does have a heated garage you need to keep it on a low heat 24/7

If the car is in a wooden barn, that should be the best place for it as a wooden structure is a much dryer environment than any brick built garage provided it's free from leaks.

I would go with the battery conditioner and as David mentions tyre cusions.

i hope this helps.

Hi Harry,

Many thx !

The battery conditioner, I already have for a long time and I agree it is great.

The tire shoes , I just ordered them (thx for the hint guys)

The barn, well that is a tough one. My barn is half brick, with a wooden top just beneath the roof which are tin plates. There are no leaks, and there is some draft in it.

The latter probably means I still would need something like a car o port or carcoon, don't you think (or not?) ?

Many thx as always for all of your feedback.
cheers
Erik

A draft can be a good thing as it circulates the air as long as it does'nt fetch the rain in.

My money would say it OK as is.

Harry,

many thx .
cheers
Erik