Keeping Rocket outside (through winter)

[grahame]

I had a quick check through the threads on the rocket and couldn't find anything about people keeping their rockets outside over winter, apologies if I've missed any that answer my question.

New Rocket owner, just bought a pre-built rocket and I have to store it outside - yes I know it's not ideal, but it's where it's going to live.

Looking for a suitable car cover if anyone knows of one that fits fairly well if you can give me the website or company name and cover name ?  I have spoke with cacovers.co.uk who don't have anything they are certain will fit, as a guess they offered an atom cover as a possibility, but it's made to measure so I can't return if it doesn't fit.

If there are any outside keepers I'd be happy to hear of anything I should be doing for it to survive the winter.

Hoping I can drive it this weekend once I've bought some gloves !

Thanks

Graham

[nate78]

I've seen car cocoons, it looks like a tent the folds Over the car, look on dancovershop.com. Any good?

[johnp]

The cheaper option: 2 tarps (£10) pkt of bungees (£5)
Lay one tarp out, drive onto it, bungee side to side and front to back. (If you aren't going to drive it through the winter take the wheels off) Lay over the 2nd tarp and bungee that front and back. If you have a standard single roll bar that's your lot; if you have a full cage you'll need to form a ridge between it and the tarp so there is no pooling. (bit of waste MDF)
I looked at the prices on dancovershop.com and one would need deep pockets and a lack of grey matter to indulge.

our winters are less than severe but if there was a cold snap you could slip in one of Stuart's recommended £5 12v screen heaters

[nate78]

I agree with the prices on the site but if you look on eBay you can buy similar for cheaper, i don't like the idea of just putting tarps over it,

[johnp]

you could use this one  link  for a complete build or a granny flat. I haven't had a problem with tarps - just ensure no contact twixt GRP and tarp.

[grahame]

The tarps route (forgive my ignorance). Why the tarp on the ground ? Also Johnp you mention no touching between grp and tarp, I think I'll find that hard to do, is this just to stop moisture transfer ?

The car will be on a concrete drive if that makes any difference, close cover on 3 sides, on the sides a house wall- brick wall, a gate behind it, so it is somewhat sheltered, but will obviously still get the rain/cold/moisture.

[grahame]

I've gone the tarp route, 2 tarps 10.50 each, 2 packs of 12 bungees 5.00 each. Will see how I cope with that, guess it will be a laerning curve on how to do it, but thanks for all the advice. The pop up garages are a struggle as my drive is only 2.2 metres wide, so finding one that will fit and allow the car to fit in is nigh on impossible.

Will let you know how I get on.

[johnp]

Oct 15, 2015 7:48:46 GMT grahame said:

The tarps route (forgive my ignorance). Why the tarp on the ground ? Also Johnp you mention no touching between grp and tarp, I think I'll find that hard to do, is this just to stop moisture transfer ?

The car will be on a concrete drive if that makes any difference, close cover on 3 sides, on the sides a house wall- brick wall, a gate behind it, so it is somewhat sheltered, but will obviously still get the rain/cold/moisture.

Tarp on the ground - if you get the sudden urge to do some tinkering after the rain/snow you will have a dry surface to lie/kneel upon.
Contact: I have a couple of patches of GRP with tarp weave pattern - just 'cause it's winter doesn't mean the tarp stays cool (depending on the colour - lighter the better) Not sure if it was heat or chemical, or a combination of the two.
Your description of the drive would suggest a tarp lean-to: 3 or 4 hooks/rings high up on the wall, bungees to the fence. I did that and stuck up some lights - instant workshop. Depends on direction of the prevailing wind.

[grahame]

Now understand about not letting pools gather keeping taut etc. Just have 1 tarp over it at the min, 2 more on way via eBay. Not got too cold yet.

[grahame]

I bit the bullet and bought a quite expensive cover (after having wasted 30 quid on ebay jobbie, ripped first use).

Here are some pics, I daren't leave it on without the 5l water containers, I have a strap underneath it, but still don't think it'd be around long with some of the winds we have.

I bought a "MONSOON WINTER CAR COVERS FOR CATERHAM - Caterham 7 SV, CSR (00-on)", from storm car covers 140 quid with a security lock thingie that I'll never use......

Lets see if I can post some pictures, apologies if I've posted too many, just thought i'd bang a load on so people can see diff views.

Graham