6 replies to this topic

[rubdub]

Hey folks,

 

So am just looking for some advice/feedback on this..

 

So I currently have a Minispare Stormforce cover and while it's great for keeping the car dry as most of us know unless the car is spotlessly clean it will cause issues with scratching the paint when windy etc. I've even tried used a soft cover under it but still not super happy in doing so. 

 

As I don't have a garage storing the mini on my driveway is my only option at present and with winter approaching I want to build a custom framed cover that will not only keep the car dry, but hopefully scratch free.

 

So my idea is to use 25mm pvc piping to build a skeleton around the car, keeping it no larger the half a foot around the car and by using 90 and 45 degree bended joints follow the shape of the windscreen and bonnet as well. I have a trimmer who will then hopefully make a cover that will fit over this frame. I plan to have him put in 4 vents on each of the top corners of the cover similar to that on a traditional tent, but also to have the bottoms of the cover have zips on them so I can partially open them to allow air to flow freely around the inside of the cover too. To anchor it I'll have him stitch D rings on each corner too which I can then anchor to my driveway. The plan would only be to use this cover when I know there will be large amounts of rain coming, and when it's dry to remove the cover and bring it for weekly/fortnightly drives when the weather allows.

 

So I'm just looking for any thoughts or advise on building such a thing, and for any possible pitfalls I should look out for?

 

Cheers folks! 

[panky]

Take a look at the Trike home. It does just about what you are going to build and a Mini fits inside.

 

https://www.feelgood...RE9nSVRHRdcuyra

[Quinlan minor]

I don't know how you'd stand in Dublin but, round here (London), Council Planning issues may come into play.

Probably best to check first. Mate of mine had to remove his, after spending a fair chunk of money.

[rubdub]

Take a look at the Trike home. It does just about what you are going to build and a Mini fits inside.

 

https://www.feelgood...RE9nSVRHRdcuyra

 

Thanks for that Panky! Yeah I had been looking at those trike covers in the past, but as they are like 6ft+ in height I know there would be some nosey neighbours around me that would complain to the local council. Someone in an area near me had something similar for bikes, garden mowers etc and they had to remove it. So my thinking is that if I can build it myself and keep it a similar height and shape to the mini it might be easier for me to get away without any issues...

[rubdub]

I don't know how you'd stand in Dublin but, round here (London), Council Planning issues may come into play.

Probably best to check first. Mate of mine had to remove his, after spending a fair chunk of money.

Yeah it's a bit of a grey area at the moment.. I was just reading an article there from earlier in the year that the council was working on new plans that would allow bin sheds and bike garages for up to four bikes in front gardens so I'm hoping that would grant me a bit of leeway when it came to doing something for the mini too. My neighbours would be used to seeing a cover on the mini during the winter months.. so that's why my thinking is something that would not be too much bigger then the mini and follow the general shape of it as well.. worth a shot anyway I think.. especially if I'll only have it up during the worst weather.

[Ethel]

Galvanized steel pipe might not be much more expensive. The stuff with socketed corner joints you see used for handrails & trendy, brutalist, interior design. You could use a combination of both. Parking your wheels on part of the frame could be a good way of keeping it secure. 

[mm man]

Have you looked at outside carcoon ?