Winter Storage?

[edin351]

So I brought my '72 FJ40 out with me to college from Chicago (where it has always been garaged), and I'll be away in the winter and need to store it somewhere. It'll be outside, and I'm wondering if it's worth the money to invest in a car cover instead of a tarp. It's got a 2 year old paint job that looks great, so I really don't want to screw anything up with that since I put so much time/money into doing it myself. I figure you guys who have been out in the northeast a while might have some advice.

Thanks!

 

["N8"]

Well you could do like I do...

 

[edwjmcgrath]

After all of the prep work and the paint, I wouldn't leave it outside all winter-even under a tarp or car cover.
If you can afford to go to Dartmouth, you can afford covered storage for your 72 for the winter. JMO.

 

[green40]

Yea, those snow flakes really scratch paint here in NH.
If it's a show truck send it back home to its garage.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

It's not the snowflakes, it's rust.
Drums and rotors, brake cylinders, clutch slave, parking brake, brake cable, speedo cable, choke cable, throttle cable, points, starter motor, clutch, flywheel, belt pulleys,...all move every time you use the car and wear off a little bit of corrosion. If you leave it outside all winter without running it, the rust just keeps building up. The last time I left a vehicle parked outside unused for the winter (covered) I had to replace all of the rotors and several wheel cylinders due to rust. You can take your chances. If you can't afford to garage it, at least get someone to drive it once in a while.

 

[Leaping Deer]

I think we need pics of said 40. That being said, send it down here to RI and I will drive it on nice dry sunny days for you to fight off corosion.

 

[landtank]

It's not the snowflakes, you can't afford to garage it, at least get someone to drive it once in a while.

rust doesn't really happen during winter. The average humidity during winter is something like 8-10% while it's around 80-90% during the summer. Add condensation and rain to the mix and during summer your entire truck is wet inside and out.

Now ice and fallen trees can do some damage!

 

[edwjmcgrath]

Low humidity...

 

[fourlow&go]

Tough crowd, glad I'm not the only smart ass around here
Price out some storage places for the winter, then price out decent car covers.
There is a place near me that charges $50 a month (I think) for vehicle cold storage.
Don't use a plastic tarp they have the potential to leave stains on the paint.
Any cover you put over it is going to hold moisture inside, if it has a hard top that's in good shape and you can't afford storage, just leave it out uncovered. Away from any trees.

 

[KLF]

Rust absolutely happens in the winter, but a lot of it depends on where you park it. Try to park on concrete or pavement if you can.

Several years ago we stored a friends "summer" car, it was a brand new ragtop Pt Cruiser. She bought one of those instant garages to park it in, but we had to put it on a dirt area next to the garage. We put in the week after Thanksgiving, and I went out in March to start the engine. Battery was dead. When I opened the hood I was shocked at how rusty everything was, the car had less than 200 miles on it yet it looked like it had been driven through 10 New England winters. I guess the garage held in all the moisture that came up from the ground.

Regardless of where you store it, I would get the weight off the tires. Toss a handful of moth balls in the interior and the air cleaner to keep the mice out.

 

[landtank]

Ken, what you describe is from condensation do to being stored in that instant garage thing. When it's parked outside where it is more likely to stay closer to ambient temp throughout the day it will have less of a problem.

I opened the hood on my 80 last week and the new water pump was covered in rust. It sits on the edge of my property but in the shade for a period of time each day. This is the non running truck so it was from condensation.

 

[edin351]

I don't want to leave it on campus where it'll be quite obvious that I'm not there and will be a target for people to fxxx with it. So the only place I have is a friend's cabin in a little clearing (not pavement) in a forest (under trees)... so it looks like I'll be looking for some indoor storage.

Found a place in Franklin, NH for $65/month heated indoor storage. Might go for that. unless I find something closer/cheaper.

I appreciate the input, definitely changed my winter storage plans!

 

[landtank]

heated garage is the best option. Luckily nothing I have at this time is worth the effort.

 

[Sporin]

edin,

I think there is a place here in Windsor (20 minutes from campus, exit 9 down 91S) that does indoor car storage in one of the old Goodyear buildings. I can't find any info online but it might be worth a call to the Town Clerk, she'd know all the businesses. (802) 674-5610

Closer then Franklin.

 

[edin351]

That would be awesome! Thanks for the heads up, I'll give her a call later on today.

edin,

I think there is a place here in Windsor (20 minutes from campus, exit 9 down 91S) that does indoor car storage in one of the old Goodyear buildings. I can't find any info online but it might be worth a call to the Town Clerk, she'd know all the businesses. (802) 674-5610

Closer then Franklin.

 

[Loose Nut]

The instant garage thing may work better if you lay plastic or a tarp down beneath the car to help keep the moisture down. I'm looking for a storage option also, and may go that route.

Sid.

 

[edin351]

edin,

I think there is a place here in Windsor (20 minutes from campus, exit 9 down 91S) that does indoor car storage in one of the old Goodyear buildings. I can't find any info online but it might be worth a call to the Town Clerk, she'd know all the businesses. (802) 674-5610

Closer then Franklin.

Not sure if anyone else is interested, but number is 802.236.9434; $60/month, or 6 months for $300.