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GroovePoppa · 05-01-2008, 09:31 AM

Hi everybody, Newbie first-poster here. I don't have an AS yet, but want one bad. I read some threads here; it seems many (most?) store their AS inside or in a carport. My question is, is this really necessary? I have space at my place, but it is not covered. Should I factor the cost of a carport or pole barn into my AS budget (which may not make it as it is!). I live in Livingston, Montana. We get some snow, but less than 20" of preciptation per year. It gets plenty cold.

THANKS!

Getting tons of good info on this site!

Jim Foster · 05-01-2008, 09:48 AM

We keep our Caravel outside. Inside would be nice. It would stay cleaner parked inside, but outside is OK if it is secure. We have cardboard covers for the inside of the windows to prevent sun rot. There is a large motor home parked on the sunny side, so we don't bother with tire covers.

InsideOut · 05-01-2008, 10:12 AM

Ideally, I would love to store them indoors and heated and sometime that may be feasible...but not here, not now. You didn't mention if you are looking for a current/newer or vintage.

Like Jim mentioned, the biggest downside is that it gets dirty and if you are talking vintage, that means more frequent polishing. Fortunately, our climate is very dry here, so the oxidation process is slower than in high humidty areas.

We use the silver bubble insulation in the windows & skylights to protect from sun damage and open it up, go inside and check on it periodically through the winter months to look for hints of leaks (or creatures) before they get out of control...I'm happy to report we haven't found any of either!

Shari

ROBERT CROSS · 05-01-2008, 10:22 AM

WELCOME TO WALLY WORLD

Both A/S we've owned have been kept outside.

Keep the skin clean, waxed/sealed and you should be fine. Cold/dry, not so

bad, high humidity, salt air, moderate temps not good.

The only concessions we make here in snowy Buffalo,

remove wheels/tires and batteries.

cover a/c and all roof vents and skylight.

Just follow the owners manual as far as Winter storage goes and you'll be

fine.

DEITZ645 · 05-01-2008, 10:22 AM

We store ours outside, but would love a 40' X 40' pole barn to store them both, but that ain't in the budget right now . I polish mine at least three times a season and wash before and after each camping outing and the finishes seem to be holding up nicely. During winter months I set sticky mouse traps in case any of the critters get inside (none yet...knock wood). I also make a weekly inspection trip to the end of our property where they are stored. It is a short walk, but can be interesting in the snow.

LHall · 05-01-2008, 11:20 AM

Ours is stored in a public storage facility with a roof. Here in AZ it makes a very big difference in the ambient temperature inside the AS. We can tell a big difference when we have it home and in the sun. Ours only gets sun exposure in the mornings and everything else is shaded all day.

**moosetags** · 05-01-2008, 11:54 AM

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

We store Lucy outside when she's not on an adventure.

We'd like to have covered storage, but don't right now.

RIstream'n · 05-01-2008, 12:08 PM

I'm lucky enough to have a 40'x20' RV port, or as others here have called it here an airhanger. It works out great for shade, working on and polishing in any weather etc. If you have a choice and can swing it I recommend it highly. We ordered ours from TNT in So. Carolina. It was $4500 installed about 5-6 years ago. They did a great job and it looks great. I have a few pics in my thread "picked up new safari today" if you want to check it out. Good luck and welcome.

henw · 05-01-2008, 01:02 PM

Living in Fla we get high humidity, lots of rain, and scorching sun. I worry about seals and plastic covers.

Tom

CanoeStream · 05-01-2008, 01:03 PM

Hi GroovePoppa -- Welcome to AIR Forums!

You can make do with either option. Getting Airstreamin' when you are ready is the most important issue.

New or used, I wouldn't hesitate to get your Airstream and over the next couple years figure out how you want to prolong its good condition going forward.

There are just 'costs' to storing out in the sun. Jack Canavera's 2004 Classic's air conditioner cover turned punky and had to be replaced after 3 seasons or so out of doors; I believe he stores under cover now. With us having a newer unit I sure want to store in a garage.

Covers for hand cranked passive roof vents (not Fantastic Fan covers) that Airstream has used in the last handful of years are awfully ultraviolet sensitive -- so much so that when it goes bad most folks would just install a 2nd Fantastic Fan or other powered vent. All Airstreams with clearcoat on the skin will have problems after too few years -- that would just be accelerated by storing outside; eg, what's it feel like putting your bare leg up against an aluminum boat or canoe at midday in June.

We'll give you the secret handshake when you tell us you've made the purchase!

ScottW · 05-01-2008, 01:16 PM

We poured a slab and built a 32X14 shed for our Classic. I worry about hail here in MS during storm season (which lately has been 12 months out of 12 months). It also keeps the sun off the top, most of the side, and out of the windows. We are adding a wall 3/4 the way up soon, so it will be practically 'inside'. We added water, 30 amp power and a sewer dump to make it really nice.

Not cheap, but thought to be worth the investment to protect our investment.

utee94 · 05-01-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

Hi GroovePoppa -- Welcome to AIR Forums!

You can make do with either option. Getting Airstreamin' when you are ready is the most important issue.

New or used, I wouldn't hesitate to get your Airstream and over the next couple years figure out how you want to prolong its good condition going forward.

There are just 'costs' to storing out in the sun. Jack Canavera's 2004 Classic's air conditioner cover turned punky and had to be replaced after 3 seasons or so out of doors; I believe he stores under cover now. With us having a newer unit I sure want to store in a garage.

Covers for hand cranked passive roof vents (not Fantastic Fan covers) that Airstream has used in the last handful of years are awfully ultraviolet sensitive -- so much so that when it goes bad most folks would just install a 2nd Fantastic Fan or other powered vent. All Airstreams with clearcoat on the skin will have problems after too few years -- that would just be accelerated by storing outside; eg, what's it feel like putting your bare leg up against an aluminum boat or canoe at midday in June.

We'll give you the secret handshake when you tell us you've made the purchase!

He's not kidding, they won't give you the secret handshake until you own one, I've tried...

Not Done · 05-01-2008, 02:46 PM

Hello Groovepapa,

I've heard that you should not tarp an Airstream as that will fog the clear coat. So if you do store it outside don't tarp it. Can anyone validate this?

GroovePoppa · 05-01-2008, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the info everyone-I will proceed with "the dream" and I'll be hittin' you up for the secret handshake someday (maybe soon?).

ROBERT CROSS · 05-01-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Done

Hello Groovepapa,

I've heard that you should not tarp an Airstream as that will fog the clear coat. So if you do store it outside don't tarp it. Can anyone validate this?

Not sure about fog'n the clearcoat.

But know for sure that if you LAY a cover over anything, car, boat or rv

moisture WILL get between the cover and unit, which is never a good thing.

Plus the wind can cause significant damage with a poorly fitted cover.

Ask me how I know...BTDT.

centennialman · 05-01-2008, 03:29 PM

Mine is outside in Colorado, where it's generally dry, however, I have built a shelter over it from one of those portable garage kits (plastic garage) that you buy at Checker Auto parts. My thought is that our frequent spring hail storms can beat the heck out of the portable garage and not hurt the airstream. We will see what happens.

bredlo · 05-01-2008, 03:36 PM

This is a great thread - I'm thinking we'll do the tire covers (never heard of anyone taking their tires off before like Robert Cross! That's an interesting one and probably not a bad way to go.

We're storing outside and near a bunch of overhanging trees, actually. I'm hoping we can get permission to erect a metal pole/nylon canopy, like the kind you see at art fairs.

If anyone has a lead on that type of canopy I think it'd be a good fit in people without the "indoor storage" kind of budget.

AirsDream · 05-01-2008, 06:27 PM

Re tarping:

My owner's manual specifically says not to ... but the reason is that if it flaps in a breeze, etc., will scratch the surface / clearcoat, etc. Mine lives indoors when not "out" and the POs kept it inside also. It's nine years old and looks like new to my eye.

centennialman · 05-02-2008, 05:58 AM

Brad....I bought mine at Checker Auto Parts for $100 on sale. I anchored it in buckets of cement to give it the weight it needs to anchor it down. The roof is high enough that the material doesn't "flap" on the trailer and cause any scratches. It protects her from sun, snow and we will see how it does in hail storms.

elolson · 05-02-2008, 06:27 AM

Outside. But lots of sun damagage. Had to replace all plastic on the roof this season as I was starting to lose stuff when on the road. Inside would be cleaner as well, but the main thing is that it sure would be nice to get it out of the sun.