Hey there campers and welcome to my post where we will check out my three best portable carports to keep the duco clean this year. Now, just because you are camping, it doesn’t mean that you can’t look after your pride and joy whilst you are there. For this reason, adding portable carports to your camping gear may be helpful here.
Portable carports are not only helpful in parking your vehicles outside to protect them from the elements, but they can only shield your paintwork from car related hazards such as tree sap, animal droppings and even storms as well. So for those of you looking for a little vehicular protection to go with your camping trips, I have had a good look around and come up with three decent options below.
Let’s check them out…
My three recommended portable carports
I will review these in more detail below, but if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What are portable carports?
A portable garage/carport is a temporary outdoor structure to protect your vehicle. It is typically made of steel with a fabric cover that you can assemble and disassemble at your will and convenience. Furthermore, it will not only protect your vehicle from the elements but can also provide you with additional storage space as well.
What should you be looking for?
The following factors should be considered as you look for a good portable carport for your outdoor needs.
- Type of setup
- Product size
- Construction material
- Ease of assembly
- Additions
Type of setup
As you shop for portable carports, you will discover that there are two available setups to choose from as below:
- Canopy-only design: This type is less expensive because it only has a single overhead canopy with naked supporting poles. The configuration effectively shields your vehicle from direct sunlight, falling branches and light rain showers and whilst it is suitable for outdoor activities, it does not provide shelter for other camping equipment.
- Complete enclosure design: The second kind of setup provides a full-enclosure configuration. These products cover entirely the top, sides, front, and back, resulting in a properly enclosed room or area. Canvas is typically used for the walls, with zips for opening and closing options. Furthermore, while it is slightly more expensive and less portable than the canopy-only setup, it will do a much better job protecting your car from all types of camping weather.
Product size
The size of your vehicle is a primary consideration for the size of the portable carport you want to buy. The most common size, suitable for most vehicle types is 10 x 20 ft., which should accommodate even the longest pickups. You should also check whether you can quickly get in and out of the vehicles given the available space.
Put simply, it is highly recommended to double-check that your car will actually fit inside before finalizing your purchase – especially of you have a rooftop cargo carrier etc. attached to the roof.
Construction material
Thick canvas, such as polyurethane or polyethylene is known to be the best because it is durable, weatherproof and provides adequate UV protection for your car.
Choose powder-coated steel for the carport’s frame to provide rust protection and increased longevity and you should also consider the overall pole thickness (diameter) too as thicker poles offer more stability during strong winds.
Ease of assembly
Portable carports with straightforward designs are assembled easily. This should be a significant concern for you since you do not anticipate spending the entire day just setting up the product.
The framing structure, fabric tent cover, anchor kit, and the necessary bits like bolts and hooks that hold everything together are usually included in the package.
Additions
Other potential additions include:
- Adjustable heights: Certain portable carports allow you to alter their vertical orientations, which could be helpful depending on the circumstance.
- Removable sidewalls: This feature helps convert the fully enclosed carport to just a canopy-only portable garage.
- Weights: Some manufacturers include weights such as sandbags etc. to assist with stability in high winds etc.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. Quictent 10X20ft Upgraded Heavy Duty Carport Car Canopy
My first portable carport option possesses the correct dimensions to protect your small pick-up camping trucks. The canvas and tubing are both made from durable materials giving the product enough protection against the elements. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Quictent
- Type of setup: Canopy-only design
- Construction material: Upgraded galvanized tubings and extra-thick polyethylene fabric
- Dimension: 20 x 10 x 8.7 feet
Other inclusions:
- Durable sandbag weights
- Lifetime warranty
Why have I chosen it?
This canopy’s heavy-duty, galvanized steel tubing frame makes it highly durable while remaining effortlessly portable. Unlike other portable garages, this one does not require additional drilling or cutting with extra steel cables to reinforce the structure.
One distinguishing feature of this model is the excellent warranty provided by Quictent with lifetime free replacement for connectors, pegs, ropes, and elastic ropes as well a for a few “natural-loss” poles.
2. ADVANCE OUTDOOR Adjustable 10×20 ft Heavy Duty Carport Car Canopy
My second option has a peak height to accommodate long and tall vehicles with exceptional durability and a tool-free frame that makes assembly quick and simple. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Advance Outdoor
- Type of setup: Canopy-only design
- Construction material: Heat-sealed, triple-layer 180g polyethylene fabric, 1.5inch diameter galvanized steel poles
- Dimension: 20 x 10 x 9.5 feet
Other inclusions:
- Ball bungees
- Anti-UV cover
- Step-by-step instructions included
Why have I chosen it?
The portable carport offers four height levels with a durable metal frame. The poles are all galvanized, guaranteeing the product is for the long run with 12 steel pegs and six auger anchors that work together to make the steel carport more secure and stable. And thanks to the high-quality construction materials, this portable carport successfully protects your vehicle from the harmful sun as well.
3. Carport 10x20ft Heavy Duty Car Canopy With Transparent Windows
This last option gives complete protection to your outdoor vehicle and can also be converted to canopy-only setups at will. The weather-resistant feature helps provide full protection to your cars, SUVs, and trucks. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Generic brand
- Type of setup: Complete enclosure design
- Construction material: Tear-resistant and UV-resistant fabric and heavy-duty galvanized frame
- Dimension: 20 x 10 x 9.5 feet
Other inclusions:
- Removable sidewalls
- Easy to install
Why have I chosen it?
This final option provides effective weather protection all while delivering an exquisite, sleek, stylish and extremely practical product. Unlike other portable carports, this one has windows that allow you to keep an eye on your vehicle while transforming it into a canopy to cater for any special events. Its two zipper doors as well to provide ventilation as well as easy access points.
Its sidewalls are a barrier between your vehicle and any flying debris like tree branches, dirt, or leaves underscored further by its heavy-duty galvanized frame and 8x 1.5 diameter pole structure, which provides stability from unpredictable weather patterns too.
Conclusion
There you have it, my three best portable carports to keep your pride and joy protected this year. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul
