Carcoon - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Anyone currently using or recently purchased a Carcoon? No room in the garage for my new GT4 which hopefully will be ready for collection in the next week or so and with winter coming on I thought it would be a good idea to lay her up for a few months. I am also thinking about SORN and putting the car into storage for the winter months as an alternative to a Carcoon? Cost of storage would be approx £170 pm. Where I could make use of the Carcoon all year and have the car on site ready to use when the fancy takes me.

I used one for a couple of years for my 911 and to be honest it was a real pain to put up and remove and put me off using the car. Theres also a real risk of scratching the car when fitting and removal too even if the car is clean before hand I went over to a Cair-o-port which has an integral tent like metal frame and neither of the above problems as you just open the flaps and drive in/out but Its not as well built With both they really do work, just check the fans regularly as when mine packed up over winter I got black mould forming on the cars inside touch points and the footwell carpets

As Bosh says, they’re a bit of a faff around, but that’s probably not an issue if you’re just going to lay it up for a few months without touching it. That said, I have mine in a car storage facility. The tax & insurance reductions offset the costs somewhat, and it’s out of the way, tires over-inflated and put on a trickle charger being tended to as and when etc.. With the added bonus that when I drop it off they give it a good clean…

I have used a frameless carcoon for the past 9-10 winters and by and large it works very well. It is however a pain to set up and then to take off, you have to be careful not to scratch the roof of the car during the process. I have just put in an order for a carcoon veloce which has a frame and so hopefully will be much better. It costs about £600 so much cheaper than paying for storage. I always overinflate the tyres brim the tank with e5 superunleaded and put it on a trickle charger. Job done!

The carcoon has a little motor to keep the air circulating. As part of this, it has the ability to be connected to the car to keep the battery tended. I wouldn't do this as if there's a power outage, the air will be filtered using the battery of the car eventually draining it. No problem if it's only for a minute, but if it's, say, for a week then that can be a bit of an issue!

This is interesting, an Automatic Car tent - worth considering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kz3CXlgp9A

julian987R said: This is interesting, an Automatic Car tent - worth considering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kz3CXlgp9A If, like me, you considered a carcoon vs professional storage; then that daft little tent thing isn’t going to be anything like a suitable option.

Bit of a faff to get up so only worthy if the car is going away for a winter or longer. I left a car in one for 2.5 years though and it came out looking the same way it went in (outdoor carcoon)

I was thinking of getting this for my R https://www.specialisedcovers.com/skyshell-cover The previous one I had on my 944 was the same brand but more heavy duty and as result of its heaviness I had too drag it across the body at times (which isn't ideal) and it made the car paint sweat. Anyone had experience of this Skyshell version?

anonymous said: [redacted] Thanks for your reply. I did wonder if my ceramic coating and pampering the R with, I'd like to rate myself, close to professional level detailing/washes - maybe that is enough? Just that my R went through its first outdoor winter last year (previous owner must have garaged it hence it having the Homelink option) and wonder how much a modern'ish car can take of the elements. My 944 T didn't take well at all to being an outdoor car. Maybe as you say with regular washes and care then a cover is not needed....I'd rather not if I can avoid it.

I recently bought a used indoor one. Seems pretty good to be fair. It’s framed inside. I think they all are otherwise when you open it up to get the car out the whole thing would come down on you? I’d need to see an outdoor one to see how sturdy it was as I’d worry about strong winds. I’ve always thought they were for utter fannies but I bought one as the garage where we’ve recently moved to is a dilapidated, leaky timber thing that’s not worth saving. Can’t build my dream garage until 2023 though (if we stay here) as it has escalated in size and cost. I’ll use this inside the old garage. If you can find a used one I’d take a punt on it. Although they aren’t ridiculously priced even when new. I don’t use my car over winter, but car storage is a ripoff and I don’t want my car stored miles away anyway. I paid £150 for this. Very happy. Car is bone dry and the twin fans circulate fresh air constantly. Tight fit mind. Previous owner had a 993 which is 20cm shorter than mine. Apparently you can fit a rail to store your white socks and sandals in there too, once show season is over, but I don’t need that feature. Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 14th September 06:11

Have tried various covers over the years, none have been worth what they cost and all have caused issues when used for prolonged periods. Despite their claims all of them make the cars sweat, and will rub potentially causing damage... The only thing I would consider would be a contactless cover as per the OP's initial point.

Considered a carcoon myself, but went for the Clarke portable garage from Machine Mart. Been up 6 months without issue, keeps the debris from the trees off well. No condensation issues either.

I have a carcoon I use all year round swapping 2 cars between. Each car is in it for about 6 month periods and as others have said it’s a bit of a faff to get setup. I use an indoor cover on the car inside the carcoon was an extra layer when setting up/deflating. I find it really good and have been happy with my purchase but once the car is in it I wouldn’t want to have take it out for a good few months. I have been in the carcoon when it’s been up and had a car in it and it’s miles away from the car. Also when I removed the car it was as it was when I put it away. I usually totally clean the underside as well as the usual areas before it’s put away. I also then clean the base layer of the carcoon when swapping cars as the underside gets pretty dirty.