What's up with these tarp shelters at the farm auctions

[jimmyj]

They sell these at a lot of the auctions near where I live. The auctioneer who I know say there is a guy who imports them in volume from China, although I note the box says "engineered in Canada." I've come close to buying one I must admit.

I have a number of the "shelter logic" type shelters and find as long as you clean off the snow regularly you can get 5-6 years fro them. You have to stay on the snow though, removing it every single time it snows or even multiple times if there is a big dumping.

 

[dmccarty]

I would compare the prices and materials on Hoop Barns, Livestock Housing, Portable Garages, Pole Barn, Carport Garage, Canopy, Shed Storage, Storage Buildings, Portable Structures, Hay Cover, Car Garage - FarmTek with the auction shelters.

Later,
Dan

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Lot's of them around here, my neighbor has two, to put hay in.

What I have learned is, the cheap ones are do NOT hold up to wind/snow/sun ect... The good ones cost a lot more, but last a long time. My neighbor's have been up for more than 10 years and still look like they will last a lot longer.

SR

 

[Oldoak]

Several good points being brought out in the comments.

As with tools and regular tarps, the same applies to tarp shelters. There is a big difference in quality among manufacturers and even in various product lines of the same manufacturer. Of course the higher quality products almost always means higher initial cost but cheaper in the long run.

Naturally if one's resources (finances) are limited, a compromise has to be struck.

I edited to add that our state and local municipalities around here in northeast PA ues tarp shelters to house their cinder supplies for Winter road maintenance. After several years, they are still in excellent shape even with the 30" of snow we just had about a week ago.

 

[dmccarty]

Lot's of them around here, my neighbor has two, to put hay in.

What I have learned is, the cheap ones are do NOT hold up to wind/snow/sun ect... The good ones cost a lot more, but last a long time. My neighbor's have been up for more than 10 years and still look like they will last a lot longer.

SR

Pondering this a bit, there is a huge tarp barn I drive by that has to be at least 12 years old. The farmer stores hay in the barn, it is pretty big and looks like it is in good shape. A few years ago we had a strong storm cells dropping tornadoes near that barn. Thankfully, nothing got to the ground since there are two schools right there. :shocked: That tarp barn was just fine.

The last big snow storm we had was in 2000 that dropped 2 feet of snow. The barn MIGHT have been there in 2000. Given the U shape of the barn, one would think it would shed snow very easily.

From the looks of the barn, it looks very similar to what I see Farm Tek selling.

Later,
Dan

 

[bcp]

I buy a new one from Costco for $199 every once in a while, and all I use is the top. The tarp sides and the the superstructure are still good to go, and mine is a 10' x 20'. Too bad I can't just buy a top each time!

I did. You can, too.

Replacement Canopy Roof Cover 10 ft x 20 ft

Bruce

 

[deezler]

I think I've finally learned my lesson on these POS's.



Resulting in:



To be fair we had 60+ mph gusts.

 

[Looking4new]

I learned that in a strong wind you either leave the front and back open, or close it up completely.

The one my Jeep sets in was left open at one end and we had 60+mph winds. This was before I anchored it. Needless to say, it got put up twice. It still lasted 4 years, then I had to replace the roof. The replacement roof only lasted one full summer and a winter. It was one of the 'low slope' roofs. I'm going to replace it with a SUV shelter and use some of the framework from this one as wind bracing for the new one.

The rest of it will go as a greenhouse.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I have one of these ShelterLogic alpine style garage in a box units. It has stood up to high winds and 24" of wet snow. As mentioned, keep the doors closed in high winds. It's still standing strong after 4 winters. I did have a 2" branch punch about a 1' long tear in it. I taped it up with tarp repair tape, and it seems to be holding.

Last week I got a bottom of the line ShelterLogic canopy, and it folded like wet tissue with 6" of light snow.

You get what you pay for.

By the way, apparently this forum is intercepting my link above and redirecting to some shopping page. Look on the right side near the top and you'll see a link to "Continue to Northern Tool".

 

[newbury]

The biggest problem is that the sun's rays eventually kill the top. I have to replace mine every three or four years. And, of course, you must keep the snow off of it, or it will collapse from the weight. I buy a new one from Costco for $199 every once in a while, and all I use is the top. The tarp sides and the the superstructure are still good to go, and mine is a 10' x 20'. Too bad I can't just buy a top each time!

Wish you were closer, I'd buy a frame