Using a Tarp To Replace Cover on ShelterLogic Shed for horses

[goddom]

We were trying out some shelterlogic canvas garages as shelters for horses because they are relatively cheap compared to a wooden one (especially these days!) and quick to put up. The first one we tried it got blown over in the wind and destroyed. Luckily no horses were injured. They were inside the barn at the time, but it did take out one fence post. The second one we put up I anchored with t-post at each leg and secured them to the shed with metal hose clamps. Then the horses and the wind destroyed the canvas cover.

Instead of just scrapping this thing or buying another cover that I imagine would be $200 or so, I decided to just use a tarp. Seems to be working OK, and if it gets ripped or destroyed its only going to be $50 to replace. You can see how what I did in the video below.

I am a little concerned about snow load, but I have some ideas to help mitigate that.

 

[ponytug]

Sorry to hear about the wind damage to your shelters. We have had a shelterlogic run in for close to fifteen years. Six screw anchors driven in to the point of maximum resistance have held it down in up to 100mph gusts, but we don't have the flat space for sustained wind that you do. Ours is the 18x12x10' (LxWxH) hoop version (like a Quonset hut) where the cover goes to goes ground level.

We had two covers fail due to sun exposure/aging, after seven or eight years of use. (Supposed lifetime 2-3years, so no complaints.) The third time around we upgraded to their PVC long life version.

I like what you did to fasten the tarp. Smart!

Overall, we like it. The horses are ok with it, though they aren't wild about wind noise; I think that they would prefer your taller version. The cows adore it.

All the best,

Peter

 

[goddom]

Sorry to hear about the wind damage to your shelters. We have had a shelterlogic run in for close to fifteen years. Six screw anchors driven in to the point of maximum resistance have held it down in up to 100mph gusts, but we don't have the flat space for sustained wind that you do. Ours is the 18x12x10' (LxWxH) hoop version (like a Quonset hut) where the cover goes to goes ground level.

We had two covers fail due to sun exposure/aging, after seven or eight years of use. (Supposed lifetime 2-3years, so no complaints.) The third time around we upgraded to their PVC long life version.

I like what you did to fasten the tarp. Smart!

Overall, we like it. The horses are ok with it, though they aren't wild about wind noise; I think that they would prefer your taller version. The cows adore it.

All the best,

Peter

Thanks! Yeah, I think if a couple of the horses didn't kick through the sides or chew on the cover it would have lasted a lot longer.
That allowed the wind to just tear them up over time.

I think the shelterlogic are a good value. I am sure there are more durable shelters, but they would cost a bit. Glad you had lots of luck with them!

 

[scaredychicken]

I've about given up on shelterlogic structures - 3 down in 3 separate wind storms, in the past 15 yrs. Each were 10 ft X 20 ft. They are great for temporary use, and cheap. But I don't want repeats of the same.

1) collapsed in the wind, equipment was inside - a mess, a few items destroyed, but minimal damage. we salvaged most of the structure
2) wind picked it up and tossed it like a kite some 200 feet away, through the trees and power lines, landing on the edge of an open field on my neighbours property. I retrieved it the next day, many of the pipes destroyed, bent. general storage items were wrecked.
3) this one was the strongest, thickest tubing, strongest cover, it was used to cover hay - completely destroyed. I might have enough to salvage about 1/2 a structure.

I need something more permanent, and am therefore saving for a 30 x 40 barn.

we don't get a lot of wind, but probably 2-3x per year it gets intense.
we have had the shelters in sheltered locations, protected from open wind, rain, snow
snow tends to roll off before it needs to be cleared off
the shelters were anchored with the corner anchor pins, and with 8 cinder blocks, and rope along the length.

I'm glad that you are having better success with them than I have. It looks like you have a solid plan to keep it upright. Personally, I believe that strong tarps with heavy weave are better and more durable than the original canvas that the structures come with.

 

[goddom]

I've about given up on shelterlogic structures - 3 down in 3 separate wind storms, in the past 15 yrs. Each were 10 ft X 20 ft. They are great for temporary use, and cheap. But I don't want repeats of the same.

1) collapsed in the wind, equipment was inside - a mess, a few items destroyed, but minimal damage. we salvaged most of the structure
2) wind picked it up and tossed it like a kite some 200 feet away, through the trees and power lines, landing on the edge of an open field on my neighbours property. I retrieved it the next day, many of the pipes destroyed, bent. general storage items were wrecked.
3) this one was the strongest, thickest tubing, strongest cover, it was used to cover hay - completely destroyed. I might have enough to salvage about 1/2 a structure.

I need something more permanent, and am therefore saving for a 30 x 40 barn.

we don't get a lot of wind, but probably 2-3x per year it gets intense.
we have had the shelters in sheltered locations, protected from open wind, rain, snow
snow tends to roll off before it needs to be cleared off
the shelters were anchored with the corner anchor pins, and with 8 cinder blocks, and rope along the length.

I'm glad that you are having better success with them than I have. It looks like you have a solid plan to keep it upright. Personally, I believe that strong tarps with heavy weave are better and more durable than the original canvas that the structures come with.

Yeah, I had one ShelterLogic shed just fall apart at the seams. Literally. The seams just started to split and I couldn't send it back for warranty because I had bought it and let it sit for like 1-2 years in the box before putting it up....

Hopefully this works well enough. If not I will tear down and build a better shelter.

 

[oldballs]

So far I am please with my Shelterlogic. It is the 12x24x8 top of the line that they sell. I installed it in 2015 ....on my 3 acre somewhat protected property. To my knowledge it has endured some heavy winds over 4-5 days at a time right at 30-60 mph and some heavy wet snows.

I anchored it at five places per side about a foot deep...into gravel. The only defect that I have found is the zippered door. The zipper didn't last very long with me.

Right now it stores two CUT Kubotas, one Case L&G tractor and a chipper shredder.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[goddom]

Yeah, I think in general they do well. I had one shelter that lasted 5-6 years even with the horses kick holes in the side. The larger one is just more susceptible to the wind I think. Glad to hear its working well for you.

 

[PEJ5]

This company makes replacement covers.

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www.cover-tech.com

Ideally, buy a new one of theirs and you'll be better off. No worry about snow load in the winter.

 

[California]

How about the similar structure but with aluminum lap siding? Far more expensive?

 

[goddom]

How about the similar structure but with aluminum lap siding? Far more expensive?

I have thought of that. It is quite a bit more expensive, and I have heard of horror stories if you don't have it well secured. But if secured well, I think it would last a long time and be a good option. I haven't priced one out compared to building a wood shelter.

 

[ponytug]

I have thought of that. It is quite a bit more expensive, and I have heard of horror stories if you don't have it well secured. But if secured well, I think it would last a long time and be a good option. I haven't priced one out compared to building a wood shelter.

I thought a metal cover might be a good idea, too.

I looked into that when I last replaced my cover. I came away with two thoughts;
1) getting an aluminum corrugated material would probably work best for waterproofing reasons at the peak of the shelter (best overlap on the horizontal), and
2) getting a good end cap to protect the animals from getting cut was essential.

Lacking a tubing bender, I didn't come up with a method to generate or buy end caps, and gave it up. Ideas or suggestions would be welcome.

Others are definitely handier than I when it comes to fabricating end caps, and may have some great ideas. There also isn't a great selection of metal roofing locally, but that wasn't what killed it for me.

YMMV...

All the best,

Peter

 

[the old grind]

Things I learned with fabric buildings: If one encloses the stored item and even if open-ended aerodynamic lift is strong with much-reduced flow under the cover. My most durable were 'carports' as sold (NLA) and have withstood winds in the worst spot in the nabe for wind. The fabric only goes to within 3' of the ground. Better ones (painted square tube, w/ends/doors) have been blown about the neighborhood.

Were I to recover a frame I'd give a lot of thought to say a solver HFT tarp that could be secured with space for air circulation and to trim/spray around. Backhoe & trickler, bicycle, stay dry and in iffy weather I hang my wash in mine. I credit not trying to stand up to wind with longevity of the setup. OK here's a pic of the longest standing fabric shelter anywhere near here.

 

[California]

Were I to recover a frame I'd give a lot of thought to say a silver HFT tarp that could be secured with space for air circulation and to trim/spray around. ... here's a pic of the longest standing fabric shelter anywhere near here.

I haven't had as good experience with HF tarps. Here's my last one after it was up for 8 months. Claimed 'premium HD' silver tarps via Ebay lasted longer, as I recall, typically two winters then failed before the third winter. There's likely better quality out there somewhere but I don't know how to find those.

 

[the old grind]

The eyes surely don't have it. IMO too few eyelets too far apart is the bane of econo-tarps tied down in windy conditions. The HFTs I've had lasted 3-5 yrs when not depending on OEM mounting holes to hold up & to hold 'em down. There's a way to get around that.

In my pic above (at full size) you can see that there are 'rod pockets' sewn into the edges of the cover. In the ends the pockets contain extra-long ratchet straps anchored at the frame's corners to screw anchors and on the sides there are 'notches' to attach to what could be 3/4 metal conduit or PVC, then lashed or weighted. Most any sewing machine would do if one uses a synthetic, coat-button type or other heavy thread and bobbin. Having a helper to manage a large tarp for this is indicated.

btw, longer spans and fewer anchor points will make cover survival difficult. IMO 6' spacing of tubes/ribs is a high practical limit. I prefer 5' at most. Anyway using a cheap tarp is one thing, asking too much of it is another, and I have done so. YMMV as always.

 

[ponytug]

I haven't had as good experience with HF tarps. Here's my last one after it was up for 8 months. Claimed 'premium HD' silver tarps via Ebay lasted longer, as I recall, typically two winters then failed before the third winter. There's likely better quality out there somewhere but I don't know how to find those.

I have had good luck with Northern Tool's premium grey tarps. I don't know that the ones today are the same quality, but I have two from a decade ago that I am still using, after a more than a few years in the sun and rain.

They have (or had) rope sewn in along the edge and more frequent grommets.

All the best,

Peter

 

[civilian]

I had a framework up for over 20 years. Went through 3 or 4 tarps. The frame work was fairly flat pitch, maybe 2/12 pitch. I took 3/4" pvc pipe ant attached it to the top plate pipes of the frame. (Think of top plate in house wall.) Ran the pvc under the ridge pipe and zip tied it to the ridge pipe. Puffed the pvc up and it lifted the sag out of the tarp. These pvc pipes were about 3 to 4ft apart. The frame's rafter pipes were 10ft apart. This kept the water from collecting at the lower edge. Also it supported the snow load for the most part. I did clear snow as soon as I could. This was in the snow belt of northern Michigan. Jon

 

[5030]

Cheap is cheap and what you get don't last. I have 2 Clearspan Truss arch buildings, one I keep hay in the other equipment in and both are 15+ years old with zero issues. You get what you pay for with everything in life, fabric structures included.

 

[camoman]

We were trying out some shelterlogic canvas garages as shelters for horses because they are relatively cheap compared to a wooden one (especially these days!) and quick to put up. The first one we tried it got blown over in the wind and destroyed. Luckily no horses were injured. They were inside the barn at the time, but it did take out one fence post. The second one we put up I anchored with t-post at each leg and secured them to the shed with metal hose clamps. Then the horses and the wind destroyed the canvas cover.

Instead of just scrapping this thing or buying another cover that I imagine would be $200 or so, I decided to just use a tarp. Seems to be working OK, and if it gets ripped or destroyed its only going to be $50 to replace. You can see how what I did in the video below.

I am a little concerned about snow load, but I have some ideas to help mitigate that.

Curious as to how it’s holding up and if you made any other modifications? Great video thanks for sharing!