Air Chambers and Carcoons!!!!

[BenMinnor]

Hi all

I was just wondering if people have used Air chambers or carcoons for their morris. I have a morris in average condition and want to make sure the condition of it doesn't deteriorate to fast. It is currently stored in a big barn which has no leaks. Also I don't have any issue with mould when I get the car our in the summer after storing it for 6 months.

Just wanted peoples thoughts and experiences with storing their cars inside these things. Are they just a rubbish gimmick or essential for any classic car owner?

Thanks
Ben

[bmcecosse]

Your barn sounds fine to me - as long as there are no mice about!!

[ianmack]

I have used an outdoor carcoon for several winters and it keeps the car dry. I would recommend it.

[123]

.
What's the point if you haven't got a dehumidifier drying the inbound air?

You are just blowing the same barn air past the car.
The same air as it would get it it wasn't in the tent.

The only real difference is that it gets exposed to more air.

Fine if the incoming air is colder and drier than the car
Bad if the incoming air is warmer and damper than the car

To my mind you'd be better off holding the body up on axle stands.

Holding it up high enough to keep the tyres off the ground.
Off the ground far enough to make sure they don't get flat spots.

Holding it up far enough to let the air circulate under the car.

Perhaps sorting something to stop the mice climbing the axle stands for their suppers too?

All the breast, Mike
.

[philthehill]

https://www.carcoon.com/

http://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-double-skin-outdoor

[bmcecosse]

I took have wondered about the sense of blowing damp air into a carcoon...... It would need to be passed through a silica gel type dehumidifier to make any real sense..... The dry barn is the best option, rather than pounding more and more moisture into a carcoon.....

[123]

.
Trouble with them as I see it is It wouldn't be easy to climb in, sit behind the wheel and chant gleefully "Poop poop" would I.

Whereas, when I have it up on axle stands I can turn the wheel, and change the gears as well as chanting "Poop poop"

Some Toadish alternatives to outdoor Carcoons

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... +&_sacat=0
.

[SteveClem]

I could see some of them disappearing into the distance, given a stiff breeze!

[123]

I could see some of them disappearing into the distance, given a stiff breeze!

I bet somebody smarter than us has worked out how to prevent them getting airborne, what do you reckon Steve
.

[SteveClem]

I kept my old 'poly tunnel/ moggy garage' Pegged down with 2' long steel spikes! But we did live on the top of the Peak District moors then... I'd be a bit more relaxed about it now at half the altitude.

[ianmack]

My twelve year old outdoor carcoon has just given up the ghost with the weathered fabric disintegrating. It stored several cars, most recently my Ford T for seven years, and none showed significant deterioration. They aren't cheap to buy but lasting well means it has cost around fifty pounds a year. I would thoroughly recommend them.

[Andy W]

Oh dear, oh dear me!
I'm probably just going to sound like a real philistine here, but....
Of course you want to keep the worst of the weather off your car, but...whilst meaning no disrespect to others...if owning a classic car to an owner means storing it in a hermetically sealed bubble then why not just buy a Dinky toy/painting/stocks & shares or some such?!
To me my Traveller is a living breathing organic road going personality (ok, ok, so I'm on my ??'d large glass of vino! )...I want to drive it, repair it, service it, smell it, feel it, waste all my spare cash on it & make other drivers wonder what exactly the f**k is that really odd old thing still managing 70mph along the motorway! I do 600 mile round trips in it several times a year in all weathers & love it to bits but I want it as an accessible, usable & part of my daily life.
Phew! Nice wine that!

[ianmack]

I guess it all depends on your available storage options. My everyday 70 saloon is out in all weathers but that doesn't do it any good. You don't say where you keep your Traveller when you're not driving/smelling/feeling it but it's all to easy to end up with more vehicles than garages, the motor equivalent of 'eyes bigger than stomach'. The carcoon doesn't hermetically seal, it is continuously ventilated, and unzips to get the car our when its wanted. It's a bit more involved than getting a car out of a garage but not unduly onerous. Not being a permanent structure they don't need planning permission.

The carcoon was my storage of last resort, everywhere else being used, even to the Lambretta in the kitchen!

[firedrake1942]

My 'baby' is in a rented council garage which is not particularly dry and if it had power I would put a cartoon type structure inside it

[Trickydicky]

I keep mine in a concrete garage which are notorious for keeping the damp in during the winter. To counter this I have fitted a 14" desk fan on a timer switch in the roof which keeps the air moving around the car. It is covered with an inexpensive indoor car cover to keep dust off which blows in through the eves.
Before I had this method the car suffered badly from the paint blooming under the cover due to damp in the winter, since installing the fan I have had no issues with the paint blooming or rust spots appearing on the bright work in storage.

[Andy W]

Fair enough, I'm probably just a bit slack at looking after my cars.
My Traveller is under a £50 Halfords car cover on the drive...fairly breathable, soft touch rather than plastic & air gets to flow so it suits me...lasts around 2 years & costs me £40 with my Halfords Trade Card.
My other old car is in a dry barn on the farm opposite & my motorbike, tools & drums, etc. take up the garage so the lack of room is always an issue.

The Lambretta in the kitchen sounds like a great idea....2-stroke smoked kippers for breakfast!

[philthehill]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b91iJMd1Nio

The Lambretta in the kitchen blues and features a Minor van too.

A brilliant piece of music so much so I purchased the CD.

[firedrake1942]

Minor Van is CBB768 J Does it belong to anyone in the MMOC / on the forum ?

[ianmack]

Sadly my kitchen isn't quite as lively as that one.