Storing a car outdoors in winter
 

Does anyone do this?

I have a decent CA LandCrusier FJ80 without any rust and want to keep it that way as much as I can. I intend to park it when the roads are salted.

Problem is I don't have a garage here, but I do have a water proof car cover. Would it be sufficient to store it outdoors under the cover during the worst part of winter?

We are in a coastal NE town, so there is naturally some salt in the air also, but I don't imagine the air would be much worse than a coastal CA town.

Thanks!

This is opinion
 

I believe any tight-fitting car cover used outdoors, regardless of quality, promotes corrosion. It traps moisture, is vulnerable to wearing of the finish from wind motion and is an invitation to rodents.

If you store outdoors, I believe getting it under a roof of some sort is essential even if it is only a canopy. They can be surprisingly reasonable in cost and can be either fabric or hardtop.

When I lived in Noank, CT I winter-stored my Harley-Davidson by building a lean-to frame against the house and covering it with a plastic tarp. It allowed air to circulate while keeping the snow at bay.

Appreciate your response Rocky. I don't know whether the town ordinances allow a car canopy. If not, it seems you're suggesting its better to just leave it uncovered?

Not at all. I think faced with the choice of car cover or uncovered (no roof of any kind) I would cover my car. I guess I would do what I could. Perhaps put something on the roof to make the cover stand up and stake out the sides to allow air circulation. May want to salt the inside and under the hood with camphor (moth balls) to keep the rodents out.

Appreciate your input!

I suspect most places would allow a movable structure. It could be staked down too.

Then you can cover it from rain and fit a cotton or otherwise breathable cover to keep off the dirt.

If you can afford about $800, you should have some carport companies in your area...steel framed carport with corrugated fiberglass roof. They work well to keep most of the snow off the vehicle. Use the cover as the last resort, if possible, with a tarp over top to keep the moisture at bay.

I'd also spray the underbody with Fluid Film. The stuff creeps into crevices and does a great job at keeping moisture off of the metal bits...since you're in a humid area with salt.

I use Fluid Film on the underbody of all by vehicles...to include my new Jeep. The stuff works, and works well.

X2 on FluidFilm, change the oil, add fuel stabilizer, fill the fuel tank, disconnect the battery, couple coats of wax, DampRid in the interior and drive it on nice days.

X2

I think any sort of close fitting cover is asking for trouble.

Water gets trapped underneath - everything stays damp.

The best protector of your car is air flow. Ideally the air flow should be nice dry air flow but you can't control that if you leave your car outside.

If you can not get the vehicle under a car port then I'd consider the following

1) Here in Holland there is a big business in caravan storage (Dutch love 'em!). I currently have my W123 holed up in caravan storage - I think it costs just over a few hundred euros a year and it sits in the corner of a barn.

2) If you can't get it under cover then leave it uncovered and be prepared to wash it. A good quality wax on the vehicle before winter and bi weekly washes will keep it as good as you can in the circumstances. If you're not driving it then you are at least well away from the road salt.

Thanks for all the valuable input; this gives me a good reference point since coming from CA I have not really had to bother with winter car care.

I will definitely be looking into a portable car port as an option. JP, do you mind me asking how you apply the Fluid Film; as in do you just spray it from the rattle can?

I saw packs of 3 on Amazon. Also how many cans would you suggest?

Get some quotes on rental of a storage unit for 3-4 months.

Most indoor storage units require draining of all flammable fluids. I also agree that if you use a canopy of some sort you have the possibility of an occasional good-weather drive which can only be good for the car.

I know a number of places around me that will store vehicles without draining flammables. The rules may vary in other states or municipalities, I suppose.

My 88 300CE spent most of its first 13 years in FL as a winter driver. When I bought it in 2001 and brought it to the NJ coastline, I have always kept in the garage...flanked by my 2 motorcycles. My daily driver cars- leases - have been kept outdoors. As a result, the CE remains rust free. A guy across the street from us (half block from the ocean) keeps his summer T-Bird convertible (one of the ugly styles) under a canopy and under a cover. This year he had to replace the battery to get it going. It's already back under the canopy & covered. I wouldn't touch it, but I don't get a chance to give it a close up look. We average 6-8 good Nor'easters here each year. Sea mist carries. If you're up near the Mass. coastline, I'd suggest you find a garage for storage. I couldn't imagine leaving mine near, say, Nantasket Beach or Revere Beach for the winter. My $.02.

For a job done well, use at least 4 cans. Remove lights, get it into rockers, get it everywhere underneath and in all the nooks and crannies. I use 4 per truck, and will likely use that much on the Jeep before Winter sets in.

The stuff creeps into everything...and does a great job at protecting it all.