Can you leave your car outside? The quick answer is that the answer is most definitely yes. After all, the outdoors is pretty much where they belong. They are made to work in all kinds of weather, so a little rain won’t hurt.
In the long run, though, the weather will start to damage your favorite car. For example, paint will fade in the sun, and dust will leave tiny scratches on the surface over time. Also, acid rain, snow that doesn’t melt, and tree leaves can cause rust to form early, and bird poop will definitely ruin the paint. There are many other ways that nature can hurt the look of your car, so why not use a portable garage to protect it from all of them?
A temporary outdoor structure, a portable garage or carport is usually made of a steel frame with a fabric cover. Think of it as a tent that you can set up and take down whenever you want. Not only will it protect your car from bad weather, but it will also give you extra storage space and a place to work on your car if you don’t have a proper garage (you might need a good garage heater if you live in a cold climate, but it’s better than nothing).
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Best Portable Garages to Protect Your Vehicle
A portable garage can be used for more than just a garage, of course. Once you have one, you won’t want to go back. We’ve put together a list and review of the best portable garages you can buy right now to help you find the right one for your needs and budget. This includes everything you need to know about each one, its pros and cons, and a full buying guide to make sure you’re happy with your purchase.
1. Aleko Heavy Duty Outdoor Carport Tent
Aleko is known for making some of the best portable garages for the money. They have been doing this since 2005. Even though it’s a cheap option, it still has a lot of the same features as some of the more expensive ones, like a rust-proof steel frame with thick tubes and a UV-resistant fabric roof and walls.
You can put it together as either a canopy or a full-enclosure unit, which gives it more uses. For example, if you only use it to cover your car in the winter, there’s nothing stopping you from putting it up in your backyard in the summer and using it for your next barbecue.
Also, it comes with all the hardware you need to put it up, and it won’t blow away from your driveway because the kit includes strong anchors. Even though this portable carport doesn’t have any windows, which might be a bit of a bummer because it might let moisture in, it is still strong, flexible, and cheap. At this price, though, you can expect this model to have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive one.
Aleko offers this carport tent in plenty of color options to suit your taste, including beige, gray, or white. Even though most people who want to store one car may be fine with the 10 x 20 ft. size, there are also smaller and larger sizes.
So, if you’re looking for a cheap portable garage that’s safe to use all year and gives you great value for your money, the Aleko Carport Tent should be pretty high on your list.
What’s Important
- Setup: just the canopy or the whole thing?
- Dimension: 10′ W x 20′ L x 8.6′ H
- Height of walls: 6.5′
- Framework: powder-coated steel
- Tube diameter: 1.5″ (38mm)
- 160g polyethylene fabric is used for the cover.
- UV shielding
- Walls that can be moved
- Beige, gray, and white.
- Warranty for 1 year
Pros
- Pretty affordable
- Price-wise, it’s pretty strong and versatile.
- Available in multiple sizes
- a lot of color choices
Cons
- No windows
2. ShelterLogic AutoShelter
ShelterLogic has been making outdoor shade and shelter products for 70 years. Its AutoShelter Instant Garage line is a small, portable garage designed for people who want a cheap and easy-to-set-up unit.
The AutoShelter can only be built as a full-enclosure unit, which is fine if you just want to protect your car from snow and sun. But you lose the flexibility that a canopy-only set-up gives you, like being able to host more than one outdoor activity.
Even so, this portable garage is easy to put together and take apart because the built-in cover fits the frame structure right away without having to deal with zippers and latches. This makes installation much faster. So, it’s best if you only use it occasionally, like when it’s snowing or raining, or if you have to move it around a lot.
The rigid frame is made of steel that has been powder-coated, and the cover is made of a UV-protected, waterproof polyethylene fabric. Even though I wish the tube was a little bit thicker, it comes with an anchor kit that makes sure it stays in place even when it’s windy.
Overall, the ShelterLogic AutoShelter is great for people who want a portable carport that is small, cheap, and easy to set up. This is especially true if you don’t mind settling for the full-enclosure setup.
What’s Important
- Setup: full enclosure
- Size: 10′ W x 15′ L x 8′ H
- Height of walls: 6.4′
- Framework: powder-coated steel
- Tube diameter: 1.34″ (34mm)
- 156g polyethylene fabric is used for the cover.
- UV shielding
- Sandstone is a color.
- Warranty for 1 year
Pros
- Easy to put together
- Amazingly small and portable
- Priced right
- Available in a bigger size of 10′ x 20′
Cons
- Poles with the thinnest frames on the list
- Can’t be set up as just a canopy.
- No windows
3. Quictent Car Shelter with Windows
If you want a model with windows, this is the one you should look for. The Quictent Car Shelter is reasonably priced for a portable garage that can be used for many things. It also has big windows, which is interesting if you work in there often.
You can also set it up as just a canopy or as a full enclosure, and you can choose which side the wall cover goes on. With a size of 10 x 20 feet, this tent is perfect for a carport, a closed storage unit, a patio with shade, or even a small workshop.
The large front and back panels also let in a lot of air, which cuts down on condensation and humidity in the summer. The windows are a nice touch. Even though garages don’t technically need windows, it’s still nice to have some natural light, especially if you’re working on a project car (there is no such thing as “too much light” when working on a car).
This portable carport is made of much thicker steel for the frame and polyethylene fabric for the cover. It is a bit harder to set up than other models, though. So, it will last a lot longer, and just in case, the manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty on the frame and cover and a lifetime warranty on the small parts that hold them together, like connectors, pegs, and ropes — a great deal!
So, the Quictent Car Shelter with Windows is a good choice if you want a versatile portable garage with windows that won’t break the bank.
What’s Important
- Only a canopy or a full enclosure can be set up.
- Size: 10′ W x 20′ L x 9.1′ H
- Height of walls: 6.5′
- Framework: powder-coated steel
- Tube diameter: 1.5″ (38mm)
- 160g polyethylene fabric is used for the cover.
- UV shielding
- Sidewall that can be removed and has plastic windows
- Beige and white.
- Covers and frames are covered for one year, but connectors, pegs, and ropes are covered for life.
Pros
- There are a lot of big windows.
- Not too expensive
- Material for a thick roof
- Warranty that’s good
Cons
- Setting up could be easier
- Not enough dark colors to choose from
4. Qomotop Heavy Duty Carport
The Qomotop Heavy Duty Carport is our Editor’s Pick because it has a lot of space, is tough, and isn’t too expensive. The steel frame is 1.5 inches thick, and the cover is made of 180g polyethylene fabric that is highly resistant to wear and tear, waterproof, and UV-proof.
Even though Qomotop only has one size, the 10 x 20 ft. footprint is big enough for any vehicle. The roof’s highest point is 9.4 feet above the ground, and the walls are also a good height. So, you can count on it being big enough to fit even a tall truck or SUV.
Also, if the lack of ventilation in the previous models was a problem for you, you’ll be glad to hear that this one has mesh windows. Depending on where you live, that could be a pro or a con. For example, if you live in a cold climate and want to keep your car (and yourself when you’re working on it) safe from snow, rain, and strong winds, this model won’t help you much. Still, if you work there in the summer, the extra vents will be very helpful.
It also comes with all the tools you need to install it, an anchor kit, and a great 2-year warranty. Like the last model, this one has windowed sidewalls that can be attached separately. This makes it good for a wide range of uses.
In short, the Qomotop Heavy Duty Carport is one of your best choices if you want a heavy-duty portable garage that can be used in many ways and has a large interior, good ventilation, and a fair price.
What’s Important
- Only a canopy or a full enclosure can be set up.
- Size: 10′ W x 20′ L x 9.4′ H
- Height of walls: 6.6′
- Framework: powder-coated steel
- Tube diameter: 1.5″ (38mm)
- 180g polyethylene fabric is used for the cover.
- UV shielding
- Mesh windows on a sidewall that can be taken off
- Color: beige, gray
- Warranty for 2 years
Pros
- Strong building materials
- The 180g polyethylene fabric is very strong.
- Well-ventilated
- Large guarantee
Cons
- Setting up takes longer than usual.
5. Advance Outdoor Heavy Duty Carport
The Advance Outdoor Heavy Duty Carport has a really cool feature. At first glance, it might look like a normal 10x20ft portable garage with big windows on the side. But the eight adjustable walls let you change the total height from 9.5 to 11 feet, depending on what you need to store. This is great if you want to store tall things like a box truck, garage tools, or a boat.
The tallest of the portable garages, it has a steel frame that is 1.65 inches thicker than usual and a polyethylene fabric cover that will protect whatever you store in it for years to come. Oh, and you shouldn’t forget that there are big windows, but they don’t let in air like the previous model did. These are just regular plastic windows. But, like the last product, you can choose which sidewall cover you want to install. This makes it good for outdoor activities or working on your car when it’s really hot.
Still, it’s important to remember that the height-adjustable roof and better quality as a whole mean that the price will be higher. Still, the Advance Outdoor Heavy Duty Carport is what you need if you want a high-quality portable garage that is a bit taller than most and has a more upscale feel.
What’s Important
- Only a canopy or a full enclosure can be set up.
- Size: 10′ W x 20′ L x 9.5-11′ H
- Height of walls: 6.5-8′
- Framework: powder-coated steel
- Tube diameter: 1.65″ (42mm)
- 183g polyethylene fabric is used for the cover.
- UV shielding
- Windows on a wall that can be taken down
- Beige and white.
- Warranty for 1 year
Pros
- Height can be changed
- Robust construction
- Poles with a bigger frame
- Premium quality materials
Cons
- A bit expensive
- It would be nice to have more color choices.
6. ShelterLogic Arrow Carport
The ShelterLogic Arrow has a lot of muscle if you want a portable carport that is as tough as a permanent garage. The second ShelterLogic product on this list has a lot of features that will appeal to people who just want to set up their carport and forget about it. This one isn’t as “portable” as it used to be, but it can still be taken apart and put back together somewhere else, so it’s still a “portable garage.”
Officially, it can withstand a wind speed of up to 100 mph and a snow pressure of up to 35 PSF. If you don’t know what that means, let’s just say it’s really solid lol.
It’s important to note, though, that this model is actually made up of two separate parts: a canopy and an enclosure kit. When you add up how much they cost, I wouldn’t call it a model that’s easy on the wallet. On the other hand, the high price does come with a few perks, such as a thick polyethylene fabric that is tough and secure and the longest warranty on this list, which lasts up to ten years.
No matter what, if you want the most (somewhat) heavy-duty portable garage and won’t settle for anything less than the best money can buy, this is the one!
What’s Important
- Only a canopy or a full enclosure can be set up (sold separately)
- Size: 12′ W x 20′ L x 8.5′ H
- Height of wall: 7′
- Framework: powder-coated steel
- Galvanized steel roof
- Tube diameter: 2.0″ (51mm)
- 213g polyethylene fabric is used for the cover.
- UV shielding
- Walls that can be moved
- Eggshell and Charcoal are colors.
- 10 years of coverage
Pros
- Made to last
- There must be a galvanized steel roof.
- The thickest fabric on the list
- Available in multiple sizes
- A great guarantee
- as high-end as you can get
Cons
- Premium price
- More difficult to set up
- The enclosure kit is sold separately and is not included.
What to Think About When Buying the Best Portable Garage
Setup: Only a canopy or a full enclosure
There are two kinds of portable garages: those with a single overhead canopy and those with a full enclosure. Each has its own pros and cons.
A canopy configuration is cheaper. It has just one canopy over the top and naked poles to hold it up. This setup will keep your car safe from the sun, falling branches, and light rain. But while it’s good for outdoor activities, it’s not really a good place to store your garage tools. Also, your car will still be exposed to harsh elements like wind, dust, snow, and heavy rain.
A full-enclosure configuration, on the other hand, covers the top, sides, front, and back of the tent completely, making a proper room or area. Usually, the walls are made of canvas and have zippers to open and close them. Also, even though it’s a little more expensive and less portable than the canopy-only setup, this one will protect your car from all kinds of weather much better, and it can also be used as a storage unit.
Still, some portable garages, like most of the ones shown above, can be made into either a canopy or a full-enclosure unit by removing the side panels. Carports with such features are obviously more useful, and you can get the best of both worlds. But keep in mind that the price might be higher and the installation might take a little longer.
Size
The right size for you will depend on a number of things, like how big your car is and how big your driveway is. Even if you’re not parking a car in it, think about how you’ll use it and make sure it fits.
If you want to park your cars inside, think about how many you want to park and make sure the space is big enough. You should also check to see if there is enough space to get in and out of the cars easily. This is the most common size, and it works for most cars and driveways. is 10 feet by 20 feet, so even the longest pickups should fit. Still, it never hurts to check again before you buy something.
Also, if you want to park a big truck, van, or even a boat, you should think about the height. Make sure you’re not talking about the roof’s highest point, since it’s probably sloped. Instead, look at the height of the walls or steel post on the front entrance for a more accurate measurement. The total height of the highest point doesn’t really matter if your truck won’t fit through the doorway.
Material
Most portable garages are made of fabric canvas for the cover and steel for the poles that hold it up. Thick canvas like polyurethane or polyethylene is the best of its kind because these materials are durable, weatherproof, and offer some UV protection, so your car and anything you store inside is protected from the sun’s rays. If you don’t use a proper car cover, the sun’s rays will fade your car’s paint, so you’ll need to use a car cover.
When it comes to the frame, try to choose steel that has been powder-coated to prevent rust. You should also pay attention to the diameter (thickness) of the pole as a whole. Thicker poles are more stable when there are strong winds. If you want to use the tent all year, you should choose tubes that are at least 1.5 inches (38mm) in diameter.
Floor Topography
You’ll need to anchor the garage’s frame to the ground to make the whole building more stable. So make sure to look at the surface of your driveway or the floor where you plan to put it together before you start.
If you anchor it to soft, grassy ground, most anchor kits should let you do this easily and without any extra tools. Not all units, though, come with an anchor kit that can be used on concrete or asphalt. So, in that case, you might need some extra tools, like a concrete drill and bolts to plant the chain, or you could just use something heavy to hold it down by hand.
Assembly
It goes without saying that the best way to put together your portable garage is to use the right tools and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The package usually comes with the frame, the fabric cover, the anchor kit, and the bolts and hooks needed to put everything together. So, make sure you don’t leave anything out.
At the same time, you may need to get some basic tools that aren’t included in the package, like an adjustable wrench, a tape measure, a ratchet and socket set, a utility knife, scissors, and a ladder, to make the process go more smoothly.
Also, keep in mind that setting up a portable garage isn’t something you can do by yourself. Having one or two people to help you will make the job a lot easier. Someone with more experience could help you get it done faster and with fewer mistakes, but since you’re on our site, we’ll assume you’re pretty handy already.
Questions People Usually Ask (FAQs)
What do people do with portable garages?
Well, portable garages can be used to park and protect your car, but they can also be used to store your tools or gardening supplies. They also have a lot of other benefits that depend on how they’re put in. For example, if you put yours right in front of your house, you can almost always get home dry, even when it’s raining. And in the winter, you won’t have to worry about having to shovel off the snow or remove it from your car first thing in the morning before going to work. That alone is worth the investment.
You’re not going to park a car inside, right? If you put this portable garage in your backyard, it can also be used as a convenient canopy for a barbecue party, a place for kids to play, or other outdoor activities that are more fun with some shade.
You can also put them behind your shop to make more storage space or use them as a stand to sell a lot of different things (think of those fruit and vegetable sellers on the side of the road)
Simply put, a portable garage is just that: a place to store things that you can set up anywhere. This means that you can use it for a lot of different things.
Are portable garages stable?
Most heavy-duty portable garages are much more stable than the standard canopies you see at festivals, which tend to wobble. Most of the time, they have a thick frame made of tough steel, and most of them come with an anchor kit to keep them in place.
But keep in mind that these are not as strong as permanent carports. Even though they can handle high winds, they are not made to handle hurricanes or any other kind of strong storm. Even the most expensive units could be blown away in these conditions, so if you live in an area where hurricanes are common, I recommend building a permanent garage.
Do I need a building permit to put up a portable garage?
Since portable garages are temporary buildings, you shouldn’t need a permit to set them up most of the time. But it wouldn’t hurt to check your local ordinances to see if there are any height limits so you don’t break any rules.
Verdict
Your car needs to be protected no matter the season or weather, and there’s no better way to do that than with a portable garage. It’s cheap, safe to use all year long, and easy to use. Even if you’re lucky enough to have a garage at home, you should still put one right in front of the door. And since you can use them for so many other things, you’ll definitely find a way to use yours.
Overall, if you are on a tight budget, the Aleko Carport Tent will do more than fine. It can be set up in many different ways, is made of high-quality materials, and is a good size, all without costing an arm and a leg.
The Qomotop Heavy Duty Carport is a great choice if you can spend a little more on a higher-quality unit. It has mesh windows that let in more air and a thicker than usual waterproof fabric cover.
But if you have more money and won’t settle for anything less than the best, the ShelterLogic Arrow Carport is your best bet. It comes in a lot of different sizes and has a metal roof and thick steel poles that can stand up to high winds and heavy snow. You can’t go wrong with this one.
