Have You Made Use of a Portable Carport Shade? Please Recommend One

YoursTruly on 10/04/2025 - 15:24
Last edited 10/04/2025 - 16:05

Hello folks’

I’m in the search for a workable temporary carport shade structure to buy. I need to park a car away from direct sun to avoid causing sun/ heat damage to the paint work.

I’ve bought and tried this one from Super Cheap Auto and it was fine if a little flimsy - until one night it snapped & bent sideways to the ground when it was windy/ gusty a week ago. Luckily there was no car underneath parked or it would have caused some serious paint damage to the car. (I returned it to SCA and got my full refund)

I’m now looking into one of these portable shades from Bunnings as alternative. I don’t know if this is ok. Any thoughts or other recommendations?

Will appreciate your thoughts and input. Thanks in advance.

Automotive Gazebo

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/04/2025 - 15:29
    +1

    bunnings

    3.3 av out of 5 over 52 reviews ..i dunno man.

    There was this video doing the rounds during the cyclone event we had , made me half consider getting an oztrail gazebo (obviously it’s only as secure as how well you tie and peg it down) this dude got some pointers in how to tie down the oztrail gazebo well

    • YoursTruly on 10/04/2025 - 15:54
      +1

      That Oztrail seems to be surviving. I wonder if the 6x3m one would equally do.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 10/04/2025 - 18:30
        +1

        Oztrail costs more for a reason. They are usually very well made.

        • foxmulder on 23/04/2025 - 09:11
          +1

          Probably why most of those stall holders use Oztrail brand.

      • Dr Phil on 11/04/2025 - 08:14
        -3

        Temporary shade structures are just that
        They are designed to be erected for a "function", usually that morning or the day before, and then removed.
        They cannot be anchored down securely and are not designed to be "weather or storm proof" as you have found out and should be removed when even a moderate wind is blowing.

        Your only real option is to throw a car cover over it.
        Its a bit like a rain coat.
        But even with these, a cheap one will rip and blow off the car in a high wind so you need to buy a decent one.
        See here for your options:
        https://www.australiacarcovers.com/car-covers
        Outdoor options start from $250

        My question to OP is ..

        Why not install a proper car port?

  • ReaperX22 on 10/04/2025 - 15:49
    +3

    Portable units are specifically called temporary for a reason.. They're not really built to withstand constant battering of weather right..?

    Says in the description: This is a temporary structure, not to be used in extreme weather or heavy rain.

    Sounds like you want a permanent carport but very cheaply.

    If I had to guess you're either renting or your garage is small and/or full of storage so the car gets booted out front! (this was us at our previous rental, small ~70s garage, barely fit the car even when empty, was fine when I had my old car that already had sun damage etc, got a new one last year and we moved to a new spot with a double wide garage! Though doesnt fit cars longer than 5m in length).

    Yeah.. Our solution was, move lol. (realistically we had outgrown the old place anyway… but the car was a strong moving factor)

    • YoursTruly on 10/04/2025 - 15:57

      Sounds like you want a permanent carport but very cheaply.

      1. Not permanent but somewhat 6-12 months. 2. Yes.

      If I had to guess you're either renting or your garage is small and/or full of storage so the car gets booted out front!

      Garage already has two cars. Third one needs a spot and is relegated to the outside. Unfortunately it’s a precious car and one has to be outside for now until I figure out a permanent solution.

      • tenpercent on 10/04/2025 - 16:02
        +1

        There's another solution to not having anywhere with shade to park a third car.

  • tenpercent on 10/04/2025 - 15:51
    +2

    Can you get a car cover instead? More work to put on and off each time though.

    • YoursTruly on 10/04/2025 - 15:58

      Are these reliable? Won’t it cause scratches as it’s in contact/ rub on the paint/ and accumulate heat buildup/ condensation and potentially cause damage?

      • tenpercent on 10/04/2025 - 16:01
        +2

        I guess don't throw gravel, sand and sticks inside it first…

      • ReaperX22 on 10/04/2025 - 16:34
        +2

        Unfortunately they will likely increase chances of microscratches etc, yes. My detailer (guy who I had ceracoat my new car last year) suggested with my car that was outdoors, that I'm better off just regularly washing it, than trying to cover it with a car cover.. Especially if it's driven enough to be annoying to take on/off.

        If you drive it pretty rarely it might be fine. For us this is our only car, so didn't make sense.

        A windscreen shield internally can help reduce direct internal sun damage (I got one from snapshade, worked great, rarely use it now but it did solid work over the summer!)

      • md333 on 11/04/2025 - 17:12
        +1

        I've been using the repco heavy duty one on an MX5 for 5 years, and it has worked pretty well except having to be replaced under warranty every year or two.
        Can't really comment on microscratches as it's a 25 year old car so didn't have any bits without scratches to start with. Doesn't seem to get any worse though.

  • lunchbox99 on 10/04/2025 - 16:16
    +2

    No idea what these are like, but I want to get one just to sit in it
    https://carcoversandshelter.com.au/collections/car-bubbles

    • ReaperX22 on 10/04/2025 - 16:55

      This looks fun as hell

  • foxmulder on 10/04/2025 - 16:47

    I was thinking to use IKEA Seglaro Outdoor Umbrella for my own driveway.

    • YoursTruly on 10/04/2025 - 17:07

      Would be nice however it’s would be best if it’s a minimum of 5x3 m coverage

  • skid on 10/04/2025 - 16:49

    Think your situation would be one of the few situations where ceramic coating your car would be worth it.

  • Euphemistic on 10/04/2025 - 18:19

    Put one of the other cars outside, or rotate them every week to reduce exposure. Check the weather for cast to determine which car is outside.

    Plus, its approaching winter so less sun damage.

    • YoursTruly on 10/04/2025 - 18:24

      Thanks for the suggestion.

      Thats what I do occasionally, but for peace of mind I’d rather have some sort of shade as well.

  • YoursTruly on 10/04/2025 - 18:25

    This seems like a good brand/ quality from what read

    Anyone has experience with these?

    https://www.oztrail.com.au/products/hydroflow-deluxe-6-0-gaz…

  • Itsmevinniet on 11/04/2025 - 10:08
    +1

    I have seen videos of these type of covers sold on AliExpress and thought they were a good idea but not sure how durable they are? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008379145384.html?

    https://www.google.com/imgres?q=aliexpress%20portable%20car%…

    • YoursTruly on 11/04/2025 - 11:06

      Looks interesting and not bad for $140ish
      Yikes on the shipping $900+ lol

  • ATTS on 12/04/2025 - 17:17

    Just curious what price for a prop3r carport or enclosed garage?

    • YoursTruly on 12/04/2025 - 18:34

      From high level research, about $2500 minimum for an open shade (pre-made Bunnings shades) + council submissions for approval (meaning more costs)

      Hence seeking temp solution for now.

      • ATTS on 13/04/2025 - 14:08

        I see thanks

  • YoursTruly on 12/04/2025 - 18:59
    +1

    Decided to pick one of these + side walls + stabilising pods

    https://www.oztrail.com.au/products/hydroflow-deluxe-6-0-gaz…

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/oztrail-3m-solid-wall-deluxe-gaz…

    Does the job 👍

  • skillet on 14/04/2025 - 19:58

    I have done this research for a few years now because my carport does nothing to protect my car from the elements. I've looked at a few including a bubble car garage but it requires power to keep it inflated. The best option I could find is something similar to this https://www.amazon.com.au/CSTAL-Retractable-Semi-Automatic-C…

    • YoursTruly on 14/04/2025 - 21:07

      Seems like a good solution. If only they were available more readily locally (and cheaply).

      That price of $2,000 from Amazon is - in my view - not worth it for a temp solution. For 2k we’re close to making an actual permanent and stable shade.

  • Muppet Detector on 15/04/2025 - 21:18
    +1

    How about a garden shed that's big enough to drive into?

    Usually need council approval for over 3x3 m but meh, yours is only temporary. Wing it.

    When you're finished, on sell the shed on the second hand market.

    Alternatively, any friends or neighbours who want to rent out an under cover car park they're not using?

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