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Our new Prime now enjoys a shady parking spot at home - new canopy !

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by GKL, Jun 22, 2020.

  1. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    After reading how beneficial it can be to keep the Prime from getting too hot we ordered a canopy.

    I put the canopy legs into concrete blocks, filled the holes with concrete an painted them black to match the decor of our house (black shutters and railings). Also have a long string of solar lights going around 3 sides. (have another canopy to put up for the Kia)

    canopy_Prime_forum.jpg
    canopy_Prime_2.jpg
    canopy_concrete_block.jpg
     
  2. Hicksite

    Hicksite Member

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    Looks great, nice job!
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well done! that should keep them a lot cooler. i hate it when i have to park in the sun
     
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  4. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Thanks, it looks even a little better now, I redid the corner ropes to tighten the cover more, seems the instruction video on the Amazon product page is more accurate than the printed instructions were :D

    Thanks, When I first got the top cover on the canopy what a difference in how it felt being in the shade rather than the sun. :D
     
  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Nice! Just wonder how it works in a high wind situation. My carport is rated for 120mph winds.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is amazing how much cooler it feels under cover. i bought one of those 10 x 10 pop up canopies for our kids to sit under on the lawn while mrs b and i sit under an umbrella on the patio while we're social distancing visiting.:rolleyes:
     
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  7. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Thanks, well, we have had an identical canopy up for years in another part of the yard, we use that one for a shady area to sit outside. That one has held up fairly well, replaced the top after about 3 years. The legs on that one are attached to metal posts that go in the ground.

    The one I just put up has a double-hole 8 inch concrete filled cinderblock on each of the eight legs, seems like that should be enough weight.
     
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  8. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Hope it hold up.
     
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  9. Prius Maximus

    Prius Maximus Senior Member

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    Sweet! How about a nite picture with the solar lights shining on it?
     
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  10. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    First - glad to hear the social distancing !

    It does feel much "cooler" I won't say actually cool cause it was a pretty hot day out, but the shade made it comfortable enough to be able to stay outside a lot longer than if you was in the sun.

    Those weights on each leg is pretty heavy, hard to move even an inch, but if I ever did notice any movement (it would surprise me) I could simply use some small "L" brackets and concrete screws and secure 6 of the blocks to the driveway concrete, but again, with all the weight on the legs it would be very tough to move.

    I'll see about adding that a little later !
     
    #10 GKL, Jun 22, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 23, 2020
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  11. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Okay, just took these: (car is easier to see in person, phone camera used)
    (these lights are from Amazon: Toodour Solar String Lights, 72ft 200 LED 8 Modes Outdoor String Lights, Waterproof)
    Prime_canopy_night1.jpg
    Prime_canopy_night2.jpg
     
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  12. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Looks good, I owned that same canopy about a dozen years ago.


    Rob43

    189319_canopy_Prime_forum_-_Edited.png
     
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  13. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Thanks, we ordered ours from Amazon: ShelterLogic 10' x 20' MaxAP Canopy

    An older canopy we have of the same model is still in use as a shady area to sit, we did have to replace the top cover after about 3 years but with the harsh summer sun here in the south that is not unusual, even a heavy duty tarp lasts about 3 years before the sun weakens the material to where the wind can more easily damage it.

     
  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I keep toying with that idea since we have two cars, a two-car-wide driveway, and a one car garage. But our parking is in front and it would soon look too shabby for me to display to all the neighbors. If I could get the 2nd car to the back yard, I'd have one of those in a heartbeat.

    I would expect that with the concrete "feet" it would not sail away in a storm, but it would get shredded. Nice job!!
     
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  15. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Very nice!

    I used similar canopy for my chickens in my back yard as a part of secured chicken run. Lasted maybe 3-4 years, but was blown away one nigh during a high wind.
     
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  16. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    carport.JPG Here's mine situated in the back of my house.

    There is a battery maintainer and a patio/work area out of the sun, as well as sun shades to keep UV rays off the car for most of the day.
     
    #16 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 23, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    D78C3B4C-7557-4BC6-904C-6940BA3D199D.jpeg Our social distancing set up, there are a few trucks parked under there :cool:
     
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  18. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    I like Georgina's. It is like an inexpensive carport for two cars. Another alternative is the car shelter sold by Costco. It is somewhere around $260. and has covering on the ends and sides. I looked for it on their website and didn't see it, but it is for sale in our local Costco. On their website they sell a replacement covering for $60. I had one more than ten years ago and used it to keep my 63 Tbird convertible while I was restoring it. The canopy lasted for a few years, but in 2012 I replaced the bird with a new Miata and it lasted until the Prime.
     
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  19. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    There is a lot of "sail area" in that roof.
    Hope he doesn't live near the coast.
    You might be surprised at how far the winds from a tropical storm remnant would move the blocks before it came apart.
     
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow, alot of concern for a carport people have been using for years without incident (n)
     
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