Build Loafing Shed as cheap covered parking?

[PorkChopsMmm]

Next Spring I am looking to build a structure to cover our vehicles out on the land. Looking to build something as simply/cheaply as possible that looks decent and will last a long time. Out on local farms I have seen loafing or horse sheds with lean to roofs used for animals, covering tractors, parking cars, etc. I figured I could build one of these pretty easily. Any reason *not* to use one of these as a sort of car port?

We won't be building a garage anytime soon... and if we do I can always use this for storing a tractor and other toys.

I was thinking of making it 20' deep to fit larger cars and 18 feet wide -- which could fit 2 cars. Thoughts?

Built in this style -- pole framed and then sided with metal siding or something similar.

[Yvonne's hubby]

I see no reason for not building one... but if you build it the size you are talking about... around these parts we just go ahead and call it a garage.

[Sawmill Jim]

They would work just be sure your open side isn't toward where your most wind comes from.Saw one a guy forgot about such things his replacement one is much stronger .

[PorkChopsMmm]

Good points! I am also wondering if I could build such a large structure on runners for tax purposes... since it would be non-permanent. I would put anchors in the ground to make sure it wouldn't blow away, etc.

Some of the designs, like the first picture, uses runners. I figure if I put down a bunch of gravel I could level out the floor with the runner you see in the first picture so it would be easy to drive over.

[sisterpine]

We call it a shed and it works great for cars as long as it is well anchored.

[Awnry Abe]

They probably make a better carport/garage than they do a loafing shed. I wouldn't hesidate to park in one.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by PorkChopsMmm

Good points! I am also wondering if I could build such a large structure on runners for tax purposes... since it would be non-permanent. I would put anchors in the ground to make sure it wouldn't blow away, etc.

Some of the designs, like the first picture, uses runners. I figure if I put down a bunch of gravel I could level out the floor with the runner you see in the first picture so it would be easy to drive over.

................Your welder can fab up some ramps at ground level such that the tires of the vehicle pressing down on them will use the weight of the vehicle to help hold the structure in place during storms ! They can be bolted to the main structure so they can be moved when necessary . You'll also need some ground driven stakes to hold the cover in place when vehicles are gone . , fordy

[hippygirl]

We're going to build something similar behind our garden for tool/equipment storage. We have a LOT of old trailer siding, so it'll be basically a three-sided tin can...won't be pretty, but it'll allow me to get ALL of my gardening "stuff" in ONE place WHERE I need it.

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think this would be a good quick way to get a covered parking area.

Below is a link to a thread on here where a guy built a similar shed out of skinned logs. I think this looks awesome, love that it cost so little, but am hesitant because we really only have pine up on our land. I'm not sure if I could treat the posts that go into the ground well enough to stand up with the test of time.

building a shed old school and on the cheap.

[uncle Will in In.]

You can save about half the cost if you use another building for the back side.

[fordy]

...............Whatever kind of wooden post you decide to use , 'Paint' the portion that will be below ground level with Roofing Tar , it should be available in one gallon cans ! Cedar posts last a very long time when used as fence posts so check into them as well . , fordy

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I don't have another building I can tie it to at this time -- although that would be ideal.

[Chief Cook]

DH and I are wanting to put up one of these for our camper and welder, and log splitter, and extra pickups, and ... Wow that sucker is gonna be long! I like the way the shelter shown stops before it reaches the ground, I am thinking the rattlesnakes won't get stacked up in the corners.

[DaleK]

Originally Posted by PorkChopsMmm

Thanks for the encouragement. I think this would be a good quick way to get a covered parking area.

Below is a link to a thread on here where a guy built a similar shed out of skinned logs. I think this looks awesome, love that it cost so little, but am hesitant because we really only have pine up on our land. I'm not sure if I could treat the posts that go into the ground well enough to stand up with the test of time.

building a shed old school and on the cheap.

That's cute but it took twice as long to build as it had to because of the fancy overhang. Just extend the roof farther out instead. I'd do it with pine (in fact I just did with the new woodshed I built for my parents)

[PorkChopsMmm]

Just wanted to provide an update. I built this out of peeled pine logs resting on concrete pads (not in the ground) for a wood shed. This was a lot more work that I thought it would be but I am happy with the results.

If I can either cut down or source trees of a smaller diameter I may try this same approach for the car port I was originally looking to build. This way of building is very cost effective but takes a ton of labor.This was compounded by trees that are very heavy and of a larger diameter than what I needed.

[whiterock]

I've got one older than I am, literally, and i'm 63. L shaped, three bays open on one side and two on the other, leaves one corner bay to stack stuff. Tall poles are old utility poles, short ones are cross ties.
At one time ( when I was in high school and college) we parked two pick ups and my car in 3 bay side, and put trailers in the 2 bay side.

Another was used for tractors and later one bay made into a creep feeder. It was torn down but the posts are still there, front ones were bois d'arc.


I'm familiar with a school that used portable ones on the school farm. Built out of angle iron with an enclosed room for the kid to keep feed and supplies. Put in pens for individual calves for FFA projects.

[elkhound]

that is beautiful....glad you got some inspiration from my shed.this type building has way more character than bought sheds...if you like this type stuff.i would like to see a close up of how you done the bottom of this posts if possible.

[DaleK]

That'll do the job just fine

[littlejoe]

You did a fine job with your shed, but something I noticed was a slight bow to your roof, or maybe I'm imagining it? I'm unfamiliar with terminology, but you might want to add another set of supports midway? Those four poles might not hold up to a snowload without a little more support? Maybe I'm all wet, but I hate seeing work that didn't.

Pine will work fine, if as you have done, keep it out of the soil. It's easy to add some steel on a pad or pillar to bolt one too. I use native Juniper or treated power pole butts if in the ground. I never set them in concrete. Here, as the wood ages it shrinks away from the concrete, and any little moisture we have runs down the post and is trapped in the wood. One set in concrete will fail decades before one fails in dirt, here.

I also use steel to bind the roof to the ground posts.ie plumbers strapping or heavier. I don't want a roof leaving without pulling posts out of the ground. We get some high winds in this area though.

Elkhound made a doggone nice shed using mostly materials he had on hand, and skills he has. They far surpass my meager carpentry skills. And I like the style of it!!!

For now I've got a bunch of oil field pipe and a torch and portable welder to use. I've also got a bunch of power poles that were given to me?

As far as staking. I've got one larger, tall shed mounted on skids (all steel) that was a gift(?) from the x who owed me. Each corner has 2- 3/4'" x 4' rebar stakes driven in an X. It has never moved an inch in the three years it ahs been there. It will be much more secure as I incorporate it into the pens.

Originally Posted by PorkChopsMmm

Just wanted to provide an update. I built this out of peeled pine logs resting on concrete pads (not in the ground) for a wood shed. This was a lot more work that I thought it would be but I am happy with the results.

If I can either cut down or source trees of a smaller diameter I may try this same approach for the car port I was originally looking to build. This way of building is very cost effective but takes a ton of labor.This was compounded by trees that are very heavy and of a larger diameter than what I needed.

[clovis]

PorkChopMMM,

NICE JOB!!!! I love the shed!!!!