Any suggestions for an emergency car shelter?

[Bundaboy]

I am sure I am not the only one here whose workshop furniture is all on castors so that when a storm comes it can all be pushed to one side to allow the long suffering car to get in out of the hail.

The problem with this scenario is when you are in the middle of a large project you just aren't in a position to clear it all up in a hurry, for me that means a mad dash to throw moving blankets over the car.

I have been thinking about building a minimalistic carport but I fear that even that would be subject to council approval the cost of which, alone, would be hard to justify for the, perhaps, 3 or 4 times a year it is necessary, let alone the misery the sadistic swines put one to, LOL I should be too hard on them as in many ways they are very helpful, but when it comes to approvals they are very hard to deal with.

The best I have been able to come up with so far is a sail cloth or similar off the side, or even the front of the garage, I am pretty sure that wouldn't be subject to approval.

Lot's of inventive and outside the box thinking on this site, have you any thoughts for me?

Thanks in advance.

PS Any level of DIY and even cost is permissible as long as I can avoid needing approval.

[Annie1963]

Hello. As I work in Traffic Control, I find myself often thinking about " mobile hail protection. I'm not able to put together what I envision. But you may have the ability to manufacture something like I'll describe.

I own a Ford Escape. What I envision is a multiple layer of racks stretched tightly with a product like crim safe. These thin racks would be permanently attached to the roof of your vehicle. And at the push of a button. ( Off road) 4 of the tracks could move with an attenuated system.. Forward, Back and a smaller side extention on each side.

The first rack would remain stationary above the roof. 

Everything would have to be in the lightest weight possible. But I'd imagine the entire weight for an SUV or similar, could be as little 40kg. Just an estimate. But I know If I could buy a product of that weight or less, that could keep me on on the road and working without having to miss any time off for window or windscreen breaks. That was simple and quick to deploy? I'd be the first one to line up for it. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Annie1963,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community.

It certainly sounds like an interesting idea and a solid product if you could develop it.

To keep it lightweight, but rigid enough to protect from hail, you might have to use something like carbon fibre for your protective shields.

Allow me to tag @Noyade as this sounds like it is something that is right up his alley.

I'll also tag @DIYGnome, @JoeAzza and @Dave-1 to see if they have any ideas.

Jacob

[Annie1963]

Hello. Yes you're free to tag whomever you like. I didn't mention that it's a triple layer design in my mind. Stationary layer on the bottom or closest to the roof, in case of distortion through storm. It would be easier to take the top two layers off. ( Side moving and front rear moving without displacing the foundation mount. 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Annie1963 

Mmmmm I am sure there are some of us in here that will have ideas along the lines you want

My first thought was "drag" as in wind drag on a car and would it be worthwhile having something like that on top of the car.

My second thought and something that we all have in theback of our heads is "a woollen blanket to throw over the car when hail strikes to dissapate the impacts.

The next thought I had was a roll of bubble wrap that has been double side tapped to a long blanket (wool) and rolled, much like a swag. Something that can be rolled out and will sit there. You could go the route of stitching elastic in loops to the edges of the blanket so it will stay attached in the wind even.

I like the non mechanical solution as I wouldnt need to worry about something not bending or being bent too far. (Plus you could still use my blanket as a picnic blanket so double use! )

Dave

[Annie1963]

On the leading edge of the 3 level racks ( directly over the windscreen) those moldings holding the shielding in place would have to be staggered and aerodynamically levelled to an extension/ elevation of the natural roofline to produce least drag. ( Also coated in reflective paint/stickers for obvious reasons Right now I'm wishing I'd trained as an engineer lol I like your idea too. My idea is probably more for commercial customers.

But easy to operate/deploy in windy/ hail conditions. Something for everyone. The bending out of shape I referred to earlier, was more from debris impacting in event of cyclonic category winds. ( In which case you've done everything you can despite conditions) There's no bullet proof system any of us could design or create. But I'd certainly feel a lot safer with a system like I described.