Tent/outside coverage during summer??? | FerrariChat

Tent/outside coverage during summer???

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Liva, Apr 30, 2008.

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  1. Liva

    Liva Rookie

    Jun 4, 2007
    25
    #1 Liva, Apr 30, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    we have a 550 that we put roughly 10-12k miles a yr on, car currently has 50k miles and is used as a daily driver from may-october here in NJ. We have noticed the typical leather dash issue and want to give the car some protection this summer. Is there some sort of temporary tent type thing i can park the car under to give it some relief from the sun while it is sitting there all day baking. Something that can be removed in under an hour if need be, but something sturdy...I was thinking something like this, but there is also the issue of securing it in case of a windy day/storm. Dont want to have the aluminum rails slamming into the car...let me know some suggestions
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  2. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    It might be easier just to put a reflective windshield cover on the dash (the kind held in place by the sun visors) and leave the windows open an inch. However, there are also a lot of reflective aluminized cloth sun and dust covers available. I think your proposed plan is far more elaborate than necessary.
     
  3. Liva

    Liva Rookie

    Jun 4, 2007
    25
    i have a a reflective windshield cover, it doesnt fit well and it exposes the bottom part of the dash, which is most prone to shrinkage...does anyone know of a good windshield reflector for the 550's?
     
  4. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    The come in a zillion different shapes and sizes. Buy a few and return whatever doesn't work. Since you're more concerned about the dash itself than the overall interior temperature, you could just lay the cover on the dash rather than trying to prop it up with the sun visors. Don't forget that the rear parcel shelf can also be prone to shrinkage (that's what happened to my 456M. The fix will, I'm told, run only about $300).
     
  5. nizam

    nizam Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 9, 2004
    1,563
    San Jose, CA
    Full Name:
    Ni Zam
    I've got a F355 and they have real problems with shrinking leather on the dash, among other things. Since I use the car relatively regularly, I found an outfit that custom-makes reflective windshield covers. They use Covercraft material, and the fit is snug; end-to-end, top-to-bottom. They have a stiff backing, and comes with its own sleeve to store it in, while not in use.

    They're not cheap, but so far I've been quite pleased with the product. They apparently have the dimensions for all (most?) Ferraris.

    http://www.caraccessories.com/sun-and-heat-shields.asp

    Re: the tent idea. I thought of that as well, but I would want to secure the legs of the tent to the ground whenever it's deployed. Too many times, even a heavy breeze will lift the canopy up and run the legs into the side of your car - ask anyone who's set one up at a track day. That said, I've seen some rather ingenious ways that folks do to secure these tents, such as rolling the car onto a flat plate that has hooks on the outside to tie bungees to the tent frame, or using sandbags to hold them down. It might look a bit ghetto tho'.

    I'd go with the reflective windshield cover, and perhaps leave a small crack in the window to vent the hot air from the interior.
     
  6. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

    may I suggest a custom cover, much like the stock one, that is cut to fit just over the window portions. It would be quick to put on/off and store nicely in any area due to its light gauge of cloth. Thinking of doing the same to my 456 as can't always tell where the sun will be or wind up during my typical work day.

    r/
     
  7. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    They make those tent things even for RV's so you can certainly find one in the size and shape that you need...

    Good luck with your quest. Glad that you use your F-car so much! That is heartening.

    Best,
    James
    Austin, TX
     
  8. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

  9. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
    9,294
    CHNDLR
    Full Name:
    Scott
    John Corbani owns the highest mileage Dino known and lives in Santa Barbara, CA. See his threads in the Dino section where he uses an identical canopy/tent as you propose and is quite satisfied with it.
     
  10. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,156
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    I would go with a nice snug car cover. Keeps the car protected from other onslaughts besides the sun as well.


    Onno
     
  11. Liva

    Liva Rookie

    Jun 4, 2007
    25
    thanks for all the suggestions, i really want the tent idea to work so i have to think of how to do it. The windshield reflector could also be good, but the tent would help with preserving the paint and entire car from blasting sun all day. Sometimes the car could be used 10-15 times a day, running to store, lunch, dinner, this that the other thing, so to cover and un cover would get annoying and it would end up not being covered the whole time

    thanks so far, keep the ideas coming
     
  12. mpatrizio

    mpatrizio Formula Junior

    Dec 29, 2004
    776
    Miami, Fl
    Full Name:
    Mike P.
    Too bad they don't make one for the 550.
     
  13. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    3,799
    Sarasota, Fl.
    Full Name:
    Stan
    I know that I would not have the patience to deal with a cover. I would use the tent and completely overclub it. Hemmings has numerous offerings.

    So long as it's legal I'd go all in.
     
  14. Chicane

    Chicane F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jan 17, 2007
    2,884
    Funkytown
    Full Name:
    Dirk Diggler
    Do you not own a garage?
     
  15. Back Marker

    Back Marker Formula Junior

    Aug 26, 2006
    545
    South
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Whenever I've seen tents used at events, it only blocks the sun at it's highest. In the morning and afternoon, the sun is low enough for the rays to go under the tent.

    If you use a tent, get a five gallon bucket for each leg. Put the leg in the bucket, and then fill the bucket with sand. That'll keep the legs in place, and allow you to undo things if necessary, whereas using cement would be more permanent.

    edit: I wish I had so many nice cars that a 550 would have to sit outside...
     
  16. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

    Jan 31, 2004
    5,953
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Hank Garfield
    #16 hank sound, May 11, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I developed the Berlinetta Shade so as to solve this exact problem. Since it fits on the outside, there is no interference with "sophisticated electronics" or even the rear view mirror. It's easy to install and covers ALL the glass. These is NO "one size fits all" - they are model specific.

    Having used tents in film production - - I don't think you want to go there:)

    Daniel @ RICAMBI (our title sponsor) is the exclusive distributor of Berlinetta Shade. Check it out.

    Cheers, Hank
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  17. mpatrizio

    mpatrizio Formula Junior

    Dec 29, 2004
    776
    Miami, Fl
    Full Name:
    Mike P.

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