Versatube Carport

Jeep_guy3

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 27, 2016
Messages
106
Location
Lincoln county, OR
I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the company “VersaTube”? I’ve been working on clearing a spot on the side of my house to put up a carport to protect my Gladiator from the elements.

I’ve watched some YouTube videos on installing them, and read some reviews on their website, but was hoping someone here had experience, good, bad or indifferent. Anything will help.

So far I emailed them asking questions and got a really quick response the first email. I emailed again and never heard back. I attempted a second email thread with them and never got a response which is concerning to me.

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Gravel will be delivered on Monday, and I plan to buy the carport after that.
 
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No direct experience with VersaTube but I've built several pole barns and garages and houses.

I don't like the gauge of the metal. As far as I'm concerned it's one step up from a tarp garage.

Personally I could build a stronger, longer lasting structure with 6x6s, trusses, concrete poured into 3' wide holes with rebar cages and embeds. Plywood roof deck, underlayment and shingles.

Takes longer to build.

Costs a little more.

Lasts a lot longer.

-Mac

PS I've also done disaster response for hurricanes. Seen lots of these carports tangled in trees. Or crushed by freak snowstorms. Too much crazy weather these days to not overbuild a little.
 
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No direct experience with VersaTube but I've built several pole barns and garages and houses.

I don't like the gauge of the metal. As far as I'm concerned it's one step up from a tarp garage.

Personally I could build a stronger, longer lasting structure with 6x6s, trusses, concrete poured into 3' wide holes with rebar cages and embeds. Plywood roof deck, underlayment and shingles.

Takes longer to build.

Costs a little more.

Lasts a lot longer.

-Mac

PS I've also done disaster response for hurricanes. Seen lots of these carports tangled in trees. Or crushed by freak snowstorms. Too much crazy weather these days to not overbuild a little.

I appreciate the recommendation, but this has already evolved from simply buying a tarp carport from harbor freight, and putting it on the cracked concrete pad, to what it is now… if I was going the route you suggested, then I’d redo the concrete, and build an entire shop with a 2 post lift.

Unfortunately I am just in the market for something to keep the sun and most the rain off my Gladiator while the TJ is nestled safely in my garage.
 
I appreciate the recommendation, but this has already evolved from simply buying a tarp carport from harbor freight, and putting it on the cracked concrete pad, to what it is now… if I was going the route you suggested, then I’d redo the concrete, and build an entire shop with a 2 post lift.

Unfortunately I am just in the market for something to keep the sun and most the rain off my Gladiator while the TJ is nestled safely in my garage.

I've got a tarp garage up for now and I just put $4600 down for the permits for a 48' x 96' building that'll have a 36' x 48' shop in the middle.

If it works it works!

-Mac
 
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Been following to see if there was any first hand experience.. so this is just a bump. Have a son looking at the idea as these are handy when building inside set backs. Temp structure so no permits needed here and can be placed closer to the property line… but there are a few outfits out there that can kit these.

https://www.vikingsteelstructures.com/one-car-carport-prices
 
If they can't respond to emails before the sale, what are they going to be doing after the sale? RUN, do not walk, away!

That is definitely a concern of mine. They do have Home Depot as an authorized dealer, which I’ve considered ordering through them, so at least I have a physical location to go to if I have any problems with what is delivered.
 
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I've got a 5 ton dump trailer I get gravel with all the time. A Kubota tractor with a backhoe and a plate compactor... probably about 2-3 hours north of you if you need or want any help.

-Mac

Thanks man, that is super generous of you! The gravel place is less than a mile from my house and they get directly from a quarry, so they gave me a good deal on delivery.
 
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Been following to see if there was any first hand experience.. so this is just a bump. Have a son looking at the idea as these are handy when building inside set backs. Temp structure so no permits needed here and can be placed closer to the property line… but there are a few outfits out there that can kit these.

https://www.vikingsteelstructures.com/one-car-carport-prices

I had looked at Viking, unfortunately Oregon is not included within their service area.
 
I'm wanting to put up something similar, they're all over the place here in Florida. I need one that is no wider than 9 feet - most start at 12. Did find a local outfit that will make one whatever width I want though.
 
No direct experience with VersaTube but I've built several pole barns and garages and houses.

I don't like the gauge of the metal. As far as I'm concerned it's one step up from a tarp garage.

Personally I could build a stronger, longer lasting structure with 6x6s, trusses, concrete poured into 3' wide holes with rebar cages and embeds. Plywood roof deck, underlayment and shingles.

Takes longer to build.

Costs a little more.

Lasts a lot longer.

-Mac

PS I've also done disaster response for hurricanes. Seen lots of these carports tangled in trees. Or crushed by freak snowstorms. Too much crazy weather these days to not overbuild a little.

Before you pick on the metal thickness, you may want to spend some time around it. It isn't just how thick the metal is that counts, how it is roll formed, how many ribs it has supporting it, purlin size and spacing etc.

Hurricanes are a poor metric based on the pics of his locale. May check and see when the last time one rolled through his neck of the woods.
 
I appreciate the recommendation, but this has already evolved from simply buying a tarp carport from harbor freight, and putting it on the cracked concrete pad, to what it is now… if I was going the route you suggested, then I’d redo the concrete, and build an entire shop with a 2 post lift.

Unfortunately I am just in the market for something to keep the sun and most the rain off my Gladiator while the TJ is nestled safely in my garage.

That dumbass company says they will build anything you want yet when I've asked for something other than their standard kits, they go radio silent. I like what I see on the site, that's about it since everything after that seems to go along with your experiences. Most also don't understand that all you are after is something not terribly expensive and isn't a tarp shelter.
Shouldn't be that hard.
 
I’ve been looking at a metal carport also. My grandpa bought one of these in 2006. It looks great and is still doing it’s job perfectly. Install is included in price and it’s a reasonable cost IMO.

http://www.westcoastmetalbuildingsinc.com/
 
That dumbass company says they will build anything you want yet when I've asked for something other than their standard kits, they go radio silent. I like what I see on the site, that's about it since everything after that seems to go along with your experiences. Most also don't understand that all you are after is something not terribly expensive and isn't a tarp shelter.
Shouldn't be that hard.

Haha that is exactly what my emails were inquiring about. I was originally going to try and get something with one side and the back, which isn’t an option offered on the site, but experienced the same radio silence you talk about when I email them about pricing. I’ve kind of just decided to go ahead and do a 3 sided one as that is what is offered by most companies I look at, and I can always just not use the other side and I’ll have extra metal siding for something else later on if I decide.
 
I’ve been looking at a metal carport also. My grandpa bought one of these in 2006. It looks great and is still doing it’s job perfectly. Install is included in price and it’s a reasonable cost IMO.

[URL][URL]http://www.westcoastmetalbuildingsinc.com/[/URL][/URL]

Understanding prices have gone up on everything since 2006, do you mind sharing what your grandpa paid for his? Doesn’t look like they have any pricing on their website. There HQ are only 2 hours away from me, so I may inquire about picking it up and installing myself if they are willing.

Edit: I found pricing on their site.. they appear to be very affordable. I’ll have to see what the turn around time is for install. Thank you!
 
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Haha that is exactly what my emails were inquiring about. I was originally going to try and get something with one side and the back, which isn’t an option offered on the site, but experienced the same radio silence you talk about when I email them about pricing. I’ve kind of just decided to go ahead and do a 3 sided one as that is what is offered by most companies I look at, and I can always just not use the other side and I’ll have extra metal siding for something else later on if I decide.

I can get a local company to deliver and install a 12 x 20 3 sided open on the front basically small garage without a door for about 3 grand last I checked.
I wanted a calving shed style which only differs from a lean-to in that there is short section of roof tilted down over the opening to help keep the rain out.
15' long, 7' tall, 7' deep. Open across the front. They wanted over 5 grand.
 
I do not know about the codes in your neck of the woods but I have something similar to Mr Blaine. The place I get my canopies is called Rarin To Go in Norco Ca. I know they are too far from you but if you go on their web site you can see what is available and get some ideas to look for in your area. Over the years I’ve bought 2 24’x26’ flat roof kits, one 10’ and one 12’ tall for around $2K each These have 4x4 galvanized post set into the ground. I also bought a 24’x24’ peaked canopy for the patio at a rental of mine. This one has plates welded to the bottom of the posts and is bolted to the concrete. They sell individual pieces that you combine to make what size you need. Mine are just covers for protection from the sun but you can add side walls if you want them. I had them installed by a contractor for $1.5K each. It took them 2 days to put each one up. One to set the posts and one to put the rest up. What I like about mine is I could buy the individual pieces to make what I needed. The sheet metal comes in several colors. I’ll take some pictures in the morning to show what I have. I’m sure there is some place in Oregon that sells a similar product. I’m very happy with the durability and quality of what I have.
 
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Understanding prices have gone up on everything since 2006, do you mind sharing what your grandpa paid for his? Doesn’t look like they have any pricing on their website. There HQ are only 2 hours away from me, so I may inquire about picking it up and installing myself if they are willing.

Edit: I found pricing on their site.. they appear to be very affordable. I’ll have to see what the turn around time is for install. Thank you!

Don’t recall dimensions but it was big enough for a large motor home, tall and no sides just a roof. He paid like $5500 I believe.