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I want to get a storage shed for my back garden where I can keep my 2 large tents and equipment while not in use. There are a number of things to consider in a choice of shed:

1 Security, can it be easily broken into so should I go for Wood, Metal, Concrete or PVC.

2 Condensation, with changes in temperature will condensation form and cause mould in my tent.

3. Size, how big should it be considering that I want to store all my other camping bits and bobs I have about 6 crates of stuff.

Has anyone else done this. I'd appreciate any feedback.

Regards

Paul

Haven't done it myself. Personally I wouldn't store my tent in a shed unless it was a very clean dry space. Don't want to unpack it onsite and find a colony of spiders/earwigs and the like sharing my tent!

Anyway if I did I'd probably avoid wood and go for concrete as it'l last longer and you can make it to your own spec.

Probably won't get much condensation in this sort of structure.

As big as you can- more useful.

This is the usual camping conundrum....... buy all the gear, now where do we store it?

I store all my gear in one of those PVC type outdoor storage sheds (got it from B&Q a couple of years ago around £90, probably cheaper now), it has top and front opening doors BUT I bought it for use inside the garage so as I could keep all my stuff in one place. I think they're ok to store bikes and similiar type stuff outside but I wouldn't chance my tent, sleeping bags etc.

If you really have to store your gear outside (is there any room in the loft?, although I appreciate all lofts are not easily accessible) then make sure the gear is off the floor either on shelves or raised by use of a wooden pallate etc as even shed floors can get damp.

Pete.

hi paul

also check on insurance,a friend of mine has just had all the families bikes stolen from her garage which was at the back of her house at the bottom of the garden.

when she phoned the police they wouldn't even come out to her as the garage "was not attached to the house" no wonder there's so many house crimes!!!!

Steel sheds are okay, but during winter you get loads of condensation dripping from the roof. We keep our gear in the garage during winter

I've got one of those PVC storage box/sheds too.  They are ok for storing the barbie over winter and stuff, but I wouldn't put the tent or sleeping gear in there.  These type of sheds are used a lot by static caravan owners who use them to fit washing machines and tumble driers in thus creating an outdoor laundrette. They seem to be fine for that purpose.

As mentioned already by others already - we do have our camping gear in a pcv type thing from B&Q but we do store the tent (s) and sleeping bags inside. everything else is outside and this will be its 3rd year and it all still looks OK.

Not sure about insurance on it mind you

When we had tents (one of them a big Khyam), we kept ours in the trailer.  It has a lockable hardtop and we put a 'garden furniture' cover over the top.  The trailer is also locked to a big steel stake.  We checked it at intervals and it was as dry as a bone. 

- All ready to go too!

I would never store the tent outside. Irrespective of the type of structure, unless it is heated the daily change in temperature will very likely cause condensation. If a garage is attached to the house and maybe heated - that's a different story.

That's apart from the creepy crawlies, furry critturs that like nibbling things, light fingered toe-rags, mould spores, etc.

Having said that, the trailer tent canvas has of necessity been garage stored all it's life - just too big to remove from the trailer for winter (although intended to be). It is however much heavier duty than the usual tent fabrics, we have completely reproofed it thoroughly by hand with a thick coating of proofing that includes anti-mildew agents, and it is off the floor shut up inside the trailer itself which is inside a completely enclosed fitted purpose made heavy duty tarpauline. Hopefully it should still be OK (always did survive that method of storage with no ill effects) - if it isn't? Oh well it doesn't owe us anything & isn't used any more.....