Thankfully, there is a reputable company that deals in this exact type of product, and that is the Kelty company, specifically their Kelty carport. This carport is sold on their website as the carport deluxe model, and at the time of this writing can be purchased for about $330. This product is essentially a carport that attaches to the back or side of the roof rack on a standard SUV or minivan, it is also compatible with a number of large trucks as well depending on where the roof rack is located.

This carport shelter comes with a wide variety of different features:

• Fits minivans and SUVs
• It has a Clip-sleeve construction
• This also comes equipped with taped seams
• Complete coverage retractable side panels
• A large closable mesh window
• Closable side windows
• And a Nite Ize F9 guyline adjuster

Here are the primary specifications for those of you who may be interested:

Fly Material: 75D 450mm polyester taffeta

*Image courtesy of Kelty.com

Fits to mini-vans and SUVs
Seasons: 3
Capacity: NA
Minimum weight: 9 lb. 9 oz. / 4.3 kg
Packaged weight: 10 lb. 3 oz. / 4.6 kg
Floor area: 113 ft2 / 10.5 m2
Vestibule area: NA

Dimensions:
Length: 126″ / 320 cm
Width: 116″ / 295 cm
Height: 0″ / 0 cm
Number of poles: 8
Pole type: Six 16mm DAC Press-fit aluminum poles + two 16mm staff poles
Number of vestibules: 0
Number of doors: 0
Packaged diameter: 8″ / 20 cm
Packaged Length: 27″ / 69 cm

Be sure that you inquire about any warranties or return policies with Kelty.com before making any final purchases so that you can return a defective unit should do happen to get one. Also make sure you do plenty of comparison shopping on multiple websites to make sure you get the best possible deal. For those of you who are interested in checking out the product information on the company site and ordering from the Kelty store directly, you can order this product at this URL:

http://www.kelty.com/p-125-carport-deluxe-large.aspx

Free standing carport designs come in a variety of different materials as well as different styles and vehicle accommodations as well, but by far the most practical and longest lasting option are free standing metal carport models. If you’re looking to spend a bit less, and you find that you may not need the additional durability of steel, going with aluminum just might be the best option for you. This is because aluminum is not only lighter weight, but it tends to be much more affordable than its steel counterparts.

However, if you do decide to go with steel, you want to make sure that you have the proper foundation and room for your steel carport by checking with local contractors in zoning permit authorities. Steel tends to be much heavier so you’ll want to make sure that your free standing carport plans take this into account. When it comes to purchasing this particular kind of carport, you also the option to go with more portable options like free standing plastic carports were heavy duty canopies, these are particularly handy for those of you who don’t have the need or finances to support a metal free standing carport. These types of canopies and carports are particularly handy for outdoor events and flea markets.

There are a number of different options when it comes to the places that you can actually purchase these carports, as free standing carport designs are typically the most commonly purchased of the bunch. Our suggestion is to make sure that you not only check out all of your local vendors and retailers, but that you check out some of the online vendors and wholesalers as well who can typically offer the same competitive prices but also give you greater variety than you would find in a traditional brick and mortar store.

Choosing the right carport for you requires some research. Carport parts vary in terms of the materials used to make them. You will want to purchase carport parts much like you purchase auto parts. Looking for makes and models that is easy to assemble and easy to get carport replacement parts in the event that you might need to do this down the line.

Metal carport parts are the most common for those who look to do it themselves. Metal is durable and reliable. Most metal carport kits offer warranties that cover them for years. Aluminum carport parts are also a durable choice. Typically, these metals offer protection far beyond that of canvas or plastic. Metal and aluminum is not at risk of fading, rotting being attached by wind or damaged by snow. An added benefit is that metal and aluminum does not get eaten by insects or animals like wood or canvas may. Canvas or plastic may be a fine alternative for some areas but those looking for carport auto parts that will last a lifetime with a guarantee to match will be pleased with a choice of metal or aluminum.

Metal acts as a natural barrier to the elements and provides lasting protection and durability for your vehicle. Metal is a good choice for hot sunny climates or frigid cold climates. Metal is the strongest protection that is available against harsh element. Metal kits offer easy construction and assembly. Simple instructions and minimal parts allow these to be put tougher easily with nothing but a standard drill and a set of very user friendly instructions. You can decide to purchase a kit and do it yourself or order your metal carport or aluminum carport from the array of reputable manufacturers available that carry these. A carport is a great long term investment that will protect your car for years to come.

This design starts out at about a 30 foot diameter. They get bigger than this too! To figure out the appropriate carport dimension to suit your needs you must decide on how you will use the carport. If it is to protect your daily driver then you should include a reasonable amount of space on either side of the car or cars to allow for the doors to swing open freely. It is no fun banging doors every time you get into the car.

Do you want extra space for working or storing other items? If extra space is necessary than the measurements should be added to the overall dimensions that you figured for the original purposes. Check with the manufacturer if you plan on pouring a concrete pad. The measurement of the pad is critical and can effect installation if you are opting for a kit or prefabricated model. A 2 car carport dimensions will be a minimum of 24 feet. You can make it as big as you like, the bigger the better.

The extra space can always be used for something, and the extra space will provide a better protection. An open design has limited ability to protect from wind driven rain and this is why people often choose to install wall panels. A wall panel will give you better protection, privacy, and a bit more protection against thieves and hooliganism. Custom designs can really be made to whatever specifications your situation requires. A good builder or manufacturer will work with you to meet your needs. Do not be afraid to shop around a bit. It is possible to bargain and it is a good idea to inform a manufacturer’s salesperson that another business offers a better deal for something similar. This gives the salesperson the chance to show you how his product is better. Perhaps he will even cut you a deal just to get your business. A tough economy is a buyer’s delight. If you have the means use it to your advantage.

When it comes to types of carport drawings, there are many options to consider before deciding on what avenue you want to take. Below are some common ways to obtain a carport drawing:

Prefabricated – You may want to construct your carport that is already prefabricated. This is often the usual route that many take, as the manufacturer has already pre cut the pieces that need to be constructed. All the home owner will need to do once they have purchased the prefab carport, is to simply read the instructions that come with the pack and simple put the pieces together. However, when you are considering a prefabricated drawing, you should be able to obtain a set of drawings for free.

Professional – However if you want a carport that is different from the standard designs then you will need to bring on board an architect who will design what you want for you. Even though this means you are guaranteed an original carport you can be expected to also pay more for this, as they are generally more expensive.

Construction Company – If you are able to do some thorough research you may be able to find a construction company that will not only build your carport, but will also draw you the metal carport drawings, if you want a metal carport, for you in one complete price. It is important that before you decide on this route to check out the types of drawings and designs the builder has done beforehand. This way you can see if you want to follow this path for your own carport.

Home Handyman – Of course, if you prefer you can also draw up your own plans for the type of carport that you are after. However before jumping into this you should first check with your local building authority to make sure that you know what issues need to be covered and that you have covered them all.

From the above it is easy to see the possible routes that a person can undertake when they want carport drawings. Depending on what you want from your design, some may cost more than others, but you can be expected to pay for a drawing no matter what. These drawings help to determine if you like what you see on paper before realising too late when it has been constructed on the ground. Always talk to a professional who can help you with any questions and queries you have, as well as provide you with some quotes.

Two car carports are also large enough to accommodate an RV or large machinery. If you live on a farm where you use a lot of different types of machinery, but do not have the storage space to house them all you can look into getting one of the wider carports for your machinery. You can find the units as kits that you can assemble yourself, or you can have them professionally installed. You can also find retailers of carports that will custom design one for your specific needs.

If you are considering having a carport custom made you will want to make sure you go over the two car carport plans before any construction begins. This is important because the materials used can vary and there is a big difference between constructing a metal carport and a wooden one. You also have your choice of coverings to use as the roof. You can choose an awning type of roof, a metal roof or even a gabled one to match the roof style of your home.

The structure’s base can also differ in the type of material used. You can choose a standard metal base as the foundation for the cover or you can use wood as a constructed unit that would be similar to what your home looks like. Choosing the wood structure for a carport is popular because it blends in better with most styles of residential homes and businesses. There are also other items to consider when designing your two car carport such as the type of lighting you want to use. You can have regular lighting installed in the carport itself, however this should be done professionally as there needs to be the proper wiring equipment for the lighting to work. Choosing a good quality carport to house, your vehicles will not only provide shelter for your cars, but can also enhance the overall look and value of your home.

Even if you are not planning on using the stand alone carport as storage for your tools, they are invaluable when it comes to protecting your vehicle from the elements as well. Stand alone carport kits contain everything you need in order to provide shelter for your vehicle, so all you will need are the tools to put it together. These stand alone carports can be moved if you desire, or you can choose to anchor them into the ground with concrete.

Before deciding on a stand alone carport for your vehicle, you should consider a few things. The first of these is bad weather. If you live in a location that frequently has problems such as tornadoes and other high winds, you might want to seek another solution for your carport needs. This is because these carports are often the first things to go in bad weather, even if they have been anchored into the ground with concrete. Another less commonly known weather effect, which could have a severe impact on your carport, is ice and snow.

If you live in an area which frequently gets lots of ice and snow, this type of carport might not be best for you as huge amounts of ice and snow can cause them to falter or buckle, or even a tree could fall on top of them, ruining them. While this is a risk you run anywhere you have a carport, using one in an environment with severe weather is not recommended. Stand alone carports are a great option for anyone who wants extra storage for their vehicles, or who would like to protect their vehicle from the elements. They are also a very affordable option when compared to the cost of building a full fledged garage to house your vehicle.

The advantages to choosing a metal carport cover are numerous. Metal will provide long-lasting protection from snow, ice, rain, and blistering sun. A metal carport cover will also provide shelter from passing birds. These are all elements that can destroy paint, and over time, lead to body corrosion on a vehicle. Carports can be customized to provide the best shelter in the area the home is located, and should be chosen with the weight of the snow in mind.

Many features are available to make your carport more suited to the location you will be using it. Choose sloped roofing with a vertical panel to better shed snow. Consider enclosing or partially enclosing the carport cover if you store smaller recreational vehicles there. Always, metal carport covers can be made with trim accessories and features that will complement the design of the home; and metal carport covers can be painted to match hundreds of colors. Carports made today can be as simple as a sloped metal roof, open on the sides to let air flow through, painted in basic gray; or decorative structures that are built to go with the home’s architecture. Many companies build multiple stall metal carports with both open and enclosed spaces combined together.

Portable metal carport covers make a practical place to retreat from the elements for livestock as well. When the livestock moves, so can the carport cover. Of course, for severe weather, a carport should be anchored to a solid foundation. A metal carport cover is a guardian to your cars and trucks, but they are also available in sizes large enough to house an RV or boat. Sizes up to 52′ wide with 16′ walls are manufactured by a number of companies. Simple do-it-yourself carport cover kits can be set up in a number of hours with the help of one or two people. Kits are also available for more elaborate carport covers, but will usually take a few days to build. A standard warranty for a metal carport cover should protect your purchase against any manufacturer’s defects, with regard to parts and sheet metal.

One of the benefits of an aluminum carport cover is the fact that it is one of the most durable materials a cover could be made from. Providing any debris and leaves are cleared off the cover, it should last for many years and it is strong enough to withstand most harsh weather conditions that it is subjected to, including snow and light hail, and bright sunlight. Aluminum carport covers do not rust nor do the colors fade. This also makes it a very popular choice when it comes to an aluminum carport cover as it stays looking bright and new for many years, with very little maintenance needed to keep it looking that way.

One of the main things in its favor when it comes to construction is that aluminum is very easy to work with. It is lightweight and manageable, making it the perfect choice to use as covering for either the free standing or the attached carport. It does not require a lot of additional structure to hold it up, thus it works very well as a carport covering, especially one that is immediately over the driveway. It is also great for adding to the carport that is attached to the house, as it does not put any additional pressure or stress on the house structure itself. In fact, it is so lightweight, that the pillars it sits on do not necessarily need anchoring, unless it is required by area construction codes.

If you are interested in installing an aluminum carport cover, there are a few things to be aware of. Birds love to build nests in the W style aluminum, which can be a real nuisance at best and cause actual damage to the paint on your cars if they deposit their droppings on them. They are also subject to damage by heavy hailstorms, however most home owner’s insurance policies should cover this damage. An aluminum carport cover will provide your vehicles with excellent shelter from the direct sunlight or other adverse weather, and also provides you with shelter while getting in and out of your car.

A retractable carport can be installed by the mechanically inclined. A few hours and a few tools is all you need to supply. All the essential hardware is provided. Motorized and manual retractable carports are available. A range of sizes from 2.5 meters wide and up to almost 6 meters wide. Keep in mind that the wind is your enemy with any retractable carport. Wind can literally tear your retractable carport off your home.

A carport can turn into a sail under the right conditions. After all, it is a large flat surface that can harness the wind. To make matters worse, the retractable carport is mounted on the side of a home or garage. This situation feeds into the effect. When the wind blows it hits the vertical wall and turns upward creating lift under the carport roof material and this is in effect a wing. The better manufacturers offer an optional wind detector that will retract the carport in the event that a strong enough wind comes along. This should be considered a small trade off in relation to the other advantages that a retractable carport has to offer.

One advantage is the affordability of a retractable carport. The ease of installation and use are another advantage. The convenience of having the option to retract the thing in the event that you might not want it open is good as well. A retractable carport can add utility to your home and will add perceived value to your home if you should decide to sell it. Either way, the benefits out weigh any detraction. There is a range of color options available and most are coated with a UV protective film that will resist fading and degradation caused by UV light.