Suggestions for my run

[andreanar]

This is somewhat what I'm using for a run right now. I don't want to take it down for the winter. Can y'all think of ways I can keep it standing thru the Upstate NY winter? I plan to use plastic sheeting around it, leaving a 12" or so gap around the top for ventilation. But I'm worried the whole thing will blow down.

 

[barred2rock]

If you're going to use that you need to screen the whole thing in with 1/2" hardware , including down into the ground at least 1 1/2 feet. Close all gaps more than a half inch. It would be a good idea to put a sold roof on, creatures can claw their way through the tarp.

 

[andreanar]

If you're going to use that you need to screen the whole thing in with 1/2" hardware , including down into the ground at least 1 1/2 feet. Close all gaps more than a half inch. It would be a good idea to put a sold roof on, creatures can claw their way through the tarp.

Yeah, I got the hardware cloth rolls already and was thinking of actually removing the screen panels altogether cause I wont need the screen when the hardware cloth is up. But I'm not going to bother wasting my time if I cant figure out a way to keep this structure from collapsing in the winter.

 

[barred2rock]

Maybe support the post with t-posts? A more solid roof at the same pitch as the tarp should keep the snow off.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Pros:
It will be a good temporary enclosure.
Cons:
The tubing is powder coated only and engineered for temporary use.
The spand on the roof section is light weight and wide. You will have to add perlings to add sheeting. The sheeting adds weight to the frame. Then your snow load this winter.
Mobile home anchors would keep it from flying into the neighboring yards if you strap it across the top.

It is an idea to use it for a run only and total wrap it with wire. Top sides and ends. Adding a metal roof to tubing that won't last in long term weather expose, might be unfeasible.

Sorry to be a negative nancey. I have one of those 10 X 20 enclosures. It is rusting out after 18 months of covering our boat. We are on our 3rd pvc cover top.

 

[andreanar]

Pros:
It will be a good temporary enclosure.
Cons:
The tubing is powder coated only and engineered for temporary use.
The spand on the roof section is light weight and wide. You will have to add perlings to add sheeting. The sheeting adds weight to the frame. Then your snow load this winter.
Mobile home anchors would keep it from flying into the neighboring yards if you strap it across the top.

It is an idea to use it for a run only and total wrap it with wire. Top sides and ends. Adding a metal roof to tubing that won't last in long term weather expose, might be unfeasible.

Sorry to be a negative nancey. I have one of those 10 X 20 enclosures. It is rusting out after 18 months of covering our boat. We are on our 3rd pvc cover top.

Thanks. I just don't wanna waste my time and hardware cloth(expensive) if I cant stabilize it.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Thanks. I just don't wanna waste my time and hardware cloth(expensive) if I cant stabilize it.

Don't let me talk you out of it. Chicken wire is less expensive. They are not sleeping in it right? But if you do wire it, Mount the legs on 2x4s or 2x6s that connect together on the bottom. The tension from stretching the wire will distort the legs without anchored feet, plus give you something to staple the wire at the bottom.
Its just a run, not a coop.

 

[User395221]

Disclaimer, I've never been to the US and don't know what your weather entails

But if you do wire it, Mount the legs on 2x4s or 2x6s that connect together on the bottom. The tension from stretching the wire will distort the legs without anchored feet, plus give you something to staple the wire at the bottom.

That would secure the bottom, then there's still the top to deal with. I had a small gazebo up out the back and it was taken out by a "bit of a wind". I think the issue is the wind gets up under the fabric and makes it lift and "take off" like the flying nun.

All fabric structures usually have guy ropes to hold the tops stable. Your marquee is really a "glorified tent". That's what I'd be looking at to hold it down in wind. The downside is that you have things to trip over, and they need to come out far enough to hold the top taut so you lose a lot of room around it for free movement/using.

The other way of stabilising flimsy panels is to add diagonal supports. If you stabilised the bottom of the legs as suggested, then ran diagonal wires, it might help.

Personally, I'd be looking at constructing a decent frame. In the long run, fewer headaches, I reckon. None of us is an engineer, and this is the type of thing that earns them the big bucks.

 

[aart]

This is somewhat what I'm using for a run right now.

How about posting some pics of what you actually have along with actually measured size of tubing, and how tubing sections are connected.

None of us is an engineer

I'm an engineer by nature and trade, if not degree. and yes, it earned me some good bucks over a 20 year career.

 

[User395221]

I'm an engineer by nature and trade, if not degree. and yes, it earned me some good bucks over a 20 year career.

woohoo, somebody who really knows "what's what", you'll come in handy.