Portable shelter warranty guidelines
Portable Shelter Warranty Guidelines
Portable shelters are the ideal value based alternative to store cars, trucks, motorhomes, boats, trailers, bulk materials and more. These polyethylene fabric covered shelters cost a fraction of a conventional wood, vinyl, brick, or metal sided storage shed and have an endless number of uses beyond vehicle storage.
Due to the nature of these shelters, it is extremely important to understand the manufacturer’s warranty prior to purchase. Most manufacturers will clearly state what is NOT COVERED as opposed to what is covered. The fabric cover is the basis for the manufacturer warranty contents. A heavy falling object can easily puncture a hole in the cover of a portable shelter. As a result, never place these shelters under a tree or under a roof where heavy ice can fall and damage the structure. Under these situations, the manufacturer will not provide coverage.
Other items which will likely not be covered include: acts of God (tornadoes, hurricanes, etc), owner misuse, storing or placing of sharp objects on the cover, chemical spillage resulting in damage to the fabric or frame & normal wear.
One of the most common methods to void a warranty is improper portable shelter assembly. When the owner does not follow manufacturer directions, the warranty is quickly voided. Some common mis-assembly errors include: neglecting to tighten the frame bolts resulting in a damaged cover during installation, damaging the fabric when lying on the ground prior to installation, accidental cutting of the canvas & neglecting to install all hardware.
Another common owner mistake resulting in a voided condition is improper shelter anchoring. Due to the lightweight nature of the portable shelter, heavy winds can cause severe damage or even cause the shelter to be relocated. Always follow manufacturer guidelines when constructing & anchoring the shelter. Heavy anchoring is strongly recommended for all shelters. If anchoring on a soil surface, use long auger anchors or duckbill anchors.
A portable shelter can provide for years of storage protection for its owners if the instructions are closely followed. Although this article should not be substituted for the manufacturer’s documentation, it can be used as a general guideline.