Rent a hanger or not

[Mile High Relic]

I'm curious how most people make the decision on whether to rent a hangar or just tie down outside when they are away from home. Over the years I have flown a fair amount of overnight x-country trips, but I have never rented a hangar. The club planes I have had access to were all reasonably nice, but nothing that I would be afraid to leave outside for a few days, assuming no major storms were likely. I always thought the expense of a hangar was too large compared to the tie down fees, which are usually just a few dollars.

Now however, I am a sole owner of pretty nice RV-6, and I think my opinion is changing.

How does every one else decide? Always hangar? Never bother? Depends on the weather?

I'll be making a trip from Denver to Central Minnesota in a few weeks, and the hangars are $35 a night at BRD. An extra hundred bucks for the trip sounds like a little bit of an extravagance, but not having to worry about the possibility of a storm or high winds seems like it might be worth it.

I guess the best case would be if you can find a fellow RV'r with some space on the field you are going to, but I don't really know that many people around the forums yet. There isn't anyone on the RV white pages showing Brainard as home.

[David Paule]

Overnight stop, and me being in the area, my Cessna 180 stays outside.

Several days, me out of the area, hangars available, probably opt for one.

Dave

[tkatc]

Depends on weather. I kept her hangared overnight in Ohio with the threat of freezing precip. Other that that, a few days outside here and there shouldn't hurt. I do use a light canopy cover though.

[John Clark]

Weather, length of stay, and cost all count in my decision. I have had a surprising number of free hangars in my travels, Sunshine has spent a number of nights under the wing of a Gulfstream. Packing heavy tiedowns, a canopy cover, and control locks will almost assure a free hangar.

John Clark ATP, CFI
FAAST Team Representative
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

[RV6_flyer]

Depends on the weather. Thunderstorms with hail? YES. No hail in the forecast, no. Tied down Monday through Friday for 6-weeks on one business trip.

[Ironflight]

Like everyone else - depends on the weather. I have no problems leaving the Val or Mikey outside with good canopy covers unless high winds, storms or hail are predicted. In the winter, I like a hangar so that I don't have to worry about preheat or breaking something that is frozen. But these are not delicate machines that require a hangar every night of their lives in my opinion....

Paul