103 Hadley Road, South Burlington, VT 05403

802-244-8344

     

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Tips and Tricks Page
Frequently Asked Questions

What keeps the wind from blowing my building away?
MDM Products LLC, has engineered an exclusive anchoring system that will ensure your building does not move. Additional Anchoring systems are available for added security.

How much snow can my building withstand?
Rhino Shelter Structures are very sturdy and capable of withstanding winter months in heavy snowfall areas.
Most snow easily slides off the smooth surface of our covers by itself. In the event of a buildup, the snow can be easily removed by pushing up on on the building's ceiling from the inside or brushing off with a broom from the outside.If you will not be able to attend to the shelter, we recommend additional rafters for added security.

Will the sun affect the life span of my building?
Our industrial-leading quality, 10 oz. 24 mil thick cover material lasts an average of 7-10 years, if left up all year round depending on the amount of UV.

Can I move my building after I've built it?
Depending on the size of your building and equipment available, most buildings can be easily disassembled and moved after they've been constructed.

How difficult is it to build my building?
Most Rhino Shelter buildings can be assembled with simple tools in a few hours. No special tools are required. All required hardware and detailed instructions are included. If you ever need help, we're only a phone call away.

How can we order our building and how long will it take to receive it?
Call any time, if necessary leave a message. I’ll answer all questions and take your order by phone. As long as your building is in stock we ship in 24-48 hours.

Depending on your location in the U.S., time is usually 7-10 days.

Would I be able to pick up my own MDM Products LLC, products?
Sure just call to schedule an appointment.

Will I be able to buy replacement parts?
We sell all the individual parts for all the shelters.

What type of fabric is used in your Rhino brand portable garages and shelters?
 Rhino Shelter Products covers are made of a 10 oz industrial grade rip-stop poly that is ultra-violet ray treated on both sides to prevent sunlight from deteriorating the covers. These covers will last years in the sun. Rip-stop poly means if you were to get a tear in the cover, the rip will not continue. All of our covers contain a black scrim material between the colored exterior and white interior fabric.

What is so special about black scrim material?
This black scrim material blocks UV by 100% which allows our covers to last seven to ten years! Most portable buildings on the market do not have the black scrim material and only last three to five years.

What colors do you offer?
For most of our Rhino portable garage and temporary shelter structures, we offer three attractive colors: green, gray, and tan to match your landscaping (some of our larger buildings are available in green and grey only). All three colors have a white interior which makes for a bright inside. Our greenhouses are a translucent white, and our party tents are white with attractive blue trim (and clear plastic windows).

What type of fabric is used in your Rhino hobby greenhouses and party tents?
Our backyard greenhouses and party tents use a strong, yet lightweight UV Protected Fabric 20 mil Backed Poly Material 8 0z. weight. As is the case with our portable garages, the main cover and doors are fire resistant, and meet California fire code CPAI -84 Section 5.

Are your products fire resistant?
MDM Products LLC's fabric is flame-resistant and meets California fire code CPAI-84.

How are your portable garage frames made?
The tubing on our instant garages are high quality galvanized structural steel tubing that is designed not to rust. Our frames are also pre-drilled and are assembled with carriage bolts so that there are no power tools required during assembly. Our lighter weight party tents, greenhouses, and Metal/Steel carports use powder coated finish on an all steel frame. Our 1-car garages use a strong 1-5/8" diameter tubing, and our 2-car and larger garages (including the RV Shelter) use an even stronger 2-3/8" diameter tubing.

How long will it take for me to set up my Rhino brand portable garage?
Average installation time on the one car garage is 3-4 hours with two people the first time setting it up. Some of our larger buildings may take a longer (for example, a large, barn style building might take an afternoon or a little longer), while some of our smaller and lighter weight structures, such as our easy-to-assemble party tents or mini greenhouses may take a little less time. All of our temporary or portable shelters are ready to assemble, and all hardware is included. You will also receive a step-by-step assembly manual with your Rhino Shelter - as well as a toll-free number to call if you have technical or installation questions!

What kind of anchors do you use?
We use a cable hook anchoring system for our portable garages. Each anchor is 3 feet long and the cable is made of stainless steel. This prevents rusting. The anchor is driven into the earth with a 3 foot long drive rod that fits into the head of the anchor. Each anchor has a 1200 pound pull out ratio. Other companies use augers that are only 6 inches long and they are very difficult to screw into the ground and may pull out easily. The party tents are anchored by stakes. The metal/steel carports use a stainless pin (see the description).

What kind of portable garage styles do you offer?
We offer two styles, house and round, depending on the style. Both styles are designed with heavy duty, galvanized steel frames to withstand snow and high winds.

Which style is better for snow, House or Round?
Keep in mind that these buildings are not engineered, and we cannot offer or guarantee snow load or wind resistance figures. Customers have reported that the Round style seems to shed snow more easily; however, regardless of the style you choose, it is recommended that if you are experiencing very heavy snowfall that you knock the snow off occasionally from inside.

Does the House/Peak style give me more headroom than the Round style?
While the round and house/peak style instant garages are similar to each other as far as overall strength goes, because the house/peak style has straight sidewalls, there is a little more "work space" on the sides.

Will I need to pay property tax on my portable garage or shelter?
Our portable shelters and garages are temporary structures, so you may not need to pay taxes. Of course it is prudent that you check with your local tax assessor's office to be sure.

Will I need a building permit to set up my Rhino portable garage?
Our portable shelters and garages are temporary structures. In many cases, a permit is not likely to be required, since the garages and shelters are not permanent structures, and they can be moved easily. However; there are certain instances - such as in certain residential associations (e.g. condominium associations) where such structures are not allowed. In addition, some municipalities require permission to set these up. Therefore, just as is the case with property taxes, we advise that you check your local regulations before you buy.

What forms of payment do you accept?
For your convenience and for faster delivery, we accept PayPal, and major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express, & Discover). Your credit card statement will show the charge from Vermont Instant Garages. If you wish to pay by check or money order, simply contact us at payment instructions.

How are Rhino Shelter buildings delivered?
Buildings are all shipped via motor freight using any of the following carriers: ABF, Landair, Con-Way, Roadway, or FedEx.

Do I need to be home when the building arrives?
The customer must be present and provide a way to get the boxes off the truck. A handtruck is the preferred method although liftgate service is provided at an additional charge. The customer must also sign upon receiving the shipment.

What sizes do you offer?
Rhino Shelter offers the following sizes:

5x10x8
8x8x8
12x12x8
12x20x8
12x24x8
14x24x10
12x20x12
12x28x12
22x24x12
14x30x12
14x42x15
30x30x15
30x40x15
30x65x15
40x60x18

Do you offer a warranty?
Rhino Shelter buildings are all covered under a Two(2) Year non pro-rated Warranty. The frame of a Rhino Shelter building has a ten(10) year warranty.

What is NOT covered by the warranty?
The Rhino Shelter two Year Warranty does not cover the following: Damage to the product due to misuse, mishandling, and abuse. Products not used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions or recommendations. Normal wear and tear, along with wearing of the cover due to improper installation of cover and doors. Damage to the contents of the shelter. Damage that has occurred during shipping. Acts of God. In addition, consequential damage and incidental damages, such as damage to persons or property are not coverable under this warranty, and you should refer to your homeowner's insurance policy as with any other outside structure.

Do you have a return policy?
As a general rule, we do not accept returns. However, under certain and specific circumstances, a return may be granted (restocking fees may apply) - and because there are special conditions regarding returns, we urge you to carefully review our Cancellations & Returns Policy on our Shipping & Returns Page here prior to purchasing your Rhino Shelter.

Why are you requiring my daytime phone number?
We need your daytime phone number so that the trucking company can contact you to schedule delivery of your portable garage or shelter.

Installation Tips
1. Prepare your instant building location and spot.

Think about the prevailing winds and angle your building if possible so it is not facing broadside to the wind. Always use sufficient anchors to keep your garage . I have seen them tumble end over end .

If the ground is flat your garage will rig up tighter and look nice and clean. 

2. Always read through the instructions carefully first BEFORE you start . Count your parts. Lay out pieces ahead for each step. Use a waist belt with pockets { inexpensive painters pouch works fine} for hardware while you are working. Cover the top rail bolt heads with a piece of duct tape to prevent chafing .

3. When installing your building on grass or ground always lay out a vapor barrier on the ground to prevent ground moisture from condensing and dripping inside your unit.

I found the easiest , inexpensive method is to purchase 6 mil plastic sheeting from the building supply or hardware store. This generally is sold in rolls and at different widths.

Roll it out and cut off at appropriate length with scissors.

Lay it down on the ground inside your building after it is erected and covered.

You can use old rugs, wood pallets , crushed stone, or wood decking on top of the plastic, depending on what you are storing.

4. When lacing down your main cover on the inside start in the center and work toward the ends, Use a claw hammer to pull your rope tight as you go. This will give you a snug fitting cover. Do NOT over tighten the turn buckles. Periodically go back and retighten your lacing and check turnbuckle tension.

5. Use a soft bristle shop broom to pull snow off the top gently, or walk inside and gently push up on the material to start the snow sliding off.

6. To get a few extra inches of height out of your rolled up door panel cut a small slit in the top end of the main cover, outside, just above the rope and use a bungee cord to hang your door open. One end hook hangs in the slit and the other on the inside top center rail. Use a piece of plastic pipe filled with sand , duct taped on the ends , and slide it into the pocket at the bottom of your door to make it easier to roll up and give it weight for when it is down.

7. If you need to gain extra height for the opening on a garage you can put the whole frame up on blocks or treated lumber. {IE: A 12X20X8 round garage has a door panel that rolls up to 6 feet} Another option is to leave one end panel off and build your own barn doors out of plywood or other material. Of course consult with me about other size buildings with larger openings.

8. "Make those zippers work like a charm by spraying with a teflon based lubricant like Tri Flow found in hardware stores."

 

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