Wright dealership adds Sun Ports to outside car lot
As you travel through Hillsboro on D Street, you may notice new additions to the Wright's Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership outside lot. The new additions are called Sun Ports and were installed by a four-man crew from Texas. Sun Ports, along with three other companies, form USA Shade and Fabric Structures, Inc.
Owner Doug Wright said he had been thinking about ways to improve his business along D Street for four or five years.
"I wanted to do something within my budget to enhance our outside showcase of vehicles," Wright said. "I wanted to find a way to make the lot more attractive and yet accessible to customers."
Wright said he especially wanted to look into structures that would prevent hail damage to his vehicles.
He found out about the company, researched the idea, and then looked to see if anyone in the area was doing Sun Ports. No one was familiar with the structures, so Wright called the company in Texas.
According to the company, the beams are made of steel and the triple-coated rust protected pipe columns interlock with each other. The structural pipe columns are embedded five feet into the ground.
The canopy material is made of high density polyethylene with ultraviolet additives. A wire rope is threaded through the canopy which is stretched over the corners of the poles. The wire is then pulled to achieve some tension and to hold the canopy in place.
According to Wright, the canopy material can withstand hail, 20 inches of snow, 90-mph winds, can hold the weight of an average man, and is guaranteed for five years.
"It can withstand a rain downpour allowing only a mist to fall on the vehicles," Wright said.
"I feel it is a great investment and it will pay for itself in the long run, especially in the area of hail damage to the vehicles," he added.
Wright feels the beauty of this structure is he can add to it going in any direction.
"Also, I wanted to enhance the property and to bring Hillsboro into the 21st century," he said.
Doug Wright has found an innovative way to make his property more attractive and to help save money as well control the hail, rain, snow, and sun damage to his vehicles.