Thank you LarryD and SconnieQ. Great points by both of you.
SconnieQ - I am in the same position you were...I don't use my WSM in the winter and I really wish I felt like it, but it's a lot to pull out and mess with when it's cold. Of course, we don't have winters like you do in Wisconsin, when it's cold it's cold!
LarryD - I am considering leaving the 3D on the deck and purchasing the cover. As goofy as it may sound, I keep my weber gas grill, WSM and Weber Performer in the garage and I think that's the reason they all look brand new still. I don't have a good covered area behind my house, just a simple 10x14 uncovered deck. Eventually, I will extend the deck the whole width of the house and cover one side, then all the grilling/smoking stuff will go out there. So for the time being, I pull the gasser/performer out in the driveway to use, then put back. The WSM, I carry through the house to the back deck, then set up, use and return it to the garage. Guess I'll have to make some decisions! I surely didn't buy the 3D to have it sit around!
Thanks again for all the advice and help. This forum is a wealth of knowledge.
*Edit - wanted to add in case it helps someone else...if you don't create and account with a password, your tracking information will not be available. Found this out the hard way, although tracking info sometimes just makes you look at it daily!