Leaving filter and pump outside?

Hi all, I feel like I live on this site: READING and LEARNING all the time.... But here is my question:

I am a first time pool owner, Today I went and picked up my winter cover from the pool store where I bought my pool. I then asked them to give my guidance on "closing the pool" They gave me the run thru, disconnecting hoses, taking off all the gagdets: (ha) BUT then they told me (after i asked) that I dont have to take in the Filter and the Pump???? I like in Michigan, on Lake Erie: needless to say: it gets COLD. They still told me that I would be okay that EVERYONE USUALLY does it, because the sand filter is so heavy? And they just usually cover it, but that some people dont even do that.

So I need some re***urance. Or some NO WAY take it in!

Thanks to all: this site has saved me so much: and my neighbors are so pool envy when they see how clear it is. I tell them what I do and about this site and then they think I am crazy. So as they walk away and cant swim in there cruddy green pool, I laugh and pull out the loungers and take a dip with my ****tail.....

i don't know if you have a shed or your stuff is outside..gets cold here in alberta as well..just as cold..i never take any of my big equipment in..never a problem..only thing i take in is my water pressure switch from the heater and the pressure gauge on the filter. all water is drained from everything with all winter plugs pulled..antifreeze in pool and any other water lines where appropriate..my light for my pool gets pulled and sits on the concrete deck under a bucket..this will be the 5th year i've done it that way and the guy who taught me is a very good pool tech.

Keep the plug out of the filter, set the plug (and all other small loose pieces) inside the pump strainer so you do not lose it. Cover filter with a big garbage bag bungeed around it.
In my opinion, take the pump inside, it will last longer.
Also, take the multi port valve inside for the same reason.
If you have the room indoors to store the smaller equipment, do it, after 4 years, my equipment looks almost brand new, works like brand new, I never had any repair issues with any of it, many others I know are replacing bearings, gaskets, guages and lines on a regular basis because they leave it all outside in a pile beside the pool.
We're in a prety harsh winter climate here in southern Ontario - cold and humid, the humidity gets inside everything and then freezes, and builds up, I feel that taking it inside is a small job compared to constantly repairing equipment due to early failure.

good point matt re: humidity..in my neck of the canadian woods, it's very dry over winter..likely why i've never had corrosion problems due to winter on my pump etc.

We live in Michigan, and have never taken anything in. We just drain everything down and add lots of anti freeze. Then we simply cover with a tarp. We've had this equipment for 11 years, and it's still all working fine.

When my neighbour bought his house, the equip had been left outside AND full of water for the entire winter, it still fired up and worked for 2 years after that, however, I would not recommend it.
a tarp is a good thing - probably as good as storing in a shed - the stuff is meant to be outside, so it will likely be ok, however, it's not much workfor me to throw it into the trailer and haul it to my garage which is always above 0c (32f)

Thanks for all the replies. My pump and filter are under a deck, so I guess, it actually will be protected a little bit more as well from that. I think I am going to take the pump in and leave the filter out, ofcourse draining everything and stuff. Question I have now is many of you have commented on "anti freeze" run thru it...... What would I put anti freeze in? Pool store never said anything about anti freeze? just said drain, unhook all that stuff. Or is anti freeze only an inground thing? And I have an above ground? Thanks again for your replies. VERY HELPFUL!

Anti freeze is mainly used in IG pools, since the lines may get water into them unlike an AG pool where you should just disconnect the lines from the pool.

New to the pool thing as well here in southern Ontario ... I disconnected mine this past weekend (SimpleSet 12' AG round .. I know .. small but for the little guys .. have plans for the 18' steel framed AG) .. but I have ABS pipe'ed to Hayward Super Pump 3/4HP and Jacuzzi 19" Sand filter ... decided to put everything in basement .. just for safety sake ... took out all the aggregate sand .. unfortunately cut up my entire arm in doing so :eek: ... so I figure .. a little bit of injury now :( .. but at least I can ensure that the filter will be set up properly (cleaned/leveled) for next season. :)