Canopy Shelters

EdBee

EdBee

Adventurist
Founding Member
Looking for some suggestions when buying a free standing canopy. More often than not mother nature decides to
bless me with rain on my campouts. I've seen 2 of my buddy's get theirs crushed by wind and rain. Now that I'm
in the market, I tend to follow the "buy once, cry once" principle and I think that would be a wise path to take given
my experiences.

Ideally I'll get one that is 10 x 14 in order to position it over a picnic table and still have some standing around space
but most seem to be 10 x 10s. What do you guys have for a canopy and what do you think of them?
 
You'll need two Jeeps, a tarp and some bungee cords, and an adjustable kayak oar for the most effective canopy!

2011bajaextravaganza227.jpg


I've found most of the 10'x10''s at the $100+/- price point to be about the same quality. The most important thing with any of them is to stake them down and tie them down if there is any chance of more than a slight breeze. The canopy's are not waterproof at that price point either, experienced it in sunny SoCal more than once!
 
Ed, I had two brands now. Our first was an Easy-up 10x10. It was fine but really, really heavy. It sucummed quickly to the salt air on Cape Lookout and didn't last long especially the fabric canvas. The one we have now is the W-Mart one. Its lighter and works just as well as the Easy-up did. The main thing is to make sure all the hardware is locked into place and to stake everything down well. I did have the Wally World one fail last spring, but that was because my son and my nephew didn't fully lock 2 of the top slides in when they were using it to sell berries. A thunderstorm dumped a ton of water and as the slides weren't locked in it crumpled. I removed the damaged bars, replaced them with flat steel bars and its even more stout now.

Here's the Easy-up on the Cape...

100_1811.jpg


And a shot of the Wally World special...

100_3425.jpg
 
Last edited:
Stuart, thank you so much for carting that off for me, I had no room for it in my 4runner, and all those sharp edges could have done wonders to my seats!
 
Thanks for the replys fellas - protection from the rain is my main concern but none of the ones I've looked into really specify that they are designed as such.
From what you guys describe and my experience, proper assembly is key. In one of the failures I saw, they canvas cover was only secured at the corners - not on the sides. When the rain came, the water pooled and eventually the weight of the water caused the frame to fail. I am looking at a couple of models from EZ-UP and King Canopy. There is one model from King that is 10 x 10 called Goliath and its $400+....I'll look into that to see if its worth the coin.
 
Ours was under $200 shipped with the REI 20% off coupon...
http://www.rapidtents.com/

Lots of cross-braces, lightweight aluminum, secures in multiple areas, fast up/down, didn't fail with a big snow and ice load on it, in winds, yadda yadda yadda.
 
Thanks Bill - I think you sold me on the ARS I got a buddy who is a member @ REI - will try to buy it thru her.
 
Well I was at BJ wholesale this weekend and I came across an EZ-UP canopy that caught my eye. It was the Express II model but with the commercial grade (not EZs recreational grade) top and
the package included the 4 side walls. It was an aluminum frame and tagged $200. I was all set to order the ARS that Bill suggested but I thought that for the same $ and getting the side panels
(which I was planning on buying anyway) was a good deal.

I unboxed it when I got home and I must say that my initial impression is that its excellent quality compared to the 2 canopys that my friends
have. The top cover is made of a canvas that resembles that of a duffel/gym bag and the side panels are not as heavy as the top but a little heavier than say a typical dome tent. I just ordered
a screen enclosure for $100. So in total, for 300 beans I got the canopy, 4 side walls, a 2 foot awning that extends out on one side a screen enclosure and a canvas rolling bag to store everything
in. Not cheap but I think I got value for what I paid.

Here is a link to the EZ-UP site for the one I got...http://www.ezup.com/shelters/recreational/express-ii-value-pak/

Thanks to all you guys who replied - Ed
 
Good score, Ed. I need a couple of side panels too; I've been using tarps and ingenuity but something that can velcro in place would be nicer. We've been out in the boonies in single-digit weather and 40 mph winds blowing ----- a little bit of canvas would've been welcome.

So when are you going to take the little ones camping?
We're going to try and roadtrip somewhere "up north" next month...
 
Hey Bill:

Thats a good question - haven't really planned anything yet but I would like to do the Outer Banks this summer...
Where do you have in mind to go next month?
 
EdBee said:
Hey Bill:

Thats a good question - haven't really planned anything yet but I would like to do the Outer Banks this summer...
Where do you have in mind to go next month?
Click to expand...
My ancestors founded New Paltz, NY and I was thinking of heading in that direction via the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maybe hit the Poconos along the way, maybe see my brother in Park Ridge.
I gotta get you together with my brother, btw. He doesn't get to camp nearly enough since his pride-n-joy moved to Boston.

May isn't looking as good for a trip for us, the wife tells me. Might have to do it in September. She's a new-hire and not sure of how the vacation time will accrue.
 
Wow thats very cool about your ancestors and New Paltz...perhaps we can coordinate a meet-up or hopefully a campout on your drive thru.
 
I ended up picking up a new 10x10 (I think our old one was 8x8) actual EZ-UP brand popup at Big5 for $150.00, couldn't pass up the deal!
 
Better have something bigger than those 16 penny nails you had the last kite staked down with... :wow
 
I have EIGHT 12 inch Snow Peak stakes :)

And I think it'll be alright at Tahquitz, I have other ideas for more windy areas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom