Canopy Tents?

[blackhawkscp]

Hi all,
Thinking of getting a canapy tent for shade, as well as water proof. Any recommendations or what to look out for? I don’t want it too heavy and I need something that is fairly easy to put up by myself. Looking for a 10 x 10.

As usual your thought are greatly appreciated.

CP

[alank]

Originally Posted by blackhawkscp

Hi all,
Thinking of getting a canapy tent for shade, as well as water proof. Any recommendations or what to look out for? I don’t want it too heavy and I need something that is fairly easy to put up by myself. Looking for a 10 x 10.

As usual your thought are greatly appreciated.

CP

Have some experience on this subject. A 10 x 10 is a good choice. We can get them at academy Sports for about $75, possibly less. You can get higher price ones, possibly better quality and bigger ones. One we had was a 12 x 12. Great shade but it rained on it and if the canvas sags inside the frame and loads up with 40 gal. of water, like ours did, it'll be on it's way to the junk pile after it folds up and comes down. You can better tighten the canvas on a 10 x 10 up so water won't do that. Also, wind, it doesn't care what size it is or how much it cost when the wind decides it's time to roll it down the street, it will be on it's way to the junk pile too, so the cheaper the better. I would feel a lot better watching my $75 canopy rolling down the street than seeing my $150 canopy rolling down the street, and hope it doesn't roll into a neighbors nice coach or you'll have some real upset neighbors.

We pulled into a nice campsite N side of St Louis last year just as a storm came up. Neighbor on the N of us was hanging on to a canopy coming my way, I just pulled on through and went to the N side of campground and waited a while. They ended up having 4 people hanging onto that canopy and it was trash when the wind let up. Others were hanging on to canopy's also. Glad I wasn't one of them.

Putting one up by yourself is a challenge. Get one of those steel spring clamps, Lowes, Harbour Freight etc for about $3. The one that's just big enough to fit on the leg and so strong you can just open it enough to get it on the leg. Then move it up the leg under the canopy frame as you unfold the canopy. It makes getting the canopy a snap.

[UTTransplant]

Look at the Clam brand shelters. Best I have used in 30 years. Easy up, has optional wind and rain panels. More expensive than an easy-up, but this one will last. I have had it 3 years and in lots of wind and rain, and it is still in mint condition.

[5spd97]

We've used a cheap grocery store give-a-way 10' x 10' for years and it has held up fine. I do tie it down securely at all 4 corners and I check it during or after heavy rains for ponding. The advantage of the cheap ones is that they are considerably lighter than the high quality models and they serve their purpose just as well. My DW does the setup and takedown although I take care of the tiedowns. I'm constantly on the lookout for a replacement because I know I'll need one eventually, but they usually fail my in store test which is to pick up the box. The 12x12 models provide 44% more area but they are much heavier.

[sbleiweiss]

We've used a Coleman 10 x 10 screen room and been satisfied. Needs weights for the four corners since we often set it up on pavement.

[Isaac-1]

I have a smaller one ( I think 8x8), it is significantly easier to put up than the 10x10's I have helped others erect in the past.

[blackhawkscp]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I am still looking and what a search it is. Looking for desired color, light weight, yet sturdy etc. etc. . Sooner or later I will find the right one, giving more thought on the 8 x 8 due to less weight.