Forum Discussion

Veronica's avatar
Veronica
Explorer
Jul 20, 2016

Canopies

I just bought a 1996 Roadtrek 210 Popular. It does not have an awning which is fine with me because that will make it easier to unhook and tour the sites while visiting a new area. I would, however, like to have some sort of canopy at the campsite 1) to sit under and 2) to make it known the campsite is occupied when I do leave for a while.

What have you guys found that works well and can be set up by one person? I will often be traveling alone.

I have a cheap Kmart dining canopy that packs away small, but I don't think it could be set up by one person. I also have a Quest brand ez-up style that I have never opened. I bought it recently and am considering taking it back because it is so large when folded up. Space in the Roadtrek is at a premium.

Suggestions?

10 Replies

  • We use a 10x10 EZ-Up type collapsible canopy. It works good and is easy to set up and tear down and stores in a bag the size of a large duffel bag. I think it was about $75.
  • Thanks guys. I'm going to see if the Quest will fit in there ok. It's just like an ez up, but cheaper. I've never seen a restriction on free standing canopies either. Most of the places I stay aren't fancy, so I think I will be ok.
  • Johno02 wrote:
    A 10' ez-up can be handles by one person, and packs into a small bag.


    X2, I can put up our 10' EZ UP pretty easily.
  • When we had our Roadtrek 210P we used a 9x9 dining canopy we put up over the picnic table. We bought it at Tractor Supply on sale for twenty bucks! We also carried a ten by ten screen house we bought at Walmart for about $40 bucks. Both were light weight and easily put up by one person. One or two people don't need a huge shelter. Both of these were very small and light weight, easily stored under the rear seat along with more junk than you can imagine!

    We were more concerned with weight and size than fancy. Worked well for years and still have them both.....keep them for when we tire of the hassle of a C and move back to a B.

    Paul
  • I've been camping for 20yrs, mostly in the eastern side of the country. I've never heard of a restriction on free standing canopies, and see them all the time in many campsites. Perhaps its different elsewhere, but seems like a rather odd restriction. I can see the rationale behind a restriction for tying up tarps between trees and such as a canopy, but not for a free standing one.
  • Check with the CG you are going to stay at. In my travels as a full timer 'MANY' CG's do not allow you to put up any type of canopy.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    I'm going to do the same thing with my OFF-ROAD POPUP Tent Trailer. The $600 Awning is on its last leg now and no way do I want to spend $600 for a new one... $78 for a 10X8 Portable Canopy from LOWES or Amazon is a big difference from $600.

    I think I can add a couple of brackets on the roof side on the patio side and after I crank up the roof I can slip one of those tent canopies into to it and do the same thing... The height will have to clear my trailer entrance door so I may have to do some engineering to make it work... I would want the canopy to be flush with the raised POPUP roof to keep any rain runoff to a different direction instead of pouring down around the entrance door to the trailer.... I'm sure I can add some sort of rain gutter to do this...

    Roy Ken
  • We purchased a 12'x12' that has two additional half sides that you can either fold down to block the sun when it's low in the sky or raise them up to make it 12'x18'. We purchased it at Dick's Sporting Goods three years ago. Paid close to $200. Still looks and works great
  • A 10' ez-up can be handles by one person, and packs into a small bag.