Pop up canopy question

We were shopping for a new canopy last year. We found that the majority are called shade canopies and are not claimed to be water resistant.

We bought the Gander Mountain Combo Canopy which is advertised as water resistant. It even has taped seams just like better quality tents. I used some seam sealer in a few spots where there was unprotected stitching. It comes complete with three wind walls and four sided screening. It has worked great and some friends have purchased the same canopy after seeing ours in action.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mountain-Combo-Canopy&i=760902

we have one of the early EZ-ups when they just about the only one. Much heavier duty and physically heavier, all galvanized steel support structure. This beast is about 25 years old the canvas, rainbow color, is starting to fade but we left it out in the backyard one whole summer by the above ground pool. It made annual treks to the lake where it stayed set up in the blazing sun for 4-5 days.

As far as rain puddling these original units have brass grommets in the middle of each of the four areas so it will drain anything but a monsoon. It is only 10X10 but we also have to solid sides for it that we used extensively when we tent camped.

We bought this originally for my wife's business she had selling scented crystals at swap meats and craft shows, mostly outdoors and strong sunlight would fade the colors.

We use a wentzel screen room canopy. Easy one man setup and has been up and down a lot over the past 8 years.

Just like the trailers awning, other than high noon awnings offer little shade protection… you either need to have the sun on the other side of the trailer or use shade curtains like these…



The popup canopy likewise offers little in the way of shade protection and the 12x12 would make little difference when compared to the 10x10… it is completely dependent on the suns angle and rain protection dependent on the wind…

I use shade curtains with mine for shade( usually only needed on one or two sides) and nylon side curtains for rain protection… I have absolutely no problems with the rain pooling at all…

With the nylon side curtains tied open and closed… the shade curtains I make myself…

I prefer the EZ up models. We have had a 10 x 10 for six years and other than a few small tears coming in the corners it has held up great. Last year we purchased the EZ up 12x12 just to have the extra room. I prefer the slant legs due to where we use the canopies. The slant legs along with nylon rope and plastic sand stakes make the canopy stand up in the winds along NC's Outer Banks with ease. We generally stay on the beach from around 10 am to 5 pm unless the wind picks up and the sand starts blasting us. Rust on the legs is why we purchased a new one. As far as setting up, I set it up by myself. I just go under it and lift the thing up by roof supports and generally one or two of the legs will latch into the pin by themselves. I do wipe it down when we get home with WD 40 because of the atmosphere at the ocean. This not only will prolong the life of the metal legs but aides a great deal in setting up. My wife and I take it down together though. It is not heavy, and not a lot of trouble.

You will not get exactly 10x10 or 12x12 with them. The 12x12 is about 10x10 actually shade. Of course as the sun moves the shade varies no matter what size you have unless you go gigantic.

wbwood wrote:

Merrykalia wrote:
I found some hoola hoops at the dollar store for $1.50 each.

Shouldn't they of been a dollar? LOL

Only at Dollar Tree, Dollar General & Family Dollar, everything is NOT Always a dollar. :?

Our Business Association bought a 12 x 12 with the taller, "high-peak" roof. Sheds rain and snow just fine - BUT - takes 4 people to set it up and take it down. It's VERY heavy - I'd guess about 70 or 80 lbs?

Rain, what's that?

Here in Texas I'm looking for shade so I don't burn the top of my head while eating lunch.

I use a Coleman 12x12 which we've had for 5 or 6 years. Frankly it's a bit too heavy, but it is what I have.

It is also heavy/ strong enough to use side sheets to block the afternoon sun and wind if needed - which is frequent.

It stand up just fine in winds where the awning has to be retracted. And if it gets blown away, I'm only out $50-100 to replace it - vs the cost of replacing the rig awning.

Bigdog wrote:
How much was the table cover. That looks really neat.

$100

How much was the table cover. That looks really neat.