What about using a mesh structure as your background (fence panels or something similar) and permanently attaching ball bungees to the back of the movable pieces? It would reduce your windload, and you be able to set the pieces pretty much wherever you wanted.

Ah, wonderful! Thank you Illy Dilly and Mr Blue, I will be doing all of these things. Hey, just noticed, first post Mr Blue! May I commend you on your most excellent inaugural contribution. Welcome to eplaya! I'm rather new myself. Well, I'm rather new to non-lurker status that is. 8) Thanks, glad ...

Do you think that where the pole hits the ground tarp it would likely create a tear? Would it make since to put a peace of ply word or something under the flange deal. The flange has approx a 6" diameter base, so I didn' t have any problems with the tarp tearing. The flange has a couple holes in it...

illy dilly wrote:The other thing I'm not seeing is what hold the center pole up where it meets the ground?

It comes with a plastic flange that the support pole fits into.

I bought this tent and took it to our regional burn and burning man last year. It definitely needs some improvements if you want it to survive. First issue: the pole was too long to actually stand up in the center of the tent. Second issue: the netting at the top is only connected by a crappy gromme...