shade type and size

[mactuan12]

we are 10 friends free camping with a 30FT RV and 2 more trucks.
we thought of parking them in a U shape with shade in the middle.

what is the optimal size of shade we need for 10 people?
also, what cheap-ish options do we have for the shade itself?
can the RV help for that (using it as anchor)?

[Molotov]

If you pad your ropes, your shade can be anchored by running ropes up and over trucks and RV to substantial stakes in the ground. Make sure the RV door can open without touching the shade cloth. You may need one pole and a guy line and a good stake for the open side of the U to prevent flapping.

[some seeing eye]

How many tents need shade? As Mr Molotov notes, the relentless wind will cause the shade and ropes to vibrate, and the grit in the dust between the rope and the vehicle will wear down the paint. So you want to keep the rope and the shade material spaced out from the body. The tires and bumper are better than stakes. You can have Aluminet or polyester shade cloth edged and grommeted. You can extend the corners of the shade beyond the front/back of the vehicles with poles. Make a scale drawing of your tents, tables and chairs along with your vehicles to determine the size. Set up your vehicles to block the prevailing wind.

[Token]

If you park your vehicles the correct direction, you can create enough shade for 8 or 10 small tents just using astronomy, angle of the sun, and some simple trigonometry.

No shade cloth or rigging required.

Our good buddy Canoe did all kinds of cool models to inspire

viewtopic.php?f=277&t=101553&hilit=Wind+direction

As for a shade area, I’d recommend a stand-alone Costco Carport or two. Relatively cheap, proven, available, low skill level needed to reliably execute, tons of posts here to help you.

[Toe]

Stretch fabric is nicer than tarp because it doesn't make noise in the wind. You can sew it together into big pieces and wash it in a washing machine