Need advice for figuring out poor mans shade structure

zerk · Post by **zerk** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 3:52 pm

Since I'm not guaranteed to have a shade structure, I'm trying to figure out my own way of creating a shade structure with limited supplies and limited space for transportation. I have a really small 1 maybe 2 person sleeping tent (e.g. http://www.campist.com/archives/black-d ... -tent.html). I was thinking about getting bigger (~10ft height) tent and putting some reflective material on it, then placing my small tent inside the bigger tent. I'm just not sure this method will provide adequate shade.

So these are the possible options I was considering for the bigger tent:
1) http://cgi.ebay.com/NorthPole-12-x-9-ft ... 076wt_1137
2) http://compare.ebay.com/like/3703831837 ... eItemTypes
3) http://www.qualitytoys.com/gigatent-bea ... s-4-5.html

Out of the above tents, which type do you think works best as a bigger tent?

Or should I just build a dome? Any advice/feedback would be appreciated, thanks guys :)

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:08 pm

What do you have for trasport? How much room do you have to pack a shade structure? With that info, might be able to give some guidance.

zerk · Post by **zerk** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:10 pm

FIGJAM wrote:What do you have for trasport? How much room do you have to pack a shade structure? With that info, might be able to give some guidance.

Well, I plan on flying, but I have to pay about 10$ per 10 cubic feet of space on the truck that is taking my stuff. I'm sure there is a limit per person (although I don't know what it is) but I also don't want to pay $300 for transport.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:24 pm

With those restrictions I think I would get a roll of shade clothe at walmart or home depot ($20) and some pool noodles. Attach the noodles to the top of the tent with clips or tape. The stretch the shade over it and stake it down securely. It will be low to the ground, but it will shade the tent.

zerk · Post by **zerk** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 4:52 pm

FIGJAM wrote:With those restrictions I think I would get a roll of shade clothe at walmart or home depot ($20) and some pool noodles. Attach the noodles to the top of the tent with clips or tape. The stretch the shade over it and stake it down securely. It will be low to the ground, but it will shade the tent.

Doesn't that just make my current small tent just cover more square foot and doesn't really help disperse the heat? I thought the idea was that a shade *above* my small tent is what will really help with the heat. Please correct me if I am wrong.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 5:00 pm

The pool noodles will create the gap between tent and clothe, plus it will breathe. It was just a quick suggestion off the top of my head. I may be full of shit.

Token · Post by **Token** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 5:12 pm

Btw, tent in a tent is always epic fail. Oven inside an oven.

Go with shade cloth, aluminet if you can afford it. Aluminet is much lighter.

Get lots of rope, dozen 12" nails, a couple of poles and make an A-frame with the shade material using tension on the shade cloth. It is that easy.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 5:18 pm

Hi, Zerk,

There are some issues. If you get one of those 'bigger tents,' they may not survive a major wind. They all have mesh sides, which means they won't block the sun unless it's high noon, and if you put up opaque sides, you increase wind resistance. The poles on those shade tents don't look like they'd survive the high winds we sometimes have.

Does your shade have to cover your tent? If not, consider the ideas suggested in this thread:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=23569

See also
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents ... ng/product
http://www.eurekaeurope.com/en/tents.ph ... product=35
and the various shade tarps here:
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/msr/tents/tarp/

You can look at the design and make your own from tarps if you have light enough fabric. The key is the poles being sturdy enough to withstand the winds. The wing-style shade might not give you standing height and might not cover your tent. I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions, but meanwhile search here for shade structure and see what other suggestions have been offered.

Do you need to cover your tent? Do you want standing headroom? How does your cubic foot displacement treat long tubes?

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:27 pm

Super cheap shade structure: Someone else's.

Seriously though, you can hang out under the man, in the temple, or in a bazillion other places. If you have a car, preferably a tall one, you can make a lean-to with some sort of shade cloth. It's not super luxurious, but it's better than sitting in the sun.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:59 am

The key word is shade.
I did the tent in a tent thing.
But it must be opaque material, not flowy 70% aluminet, which is good for 50% shade maybe.

I ran a frame over the tent about six inches higher at the peak.
Used the frame on the tent for the rest of the supports.
This provided vent space.
Then everything was tied or bungeed down to bounce, but not flap, or it will self destruct.
Never opened a window at all, doors only when necessary.
Two layers of heavy billboard material.
Noticeably hot on the sides where there were gaps in the shade.

It was a tall tent, which helps.

Cool until noon, tolerable longer.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:16 pm

Don't sleep.

bm_cricket · Post by **bm_cricket** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 7:29 pm

Bob wrote:Don't sleep.

That's also an option.

Frankly, 6 people stuffed inside a costco barn works pretty well if you are on a budget.

My favorite super cheep design for a 'communal' shade structure is shade netting covering a network of folded PVC all held to the ground by rebar. It isn't a 1 person structure but it's a cheap way to make a lot of people happy with very little weight or volume. What ever you do, don't buy those big netted tents on Ebay or Amazon for having out door BBQs in New Hampshire. They won't last 5 minutes out there. I think that one of my favorite idiot proof shade structures for anyone with 3 + RVs was boxing them in and stringing a few huge pieces between the tops of each one. It's 10' in the air and easy. Do any of your camp mates have vans or RVs?

Token · Post by **Token** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:21 pm

bm_cricket wrote: anyone with 3 + RVs was boxing them in and stringing a few huge pieces between the tops of each one. It's 10' in the air and easy.

Problem with that setup; if folks are fucking in one RV it shakes all three.

Might not work for everyone.

zerk · Post by **zerk** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:47 pm

I think I am going to give this a shot:
http://www.bweebweebwee.com/tensegrity/

Need advice for figuring out poor mans shade structure

Need advice for figuring out poor mans shade structure

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