Should I get a canopy?

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Warbaby Fox
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Should I get a canopy?

Post by Warbaby Fox » Sun Jun 28, 2015 5:27 am

im thumbing through the Sunday paper and the local sporting goods store has a deal on 10x10 canopies. I'm prolly flying in, and I want to know if this is something I should bring with me. Even if I have to check it with my luggage or ship it to Nevada ahead of time, is it worth bringing?

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AntiM
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by AntiM » Sun Jun 28, 2015 5:48 am

The winds tear those up very easily. There are better shade options.

Warbaby Fox
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Warbaby Fox » Sun Jun 28, 2015 5:51 am

Well I'm open to suggestions. I found a nice 7x7 tent that I'm gonna buy. But i know I need some kind of overhead protection to break the midday sun.

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AntiM
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by AntiM » Sun Jun 28, 2015 6:03 am

Easier ting is shade cloth or aluminet to cover the tent and make a small awning out front. Second easiest thing is a monkey hut. Those pop-ups look good, but you have to anchor them very well, and even so, the wind can twist and break the joints, making it a pile of rubbish.

squish
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by squish » Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:48 am

I use 10x10 straight-leg canopies, always have. I anchor with rebar at each corner, next to the legs. Another rebar about 2ft out from each corner, guyed to the top. Pool noodle sections on the rebar ends.
I zip-tie shadecloth to two sides, flat, attach tarps over that with bungee cords, angle the tarp for airflow, and anchor the bottom of the tarp with small tent stakes. Works for me; ymmv.

I know they're not great structures, but I'm using what I have because I already own them.

About buying one and bringing it on the plane- will you be doing rideshare or renting a vehicle? You might buy one in Reno. If your local sporting goods store is a chain, you might buy one and have it available for pick-up in Reno?

Warbaby Fox
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Warbaby Fox » Sun Jun 28, 2015 1:54 pm

Squish thank you, I'm pretty sure I want to fly in just based on the two day drive it would be (one way) to BRC, and bringing a canopy as a checked bag doesn't seem practical. I think if I'm gonna get one, I should buy it in Nevada

krly
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by krly » Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:46 pm


maladroit
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by maladroit » Sun Jun 28, 2015 6:29 pm

EZ-Up canopy failures are kind of a trope on the playa. It seems that every year, someone who doesn't understand playa weather brings one and it gets away from them. My campmates reported a big gust during early entry, and saw a canopy flying by with a fully naked man clinging to one leg. He might have gotten some air at one point.

Near center camp a couple years ago, I walked past someone doing performance art. They had a completely crushed and twisted EZ-Up (subtly and thoroughly staked to the ground) festooned with dreamcatchers and other mystical objects. I think the EZ-Up frame might actually have bent completely in half and twisted 180 degrees. The man out front was wringing his hands and begging for help fixing it, and maybe some water too.

Warbaby Fox
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Warbaby Fox » Mon Jun 29, 2015 5:38 am

Yikes. Okay so the cheap option with the EZ Up canopies is not the right option. Roger that. I'd still like to bring one though. So as long as it's not the pop up variety, and I have enough rebar on the thing, it should hold fine?

Warbaby Fox
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Warbaby Fox » Mon Jun 29, 2015 5:42 am

Those monkey huts look like the tits though. If I'm burning solo, would I be able to set that up myself?

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FIGJAM
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by FIGJAM » Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:18 am

You won't really be by yourself once you park.

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Warbaby Fox
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Warbaby Fox » Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:23 am

Okay now I'm kinda liking the monkey hut idea. That chromatest link looks easy enough to accomplish. But can somebody clarify one thing? Is it possible to cut the 10' ribs down to 5' lengths to make them fit in a vehicle? And if so, would that just require more T-connectors and duct tape?

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Elorrum
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Elorrum » Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:25 am

I got one of these for about 60 dollars. I've used the tripod at Burning Man in very windy years, tie it out at every possible point. It flexes, and comes back.

small to pack! It comes in a backpack sack, about 5in dia, by 24" long. google tripod shade, kelty tripod shade... look for coupons.

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Drawingablank
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Drawingablank » Mon Jun 29, 2015 12:00 pm

Warbaby Fox wrote:Okay now I'm kinda liking the monkey hut idea. That chromatest link looks easy enough to accomplish. But can somebody clarify one thing? Is it possible to cut the 10' ribs down to 5' lengths to make them fit in a vehicle? And if so, would that just require more T-connectors and duct tape?
I set mine up alone every year. If it is windy you may need to recruit some help with the tarp or wait for it to calm down a bit.

The ribs can be cut - I did this with mine and it worked perfectly. No additional T connectors needed, you just need to cut an extra sleeve for each rib. See: viewtopic.php?t=34261#p554968

In my opinion the original design is the best: http://www.chromatest.net/Lovemonkey/
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Warbaby Fox
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Re: Should I get a canopy?

Post by Warbaby Fox » Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:52 pm

This is all great stuff. I shall be testing all of this in my backyard soon

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