Carport shade questions

[Jeremy757jones]

I am bring a carport to put my tent under. It will look like this.



I want to shade the sides and back of the carport and was curious what people are doing?

I'm considering buying a 50' roll of this and just wrapping it around.



Anyone seen anything like this or have any experience?

I want my kodiak tent in as much shade as possible but looking for something that breathes a little.

[Chowski]

We use those carports for our camp - here's what I have found works. First, you will need to stake down at least the four corner legs, if not all six. the frame is fairly stable, but the joints will come apart in wind, so I highly recommend you duct tape each joint as you are putting it together - you don't have to go crazy, but once around will keep the thing together no problem. Without that, they can easily bust apart, making you climb back up midweek to try to keep things together. T-garden stakes or long rebar work well, and the structure will be secure in everything but the strongest windstorm without needing to guy line it if you use duct tape liberally on each stake/leg.

For shade, they sell a set of sidewalls, but with all four up, it becomes too hot. You best bet is to use one or two solid walls as wind blocks - wind direction is fairly consistent, ask a neighbor when you arrive. Sunrise is generally a different direction from the predominant wind, so we use bed sheets to create wind-permeable "walls". We take each sheet, and sew a little pocket at the top of each, then string rope through them and hang them to the frame of the carport. With the right set-up, you can "close" your little room for some privacy, or open it and tie it back when you want a view or company.

Just keep in mind that the roof will provide shade during most of the day, but you need to shade off the wall where the sun rises. Also, place your tent as far from that wall as possible, so if there is a breeze, and your sheet walls are blowing, you will be out of the sun as much as possible. Good luck.

[BBadger]

Those particular carports are held together with gravity and their cover on top. That means they'll probably pop apart while on playa after a strong breeze. If you don't tape up the joints or use cross-connections to keep them together -- and attached to the ground -- you might be better served with a Costco carport, though you'll still need to bolt it to the ground.

[FlyingMonkey]

Those particular carports are held together with gravity and their cover on top. That means they'll probably pop apart while on playa after a strong breeze. If you don't tape up the joints or use cross-connections to keep them together -- and attached to the ground -- you might be better served with a Costco carport, though you'll still need to bolt it to the ground.

Yeah, even a 20' COSTCO carport will take off in a 20 MPH wind if untethered.

[Jeremy757jones]

I'm not asking about securing the carport I have that taken care of. Just shade advice please.

[DeGracht]

Why looking for shade if your mood can use some sunshine.

[Jeremy757jones]

Why looking for shade if your mood can use some sunshine.

No mood my friend. Just redirecting people back to my question about shade.

[Ratty]

Jeremy, Here is what I did last year. I made perfectly fitting tarps. Then I sewed some pretty cloth panels to tie on the inside. They provide decor and extra shade.

viewtopic.php?f=277&t=77435

[Captain Goddammit]

When people who haven't been to BRC talk about bringing a somewhat flimsy carport, by default we start making sure you understand how much wind it's gonna have to withstand. Maybe you're aware, but we gotta make sure because they fly - into other people's camps!
That's why you're getting some well-intended tie-down talk.

Camo netting is popular because it does better in the wind. You might consider something more opaque under your roof tarp to block more sun.

[lucky420]

Jeremy, Here is what I did last year. I made perfectly fitting tarps. Then I sewed some pretty cloth panels to tie on the inside. They provide decor and extra shade.

viewtopic.php?f=277&t=77435

and they look like panties...

[Joeln]

How about a great big chunk of aluminet instead of the stock roof and sides?
Lets air through, rejects sun... That's a bit of camo net on the far end.

shade structure.jpg

[Ratty]

Lucky, and your point is?

No they are not panties. They are beautiful 2 sided dust catchers with tassels. (Yes I'm drunk, thanks for asking). If the Amtrakathon is cancelled will we form another event? The January Reno gathering under some other name. I really don't mind driving there if there is a party at the end of the rainbow. Rest assured if this is the last year, (for a while. Until 'The Cheeto' is ousted), It will be a HELL of a party.

[FlyingMonkey]

I'm not asking about securing the carport I have that taken care of. Just shade advice please.

Ok. I didn't take it as anything other than a needed re-focus. But keep in mind, none of us want to be on the receiving end of a flying carport. If you can afford aluminet then do it. If not you may be able to find surplus camo netting online. There are Government Liquidation web sites that auction military equip. Sometimes you can score a great deal. PM me if interested, I'm trying to decomidify my posts & not list businesses here. I have seen parachutes & camo netting with support systems on these sites. I would definitely use something that can breath or offer minimal wind resistance.

If you search on "shade" you will probably get more information than you need to make an informed decision.

[silvergirl70]

Why looking for shade if your mood can use some sunshine.

Hee hee

[lucky420]

Lucky, and your point is?

No they are not panties. They are beautiful 2 sided dust catchers with tassels. (Yes I'm drunk, thanks for asking). If the Amtrakathon is cancelled will we form another event? The January Reno gathering under some other name. I really don't mind driving there if there is a party at the end of the rainbow. Rest assured if this is the last year, (for a while. Until 'The Cheeto' is ousted), It will be a HELL of a party.

My point is panties are funny. Well looks like I'm 2 for 2 in offending people around here. Oh well

[FlyingMonkey]

Lucky, and your point is?

No they are not panties. They are beautiful 2 sided dust catchers with tassels. (Yes I'm drunk, thanks for asking). If the Amtrakathon is cancelled will we form another event? The January Reno gathering under some other name. I really don't mind driving there if there is a party at the end of the rainbow. Rest assured if this is the last year, (for a while. Until 'The Cheeto' is ousted), It will be a HELL of a party.

My point is panties are funny. Well looks like I'm 2 for 2 in offending people around here. Oh well

Lucky, I thought the same thing.
LoL. OK, they look like bikini bottoms. I kept looking for and couldn't see anyone only wearing Bikini tops

No, I'm not drunk. I wish I was

Looks nice Ratty. Obviously a lot of thought & hard work went in to making that. Nice job.

[Jeremy757jones]

How about a great big chunk of aluminet instead of the stock roof and sides?
Lets air through, rejects sun... That's a bit of camo net on the far end.

shade structure.jpg

Any idea what size aluminet that is?

[Joeln]

How about a great big chunk of aluminet instead of the stock roof and sides?
Lets air through, rejects sun... That's a bit of camo net on the far end.

shade structure.jpg

Any idea what size aluminet that is?

That piece is 28 X 20 feet - check your PM's for details.

[Chowski]

Alright everybody, just relax. To Jeremy: I have camped with that exact carport for years. Alone or in groups, as long as it is taped at the joints and staked down hard at the corners, the frame isn't going anywhere. It is the veteran's job to frighten virgins so they are prepared. You've go this. No problem. These carports aren't flimsy if you set them up right, and that does not include guy wiring - totally unnecessary if the stakes are firm and the tape is super tight.

The absolute worst that MIGHT happen in a crazy storm like we had in 2015 is part of the roof might slip off. It's a pain to get it down during a storm, but you'll be fine. Make a solid wall or two for a wind block, park your vehicle against that wall for more security, and make breezy curtains for the other two or three walls.

[Captain Goddammit]

Perhaps you've never been to BRC when we had some real wind.
Some of us have and we're not making this shit up.

[LowePro]

I like that Aluminet "hat" stretched over the whole thing, but keep in mind that on some of the lower-end carports, the factory-included canopy is structural--it helps keep the frame tightened up, so I'd do the original canopy w/ bungee balls as designed, and the aluminet hat over the whole thing.
I've also used that exact "low-end" carport with success and we bought a sidewall kit for it with moderate success (most of the grommets ripped out by the end of the week but it did OK). Staking and ratchet straps are key.

[WileE13]

Something I've found helpful in all my camping adventures, not just BM, is using canvas instead of plastic tarps. They are softer, don't make as much noise, and they don't leave moop like the woven plastic ones. They also seem to breath better. The initial cost is kind of high, but worth it. I'm still using 50+ yr old canvas tarps my grandparents had. They work well for sides on carports. The extra weight keeps them from flapping around as much. Another way we provide shade is with sheets. We'll tie them up good and let them flap. The motion is kind of soothing and pretty as we use tie dyed sheets.

[2Thu]

I have a question about anyone who have brought a carport to BM.

I was planning on bringing one this year but when it is taken apart, about how big are the parts? What I mean is, I just have a 2007 Honda Accord, would I be able to transport a carport?

[Papa Bear]

I don't know that car well enough to advise (I'd suggest heading to Costco and taking a look at the box) but here's some rough numbers:

For the Coscto variety, the poles are about 6.5 feet long. There are 25 of them, though some of them nest inside others, so you only need to be worried about 17 of them (plus covers, tie downs, and anchors). I'd have to go measure the median diameter of the poles, but I'd say they are no more than 2" in diameter.

So figure on a stack either 4"x18" or 6"x12" and 6.5 feet long, assuming you bind them to keep them stacked. The covers, tie downs, and anchors take up space as well, but those can be arranged in a number of ways.

[2Thu]

Thank you for that very detailed replied! I assume you used a truck to transport yours?

I went to my local Costco and they didn't have it. I was going to order it online but I was worried that it'd be too big. My car is just an average sedan so I don't think it's capable of transporting 7ft poles.

[Roundabout]

When you go to Costco to look for the carport, you have to actually say you are looking for the 10 x 20 canopy. Costco does not call it a carport and will always tell you they don't have it if you call it that. Also, it is not something they carry online. They do carry replacement roof tarp for the unit, but not the unit itself. Most of the Costco online things do not cross over into the store, and vice versa.

[Papa Bear]

Thank you for that very detailed replied! I assume you used a truck to transport yours?

FYI, the carports (aka canopies) are seasonal, so it's possible yours just doesn't have them in yet.

I bring out our gear in a 10' cargo trailer behind my 4Runner, so close enough. If your car has a standard trunk rather than a hatchback, it would probably be a tough fit.

An easier option for you might be a simple flat-top shade structure , assuming you can come up with some kind of roof rack to strap a few 2x3's on top.