Shade type and size

[David_bor]

Hi all,

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)?

Thanks all
David

[Admiral Fukkit]

I'd say the optimal size is the size of the space parking your rigs in a "U" makes.
Aluminet is one of the go-to materials for Burning Man shade, although it's not the cheapest.

[Zubeneschamali]

Cheap? Blue poly tarp. Cheap ass cord from HD. You'll have shade for the first day guaranteed. There's risk of catastrophic failure and some find the sound of a blue tarp flapping in the wind to be annoying.

Increasing expense and functionality: sunshade cloth, parachute, and as mentioned aluminet.

The U shape configuration will work up to a certain size then you risk tarp droopage. That's a highly technical term that means you will need a center support. Use your vehicles as anchor points and you'll probably have some scuff marks that may/may not buff out later.

Size? It matters. Optimal size is a personal choice that you'll have to decide on your own. If this was my camp, I'd have a communal kitchen under the shade, a small private bar, at least 10 chairs, and probably a propane firepit. I'd want the shade to be approximately 400 sq ft.

[David_bor]

aluminet it is, not as expensive as i thought (Israel prices in my mind)

any suggestions on how to set it up and what other materials i'll need?

[some seeing eye]

If you are ordering Aluminet or any finished shade cloth or even arctic camouflage, this is the busy time for suppliers and the closer to the burn, the greater problem getting it received on time.

Might be a good idea to bring a compass & understand magnetic declination or an app that shows sunrise and sunset locations to line up your camp.

[Token]

Well, Israel is where Aluminet was invented.

Any shade anchored to vehicles will constantly shake the vehicles with any wind. Make sure it doesn't bother you or your mates.

Another down side to the u-shape design: it cuts you off from the world on 3 sides.

I personally would only attach the aluminet to one vehicle and use lumber ( 2 x 4 x 8 in US) with good rope to make an awning.

Also, with three large vehicles, if you park them in the right direction, you can create shade just from the vehicles and don't need any tarp/cloth.

See good data here. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78496&start=30&hilit=Sun+direction