shade structures
shade structures
Hi - Any advice on the simplest possible shade structure for two tents? Facility of transport, construction and deconstruction are our main concerns. Thanks a lot!
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safetythird
- Posts: 187
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- Location: Grover Beach, CA
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DoctorIknow
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 3:07 pm
- Burning Since: 1998
- Camp Name: Camp Do Nothing
- Location: Thailand/Sacramento
Depending on the height of your vehicle and the height of the tents, the cheapest, easiest and SOMETIMES highly effective shade can be obtained by running lines from the top of the vehicle (tie to car/van wheels and place over the top of the vehicle). Make sure they don't slide off using line from bumper to bumper to secure them from wind tricks.
"Force" 2x2 lumber so the shape of the lines is trapazoidal instead of just being a continuous angle from the van/car to the playa, and "tighten up" the whole rig by forcing the 2x2's between the playa and the line. Stake 'em in with 18" or 24" rebar (don't forget tennis balls or something to cover dangerous rebar) and use shade material. If you use the 2x2's, you will need additional guy lines, staked out, to keep the unit stable.
Buy more heavy duty/light weight clamps (see below) then you think you need to attach lots of sheets, fabrics, garden shade material, cheap plastic "porch" blinds. You WILL need shade on all sides except the side you want to remain open for access.
Use good line.
If you use plastic tarp, try to find silver and not blue. However, by itself this stuff sucks for heat protection, so cover it, over it or under it, with sheets, fabric, whatever. If your clamps can't "pinch" the tarp, add lesser weight line wherever you might need it, and attach the clamps there.
The best deal with this tried and true (besides it being cheap) is you can use your car/van as one of your rooms, for white out (dust) conditions or just storage. Also, as Costco tents are just a step down from RV's for cool factor (unless you've been to BM at least three times) you will be a groovin' newbie that many will say "Nice shelter, man!" True! Some of the coolest people out there in their stylized Costco's started in shelters just like this!
However, if your tents are stand up size, this whole idea won't work.
Try it at home before playa.
You'll need:
----2x2 lumber, 8' lengths
-----saw to cut 2x2's if they are too tall
----small 3pound sledge hammer
----rebar, 18" pieces
-----vise grips to remove rebar (just spin and wiggle and out they come)
----line, at least 100' strong and 100' less strong
----all sheets, fabric you can scrounge up
----silver tarp (if grommets aren't in right places, double over tarp and use clamps
-----clamps, sometimes called "G Clamps." There are small ones, about 2.5 inches, that are light and super strong. You can use washers to increase the contact area if you choose. Epoxy on the washers before you leave...easy to do...just put a piece of plastic between the two washers and squeeze 'em down.
"Force" 2x2 lumber so the shape of the lines is trapazoidal instead of just being a continuous angle from the van/car to the playa, and "tighten up" the whole rig by forcing the 2x2's between the playa and the line. Stake 'em in with 18" or 24" rebar (don't forget tennis balls or something to cover dangerous rebar) and use shade material. If you use the 2x2's, you will need additional guy lines, staked out, to keep the unit stable.
Buy more heavy duty/light weight clamps (see below) then you think you need to attach lots of sheets, fabrics, garden shade material, cheap plastic "porch" blinds. You WILL need shade on all sides except the side you want to remain open for access.
Use good line.
If you use plastic tarp, try to find silver and not blue. However, by itself this stuff sucks for heat protection, so cover it, over it or under it, with sheets, fabric, whatever. If your clamps can't "pinch" the tarp, add lesser weight line wherever you might need it, and attach the clamps there.
The best deal with this tried and true (besides it being cheap) is you can use your car/van as one of your rooms, for white out (dust) conditions or just storage. Also, as Costco tents are just a step down from RV's for cool factor (unless you've been to BM at least three times) you will be a groovin' newbie that many will say "Nice shelter, man!" True! Some of the coolest people out there in their stylized Costco's started in shelters just like this!
However, if your tents are stand up size, this whole idea won't work.
Try it at home before playa.
You'll need:
----2x2 lumber, 8' lengths
-----saw to cut 2x2's if they are too tall
----small 3pound sledge hammer
----rebar, 18" pieces
-----vise grips to remove rebar (just spin and wiggle and out they come)
----line, at least 100' strong and 100' less strong
----all sheets, fabric you can scrounge up
----silver tarp (if grommets aren't in right places, double over tarp and use clamps
-----clamps, sometimes called "G Clamps." There are small ones, about 2.5 inches, that are light and super strong. You can use washers to increase the contact area if you choose. Epoxy on the washers before you leave...easy to do...just put a piece of plastic between the two washers and squeeze 'em down.
Re: shade structures
My advice is that ability to stand up to strong winds should be your main concern. No matter how light and easy it is to transport, or how quick it was to put up, if it shreds or the poles buckle in the first big gust of wind, it will do you no good.jmg wrote:Facility of transport, construction and deconstruction are our main concerns. Thanks a lot!