Carport and Shower Question

galchonok · Post by **galchonok** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:54 pm

I am sorry if i am repeating questions others asked, but i couldn't find exact answers on eplaya. can anyone give me a link to portable showers that you used and liked?? we bought couple last year, they were really awful. Also, anyone knows model or maker of those Car Ports/Canopies from Costco? or do you know if they can be bought on the internet? thank you very much.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:36 pm

I've had bad luck with them as well. I use something similar to this:

http://www.timefold.com/shower/

But with 3/4" plywood for the bottom and sides, and wood instead of PVC for the uprights. Sheets get stapled to the outside for privacy. A Coleman shower pump provides the water.

I build a carport-like structure using parts bought off the internet and local hardware stores. It was at least as tough as those and more suited to joining multiple sections together, the only real downside being the need to transfer 10' poles. I'd have to dig up my sources - basically it's just 10' lengths of 1" EMT, 5-way connectors, feet, tarps, ball bungees, and 12" nails.

galchonok · Post by **galchonok** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:55 pm

thank you

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:16 pm

Dork, thanks for the Nosefih link! I was going to go hunting for some shower ideas and that pretty much just answered all my questions.

I used one of the Cabella cabanas last year and hated it. Even after trimming the hose, the shower head was still only at my chest. Granted, even having to squat and shower felt wonderful, but I plan ion standing up this year.

I also really like the gray water idea from that link.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:21 pm

As for the carports, there is Dork's suggestion of buying parts, but portable carports are readily available form a number of different sources. I spotted similar shelters at Academy sporting goods a few days ago.

Here are some EMT connectors.
http://www.shelters-to-go.com/siteindex.shtml

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:32 am

I used one of the Cabella cabanas last year and hated it. Even after trimming the hose, the shower head was still only at my chest.

I'm glad you mentioned that. I was thinking about purchasing one of those and I too noticed how short they were. I guess if you had a battery pump then it wouldn't be bad but a solar shower doesn't fit right. I keep kicking around ideas for a shower but every time I end up saying fuck it. Unless I can come up with an effective evaporator this year, I will be wet napping it again in 08'. [/quote]

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:35 am

CapSmashy wrote:portable carports are readily available form a number of different sources.

Readily available and similar yes - but not all carports are created equally. Make sure what you buy has 1.5" or larger steel legs. PVC and/or thinner legs are nothing but trouble.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:46 am

Dork wrote:
CapSmashy wrote:portable carports are readily available form a number of different sources.
Readily available and similar yes - but not all carports are created equally. Make sure what you buy has 1.5" or larger steel legs. PVC and/or thinner legs are nothing but trouble.

True. I should have mentioned that.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:59 pm

You can post an ad on craigslist "looking for old carports/poles" on craigslist.
that's what I did
Within 2 weeks I had three carport structures for $30/approx each.
The white canopy replacement is available at G.I. Joes's for $30

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:57 pm

[quote="Dork"]I've had bad luck with them as well. I use something similar to this:

http://www.timefold.com/shower/

But with 3/4" plywood for the bottom and sides, and wood instead of PVC for the uprights. Sheets get stapled to the outside for privacy. A Coleman shower pump provides the water.

I build a carport-like structure using parts bought off the internet and local hardware stores. It was at least as tough as those and more suited to joining multiple sections together, the only real downside being the need to transfer 10' poles. I'd have to dig up my sources - basically it's just 10' lengths of 1" EMT, 5-way connectors, feet, tarps, ball bungees, and 12" nails.[/quote]

Well, one thing to consider:

Last year we were having the same two discussions. We knew our camp was going to center around some "joined" carports, with tents under them. I got lots of advice for going the EMT route, but to be honest the cost was almost a wash with a Costco canopy. I've used EZ UP and other brands of canopies for a long time, but I gotta say that Costco canopy impressed the crap outta me, especially for the $150 price. The poles are very sturdy, probably 3" across, powdercoated aluminum? I dunno..they are very, very sturdy. The roof and sides are of thick, reinforced vinyl typically called "sign vinyl".

It was, simply put, rock solid. We 12" staked each foot, with rebar stakes/lines out at a few points into the wind. We had all sides and flaps down and secured and they never budged a bit, even when the wind howled last year. One of them was faced long side into the wind as above as well.

Total canopy build time for two inexperienced people is about an hour. Total build time for two people that have actually unboxed it and built it once before: 15 minutes or so. These are realistic times because our camp was built by three different couples, two of which didn't bother to do a dry run at home before BM. Live and learn, huh?

We took one and used it for our cooking/common tent. We took another and put tents under it. I had a very nice 10X10 tent under it that I could stand up in and was quite comfortable.

Note on these though...the boxed weight is 150 LBS! I'd say it's about 140 unboxed. I unboxed it and bagged the parts and zip tied the poles in small bundles and it worked like a charm for packing.

Oh, and no tools are required to put them together, alhtough a small stepladder is pretty handy when putting on the walls with ball bungies.

For me, it wasn't a cost issue. I just realized I wanted to focus more project time on fun stuff rather then reinventing the wheel on shelter.

galchonok · Post by **galchonok** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:49 am

Anyone knows where to buy Costco Canopy online? We are coming from NY, so.. we can't drop by Costco in Reno to buy a canopy.. :) any suggestions? Thank you

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:04 am

Costco only carries the carports seasonally, i.e. not right now in winter. They're made by King, and are available elsewhere, but the price will be higher. I've seen them on this site, but it may not be the cheapest source:

http://www.carportsusa.com/canopy-carpo ... 2+1090.cfm

We haven't used our endwalls since we started using the half-over clamshell configuration.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:51 am

We have one of those costco units up here and it is making it through the winter. Gotta go out and push the snow of the roof during storms. We also have one of those Harbor Freight silver units that we are testing through the winter.

galchonok · Post by **galchonok** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:03 am

i know they don't carry them now.. but even if they did.. we all live in NY.. so we can't buy it here and then transport them.. we need like 3.. this is the one i am talking aobut http://public.fotki.com/galchonok/burni ... g0018.html (it is this creamy/ivory color)

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:57 am

[quote="galchonok"]i know they don't carry them now.. but even if they did.. we all live in NY.. so we can't buy it here and then transport them.. we need like 3.. this is the one i am talking aobut http://public.fotki.com/galchonok/burni ... g0018.html (it is this creamy/ivory color)[/quote]

Are you driving to BM from there? Flying into Reno to rent and then drive?

How would you get your EMT build shower and materials to BM?

I don't believe you can buy them online even when Costco carries them. One thing I can affirmatively say is that they are almost all gone from Costco due to seasonal changeover by the time BM starts. I know my group had to hit a couple stores to find some that still had them on display about 3 weeks prior last year, so waiting until you are going through Reno probably won't work.

One thing that people never remember is that you can always pay to ship your stuff via common carrier to somewhere in Reno. Get there a few day searly to receive it somewhere. Pack the truck and go to BM..then do the reverse on the outbound. Just all depends on your resources, time, money, etc.

LoR

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:55 pm

The Costco near me had the boxes out (but none assembled) 3 days ago. All the Spring stuff is coming out to the floor now.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:55 pm

For online while they have them:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/c ... 13217&pn=1

galchonok · Post by **galchonok** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:05 am

thank you, but i don't think it is the one..

Lord Of Ruin · Post by **Lord Of Ruin** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:09 pm

I've used that type before and while the frame is fine, the walls are definately inferior to the Costco one.

LoR

Etrit · Post by **Etrit** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:56 am

I had a carport last year that had heavy duty metal poles but the tarp fabric was cheap and thin.

The crazy winds last year ripped the top tarp totally off one side matter of minutes in one storm, had started ripping the one of the sides and bent up some of the poles on the top.

If you buy a carport make sure the tarps are very very Heavy Duty and that you tie it down very securely .

Carport and Shower Question

Carport and Shower Question

Costco Caport

Nope...definatly not the same one in Capt. Smashy's post.

As someone said: All carports all not equal