Please look at my camp concept

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:12 am

Yeah, more carports. Don't bother designing or learning anything. I wish Gerlach had a Costco.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:14 am

EB wrote:I'm with Token, no sense in reinventing the wheel.

Two costco's rebar'd down at each leg and you'll be fine.

If you don't like the way they look, cover it with some camo netting or stitch some bedsheets together and tie-dye them.

2 10'x20' carports will give you over 400 sqft of shade after about an hour's time (2 people working together.)

I agree. I use four foot re-bar next to the eight legs pound two feet into the ground duct tape the fuck out of two feet sticking next to the poles.

my carport shade never moved in BM06 or BM07.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:34 am

Bob wrote:Yeah, more carports. Don't bother designing or learning anything. I wish Gerlach had a Costco.

We all know Bob hates costco carports. But they are hard to beat for function and price.

By the way Bob I have an unopened bottle of Jack Daniels that I have been holding for you.

I was wearing my "Hi I'm Bob where is my fucking gift" name tag after the BDC Meet and greet.

Well I guess I pulled it off because the person gave me the whisky.

I corrected him and told the person I was just kidding and I was not Bob. But he gave me the whisky anyway.

So I will take it ever year in hopes I can give it to you.

Josh-n-Cody · Post by **Josh-n-Cody** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:45 am

TomServo wrote:Carports are great, but its all in how you secure it. In 2005, a carport came flying through the air, and landed on our DJ and camp leader's car. The owners were using 9 inch rebar stakes. If you want to buy a carport. Half the fun, for me is designing my shade structure. You tend to learn more that way.

I found a website called http://www.shelters-to-go.com/

They have some galvanized steel connectors to use with 1 inch EMT conduit. The connectors also have eyebolts built into them so you can wire the connectors in place to put compression on the connectors so they dont "pull out under stress"

Using their website, i designed a shade structure, which would be anchored with Fence Posts driven into the ground 2 feet. The total structure would also be tied into the trailer.

Heres a couple pictures of the idea...

PS the 4ft11" is actually 5 feet. I'm not THAT good at Google Sketch yet!

Any thoughts? this seems a LOT more stable and re-useable.

About 300 Dollars including conduit, etc

Josh-n-Cody · Post by **Josh-n-Cody** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:48 am

We already have the card for costco.... how much did they run?

Are they 3/4 inch EMT?

ALSO..

anyone ever use the "popup" type canopies with the acordian type supports? are they worth anything?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:58 am

I think a flat roof is probably better out there if you aren't using curved poles.
Unless it rains.

Shelter Systems has fittings for a variety of pole sizes and some unusual feet too.
Segmented designs are much easier to repair than the connected style.
Arched designs seem very effective, especially if you can carry curved pieces.
There is another Shelter Systems that pops up on search that has some unusual patterns online.
They make domes.

http://www.shelsys.com/

EB · Post by EB » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:03 am

[quote="Josh-n-Cody] Any thoughts? this seems a LOT more stable and re-useable. [/quote]

It looks like it could use a cross bar across the front and back to directly connect the sidewalls...

The wind might chew it up otherwise.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:09 am

I have seen the "pop up" shades destroyed many, many times. The metal is just too wimpy for the wind. Although staked down well, they just get bent into pretzels.

The Costco carports are pretty much foolproof. As long as you stake them down well, they wont move a hair.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:31 pm

One-inch conduit sounds good. Or the original setup. Or whatever.

Tarp works better if reinforced w/tape & double stitched along the edges, w/ grommets every 12"-18". Then you can tie off to rope along the edges for some redundancy.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:54 pm

I like the idea of shock cording things.
A rigid frame would need much stiffer springiness but I still think it's a good idea to have a little bounce, if the rope doesn't have it.
It really works for a flexible setup.

Josh-n-Cody · Post by **Josh-n-Cody** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:05 pm

I believe we have decided our fate!

We found a 1 3/8 inch steel conduit structure, with a silver tarp cover, bungees, grommet every 18" and easily able to cross brace!

189.99 plus shipping!

It is yet... another... carport type structure.... SORRY "BoB" however we are planninga serious redo and decoration binge!

The idea is we found one sized so that the the steel ribs on our trailer will connect directly to the supports on the canopy itself... we "THINK" it will work!

AGAIN...

THANKS!

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:37 pm

Just be aware in addition to the multiplicitous advice already on this bbs wrt beefing up carports, you're stuck with accommodating the carport's height, footprint & doorway orientation in your camp setting, not having as much flexibility as a simpler tarp arrangement, so try to plan ahead on all that.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:37 pm

MozyBonz wrote:I agree. I use four foot re-bar next to the eight legs pound two feet into the ground duct tape the fuck out of two feet sticking next to the poles.my carport shade never moved in BM06 or BM07.

Just bought a 10 x 20 Costco yesterday. And all you do to secure it is 4' rebar and massive duct tape wrap? Not doubting you, just wanna make sure that's all you did as what you did is what I plan on doing.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:37 pm

Check the blog link in my siggy, I just posted pics of us setting camp at Mojave Drums, the modified regional single carport version. Normally we have two half-over carports which pin the center shade perfectly.

I scoff at your duct tape, we use spliced ropes with tensioners and rebar caps. In the pics the rebar isn't fully pounded down yet, the "t" arms go flat to the ground.

(for the newbs ... we have been disagreeing and scoffing for several years now on how to secure a carport)

EB · Post by EB » Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:54 pm

Teo del Fuego wrote: Just bought a 10 x 20 Costco yesterday. And all you do to secure it is 4' rebar and massive duct tape wrap?

I've brought mine to the playa twice and that's how I've done it. 3" was enough for me, but 4" fine, too. It took on the Mighty Dust Storms of '07 (tm) head on without puckering once (same can't be said for owner.)

Make sure you don't forget to put saran wrap between the duct tape and the carport leg. Makes clean-up, as they say, a snap.

Also: buy a ditty bag for all the bungee cord thing-a-ma-bobs.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:52 pm

EB wrote:
Teo del Fuego wrote: Just bought a 10 x 20 Costco yesterday. And all you do to secure it is 4' rebar and massive duct tape wrap?
I've brought mine to the playa twice and that's how I've done it. 3" was enough for me, but 4" fine, too. It took on the Mighty Dust Storms of '07 (tm) head on without puckering once (same can't be said for owner.)

Make sure you don't forget to put saran wrap between the duct tape and the carport leg. Makes clean-up, as they say, a snap.

Also: buy a ditty bag for all the bungee cord thing-a-ma-bobs.

yep it worked for me also. we used to call duct tape in racing 200 mph tape.
Because it will stay on at over 200 mph.
I first saw this set up posted by chai guy on eplaya in 05 and it really works.

I do a rap of 2 feet long 4 layers thick. Cut it off with a razor knife when
you're done at the end of the week
Don't skimp on duct tape get the best you can buy. I use gaffers tape because of the quality of the tape.

Edit: when I first tried this I was not sure it would work. So I bought tie down straps and more re-bar to strap it down if I started to see lift or stress on the tape. But I never needed it. I used the same on a 10x10 ez up and a 18 x 16 1' EMT camo shade also. It worked very well for me.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:11 pm

Building mine from Shelters-to -go. Using 1" EMT Conduit. Will be 10'x10'.. which is perfect for me. Using T-posts at each corner...snug against the poles, and duct taped, from top to bottom using one piece. Learned this trick, from the DPW. Are a pain to get out, so using a $20 t-post puller and a $40 hi-lift jack from Harbor Freight. Used T-posts before, and they make whatever your attaching them to solid! Since using them, I haven't needed ropes and stakes, at all!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:42 pm

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... f%26sa%3DN

Costco Car Ports go for way less, than you'll spend at Shelters to go..but come in only one style. Can't customize your tent. heres the t-post ouller I was talkin bout. Rebar will work too, but easy to bend..T-bars should last you several years. Heavier though.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:46 pm

Isn't the cosco tarp very translucent, a la greenhouse?
Shelter Systems claims their cheap tarps are full sunblock types.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:47 pm

Do Costco Carports come in silver?

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:02 am

TomServo wrote:Building mine from Shelters-to -go. Using 1" EMT Conduit. Will be 10'x10'.. which is perfect for me. Using T-posts at each corner...snug against the poles, and duct taped, from top to bottom using one piece. Learned this trick, from the DPW. Are a pain to get out, so using a $20 t-post puller and a $40 hi-lift jack from Harbor Freight. Used T-posts before, and they make whatever your attaching them to solid! Since using them, I haven't needed ropes and stakes, at all!

I forgot to say I have a stake puller for the star tent that will pull a stake driven 30 inches in the ground.
I use it on all my stakes. Vice grips with it I can pull any stake out.
I could show a picture.
Itâ€˜s a fairly simple design. EZ to build for those that like to do it them self.

Vice grips and gloves very important and I bring 3 sledge hammers broke a handle last year in setup glad I had backups.

Do Costco Carports come in silver?

the one I picked up is tan with a very heavy tarp. 8 big 2' legs

I really liked the newer one capsmashy had last year.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:06 am

Please look at my camp concept

Having Trouble Finding CostCo Carport....

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!