Feedback on this Coleman Shade Structure

Gage · Post by **Gage** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:31 am

We were out picking up batch #5 of supplies, and ran into this shade in-store...

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemanc ... ryid=11050

Does anyone have experience with this particular product? If not, does this look like the type of shade that would give us 2-3 hours more sleep time in the morning!!

Your comments and feedback appreciated, as always!

Gage · Post by **Gage** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:38 am

I also found this as an addition...

http://www.summitcampinggear.com/colema ... -wall.html

Would this wall catch too much wind, or would it be great for the sunrise side of the tent/shade? And would it be beneficial to have to side walls?

Thanks for your input!

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:47 am

They both look like sails..ready to blow away. If theirs no wind, they'd be great. but...it gets windy on the playa..110 mph gusts in 1999. If it can be set up quickly, it looks like the perfect morning nap place..but be ready to break it down.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:51 am

Looks okay to me.

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:11 pm

I don't have experience with this design, but I do have a lot of playa time behind me, including some shade structure failures. Here are a few thoughts:

1. There is very little shade given on the sides, so the morning sun can bake you in the first hour. A similar objection is true for the afternoon.

2. There is no protection at all from wind and dust. Many find this to be just as important as shade.

3. It does not really appear to be strong enough for 50 mph winds, which do occur on the playa. I could be wrong about the strength because it's not a very detailed description.

4. Side walls help with #1 and #2, but increase the vulnerability to #3. You can use a side wall for side shade OK if you are willing to take it down (or roll it up) quickly when the wind shows up.

Gage · Post by **Gage** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:33 pm

Thanks for the replies!! I want to get the sun walls that go with it, which are detachable in case of a severe wind storm... And I can switch the sun wall from one side to the other as the sun moves, right?

Also, I know I saw this posted some where, but I haven't been able to find it again. I am bringing my truck, and want to use it to deflect a good portion of the face wind.

My questions are:

Which way does the main portion of wind come from?
Where should I park my vehicle to deflect most of the wind? Or is there a better way to use my vehicle to minimize face wind?
Which way should I face my tent opening?
Will having my 2-room tent directly underneath the shade structure be the best spot for it because of the wind? Or is there a better position for it?

Diagrams would be BEAUTIFUL!! lol

Thanks for the advice so far!

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:14 pm

The wind will very generally come from the west, but the presence of mountains makes the wind extremely unpredictable. Also, weather systems can cause fairly high winds to shift quickly and come from any direction. This means that there is no single position that is really the best for wind, so I tend to orient for best shade.

During this time of year the sun stays a bit south of vertical, so the least sun exposure is to the north. For reference, Gerlach is roughly southwest of the playa. I like to face my tent opening to the north for this reason.

If you put your tent under the shade structure then you reduce the shady area that you can hang out in during the day. When it's really hot and still (the wind does stop from time to time) you want to be shaded and exposed to every little breeze.

You can use vehicles as part of the shade structure (imagine tying a tarp to cover the space between two vehicles) because they don't blow around too much.

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:11 pm

I often look to Amazon for customer reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0 ... ewpoints=1

As for putting your tent under it, what is the footprint of your tent. I'll tell you that 15x15 may seem large now, but when you have all your stuff under the shade, and the sides slope down like the Event's you'll find there is less room than you expect.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:01 pm

Yeah.. I'll never forget the " winds of 2007 ". It tore us apart coming from the West.. then it died completely down. We figured it was over and there was NO dust left west of us.. THATS when we saw the "wall of beigh" coming at us from the North.. and we did it ALL over again!! Weeeeeeeeee :lol: BTW. it bent my EZup AND bent the top supports on my VW Wesfalia.. THAT was a pain in the ass and a $400.00 repair.

Zoz · Post by **Zoz** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:40 am

I found the same shade structure and have decided to give it a go. I too am getting the side shades. I don't know if it's a new product or what but noone seems to have tested it on the Playa yet.

According to the description, it's supposed to hold up in 'windy conditions'. What that means is that when the thing gets blown to shreds or a mile across the desert, I'm taking it back and telling them their product sucks! In the end it'll either work out fine or not cost me a dime!

Good luck and I'll be looking for ya!

munney · Post by **munney** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:28 pm

Hey Yall,

I just got one of These http://cgi.ebay.com/30'x30'-North-Pole- ... 41476r1137

I think it's profile should prove strong, Plus it only has One pole, and I will use 3 foot rebar stakes to hold it to the playa.

I also use a myriad of EZ ups around the tents, and stake them down well. with lots of rope, Two lines on each corner, though I might do straps this year instead of Rope, not sure yet, ...

Advantage of the Tie Down straps is Easy to tighten and loosen, and no cutting needed.
http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/c-outside-rv/p-6856.html

Rope and Knife, always good to have.

Dont forget Good UV resistant, Newish Zip-Ties. in multi sizes.

viajera80 · Post by **viajera80** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:25 am

For the hellacious winds of 2007 I had an REI Alcove Shelter that I staked down with 15 inch stakes and also tied it to my car. When the first big winds hit, I was not near the shelter and I got really scared that it had taken off, but when I got to it, it was barely moving. It ROCKED! It keep us cool and even matched the playa dust color. :D

DrPeffer · Post by **DrPeffer** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:12 am

Er...I'm afraid I can't vouch for the Coleman Event 15. We had one last year, and staked it down well with rebar. Alas, the winds of that oft-cited day (the one with the double rainbow) left it a torn, crumpled paperweight. Wouldn't have guessed it, 'cause it looks solid. But yup...She was a goner. Maybe others will have better luck.

Feedback on this Coleman Shade Structure

Feedback on this Coleman Shade Structure

shade / wind

Shade Structure