Staking Down my Easy-Up

[Innisfree]

I have a 10X10 easy-up shelter - (not planning to use the walls) - this is rather like an umbrella in a windstorm. My question - is it even possible to stake something like this adequately?

[Captain Goddammit]

Some yarn tied to a few sheetmetal screws in the playa should do the trick.

[ygmir]

[Cooky]

I've used ez-ups for years on the playa as part of our shade. I have heard that the cheaper versions (usualy have tent type poles on top not the solid square metal bars) get beat up badly but I've not had many issues.

My suggestions:

Use good solid ropes off each corner where the side post connects to the roof pieces (we usually rig 2 ropes per corner), tie the ropes down to r18 inches of rebar with looped tops.

Be prepared to drop your shades from their extended height down to a super low height when you're going to be out of camp for an extended time and during strong wind storms.

The walls are good if they velcro on, they can really help add shade during different parts of the day but can be taken off in big storms.

[CapSmashy]

Mark the ground where the feet land.

Drive 3' lengths of rebar into the ground at these locations on a matching angle to the legs of the EZ-Up. Leave about 6 inches sticking out.

Duct tape the legs to the rebar with copious amounts of tape used.

Yes, this will turn into a gooey mess by the end of the event. To remove, slice the tape with a razor blade so you can peel it off in one big lump like a cast. Rubbing alcohol, goo off, gasoline, etc will remove any sticky residue left behind on the poles.

Remove your solid top and replace with 70% shade fabric.

The shade fabric allows the wind to blow through and is safe to use as walls. Ziptie it to the existing frame. Shade fabric is available at all the usual suspect locations, Home Depot, Lowes and I spotted it at the Evil Empire of Wal Mart yesterday. 6' by 50' rolls are in the $30 range.

For added strength, ziptie or tape an 8 foot 2x4 (or similar) across the accordion spanners on each top side. A 2x4 will allow you to add hooks for hanging LIGHTWEIGHT items like hats or a shirt or two inside the structure.


While I have not tested this setup on the Playa, I have used it with great success in setting up temporary checkpoints related to my business on job sites. No, it will not stop the rain, but a tarp can be kept handy and used when necessary.

[Bob]

Who is this "Rebar" of which you speak?

[nocturnal_steve]

I used the square poled one back in the harsh winds of '04.

I kept the stock solid white awning on the top, it fits snug and is no problem. I wrapped three of the four sides with shadecloth to help when the sun gets low ( as noted above). You will find the stock awning only provides a reasonable amount of shade when the sun is high; you are moving all the time to stay in a little patch of shade.


More important than staking the legs:

TWO guy lines at each corner ( at the top square where the awning attaches)staked in a "V" down to the ground at about 8' out.

One more at each center of the frame ( at the top square where the awning attaches) at about 8' out.

[Hoolie]

We've used one successfully for three years in a row, and a rather cheap one at that. Here's how we secured it:

1. Used PVC pipe as reinforcement "sleeves" running the full length of each leg.

2. Pounded in rebar at each leg location. Slid the hollow legs directly over the rebar.

3. Ran guylines diagonally from each corner and staked down with rebar.

[robtwyman]

What do you guys actually use for shade cloth? I plan on bringing an ezup and guy it down as described above (pvc and two guys per corner). Mine only has a roof and no sides. Short of tracking down the stock accessory fabric the manufacturer makes, what is and where do I find shade cloth?

[nocturnal_steve]

...any Home Depot, hardware, gardening store. Same stuff they use to shade the cafe, it is literally called shadecloth.

[Steven bradford]

Rope and stake down the TOP to the ground.

Don't just stake at the base of the legs.

[Boijoy]

I use adjustable tie downs to secure the corners of the shade from the top. The ones with hooks on both ends. THAT way you can pull them tight ( without having to know how to tie a stinkin sailors knot ) and re-use them every year. ( if you can find them ) >:-(

[/img]

[robtwyman]

Thank you!!