Opinions on shade structure

FrostyMan · Post by **FrostyMan** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:34 pm

What do you guys think of this. I've been looking at it for a while now an it looks like it might work. If I get the side walls and put them on the East and South side it should give me max shade. Maybe even line the inside with space blankets for extra UV protection. Canvas tarp for floor and pitch my tent in the corner. I can't tell if the side walls can be attached to any side or just two opposite ones though. I also don't know if I can get it in my '03 Grand Am with all the other stuff.
There is a review from burning man in there. He said it held up to the dust storms this year.

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:22 pm

Did you read the reviews?
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0 ... ewpoints=1

FrostyMan · Post by **FrostyMan** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:58 pm

Yeah thats why I'm on the fence. Reviews range from "This thing rocks!" to "What a piece of crap!"
Just wanted some opinions from some people with playa experience.
Will definitely set it up two or three time and maybe beef up the anchoring if I get it.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:41 pm

If you are using anything specially fitted, it needs to be very tough.
A big advantage of the simpler kits and homemade things is the ability to use a standard tarp to replace worn material in an emergency.

http://www.shelsys.com/
http://www.hollidaycanopies.com/index.c ... ate=silver

You need to be very sure this is strong enough.
Replacement and repair could be expensive or impossible.

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:57 pm

camo netting!

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:36 am

Hey Frosty, I can offer some advice here. I used this last year and it ROCKED! It's easy to set up ( deff. do it at home first ). I think one person can do it,, though I haven't tried. & I took the wind very well.. we took the side walls down during the wind storm. ok.. but VERY VERY IMPORTANT. There is a measuring tape included, you MUST measure and anchor the feet properly! Thats where this thing gets it's strength. I saw one broken in about three places because it was not set up properly. && then make sure your anchor the shade material directly to the ground.
Also, it's kinda warm underneith because it's not reflective... but quite during the storms.. ok,, that's all I have for you.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:04 am

one thing I used this year, that was great, was, the auger type anchors......

no pounding and pulling, nice loop on top to connect to, no sharp edges, and, just screw it in with a wrench, and, unscrew it when done.........cheap, easy, safe......

and, they held my 12x20' shade just fine, all week.......I tried to pull them and couldn't.......

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:05 am

what's an auger type anchor?

JK

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:08 am

jkisha wrote:what's an auger type anchor?

JK

just screw them in with a pipe wrench, or even a 2 foot piece of pipe through the eyelet, a little down pressure until they bite, and, vwala, they're in......(I'm thinking I just gave you pun ammo......hahahaha)

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:18 am

That's the first I've heard of those type of anchors; Seems like an excellent idea, both for grip and for preventing rebar injuries. Where did you get them? We already us a similar type anchor, but it doesn't have the blades. (I'll be nice and pass on the pun ammo this a.m.

)

JK

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:25 am

jkisha wrote:That's the first I've heard of those type of anchors; Seems like an excellent idea, both for grip and for preventing rebar injuries. Where did you get them? We already us a similar type anchor, but it doesn't have the blades. (I'll be nice and pass on the pun ammo this a.m. )

JK

passing the pun ammo is not nice............we all love humor.........hahaha

I got mine at "Tractor Supply" I think Northern Tool has them, too, and you can order online.........cheap, I think 5 bucks each and you only need them 1.5 feet long. I couldn't screw them more than 10" into the playa before the steel was actually twisting.........(try to resist those puns.......hahaha)

Turnip · Post by **Turnip** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:37 am

Must...have
Auger Anchors...

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:38 am

ygmir wrote: I couldn't screw them more than 10" into the playa before the steel was actually twisting.........

I'll bet.

Thanks for the info.

JK

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:42 am

jkisha wrote:
ygmir wrote: I couldn't screw them more than 10" into the playa before the steel was actually twisting.........
I'll bet.

Thanks for the info.

JK

LMAO I knew you couldn't pass on a good pun.

Cullen, I used camo-netting and it worked great. Shady but let the breeze through. I wrapped it around the legs of my ez-up shelters. Thinking of going with a double layer next.

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:59 am

and it has an easy set up. you do a very loose staking to the ground step up the poles then do the final adjustments and staking.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:41 am

You can see part of my neighbors camp to the left. He draped a large piece of camo over the camper, then supported it with those petal like poles Cullen, you'll know what I'm referring too, do they have a name? Then he tied the corners to the ground. Problem with his was it wasn't very taut and would collapse under heavier wind. I didnt secure the bottom of my netting, except at the shelter legs.

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:50 pm

these? spreader bars.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:38 pm

My friends that camp at like 8:45 - 9:00 outside ring have a GREAT set up!! THey use two for the sides and 2 along the back and two for the celing heavy duty silver tarps laces together and spreader bars kinda like a carport but way BIGGER

they face it away from rising sun sooooo eveyone in the tents LIKE 5-6 of them- under neath can sleep in even the guy who sleeps in back of truck- its cool in their area till about 1:00 in afternoon...

VERY Nice and Not to expensive..... and when everyone else had to rebuild and or hold down their camps a couple years ago during Wen. storm THEIR camp HELd NO Problem...

FrostyMan · Post by **FrostyMan** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:51 pm

jkisha wrote:That's the first I've heard of those type of anchors; Seems like an excellent idea, both for grip and for preventing rebar injuries. Where did you get them? We already us a similar type anchor, but it doesn't have the blades. (I'll be nice and pass on the pun ammo this a.m. )

JK

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200312945

Yeah I saw these but didn't know if I would be able to get them into the playa deep enough. These look kinda expensive but I guess it's a good item to spend a little more money on.

Think lining the inside with these will help with the heat?
https://secure.armysurplusforless.com/p ... php?id=426

Thanks for all the advice guys! This is great

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:45 pm

FrostyMan wrote:These look kinda expensive but I guess it's a good item to spend a little more money on.

If money is an issue, I'd stick to rebar. It's cheap at Home Depot and precut too. Just stick empty plastic water bottles over them to prevent injury. Take vice-grip or channel lock pliers to help pull it out.

JK

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:46 pm

Inside or outside works.
Reflectix makes a scrim and layered version too.
I think the mylar material can be bought in larger panels too.
The heavier mirror film for windows, without glue, is about the same thing too.

There are some threads around about this.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:36 am

cullen wrote:

these? spreader bars.

Them be it Cullen

He had bought a big honking kit on ebay with a couple of spreader bars/poles and boo coo netting. good thing he came in an rv, it was about 4x1.5x1.5 package. He told me the govt was suspending the release of camo netting to army surplus stores, an apparent fallout from 9/11. Anybody else hear this rumour?

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:24 am

i haven't i'm actually looking to buy a bunch of stuff i'll want for bm while i'm overseas and tax fee.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:06 pm

cullen wrote:i haven't i'm actually looking to buy a bunch of stuff i'll want for bm while i'm overseas and tax fee.

Ohh! Buy lot's of real beer and bring it to us. Uh, I mean with you

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:36 pm

8 day gas powered keg fridge?

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:04 pm

cullen wrote:8 day gas powered keg fridge?

You would be worshiped like the mythological being that you are, especially if it could cook bacon as well

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:35 pm

give me a bout an hour.

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:57 pm

jockey boxes i think would be the best bet. however they aren't gas powered.

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:19 pm

after looking at the boxes i think you could improvise something for a lot less then what they want and with a pump handle so you don't have to worry about co2 container.