Umbrella stand that you drive your tire over.

[Ratty]

I'm planning on only using 2 garden umbrellas for shade this year. My big shelter is great but I'm never there to use it. I want 2 metal plates with tubes welded to them that I can place under my front and rear tires. When I want to hang out, cook, nap outside....I'll put an umbrella in the tube. I know which was the sun travels. I've considered the pole being close to my car. I'll keep a big bag under my car, (secured by the tires on the opposite side), to slip my umbrellas into when not in use.

I know I've seen these things for sale as a flagpole holder. Drive your tire over it and slip in the flagpole. Any thoughts?

[Lassen Forge]

The stand is a good idea, the umbrella won't work, they WILL explode in the wind. Ask me how I know... better yet... don't. Use the stands for tieoffs for shade cloth or aluminet or camo net or some other shady cover that will not either launch itself or catastrophically kaboom in a 80 MPH windstorm.

[Ratty]

Yeah. I know about the wind. 2009. I only use my camp for sleep and occasional cooking. I'm not thinking of leaving up an umbrella or using it in the wind. Put it up, cook, eat, clean up, put it back in the bag under the van. Has anyone ever seen one of these contraptions?

[Elorrum]

I've seen them for flag poles. you might try a flag/flag pole seller.

[oneeyeddick]

Here you go.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=drive+over+flagpole+stands

[Bob]

I've seen people drive over all kinds of stupid shit... but an umbrella stand? Really?

[lucky420]

I've used our umbrella stand as a flag pole holder while at bm. I brought 2 sandbags and place them on the stand and it worked fine. While my stand is pretty heavy and sturdy I used the sandbags to keep it upright while the flag was in it during wind storms. It worked great.

[Oldguy]

I've used umbrellas out there, just close them in windy times and whenever you leave area. You can buy flat square bottom stands instead of round ones , so that you can park on one edge. Just stop the car, put edge of square in front of tires, get back in car, and pull forward 6.33 inches. Problem solved!

[Ratty]

Thanks for the input. I'm trying to avoid hauling anything heavy. Those cast iron stands weigh a ton. I think I'll get someone to weld a pipe on a plate. (Or buy a flagpole holder if it's the right diameter.) I'm a seamstress so I'll make something great out of the umbrellas plus a shade of some kind to connect the two of them. I know an MV guy in the city that really loves to weld. Hey! I'm going to 'The City' today for that BM orientation M&G. Maybe I can hook up with someone who needs help setting up, stocking the cafe or pottys, (this means YOU robbidobbs). I really want to get an early entry pass cause I leave when they light the match. Anyway. Thanks everyone. You've made me think.

[theCryptofishist]

robbidobbs is located in Oregon, so I don't think she'll be there today.

[Ratty]

Thanks. I'll run behind her car on the Playa. I should wear my 'Potty outfit' today. Well, maybe not.

[uncle sticky]

I bring a socket wrench and 12 inch lag screws to secure stuff. Metal plate with holes drilled through it, lag screws, secure!

[FIGJAM]

http://www.wholesalebolts.com/hexheadlagscrews.aspx

[Bob]

I'd plant a nine-foot railroad tie a few feet in the ground and lash the umbrella to that.

[Sail Man]

I'd plant a nine-foot railroad tie a few feet in the ground and lash the umbrella to that.

Bob, you'd lash that umbrella to Fishy's chair and watch the wind carry her away while whistling dixie

[theCryptofishist]

Not if I saw him first, carrying the umbrella and some rope. I'd run the other way. I'm not desperate!

[Ratty]

Craig's List 'FREE' has come through for me again. I scored the great-grand-poobah of all garden umbrellas. (Well, maybe there are bigger and better ones but not here in my world.) I got a freedom butterfly umbrella with a 4 pronged detachable stand. The thing is 9 or 10 feet across and extends out on an articulated arm. It's going to be perfect once I tweek it and make a new cover. the entire frame is made of square and round tubular aluminum so it's light weight and strong. I think this will work. If not...I'll recycle the umbrella part and go back to my original plan. The 4 pronged base is perfect for parking a tire on it. Hip hip... hooray.

[BoyScoutGirl]

So, how'd it go with the drive-over umbrella stands last year?

I'm thinking of getting two of drive-over flag/umbrella stands and using them for a shade structure. My plan would be to use the stands to anchor poles a bit higher than the vehicle. To the poles I'd attach a tarp or shade cloth that would tie down to the ground, creating a slanting protection from the sun. I'd protect the vehicle from the poles using foam "noodle" pool toys. Less room than a monkey hut, perhaps, but also fewer materials, none of which must be dedicated to the project after the fact.

Assuming I've done my trigonometry correctly - a dicey assumption at best - I can use poles 2 meters high with a 2x3 meter aluminet/tarp pitched at about 40 degrees and fit my tent just right:



I'd be grateful for insight on:

1) Material. My goal is sun protection and perhaps a bit of buffer from wind, so my gut instinct is aluminet, but I'm not certain how taut I can tie the stuff. The tent will probably have a rainfly on, so rain won't be a problem.

2) Orientation. Traditionally, vehicles as windblocks go to the NE of your tent/monkey hut/whatever, but because the poles in my proposed plan elevate the tarp above the roof of the vehicle by about 1/2 a meter, I'm worried this orientation will turn the the tarp into a sail or evening a funnel, catching the wind and directing it downward onto my otherwise unprepared tent. (See image.)

3) Strength. Is a flag stand enough to hold a 2 meter pole, plus tarp, in playa gusts?

[Ratty]

It worked out OK. I brought a pissy little umbrella for shade and mooched off my neighbors for more lounging space. The funny part was that they kept coming over every time I put up the umbrella and we would hang in a space the size of a postage stamp.

I didn't buy a flag pole thing. I picked up the base of one of those giant cantilevered umbrellas, (On CL for free). When I got there I dug a channel for the base to make my van level. You can raise the pole by pouring dirt in the pipe. I did.

You're right about it being a wind catcher. If you also throw a tarp over the van it would serve 2 purposes. Keeping the vehicle cooler and keeping the wind out. Run a couple of ropes criss crossed over the tarp and tie it to your tires on the opposite side. That way your poles won't bend or break. You couldn't use those doors on the far side but I would say that it's worth it. You'll still have wind coming in from under the vehicle but so what.


See how far my umbrella is from my van? Check to make sure there is enough clearance to open your doors. That van was brand new and I didn't want the pole banging against it.

[Canoe]

Assuming I've done my trigonometry correctly - a dicey assumption at best - I can use poles 2 meters high with a 2x3 meter aluminet/tarp pitched at about 40 degrees and fit my tent just right

suggesting on spacing, and a shade method
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 30#p956395

and some examples of shade with vehicles here
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 77&t=65099

[BoyScoutGirl]

Thank you, Ratty, Canoe.

An especially good point about keeping some distance between the top of the tent and whatever shade material I go with. More to ponder...