Canopy/Sun Shade suggestions

[KathleenBenk]

A while back someone mentioned a type of canopy/screen tent that they recommended. I cannot, for the life of me, remember the name or brand of the
aforementioned.
It was not inexpensive but was SUPER easy to put up.
Help, please!

[Two Peas]

Hello all - we all know not to leave out our awnings when we're not in the AS or when windy - so just wondering if/what others do to provide outside shade. Pop up tents? Anything else innovative out there?

[AWCHIEF]

I used to have a pop up shade that was trashed by excessive rain and wind. Now I figure that if the weather is too bad for the trailer awning it is too strong for a pop up.

[Mollysdad]

I have a 10' x 10' canopy (like you see at art shows). It's too hard for one person to set up, and it's heavy, and you need to tie it down too. It stays in the garage.
I found many campgrounds in the west have permanent shelters over the picnic table.

[LiLNomad]

I have the "Clam" Pop up shelter..havent used it camping yet..but easy to set up and comes with optional solid side panels.
LilNomad

[thiel]

Originally Posted by LiLNomad

I have the "Clam" Pop up shelter..havent used it camping yet..but easy to set up and comes with optional solid side panels.
LilNomad

This. The Clam is fantastic. Unbelievable fast to erect once you know how. Like WAY less than a minute.

[TCwheels]

Originally Posted by thiel

This. The Clam is fantastic. Unbelievable fast to erect once you know how. Like WAY less than a minute.

Agreed! The best one we've found and we've had lots of them.

[KJRitchie]

I've been thinking about a Clam Quick-Set Escape 1660, a six sided model. The issue I have is the folded length is 72". My truck bed width is not quite that wide and I don't want to have to store it length wise in the bed and have to work around it loading and unloading. I'm not sure I need something that big either

There is a smaller screen tent, Gazelle 5 sided screen shade. It has the same design pop out panels like the Clam and folded is only 63" long which would fit and is about $75 cheaper.

My question is will I really use it that much? Might be good in bug invested areas but I would imagine as soon as you open the screen door you let in a ton of bugs.

I had an Easy Up shelter once and they don't provide a ton of shade unless the sun is directly overhead. The shade is off to the side for most of the day.

If you have to start adding panels to these screen rooms to provide more shade don't they get hot inside since they have tight weave screens?

Just wondering if they are worth the expense and storage.

Kelvin

[dznf0g]

Love the clam. Fits in the Classic trunk crosswise

[KJRitchie]

Compromised and ordered the Gazelle 5 sided model. Similar design as the Clam. We are not interested in setting a full sized picnic table in it, just two chairs. Its an in-between size from the Clams 6 sided gazebo and their Traveler model.

http://www.gazelletents.com/5-sided-portable-gazebo

I'll post some comments when we get it and try it out in our back yard.

Kelvin

[urnmor]

I use a screen room that I bought from LL Bean. I also purchase the rain cover for it.

[TCwheels]

We love our Clam as well. Very easy up and down and very stable in rough weather - with all stakes and guy lines in place.

Length of the unit in the bag is a challenge. I have to angle it even in the (short) bed of the truck and in the back of the SUV before that. Definitely worth that minor inconvenience though.

[lrankine]

Excluding the benefit of the screen room wouldn't the tie downs I've seen for the awning work just as well when the wind kicks up?

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I had an Easy Up shelter once ...
Just wondering if they are worth the expense and storage.

Kelvin

No.
Good for art shows.
I dragged mine to Colorado the first time and discovered that all four legs move together, so they all have to be off the ground to expand. Try that by yourself.
I finally tied one side to a tree, and then I think a fellow camper helped me. Good Grief!

[featherbedder]

I have ezee-up and off brand canopys. Ezee-up name is a misnomer as takes at least 2 people and and a whole lot of shaking and pulling or pushing to expand or close for both