Picnic Table Canopy Recommendation?

[BandJCarm]

Don't know where this goes, maybe not here, but don't see another likely spot.

Not about TT per se, but.....we are looking for a picnic table canopy. We just got back from camping and saw about elebbenteen kinds. We want high quality, EASE of setting up and taking down, and which will actually keep the rain and sun out! Reviews on many of them say they leak, blow apart, fall apart, etc.

Anyone have a great one they like, and a source??

Thanks.

[Toby]

I just carry a 12foot EZup with me and use the big steaks you get from Home Depot to hold it down. It has a vent on top so wind doesn't catch it as easy. It has worked well even in windy conditions up until last trip when one bolt bent on me. Hope that helps. I've seen an attached canopy blow over the top of a camper once at Storm Lake Iowa. Boy was that a mess to clean up.

[pgandw]

With the winds we have in Colorado, for an EZup to survive I look for the following:

#1 Grommets or loops to tie down the corners of the canopy itself. Guy lines running to these grommets or loops at the upper corners are FAR MORE effective than stakes through the feet.

#2 Quality fasteners at the hinges and decent cross section metal for the bars. Plastic bars don't hold up.

#3 Feet that can be effectively staked.

#4 Sufficient stakes for each corner (8 total) and for each foot (4-8). Stakes that can't easily be bent with your hands.

If the canopy material is fluttering in the wind, it will eventually fail. Without the canopy corners guyed and staked in higher winds, the bars/hinges will bend/break in the wind.

Our latest EZup is a very nice 12ft unit from Salvation Army for $15. The only defect was missing stakes and guy lines, and tears in the roll-around storage bag. Wife re-stitched the bag, and I added sufficient guys and stakes.

Fred W
2014 FR A122

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Don't know where this goes, maybe not here, but don't see another likely spot.

Not about TT per se, but.....we are looking for a picnic table canopy. We just got back from camping and saw about elebbenteen kinds. We want high quality, EASE of setting up and taking down, and which will actually keep the rain and sun out! Reviews on many of them say they leak, blow apart, fall apart, etc.

Anyone have a great one they like, and a source??

Thanks.

Lowes has some decent-looking ones on sale for the holiday weekend, for, I believe, $59, regularly $99.

[Toby]

Here are the orange stakes I mentioned.
You need leverage to pull them suckers out when the time comes so I use a claw hammer with a hook that goes through the hole.

Here is the EZ-UP I use (with the vented top). That helps prevent air from lifting it up as it vents out the top.

I've had pretty good luck with it but I don't usually put it up on horribly windy days.

[WEMig]

We have a Coleman instant Canopy from Wal Mart. Good quality and easy setup and take down. We camp with several other campers and all use this brand.

[Jim2]

Had good luck with First-Ups 10x10 with the vent at the top, but likewise wouldn't put it up in prolongued, strong winds...even with windwalls...the airflow needs somewhere to go.

Like these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/First-Up-1...Canopy/8571900

For anchoring, dog line stakes (corkscrews about a foot long) are cheap, easy and strong solution I've moved to...Petsmart/Petco @ $5.99 each...rubber handles and the 12 foot dog line are not needed for this purpose. you can hook the canopy lines, ropes with carabiners, or bungee cords to the leash ring or the handle itself.

http://www.petsmart.com/dog/tie-outs...pfm%3Dcategory

Note: We've learned the hard way there is a difference between "waterproof" and "water resistant".

[Shanks12]

I just picked up this one from Walmart. 12x12 with 2 Camping chairs for $70

Ozark Trail 12' x 12' Canopy with 2 Chairs Value Bundle
Ozark Trail 12' x 12' Canopy with 2 Chairs Value Bundle includes:
Ozark Trail 12' x 12' Instant Slant Leg Canopy / Gazebo
2 Gray Ozark Trail Chairs

Will get our first chance at using it this weekend. But it has pretty good reviews.

[Salmon Hunter]

Six Pack 1660 Mag Screen Tent - Clam Outdoors
Has anybody use this