Looking for an awesome canopy

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Mrs. Ultra's on the case.

My memory was off by 7 feet! May be bigger than you want.


https://www.costco.ca/Impact-Canopie...100284285.html

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

My memory was off by 7 feet! May be bigger than you want.


https://www.costco.ca/Impact-Canopie...100284285.html

As long as it fits in the back, it's good to go.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

As long as it fits in the back, it's good to go.

Folds up really small actually.

[SCQTT]

I do a lot of events. I run a 10X10 with the octagon aluminum legs, but I'll need to check on the brand. It has been through hell and back. I have 5 gallon buckets full of concrete with a big eyebolt sunk in them, 60lbs or so each. I run a "softhook" around the frame at the top of each leg and tie it to the bucket with a motorcycle tie down. In really bad weather I'll drop the whole thing down to its minimum height (the motorcycle tied owns allow you to cinch it at any height)

I was standing under mine when a race teams giant $20K+ canopy folded over the top of their semi in a microburst. I thought it might turn into a hang glider, but it held tight.

Top is sublimated polyester and can be printed in photo quality CMYK. I also have a sublimated wall that Velcros on and is easily movable, perfect shade when the sun is low, or blocking cols wind.

With a little practice it is one person set up tear down. I think it was less than $1K including the fancy printed top.

[SCQTT]

A 10X10 will be much more manageable. 10X20 catch a lot more air and really take at least two people to set up. In my experience 2 10X10s work better than 1 10x20.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

A 10X10 will be much more manageable. 10X20 catch a lot more air and really take at least two people to set up. In my experience 2 10X10s work better than 1 10x20.

That is what I would probably do as well. The big one is a pretty nice unit for the price though.


Oh and before anybody else jumps on it: TWSS

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by SCQTT

A 10X10 will be much more manageable. 10X20 catch a lot more air and really take at least two people to set up. In my experience 2 10X10s work better than 1 10x20.

That's brilliant. Never would've considered that on my own. Thanks!

[SCQTT]

https://www.actionsportscanopies.com/

So $1,050

But it does include a custom printed top.

Keep in mind there are many quality levels of even the brand names. A Pro EZ-Up is way different than the consumer EZ-Up. Unless you are really careful you are going to go through a $299 version per season.

I have never done the drive and track thing, but unless you have a trailer for your tires/wheels you are going to out of space quick.

[rice_classic]

10x10 Ozark brand at Walmart is just fine. Sure, you can spend boat-loads on EZ-UP brand, I have, but all instant-canopies are consumables or "wear items".

I've been using canopies for 20 years now from the really nice EZ-UP to the $80 specials and some in between. Here's what I've learned.

• The Wind doesn't care how much you spent. If it's airborne it will change shape, most likely irreparably, when it lands.
• Strap. Them. Down. I've tied down or strapped down every instant-canopy I've ever put up - except that one time.. that one goddamn time when there was NO WIND and I walked away for ONE MINUTE and it got dragged along my FRS and fellow owners FRS which resulted $$$ being spent. Then someone else's unstrapped canopy was blown into my FRS 3 months later.
• The wind can be more powerful than your sand bags. I had a 12x12 up while racing in Spokane and while I was on the back straight I felt a big gust of wind that required correction from the steering wheel and thought, "Somebody just lost their canopy". I was that somebody. My canopy was picked up straight with the sandbags attached, flipped up side down in mid air and splayed out on the top of my trailer with the sand bags hanging from the mangled legs. My only regret is that I didn't get to see it happen.
• Strapping down to immovable objects is best - but the wind will still find a way to bend the frame.
• Accept that the wind will win eventually - but don't let negligence destroy it. Put it away nicely, setup it up nicely and enjoy it until the wind eventually deems it time for a new one.

Check the weather, if it's gonna be windy then leave the canopy in the trailer and maybe you'll be the part of the 1% who's canopy gets retired from old age.

Enjoy.