canopy

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KeithHammitte

canopy

Post by KeithHammitte » Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:43 pm

Does anyone have a canopy that they really like? I am looking to buy a 10 x 10 or even 10 x 15. EZ-up wants $600.00 and $750.00 respectively, which would buy a lot of tires. Is there anything cheaper out there that has the same quality?

Keith H

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MiataSteve
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Post by MiataSteve » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:28 pm

Take a look at Lowe's or Home Depot. They usually have some decent units in the $150-$200 range

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cheap e-z up

Post by boltonite » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:36 pm


MRLM3

Post by MRLM3 » Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:45 pm

I got mine at Sports Authority last year. Can't remember all of the details but they had several models. I think that mine was $120 on sale for a 10x10.

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canopys

Post by fact5racer » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:00 am

Mine is a 10 X 20 which is great cause it covers the whole car but it's incredible the price difference between the 10 x 10s anf the 10 x 20s. I paid about $600 for my 10 X 20.

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EZ Up Tent

Post by jadams » Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:43 am

You can pick up an EZ Up tent at Sams Club for around $150.00 or so. That is where I got mine.
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Post by ctkag » Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:50 pm

There are all sorts of different qualities of thes pop-ups. I've had two of them destroyed by wind - I've yet to see one of the high-dollar ones meet a similar fate.
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Post by offcamber09 » Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:33 pm

ctkag wrote:There are all sorts of different qualities of thes pop-ups. I've had two of them destroyed by wind - I've yet to see one of the high-dollar ones meet a similar fate.
Ditto that. Wind plus $99 kmart canopy equals a long day getting wet.

Although the big 10x20 canopy at Shenandoah last year made a pretty impressive human kite...was that Mike and Tina's ? I remember seeing small children hanging on for dear life when we came running.
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KeithHammitte

Post by KeithHammitte » Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:19 pm

Keith: when you say High dollar ones, are you referring to EZUP? and sorry about starting this thread in the "events" forum. Don't know what I was thinking.

Keith H

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Re: canopy

Post by Jimmy Pet » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:14 am

KeithHammitte wrote:Does anyone have a canopy that they really like? I am looking to buy a 10 x 10 or even 10 x 15. EZ-up wants $600.00 and $750.00 respectively, which would buy a lot of tires. Is there anything cheaper out there that has the same quality?

Keith H
I have an EZ Up brand 10' x 20', I think its their Eclipse line (the $600 one).

I'd have to say it was worth the extra money.
In my experience with the cross section of canopies I have seen at track events there "is" a fairly significant improvement in quality as cost goes up (which I know is not always the case in life).

The EZUp guy said the variables are:
Steel weight (gauge) = more mass in wind and more resistant to twisting into a pretzel
Powder coating vs. painted vs. bare metal
Canopy material weight
Canopy captive -or- has to be removed and replaced each use.

I know on mine, its much heavier weight steel than the Sams / Costco / $100 types. Entire frame is fully powdercoated, and the canopy is captive to the frame.
All I need to do is pull it open and pop it up and its deployed.

I can say with a pretty clear conscience if I had it to do over I'd still get the $600 model over the $500 savings on a smaller cheaper one.
Mine has withstood some pretty nasty wind and HEAVY downpours for 6 years, that has mangled the cheaper models at the same events.
It still looks and works just like its new (which really amazes me actually)

Hope this helps
Cheers
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Post by BrakeL8r » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:02 am

offcamber09 wrote:Although the big 10x20 canopy at Shenandoah last year made a pretty impressive human kite...was that Mike and Tina's ? I remember seeing small children hanging on for dear life when we came running.
Literally. I think it was Andrew (8 yrs. old, ~80lbs.) who was lifted off his feet before the team of rescuers brought it under control. I've learned my lession. If there's even a hint of wind, the canopy stays in the trailer.

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Post by ctkag » Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:54 am

The first canopy I had was a $69 Ocean State Job Lot special - that blew down at Mosport two years ago in the thunderstorm - bent it back and used it maybe once more before it collapsed for good.

The second one was EZ-up's low-end canopy - about $300 - I got it on clearance for about $150. Much nicer & heavier than the el-cheapo one, but suffered the same fate in a torrential downpour & windstorm - where the only ones left standing were the professional market-style canopies. Since that was the first time out with that one, I replaced it under warranty.

If I have to get another one, I'll just get the high-end EZ-up. The canopy has a second set of support ribs under the canvas and locks in place much more securely.
-Keith-

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Post by Crusin » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:14 pm

The secret to any canopy is to make sure it is tied down and secure. For a typical 10 X 20 foot canopy, a wheel and tire on each corner is not enough. A set of wheels and tires per corner might do it. Mark and I have used a canopy for several years. Each end is typically secured to a trailer and the middle is held with tool boxes, wheels or slow drivers during the day. It gets tied off to the cars at night. After learning a lesson the hard way we now err on the side of caution.

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canopies and more canopies

Post by boltonite » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:34 am

Based on recent posts re canopies and roll bars it is clear that many of you are suffering from off-season asphalt deprivation. Get a grip!

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Post by Grippy » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:31 am

After mooching for the past 3 years (thanks Lee and Mark) I decided it was time to get a canopy. I originally wanted an EZ-up but couldn't find one large enough for a reasonable price. Ended up here http://www.harpster-canopies.com/default.asp
They have great quality, any size you could want, and you can order spare parts if you need them. They also sell sides and walls seperately. We ended up getting a 20x30 which fits 3 cars comfortably.

Harbor freight 20x20 was my second choice.

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