Help with what tent to buy

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Debbie Blanchard on November 9, 2009 at 8:19pm

Leo,
Thank you for all of the great advice. I liked what I've seen of the Trimline. They cost more but, I feel it will be worth it if caught in just one storm. I was glad to find a sight where I could ask people with more experience than me what was best. Thank you


Debbie

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Sholund on November 10, 2009 at 7:00pm

My comments about canopies are in older posts such as Death To My EZ-UP and another more recent one both via this site. I had issues with my EZUP and ended up going with a Trimline - FYI.

Michelle
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Jan Raven on November 17, 2009 at 11:07pm

I also upgraded from an EZ-Up to a Trimline. I thoroughly researched all my options and felt this was the best canopy for me. The Light Dome is easier to set up and lighter (aluminum frame), but I felt it wouldn't be as stable in high winds. I liked the heavy steel frame of the Trimline (and Show Off), but the Trimline comes with a skylight and mesh ventilation panels as standard equipment, not an add-on. I actually really like the component nature of the Trimline and can set mine up (alone) in 30 minutes.

This past June my new canopy stood through sustained winds all day of 40 mph with gusts of 50 (documented at the nearby airport) and it wasn't even staked into the ground! Just four 40# salt bags!

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Permalink Reply by Patty on November 18, 2009 at 8:21pm

I've had a light dome and now a finale, I loved both of them for ease of setup, the light weight and lack of a zillion parts. Have had the craft hut-similar to trimline, I think- much heavier, and sturdier. I've been through storms, rain is no problem with pocketing like the ez up- wind is hard on it, you have to take it half way down or remove the top if you anticipate bad weather overnight- If I'm present, I weight it down hard and it is ok- the rounded top lets the wind roll over pretty well but there is risk of damage to the frame. For me the light weight and ease is worth the risk of bad storms damaging it, I'm just very cautious about storms. It's a good tent, and no way will it go down like an ez up by any means. No comparison. the trim line is stronger and better for inclement weather, no doubt.
a barrel shape with flat front allows you to add a sign or banner to the front- the light dome is a dome and you can't- if that matters to you. my finale's top is thinner than the trim lines, allows more light in through the roof-which is why trim lines have sky lights to allow more in.

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Permalink Reply by Pauline Ross on December 19, 2009 at 6:03am

I started out with an EZup that lasted 6yrs but it was not good for storms and wind. Not only did I have the corners weighted, I staked it at every corner plus a couple stakes inside and tied in my heavy wall system to it. Was alot of work but it survived through many shows. I bought a wonderful Lightdome and it has gone through three seasons of storms and wind no problem. I don't carry half the weight I use to and thats a good thing. The dome allows lots of bright filtered light through it too. Very happy with Lightdome canopy and wall system. Only thing I wish I did, was get all sides of roof with zippers for awnings.

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Permalink Reply by Rose Monzyk on January 19, 2010 at 5:42pm

I have an EZUp and have had good luck with it and extra weights. I found mine at Dick Blick Outlet in Galesburg Il. It was a return and I got it for a lot less than usual retail. They don't always have returns, so call before going. I heard that the dome tents are stronger but I saw 1 flatten right next to mine last spring. And I stayed standing.

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Permalink Reply by Diane Wright on January 19, 2010 at 6:15pm

Does anyone have any experience with mesh walls (sold by Flourish) for an EZ up. I am considering purchasing them to give my EZ up more stablility. My Ez up did well last summer - no bending - although needed more stabiliztion and weight. It did almost go airborne. I also would like to have the sidewalls look less "floppy". I sell jewelry and hated when the side walls flapped in the wind. I thought it didn't look real professional.

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Permalink Reply by skip stang on February 3, 2010 at 3:32am

Why would one put thier most precious possessions in a ezly blown away tent is beyond me.I have had my Show off for the past 12 years and use it 30 times a year(45 when I was younger and dumber)I have the self sealing fabric walls.Benefits are,only 4 legs to level,wall are washable and fit in a tote box and weigh about 10 pounds,and are water proof.you dont need the vinyl covers.They do collapse so you can use them in a 10x8 if need be.And lastly the tent is used as my indoor display,Just leave the roof off.Also it can be set up from inside your booth space when your neighbors are already set up in thier 10x10 space with no space in between.
I have had to replace the roof 3 times,due to the fact that a ez up had landed on me.
hoped I helped
Skip Stang

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Permalink Reply by Ann Schrader on February 10, 2010 at 9:39am

RE: Diane Wright; about sides blowing in on EZ-Up.
I am looking to upgrade my tent, but I am borrowing an EZ-Up from a friend. I work in ceramics and my first show the side wall blew in with a pop during a gust of wind and knocked one piece over into another one and both broke. My husband and I own a metal fabrication shop, he took 2 pices of aluminum pipe (3/4" and 1" I believe) that slid inside each other and welded a piece of channel on the end to go over the corner support, with a pin to hold the 2 pipes together, this worked very well in tthe last show we just did that was very windy, though his arms were sore from hanging on to the top of the tent most of the day because the gusts were so strong we were afraid we were going to be airborne.

Diane Wright said:

Does anyone have any experience with mesh walls (sold by Flourish) for an EZ up. I am considering purchasing them to give my EZ up more stablility. My Ez up did well last summer - no bending - although needed more stabiliztion and weight. It did almost go airborne. I also would like to have the sidewalls look less "floppy". I sell jewelry and hated when the side walls flapped in the wind. I thought it didn't look real professional.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Zerjay on February 10, 2010 at 10:05am

Isn't it funny how that works. Did you pay for the replacement, or did they?
I cringe every time someone sets an easy up close to me. I always wonder in the back of my mind if they even know they should be carrying insurance.

skip stang said:

Why would one put thier most precious possessions in a ezly blown away tent is beyond me.I have had my Show off for the past 12 years and use it 30 times a year(45 when I was younger and dumber)I have the self sealing fabric walls.Benefits are,only 4 legs to level,wall are washable and fit in a tote box and weigh about 10 pounds,and are water proof.you dont need the vinyl covers.They do collapse so you can use them in a 10x8 if need be.And lastly the tent is used as my indoor display,Just leave the roof off.Also it can be set up from inside your booth space when your neighbors are already set up in thier 10x10 space with no space in between.
I have had to replace the roof 3 times,due to the fact that a ez up had landed on me. hoped I helped Skip Stang

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Permalink Reply by skip stang on February 10, 2010 at 10:41am

Your jokin right,I dont want to be anywhere near one of those things.When it happens I do let them know what will happen if damages occur.(makin friends real fast huh,I will not pay for thier bad judgement)The people that have them have the attitude that so what if it blows away,I just go spend 200 and get another and next time maybe put a extra gallon jug of water on it and who are you telling me what to do.Well I'm the person whose tent was wrecked due to your inaction's,and flea market tent who is not letting you go anywhere till you reimburse me for the destruction your arrogant attitude has caused.
Nervie you say ,tough,you cost me money and you will pay

Paul Zerjay said:

Isn't it funny how that works. Did you pay for the replacement, or did they?
I cringe every time someone sets an easy up close to me. I always wonder in the back of my mind if they even know they should be carrying insurance.

skip stang said:

Why would one put thier most precious possessions in a ezly blown away tent is beyond me.I have had my Show off for the past 12 years and use it 30 times a year(45 when I was younger and dumber)I have the self sealing fabric walls.Benefits are,only 4 legs to level,wall are washable and fit in a tote box and weigh about 10 pounds,and are water proof.you dont need the vinyl covers.They do collapse so you can use them in a 10x8 if need be.And lastly the tent is used as my indoor display,Just leave the roof off.Also it can be set up from inside your booth space when your neighbors are already set up in thier 10x10 space with no space in between.
I have had to replace the roof 3 times,due to the fact that a ez up had landed on me. hoped I helped Skip Stang

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Permalink Reply by Debbie Moyer on February 16, 2010 at 11:14pm

I have been through the gambit of 1 Undercover tent - lasted 5 years. 3 Ez-up in a 2 year time span - what inferior tents they are. Last year purchase a more expensive Caravan - quality much better than the Ez-ups. However, after this past summer of rain & wind, tying my tent to trees, holding it down during shows, I finally bit the bullet, as they say, & made an investment in a "Finale" - I have such a sense of relief knowing that I have a much sturdier tent for the upcoming shows beginning this Spring. I read so much on this forum about the quality and stability of the barrel shaped tents, as well as rave reviews from talking to other artists at shows that have them. Glad that I made the move. I can't wait to use it.
Debbie

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