Easy Up Type tents

Once again the downfall of the Easy Up type tent was proven at Crosby Gardens. Almost all of the downed tents were of the Easy Up variety. We had 5 inches of rain in an all day rain. The majority of time when I see damaged tent from wind or rain they are primarily the Easy Up type tent.If you are going to be professional, get a professional tent, and not picnic tent
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  • I would love to sell something to anyone that has spent a grand or more on an ez-up. Like maybe the Brooklyn Bridge? LOL
  • I use the Sam'sClub EZ-Up with an aftermarket top made by John Me. I've had no problems under heavy thunderstorms and high winds, but I also tie my Pro-Panels to the frame, use Sta-Bars, and use a minimum of 40 pounds on each corner. My top has a few pinholes in it but no leaks through them and spray sealer will take care of that. My side tarps have reached the end of their life. I bought those from Elaine Martin Co, which should tell how old they are. I have several sets of virtually new EZ-Up sides, but they tend to run too small and have questionable quality as the zippers tear loose easily. The prices on a new set of side tarps are running at $400, so it looks like a King Canopy full rig may be just as sensible as replacing tarps only.

  • Thanks for the tip Robert. I've heard about King Canopy before. Will have to check that out. Also, just as an FYI, EZUP makes what they call a commercial tent and you have the option to get a vented roof as a special order. I think the whole setup they quoted me was around $1500 or so. Can't remember now. My thought was I'd rather save the $$ and get a true commercial/pro tent.
  • I recently bought a pop up tent for one day art markets and added the Flourish side walls to it. They are a bit loose for this tent so after reading your comments about the sides blowing inwards I just made the decision to add some additional grommets on the side bottoms that will give the ability to feed a rope through them and secure it better to the lower sta bars. It is better to over do it and feel a bit more secure instead of wishing you had done it after it is too late.

  • Robert, Good to know about potential water leak from the vents. I have not yet been rained on after doing only about a dozen shows so far. Luckily all my stuff is waterproof except for a small print bin.

  • Nothing made by Ozark Trail is designed for what we do.  The heavy duty 'pop up' canopies are made by King Canopy, Eur-Max and Undercover.  I don't know of any others.  Basically, if your canopy has square legs, and internal roof supports anywhere similar in size to EZ Up, it's not heavy duty enough to survive weather events.  The one thing folks don't think about - if your canopy hits someone's booth and destroys anything (just imagine the dollar value of fine pottery), you are financially responsible for that stuff.  And unless you carry business liability insurance (if you don't get it now), that is coming straight out of your pocket.  If it causes a loss of business due to replacement time, you could possibly be responsible for that as well.  If you can't spend a few hundred bucks on a decent canopy, sell at indoor events or flea markets until you can.

  • Not so sure about vents on the pyramidal top tents. I saw one of the pagoda style tents that had vents near the top cause an artist to lose a large number of matted pieces to rain damage. A storm with 50-60 mph winds came through with straight line winds. I had trouble with the wind blowing the side tarp in and the top valance outwards. The other artist's tent had the wind hit the top, deflect upwards, and drive rain upwards where it hit the vents and dripped down into a flip bin and a table underneath. It was a good design for hot days and slight breezes but not for the worst case situations we seem to be constantly dealing with.

  • One of my canopies is an "Ozark Trail". There are two triangular vents near the top on two sides. My other canopy does not have the vents and I'm considering having someone sew some vents into it.

  • Ernie... I notice you mentioned " I went outside the tent to observe the side walls bowing inward and creating an opening for the wind to shoot straight up into the canopy. The canopy wanted to lift up, but didn't because mine has vents"... where are your vents located in your pop-up tent?

    I don't recall noticing any in the pop ups I have seen...but it sure does sound like a good idea

  • Carol; check out Sam's Club for the King Canopy. It has the hexagonal legs, all sides, awning, and weight bags for about $399. It's an impressive tent and Flourish does have the clamps to fit for the Sta-Bars.
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