Brand New EZ-UP Canopy Fabric withstanding WHAT mph WINDS ?

Hello,

I am a Newbie had just set up my Brand New Ez-Up before my very first show to practice!

Tightening the walls the zippers seperated from the material at the closures, as did the velcro tie downs, creating first tiny holes, then literarily tearing 4 inches ito the sidewalls, as the winds picked up to maybe 20mph with gusts.

Yes, I made cement/packed with iron weights, cut off 5 Gallons buckets @ 4,

each weighing 45-50 pounds ~ reading ALL the weather related horrow stories on this forum.

I called Hut-Shop to report the incident and was told that the fabric is ONLY tested to withstand15mph winds, therefore not under warranty.

The Tent was reinforced with Staybars and 3 Mesh Panels from Creative Energies Inc.

My Question to You old Timers, please: Thinking that the weights are the Big issue, what are YOU folks doing in winds 15-20 mph and above??

I bought the "EncoreII EZ-UP", left it overnight with artwork hanging (as in 3 day shows).

Hut-shop told me to take tent down when the wind blows .

Very confused about the mph WINDS.

Thank You kindly for replying

Annette in Windy Rocky Mountain country.

Hello Karen,

Your Paintings, website, writings and advise are absolutely STUNNING!!!

It will be the Priority of mine this weekend to study Your site into details ~ just Amazing !!!

I still have not figured out the weights yet, for the 45-50# cement/steel loaded round 5 Gallon buckets I cut off are pretty Round, getting in the way of sidings.

Meanwhile I also purchased Upper and Lower stabilizer bars from 'Flourish' Company, feeling as my 'Encore II' will resemble that of a Tank.

I bought my canopy from 'Hut Shop', they upgraded the sides to 150 denier fabric for an additional $50.- since their tents are only made withstanding up to 15mph winds. NO Guarantees for anything more.

It also broke 2 outside trusses on my first 'test set up', which I requested yesterday to be replaced.

Now I am searching for insurance ~ for the LAST thing I would want to do is cause harm to the neighbors property! I was told by RLI (recommendations of this AFI forum) ,that the neighbor needs his/her OWN insurance to be covered. Pretty frustrating to say the least.

I have a month before I will go out into the 'field' ~ thereafter it will be steady all summer into late Sept. before I get ALL of my 'hands on' adventures.

Thank You so much for making the time sharing Your sites with me, I REALLY appreciate it, Karen.

Annette

Replies

karen cooper May 19, 2011 at 4:56pm

Hi Annette,

Sorry you've had so many problems! Wow. My first easy up lasted eleven years. It was a good one. I've learned that's extremely rare with EzUps :)

My second one immediately started seprarating at the seams on the canopy, on it's first outing. EzUp Corp sent me a replacement when I complained. It did the exact same thing. Did you know you can patch the critters? I have reinforced all the seams with strips of canvas, using a standard Singer sewing machine. Now I'm readily identifiable: a patched roof! Dios mio.

If it's any help, I just posted a blog about EzUps, last week, at my website. Here's a link:

http://karencooperpaintings.com/blog/30838/you-may-be-sweet-but-the...

Good luck!

Later, Cooper
- Annette Williams > karen cooper May 19, 2011 at 7:21pm
  
  Hello Karen,
  
  Your Paintings, website, writings and advise are absolutely STUNNING!!!
  
  It will be the Priority of mine this weekend to study Your site into details ~ just Amazing !!!
  
  I still have not figured out the weights yet, for the 45-50# cement/steel loaded round 5 Gallon buckets I cut off are pretty Round, getting in the way of sidings.
  
  Meanwhile I also purchased Upper and Lower stabilizer bars from 'Flourish' Company, feeling as my 'Encore II' will resemble that of a Tank.
  
  I bought my canopy from 'Hut Shop', they upgraded the sides to 150 denier fabric for an additional $50.- since their tents are only made withstanding up to 15mph winds. NO Guarantees for anything more.
  
  It also broke 2 outside trusses on my first 'test set up', which I requested yesterday to be replaced.
  
  Now I am searching for insurance ~ for the LAST thing I would want to do is cause harm to the neighbors property! I was told by RLI (recommendations of this AFI forum) ,that the neighbor needs his/her OWN insurance to be covered. Pretty frustrating to say the least.
  
  I have a month before I will go out into the 'field' ~ thereafter it will be steady all summer into late Sept. before I get ALL of my 'hands on' adventures.
  
  Thank You so much for making the time sharing Your sites with me, I REALLY appreciate it, Karen.
  
  Annette
Cyreathia Reyer May 17, 2011 at 12:41pm

I had trouble with the velcro going along the top of my canopy (I am short - what can I say). I fixed the problem by installing grommets along the top and using the old shower curtain hooks to hang the sides with. I also put grommets and tie my sides to the posts. At my last show I noticed too that the sides tend to work up from the bottom with the winds. I am going to place the grommets along the bottom as well and bungee them down using small weight bench weights.
CM Fox May 3, 2011 at 1:22am

Its not the winds that is your problem, its the EZ Up. They are marginal tents in the best of times & in heavy weather are usually the first to go.

C
- Lynn Alldrin > CM Fox May 4, 2011 at 11:58am
  
  Chris is correct. The basic ez up design isn't the problem, it's the "ingredients." We get horizontal rain, and even horizontal hail! in Colorado. We also get all the other wind types--circular, shear, whatever. My first ez up was a more expensive EZ Up brand and lasted 5 years; 10-15 outdoor shows a year. The ez up style Caravan was good for 5. I expect my KD to last till I die.
- Chris Hoyt > CM Fox May 4, 2011 at 6:52am
  
  May I suggest you reread the posts.
  
  Yes, you can get a "marginal" EZ Up for $199, and you can get a professional model for $499 that weighs 70 pounds.
  
  I'll put my KD up against anybody's in a storm any day. Nothing like a nor'easter coming off the ocean in Gloucester, MA. The winds blowing and the rain is horizontal.
  - Karole Bowlds > Chris Hoyt May 6, 2011 at 9:17pm
    
    Thanks Chris!
    
    Those Nor' Easters are fun aren't they? Even in summer they can be a real hazard.
    
    Annette- you have the professional model ezup- as do I. I have had mine for about a year- and love it.
    
    If you have any set-up concerns, want some hints or tips on stabilizing it just take the advice posted, or email me. I get mine up and ready in 25 mins now!! Ignore the negativity- some people can't help it. My tent is exactly the same model as yours, and it has withstood some very tough weather. With a little preparation, it'll be a good tent.
    
    Karole in Windy, Coastal Maine
  - MICHAEL ALAN STIPEK > Chris Hoyt May 4, 2011 at 10:35am
    
    If you have a top that's gotten baggy from rain or is just cheap and has too much give in it, get 8 of those little orange (or green) rubber tipped clamps. After hoisting the top up, grab the loose material and pull it down toward you. Clamp the excess to the cross frame of the top (on the outside). Two clamps/side, with the clamps half way between the corner and the center criss cross section of each side. That will keep the top tight for the duration of the show; perhaps re-tighten the clamps if the top bags a little after a day or two. It will really help to shed water.
    
    Some artists use those electrical clamps, black body with orange tips. They are designed to snap apart when in use.
    
    Chris is right, the better designed tent material and frame, as long as the sides and top are tight and waterproof, will hold up, regardless of who made it, to almost any type of weather.
    
    But none of them are as well built as mobile homes!!!
Lynn Alldrin May 2, 2011 at 1:55pm

If you're going to have to pay more, and like an e-z up style, try KD Canopy in Colorado http://www.kdkanopy.com/

They're very well made; mine's been rode hard and put away wet (well, not really wet) for 4+ years now, in wind, rain, snow, hail--sometimes all four at once. The sides/zippers are all doing fine. I replaced the top last year (with a very tough one from Garden Winds for $100).

I did use a "cheap" Caravan (same price as EZ Up) for nearly five years and it gave excellent service for the price.
- Chris Hoyt > Lynn Alldrin May 3, 2011 at 6:53am
  
  I have a KD Canopy. They're the inventor of the pop up canopy.
  
  I bought it in 1987 from Elaine Martin inc. I still use it today and I do shows just about every weekend outdoors from Memorial Day to Columbus Day weekends. So it's seen a lot of duty. That thing paid for itself over a decade ago.
  
  Mine too has withstood wind, rain, snow, nor'easters, etc.
  
  And yeah, I still have the four zippered sides. Back then they cost $69 EACH, in addition to the $700 for the canopy.
  
  I do not regret buying that canopy for one minute.

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