Propanels and Trimline set up question

Hi everyone,

I am new to this website and it is great. Thank you to all that post, especially the regulars. I have been lurking around and reading new and old posts. All so helpful.

So I have upgraded from grid panels and a caravan pop up (which worked great and was strudy when all hooked together) to pro panels and a trimline canopy. I am looking for any tips or advice on the best way to set up the pro panels with the trimline. I was hesitant to get the propanels because they seem like they are like sails, so I want to make sure they are secure as possible. I am one of those people who loose sleep at night worring about my tent blowing over so I also want the best ways to weigh the tent and propanels. Before much of my weight on the tent was the grid walls, but the propanels are much lighter. Of course the trimline is much heavier then the Caravan pop up. I plan on puting 50lbs at each corner with weight bags and I do have the sta bars. So any tips on the best way to set up as sturdy as possible?

Thanks

Melanie

If you have 3 of the 38.5" pro panels, that fits nicely between your tent legs that are 10' apart. I use the Trimline ball bungees to tie the propanels to the tent corner posts (top and bottom). The pro panel "stiffeners" are great to help keep your walls straight or at 90 degrees. I also have a variety of support bars which help anchor an unattached pro panel end. If I'm really concerned about the wind, I will also use a long pro panel support bar to run along the length of (3) 38" pro panels to add even more lateral stability (especially when tied to the tent corner posts). That's almost overkill. But them again, you can fall into my wall and it will still be there. Just not sure about the artwork hanging thereon.

I have canopy hooks which insert into the tops of the pro panels and hook over the horizontal framework of the tent. When tightened properly, you're actually using the weight of the propanels and artwork to help anchor the tent.

It always helps to keep your propanels attached in pairs (using the velcro strips). They stand up by themselves when one is turned about 90 degrees. That helps a lot during setup. It's like an extra hand.

You can have a lot of flexibility in setting many different layouts, which is really nice when you have the opportunity to take advantage of backspace or a corner space. It helps to have a few smaller width pro panels to give you even more flexibility.

Replies

Melanie Rolfes September 17, 2010 at 10:12am

Thanks for the responses. This helps. When I got home this morning from the gym my new trimline in boxes was on the front porch. Holy Moly 2 of those boxes are REALLY heavy, and the other two are heavy as well. I am not as worried now ;)
- Melanie Rolfes > Melanie Rolfes September 17, 2010 at 12:12pm
  
  Just an FYI for anyone new and worried about setting up a trimline.
  
  I was able to set up the trimline all by myself in 1 hour, to the minute ;) It will be much faster next time since many of the pieces can stay put together. I did get the easy riser bar. With this it was a cinch to get up by myself. No worries.
  - Kathy Rose > Melanie Rolfes September 20, 2010 at 6:08pm
    
    I just bought a used Craft Hut. I got a great tent at a great price.... but it absolutely takes two people to put it up. I didn't know about an easy riser bar for the Trimline. The option of being able to do it alone is a good one.
    
    I'm in the process of wrapping my head around selling my graphic display panels and buying pro panels. I have an opportunity to get some at half price used. Totally different look and set up experience.
    
    Good luck with your new look!
    
    Kathy
    - Melanie Rolfes > Kathy Rose September 20, 2010 at 6:53pm
      
      If you have the sta bars, and want a door option then you get a fifth leg. This fifth leg goes with the easy riser brackets (I am probably not using the right verbage). The Bracket moves and you place it in the middle of the canopy pole during set up. Once you get the canopy set up you are able to put the fifth leg into the bracket while the canopy is laying down. Then you just lift the lef and 1/2 the canopy lifts. Place the middle leg and then put on the other two legs. Take the middle, fifth, leg out and do the same on the other side. Now the canopy is up, and it is a one person job. It also really made it easy during take down. Not sure if this makes sense. I am not the best at describing things, but it really is a great option.
Munks September 16, 2010 at 7:16pm

Get the stabilizer bars for the bottom and then bungee your propanels to the bottom bar works like a charm!
Ray Mosteller September 16, 2010 at 6:40pm

If you have 3 of the 38.5" pro panels, that fits nicely between your tent legs that are 10' apart. I use the Trimline ball bungees to tie the propanels to the tent corner posts (top and bottom). The pro panel "stiffeners" are great to help keep your walls straight or at 90 degrees. I also have a variety of support bars which help anchor an unattached pro panel end. If I'm really concerned about the wind, I will also use a long pro panel support bar to run along the length of (3) 38" pro panels to add even more lateral stability (especially when tied to the tent corner posts). That's almost overkill. But them again, you can fall into my wall and it will still be there. Just not sure about the artwork hanging thereon.

I have canopy hooks which insert into the tops of the pro panels and hook over the horizontal framework of the tent. When tightened properly, you're actually using the weight of the propanels and artwork to help anchor the tent.

It always helps to keep your propanels attached in pairs (using the velcro strips). They stand up by themselves when one is turned about 90 degrees. That helps a lot during setup. It's like an extra hand.

You can have a lot of flexibility in setting many different layouts, which is really nice when you have the opportunity to take advantage of backspace or a corner space. It helps to have a few smaller width pro panels to give you even more flexibility.

This reply was deleted.