Forum

Shopping for a new tent...only have 3 weeks. Advice?

Posted by Elizabeth Kline on July 26, 2010 at 11:33am

Hi there - I know that there are some other discussions regarding this topic out there, but maybe I also just want to vent...I was at the North Shore Festival of Art in Old Orchard (Skokie, IL) this weekend and set up on Friday night.   Bad call apparently, as a large storm swept through that evening.  When I got there to finish set up Saturday AM (I'm a jeweler, and don't leave anything in there overnight besides table/display), the rain collapsed my little popup tent (had a cheaper "King Canopy popup), and the ceiling supports were completely snapped.  There was no hope for it.  Luckily, the Amdur people were amazing and got a last-minute rental for me, without which I would have had to just pack up and go home.  Of course, renting a tent is a lot of $$, so I don't want to rent again for the next one in about 3-4 weeks!

 

So, I'm now shopping.  This is my first real season doing shows (I did 1 per summer for 2 summers before, but I don't think that really counts), and I only signed up for four this summer (have 2 left on my schedule).  Don't know if I'll ever get up to 20-30 shows/year (have a toddler so I'm just doing local shows near Chicago), but in the next few years I may increase to 6-7 or so.  SO, based on the fact that I'm just starting out, I'm leery of spending so much for a TrimLine...but want something more durable.  Is there anything out there that is in the $400-600 range that is a good, multi-year tent?  The one I had I only used THREE times before this happened, and cost me about $200, so I'm not wanting to repeat my mistake.  Help!

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

★
★
★
★
★
Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Claudia Sapikowski October 15, 2010 at 10:53am
    I tried the Costco tent and Sams, they both leaked, lasted about 2 years, they may have improved; but I returned both, they refunded my money; no problem. I have a light Dome, great tent, but expensive, I just finished my last show, I am now retiring after 30 years, I have jewelry, hated leaky tents. This one has been wonderful, plus they stand behind their product. This spring I had new zippers put in on sides and all new snaps on sides, they had heavy duty construction, this canopy has been through it all, storms, wind, etc. and its the best. So now I am selling it, would like $600, paid $1600, excellent shape, includes all storage bags, weights, straps, etc. It has 2 awnings as well. if interested contact me; claudiasap@comcast.net
  • Cyreathia Reyer July 30, 2010 at 10:37pm
    One thing I have found to watch for in the pop up canopy's is to look for all metal in the frames. Some have plastic joints and would wear down overtime. I got a peaktop that is all steel. It is a little heavier than most and a full grown man can hang from the ceiling supports. Found it on e-bay for $139 with all four sides and travel bag included. Hope this helps.

    Elizabeth Kline said:
    Thanks Dave - I think I've decided to follow your advice and get the steel Caravan with the Sta-Bars. I unfortunately don't belong to Costco (although am considering it), but will take their steel frame model - seems to have quite good reviews out there. Thanks for your help!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I think the Costco model is steel, but I'm not sure. I should know since I've had it four years, but I can't remember. Caravan themselves call it the Costco model - at least they did when I had an issue with the bag (it ripped the first time I used it and Caravan sent me a new one).

    At the Ocean View Show (Norfolk, VA) 2 years ago, several tents were twisted. Mine was standing stiff and tall. Several of the artists looked at my setup and went to Costco, and Fourish, to get new booth setups.

    Elizabeth Kline said:
    Thanks for the advice! One question - which Caravan model do you have? I notice when doing research that there are aluminum frames and steel frames, I'm trying to see which ones are the most durable. As for the bars, I think I will definitely get those - great tip!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I answered a request for tent advice last week and mentioned that Costco was now selling a pop-up for $179, with sidewalls. I mentioned that I liked the sidewalls better than Caravans. This past weekend I helped set one up, and after looking at the construction, it's not nearly as strong or well made as a Caravan or EZ-up. It's better than the $99 pop-ups, but that's about it.

    Just wanted to mention that, in case you looked up former messages and saw my reply.

    I've had my Caravan for 4 seasons, and it's been through several shows where other tents have gotten twisted and ripped. I owe a lot of that to the Sta-Bars I got from Flourish.com.

    Good Luck!!
  • Elizabeth Kline July 30, 2010 at 1:41pm
    Thanks Dave - I think I've decided to follow your advice and get the steel Caravan with the Sta-Bars. I unfortunately don't belong to Costco (although am considering it), but will take their steel frame model - seems to have quite good reviews out there. Thanks for your help!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I think the Costco model is steel, but I'm not sure. I should know since I've had it four years, but I can't remember. Caravan themselves call it the Costco model - at least they did when I had an issue with the bag (it ripped the first time I used it and Caravan sent me a new one).

    At the Ocean View Show (Norfolk, VA) 2 years ago, several tents were twisted. Mine was standing stiff and tall. Several of the artists looked at my setup and went to Costco, and Fourish, to get new booth setups.

    Elizabeth Kline said:
    Thanks for the advice! One question - which Caravan model do you have? I notice when doing research that there are aluminum frames and steel frames, I'm trying to see which ones are the most durable. As for the bars, I think I will definitely get those - great tip!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I answered a request for tent advice last week and mentioned that Costco was now selling a pop-up for $179, with sidewalls. I mentioned that I liked the sidewalls better than Caravans. This past weekend I helped set one up, and after looking at the construction, it's not nearly as strong or well made as a Caravan or EZ-up. It's better than the $99 pop-ups, but that's about it.

    Just wanted to mention that, in case you looked up former messages and saw my reply.

    I've had my Caravan for 4 seasons, and it's been through several shows where other tents have gotten twisted and ripped. I owe a lot of that to the Sta-Bars I got from Flourish.com.

    Good Luck!!
  • Dave Hinde July 27, 2010 at 3:49pm
    I think the Costco model is steel, but I'm not sure. I should know since I've had it four years, but I can't remember. Caravan themselves call it the Costco model - at least they did when I had an issue with the bag (it ripped the first time I used it and Caravan sent me a new one).

    At the Ocean View Show (Norfolk, VA) 2 years ago, several tents were twisted. Mine was standing stiff and tall. Several of the artists looked at my setup and went to Costco, and Fourish, to get new booth setups.

    Elizabeth Kline said:
    Thanks for the advice! One question - which Caravan model do you have? I notice when doing research that there are aluminum frames and steel frames, I'm trying to see which ones are the most durable. As for the bars, I think I will definitely get those - great tip!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I answered a request for tent advice last week and mentioned that Costco was now selling a pop-up for $179, with sidewalls. I mentioned that I liked the sidewalls better than Caravans. This past weekend I helped set one up, and after looking at the construction, it's not nearly as strong or well made as a Caravan or EZ-up. It's better than the $99 pop-ups, but that's about it.

    Just wanted to mention that, in case you looked up former messages and saw my reply.

    I've had my Caravan for 4 seasons, and it's been through several shows where other tents have gotten twisted and ripped. I owe a lot of that to the Sta-Bars I got from Flourish.com.

    Good Luck!!
  • Sheila Evans July 27, 2010 at 11:54am
    I had a Caravan for the first three years of shows I did. It was the steel frame and very sturdy. I finally switched to a Light Dome because of my new 7' Propanels and concerns over possible water damage (I do works on paper). However, I was able to keep water out of the Caravan quite nicely by annual waterproofing and seam sealing using regular camping tent products, and most importantly, by pulling the canopy corners down tight with webbing straps (I can't remember now if those were attached to weights or the legs but it wouldn't matter). If I was doing jewelry or pottery or something I would still probably be using the Caravan. I've passed it on to my aunt who still uses it for antique fairs.

    Elizabeth Kline said:
    Thanks for the advice! One question - which Caravan model do you have? I notice when doing research that there are aluminum frames and steel frames, I'm trying to see which ones are the most durable. As for the bars, I think I will definitely get those - great tip!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I answered a request for tent advice last week and mentioned that Costco was now selling a pop-up for $179, with sidewalls. I mentioned that I liked the sidewalls better than Caravans. This past weekend I helped set one up, and after looking at the construction, it's not nearly as strong or well made as a Caravan or EZ-up. It's better than the $99 pop-ups, but that's about it.

    Just wanted to mention that, in case you looked up former messages and saw my reply.

    I've had my Caravan for 4 seasons, and it's been through several shows where other tents have gotten twisted and ripped. I owe a lot of that to the Sta-Bars I got from Flourish.com.

    Good Luck!!
  • Elizabeth Kline July 27, 2010 at 11:21am
    Thanks Diane! By the way, elitedeals.com is a great site - they're having an "end of season" sale so I may be able to get a full package for either a Caravan or an EZ-Up for about $250. If I go that route, I can use the $ I save toward those Sta-Bars that Dave recommended. Thanks for the tip!

    Diane Wright said:
    All I can tell you is that I bought an EZup from Elitedeals.com - their most expensive ezup - about $300. It supposedly retails for $500 or something like that. I have used it for 2 seasons so far and it has held up fine. I do aboy 15+ shows per year with the tent. I have been in rain and wind - but I am in Pa. not Chicago. I do have good weights - happifeet - about 50 lbs per foot. I think I may look into adding the stabars from flourish for next year.
  • Elizabeth Kline July 27, 2010 at 11:19am
    Thanks for the advice! One question - which Caravan model do you have? I notice when doing research that there are aluminum frames and steel frames, I'm trying to see which ones are the most durable. As for the bars, I think I will definitely get those - great tip!

    Dave Hinde said:
    I answered a request for tent advice last week and mentioned that Costco was now selling a pop-up for $179, with sidewalls. I mentioned that I liked the sidewalls better than Caravans. This past weekend I helped set one up, and after looking at the construction, it's not nearly as strong or well made as a Caravan or EZ-up. It's better than the $99 pop-ups, but that's about it.

    Just wanted to mention that, in case you looked up former messages and saw my reply.

    I've had my Caravan for 4 seasons, and it's been through several shows where other tents have gotten twisted and ripped. I owe a lot of that to the Sta-Bars I got from Flourish.com.

    Good Luck!!
  • Diane Wright July 26, 2010 at 4:27pm
    All I can tell you is that I bought an EZup from Elitedeals.com - their most expensive ezup - about $300. It supposedly retails for $500 or something like that. I have used it for 2 seasons so far and it has held up fine. I do aboy 15+ shows per year with the tent. I have been in rain and wind - but I am in Pa. not Chicago. I do have good weights - happifeet - about 50 lbs per foot. I think I may look into adding the stabars from flourish for next year.
  • Dave Hinde July 26, 2010 at 11:42am
    I answered a request for tent advice last week and mentioned that Costco was now selling a pop-up for $179, with sidewalls. I mentioned that I liked the sidewalls better than Caravans. This past weekend I helped set one up, and after looking at the construction, it's not nearly as strong or well made as a Caravan or EZ-up. It's better than the $99 pop-ups, but that's about it.

    Just wanted to mention that, in case you looked up former messages and saw my reply.

    I've had my Caravan for 4 seasons, and it's been through several shows where other tents have gotten twisted and ripped. I owe a lot of that to the Sta-Bars I got from Flourish.com.

    Good Luck!!
This reply was deleted.