Preparing for wind

I did a show in downtown Philadelphia this weekend where there were heavy wind gusts.  Saw 1 tent (not sure of the brand, not an EZup, but was aluminum) have its one front leg lift up 7 feet off the ground and onto the tent next to it. Saw another tent (a Trimline) end up upside down on the other side of a 4 foot fence that ran behind our booths.  8869173098?profile=original

A few reminders:

1) If you have weights hanging from your tent, secure them to your tent legs. In the first instance, the person's weights were swinging in the air after the front of the tent was 7 feet off the ground.

2) if the winds are strong and are coming in from the front of your tent, roll up your sides or at least unzip the back two corners to let the air flow thru your tent.  Both tents had their roofs and 3 sides on them.  Both tents ended up becoming kites. As soon as the wind started, I removed all three of my sides.

3) Have enough weight.  I had 6 GreatWeight bags (from Trimline) each with around 40 pounds of pea gravel.  Both tents that had issues did not have enough weight.

Both exhibitors got off pretty easy - no one got hurt and there was minimal damage to merchandise. Could have been way worse.Please be prepared for wind.

 

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  • I have an old steel Craft Hut.....as much as I complain about putting that dang tent up.....It's three times heavier than the newer aluminum ones by Trimline and I know with my weights I'm golden......(but never say never.). I also have the hooks that hold my ProPanels onto the bars of the tent....this provides a lot more weight ( my whole display actually ) to hold the tent to the ground.....I figure that the more weight the better.

  • The best weight system will not cure stupidity.  I use  PVC tube filled with lead shot. It withstands the worst weather.  At three rivers Pittsburgh the van was packed and ready to go home .  I had the Lite Dome  canopy frame and top cover still up due to the rain.  I took the weights off first and put them in the van.  The top was still on.   Stupid and I know better but I  wasn't thinking.  . A sudden wind gust blew the canopy up and over landing upside down. Weights should be the last item to pack no mater what the weather conditions are.

  • If I were to do outdoor shows again I would take your suggestion and strap the weights to the leg, but I think if these weights are going to swing - so will the leg.301677826?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • 981291686?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • Notice the PVC on top of the tent that landed on the next tent then both slammed into the third tent.  I've seen tents 10' in the air flying down the street.  Wind is nothing to take lightly.  We put 75lb on every corner when we did outdoor shows.  And all the panels and art and one time me hang on the frame (and the tent lifted a bit but did not fly away0 - all total gives it a BUNCH of weight301677143?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • I use a 40lb dumbell on each leg and sit them on top of each tent foot plate. Unlike the bulky cement filled PVC weights, there is no question of their exact weight. They are also available in a wide variety of pounds. I also have some 50lb. kettle-bell weights but the dumbells are easier to secure to the legs.

    A simple "U" bolt found at any hardware store will very securely hold it to the leg. I replaced the nuts that came with the U bolts with knobs that make it much easier to use the u bolts by hand tightening.301677468?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • Metal stakes are prohibited in many parks in the west because of underground sprinkler systems. An exception is Jackson Hole which requires the spiral tie out stakes. They mark the underground water lines with blue spray paint 

  • If I'm on grass, I'll use large spiral dog stakes and ratcheting tie-downs. The dog stakes can usually be started by hand, and go in about half way to two-thirds, and I'll use a hammer or piece of pipe as a pry-bar to screw them in all the way. There's no way they're coming out after that unless they are screwed back out.  

  • When on grass, I always drive 1/2" x 24" rebar into the ground next to each tent leg. Then zip tie them to the legs. I drive them down at least 12 inches.

    This is in addition to my weights.

  • Thanks so much!
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