REI equipment

[rowerwet]

the center pole is supported by internal x braces that form a giant plus shape inside the bottom of the roof. the center pole is supported by the center of the plus.
I got my commercial grade easy up at a discount store, new for $120. I anchor my awnings with buckets tied to each corner, filled with water, sand or rocks, they stack for travel, and are easier to set than stakes.

[bdosborn]

The best canopy I've seen so far for teardrops is the paha que cottonwood. It stands up very well to wind, a lot better than any else I've seen and since the support isn't focused on the sides, the pooling of water isn't an issue either. They are a little harder to setup, but not that bad. Verna has mastered the art of 1person setup. Seriously look at these guys. You won't regret it. They are also about 1/3 the cost of the commercial ez-up....

We have one that we used on the teardrop:



It's great shelter and it stands up to wind that will trash an ez up in a heartbeat. It's just so stinkin' hard to put up that we quit using it and switched to an EZ up that we take it down if it gets windy.

Bruce

[GerryS]

Hard? Not really....hey...verna, you paying attention to this? Only thing I don't like is the color....mine is green, I prefer the orange or blue :/

[Verna]

Bruce, try your Paha Que Cottonwood one more time. This time, throw the fabric over the top of your teardrop... Make sure the vent cover is closed. Go to each "Leg" of the fabric and make sure the straps are totally loosened to allow for all of the slack you are allowed. Put your tent poles together. Now push the long poles through their pockets, beginning with the lower one (look at the "X" and you'll see one pole goes below the other). After pushing both of them through, now start putting the " legs " on the ends of each long pole, and sticking it through the hole on each leg of the fabric. After all four legs are in place, start tightening up the straps, one leg at a time. The straps are what tightens up the fabric and gives it more height. I do have a thread from last summer with picture with a title of one person can put up a Paha Que by themselves. Bruce, I'm only 5'3.5" and I can put it up in 15 minutes. So, try it again, please. And, I watched mine being buffeted by 40+ mph winds in Cottonwood, AZ in May and it stayed in place. I love it !!!

[bdosborn]

No quibbles about the quality, it's just a pain to put up.

Bruce

[LittleVintageTrailer]

I love the Alcove but like the reviews have said water can pool. I have used plastic 1/2 inch pipe for support. Put 4 tees on the center section and 2 on each of the sides. Then cut a support pipe to go between the tees, two to a side. They slide well and provide a ton of support.

uploadfromtaptalk1368479119666.jpg

What a neat idea! Can you tell me what length each 1/2 PVC piping is cut to?

Kelle