Another Canopy Question

[Grizzz]

I will be picking up my teardrop in a couple of weeks, so I have started to look at all the others things I want to get. First off will be a canopy. Most of the time if the weather is nice, I probably would skip using one unless it is just a really sunny location. So I will use it most when trying to keep dry. The three canopies that I am looking at are the Ez Up Pyramid, PahaQue 10x10 and the Coleman 13x13. I have read a number of reviews that say the Ez Up and the PahaQue both pool water when there is I good rain. I just don't want to worry if it is going to collapse during the night. I am not as worried about wind because I will guy out the shelter.

So with the following criteria, which shelter would you get?

1) Wanting to stay dry when cooking
2) Ease of setting up - Most of my camping is by myself. So can any of these be set up by yourself?

Thanks for the help and I hope to meet some of you soon.

[lrrowe]

When I attended a TearJerkers' event this past summer, I saw a large variety of canopies. If you could hold off and attend one yourself, you should come away with some great ideas.

[Cosmo]

I There are many threads and choices available.
I like the REI alcove. I can set it up alone and the price is reasonable.. I can move it alone but it's easier to move with two people.
It's good if rain is falling vertically And it has side walls if the rain is horizontal.
It does not have bug netting.
On a trip this summer we had 4 days of rain and I entertained 4 people under the Alcove without a problem. I have to alcove One for sitting under the other for cooking under.
There are many other options available too

For buts I use a separate Coleman 10X10 Bug room.

Enjoy
Cosmo

[Tomterrific]

I'd get netting with your new canopy. Last year we took a trip in July. We only had a tent and our new canopy. As soon as the sun set my wife scampered for the tent complaining of bugs/mosquitoes. A year later I found netting for a gazeebo that works but doesn't quite fit. A few years ago in a Florida campground we saw a bunch of screen houses. I saw the canopy, wife saw the screen. Nice to have both.

A tip that may help is to spray all the joints and sliding members with silicone lube. My canopy was too stiff to work until I used the dry lube.

Tom

[Irmo Atomics]

I used our Paha Que 10x10 this past April at Tybee Island, Ga during severe thunderstorms and strong winds and didn’t have any problems. I was able to set it up myself by putting the fabric over the camper and then inserting the poles. It wasn't completely waterproof - more of a sunshade - and I would have preferred a 12x12. The camper next to me had an EZ Up type shelter and it collapsed.

[bobhenry]

I bought my 10 x 10 first up brand gazebo used in 08. It is still with me and is the first thing I put up at the campsite. It has been on 50+ outings. All those ups and downs and has asked for nothing. It has been a living room, a kitchen ,a corner served as a privacy tent for Mr. Stinky, and as the gathering room. It has been up in gale force winds , driving rain, sun and bugs. I will be sad to see him go but the canopy is starting to show signs of it's age with a few small holes starting to develop. I paid $65 dollars for him used at one of our first gatherings from a fellow camper. After 8 years that computes to just about 8 dollars a year, a very worthwhile investment.

[rowerwet]

After having three ez ups fail in mild conditions I discovered there is a big difference in ez ups and the knock offs.
The only ez-ups that will stand up to real use are the ones with a pole in the center to support the peak. The extra bracing in the middle keeps the X braces along the sides from folding in, the way all my canopies failed. the frame is also made of thicker steel.