If they make it where do I buy it?

[fishfreek]

I have been looking at canopies in the 10'x10' size most of them say some kind of easy up, instant up or some very miss leading words like that. To me INSTANT UP would be something like a car sun shade or a small popup tent that you can just toss or give it a twist and it is up and ready to be secured to the ground. My questions to you folks is do they make any such animal? and where do I buy one?

I know a lot of people will say that they can put the conventional type up in just a few or without any help. But I am lazy and don't want to work hard enough to do all that. I am camping it is time to relax not work my behind off.

[CarlLaFong]

Taking a minute or two to erect a canopy is working your behind off??? Maybe you could hire a butler

[jstrubberg]

Easy Ups aren't any kind of work. You remove the bag, spread the unit out where you want it and push it up and lock each leg into place. A 12 year old could do it in under five minutes.

[Oldragbaggers]

Your other option is to carry a market umbrella and an umbrella holder that either mounts to a picnic table, screws into the ground or mounts from your receiver hitch. That would be easier, but putting the canopy up really isn't a big deal. Honest.

Other than that, opt for a shady site.

[Gage]

..................... A 12 year old could do it in under five minutes.

I would like to see that. Because it can't happen. Maybe with a First-Up from WalMart.

[Mojave Bob]

I have had a variety of these "toss-it" items, including a beach cabana, a bathing shelter, and a "6 man" tent. I doubt you will find a 10x10, for a couple of reasons. First, with these items, the larger they get, the less rigid they become, and they start to do crazy dances in the breeze. Second, the larger they are, the harder they are to pack up. If lazy is your modus operandi, you don't want one of these, anyway, unless you plan to use them once and abandon them at the campground. They can be a bear to pack back up, particularly if there is a wind. And, good luck getting it into your trunk if you don't get it packed up! The accordion-framed EZ-Up type shelters really are pretty easy.

[fishfreek]

I knew when I made this post I would get a bunch of how easy it is to set up the traditional accordion type. But they really aren't that easy. I have set them up for years doing fishing tournament shows and other special events. They are a pain. I am not lazy in a bad way I would just rather not deal with setting one of those up by myself just to get some shade while camping. I will keep looking and thanks to all for the responses so far.

[rebapuck]

I've done the market umbrella too. It's quik to open, but it's top heavy. A heavy umbrella base is just half the story. It needs to be supported at the midpiont too. But if you can come up with a rigging (two rings mounted vertically) an umbrella would be easy. Except they are 7-9 ft long.

[Oldragbaggers]

There are holders for market umbrellas that don't involve weight, like this one that mounts off the receiver....



There is a variety of others here....

http://www.shadeusa.com/beach_umbrella_holders.htm

I bought a 9' umbrella at Home Depot and the pole comes apart, it packs into a carry bag that is only about 4' high.

[Shadow Catcher]

I tend to agree an easy up just plain is not. We got a teardrop because I do not like putting up tents. My solution is tarps attached to the tear using Kedar rail. Only need a few tent poles and you are done.

[GuitarPhotog]

I just returned from a 3-week tour of the Great Northwet where it rained all or part of 15 days out of 21.

I have an accordion-frame Caravan canopy and it's a PITA to put up, especially in the rain or wind because I can't / don't store it with the top in place.

At the DAM Gathering in May, Rob Brooks gave me a great idea for a large awning made with one tarp and a couple of tarp poles. It uses the teardrop hatch as the support at one end and two adjustable tarp poles at the other end. A few stakes and bungees and I had a dry galley/living room with little work.

Anything that you can just throw up isn't going to survive any rain or wind and will just turn out to be more trouble than they purport to save.

I'll put up some photos of the "mother of all tarps" and my side tent/vestibule made from Gordon Burwell's "bent conduit" design when I get them uploaded to this computer.

<Chas>

[Mary C]

fishfreak, I am 62years old, single and I have had two broken wrists and I have to have help raising the instant shelter but oh well. when I camp there is usually someone around to help. I just go over and ask for help doesn't bother me a bit. I have met some really terrific people that way.

Mary C.