BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES, BOYS! What works in wind?

[Woodstramp]

I was reading the thread on side tents. Didn't want to highjack that thread, so...

I know we all look forward to pleasant camping trips. Fair skies, nice temps, etc. When we only had a tent we would actually cancel a planned campout if weather looked like it would likely be stormy. (Though we have been in a few flooded tents from time to time.) This limited our camping time because we didn't want to fuss with heat, muck and wind.

This is one of the main reasons we wanted to build a tiny camper...."Hey, might rain (or freeze, or be hot) this weekend....let's go anyway...we're cool now with the solid structure to stay cool (or warm) and dry.

This new trailer has increased our woods/travel time dramatically. (four times already this year), but that has created a new problem.....Wind damage to any kind of add-on canopy. Our last campout at Cheaha flattened two of our old reliable tents....luckily the group had room in available SUV's to take shelter in for the night.

We first bought an Ezy-up pop up thing....had that sucker staked down over the camper during our outdoor constuction. Was at work when a storm uprooted and blew that thing to the neighbor's property.....it was mangled. For our potential camping that thing will not work.

Since that event I've resolved to have something that can provide sun and rain protection without having to worry about taking it down if a fairly stout wind comes up. So far, our only solution has been use a cheap Wallyworld tarp. It is bungied to the top of the TTT,over the roof and then to something substantial (truck or trees) with heavy paracord. I'm not real happy with the looks of it, but it works. Been thinking about making something like this out of a trucker cargo tarp. Those things are heavy, but tough.

The reason for this thread is to get ideas from folks here who've had simular experiences and to see what works if bad weather catches you out camping. Particularly with side tents or awnings that you use. Especially from you folks who camp in areas where the weather is not always fair.

I know some of you may be thinking: "Hey, moron, don't go camping during hurricanes!" or "Get your lazy butt out and take down the Ezy- up." I'm not lazy and the two heavy wind events we've experienced on two campouts were odd events. Just looking for some experiences you've had and to see what might float and what sinks. Thanks.

[aggie79]

As I learned from others, on the teardrop side we use ratchet straps to anchor the EZ Up to the teardrop. (They're hooked into the rear stabilizers.) On the other side, I either use ratchet straps to something secure - not stakes - like a piece of curbing or time them to a 5-gallon bucket filled with water.

In this picture you can barely see the ratchet straps:



The side tent is also straped to the teardrop and staked to the ground.

[kirkman]

Here is mine I had Marti make it for me.
It is heavy duty sunbrella material. I stake it down with really good stakes and tie down straps. So far it has been through pretty good wind/rain storms and has not come loose. I like it because it gives me the option of rigging it several different ways depending on the weather and where I am camped.
Here is her link. http://trailerawning.blogspot.com/

[Shadow Catcher]

We like to camp on the north shore of Lake Superior and our wind experience stuck with me when I started thinking of CR (compass Rose) and wind. when tent camping we used a Kelty Noah's Tarp


The huge advantage was flexibility in how it is set up, sides can be up or staked down for heavy weather and to deflect wind. I had a tarp made for us by Pahaque that uses this principle and it has stood up to a major (edge of tornado) blow. The Tarp is attached to CR with a Kedar/awning rail and there are four poles that are adjustable in height or the end can be dropped to the ground and staked for wind load. This set up worked well except for one issue unique to CR where we need an additional set of poles at the bight of the galley hatch as rain collected (I got drenched lifting the tarp to shed the water that had ponded).

One of the other considerations was that one of the reasons we left tenting was the time involved setting up and taking down a tent. The tarps, two on the sides one in the rear are much simpler and less bulky with no fixed frame and adaptable to the vagaries of weather.

[stumphugger]

This held up fine in the famous winds of the Columbia Gorge. I staked it down and also used the guylines. The wind blew so hard my trailer was rocking and shuddering. The shelter held up just fine.
http://www.rei.com/product/794290/rei-alcove-shelter

It does not do well in the rain. It is very sturdy, and the rain will pool causing the fabric to droop and catch more rain. But the frame did not bend so no damage except to me getting wet when I pushed up to drain the water. It is waterproof.

[Miriam C.]

We used an ez up but dropped it low when the wind got over 40 mph. I tied it to my truck and the camper one time and to the camper and table another.. My First Up is vented at the top and it does well in wind!

The truck was moved to help block the wind and give me a tie down.

[canned o minimum]

"I" have used an easy up style shelter fer 3 years , in all kindsa weather...the trick is to TIE IT DOWN ! Stakes just git blown out or the soil gits so wet that the stakes fail...find a tree or a vehicle or a heavy picnic table( a 5 gallon water bottle wont hold up to 30mph winds)

I have 3 side pannels that keep everything dry and gives me a few feet of dry area fer the table/chair.

But....if the wind is strong enuf and sustains fer long periods...even "I" would call it a day..

[Woodstramp]

First, thanks to all the input.

Also, wanna note that my camper is non-typical as far as TD's go. So some things will work, others not so much. One advantage is that it is
taller than most. The roof is just over 6' tall if on level ground. That is why I've been using the tarp like in this pic.



I can walk under and not scrub tarp. It also doesn't have a roof vent or back hatch to deal with. Door side is the only business end.

I'm leaning toward the tarp solutions like Shadow Kirk, and Stump suggest. One recurring theme here with you more experienced folks is

good tie down tie racheting straps. Don't own any, but I will soon.

Also...Tom, the 5 gallon bucket anchor thing sounds like
good anchors for a place that doesn't offer any. Ran into that problem once already. Empty ones stowed in the camper will not be a problem either.

Miriam, ....just a side note....I don't know you, but when I see pics of your nice TD, the way it was, it chokes me up...a total stranger. Hope you can wrangle away to another before too long. Would be awesome if you could cannibalize the old one as a platform for a new one.

[Woodstramp]

Slow,

I remember driving on I-80 between Rock Springs and Rawlins one night back in the 70's. Snow was blowing horizontal from the north across the highway. Made for a rather interesting drive. Yep, yall have some wind.

[Shadow Catcher]

Woodstramp One of the possibilities that we share is the ability to use Kedar rail on three sides. Ours is joined at the rear so that all run off is to the front of the tear. All three of our tarps can fit on any of these three sides.

[bobhenry]

Here is my high wind discussion regarding ez ups .....

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ht=#886095

[Miriam C.]

Woodstamp, thank you! Chokes me up too but it did stand up and had a 1/8" panel for skin. These little things are strong. Mine was over 6' tall also and getting a tarp attached wasn't a good idea for shorty me... Love yours too..

[Woodstramp]

Shadow,

Never heard the term "Kedar rail"...Googled and get links to "Sail Track". I assume it is for sail attachments....interesting.
Will investigate. Sails are made for wind.

Bob,

Noticed in that link that the red rachet straps again. Glad yours has lasted 5 years.I had that exact canopy, but mine didn't make it 5 weeks.

Miriam,

If yours was still recognizable after that tornado, that says something about your construction technique. Now that was a wind.

Slow,

Google a site called "Homebrew Power". Might help you with your "Wyoming Wind Genny" project. If I recall they mainly use
AC Delco car alternators for the genn part. If you had a big enough fan to overcome the resistance the alternator offers when
the alternator's regulation circuit commands it to load, that would work.....and be awesome.

[DragonFire]

Slow: quit typing and start tinkering!! Invent something already!! Get that thing out on the market and you will have no worries about selling corn and getting gas money for a trip to a teardrop rally!

I work for a guy whose uncle tinkered and invented something...just a little thing called television.

You never know until you try!