Advice from those with a canopy...

[RLdetail]

I want to get a canopy for personal use as well as future business use and was wonering about the size.

I am looking at a 10x10 or 12x12 Quick Shade or Quest at Dick's.
Which would you recommend?

The only difference is the 12x12 has 1 foot more cover and 8 inches more room under the sides.

There is only a $30 difference in them.

After about 9 a.m. the sun is in my driveway and yard till almost dark and it makes for a hard time washing and other various tasks. Not sure how as there are a billion trees around my house and the neighbors as well!

I can't move to the other side of the house since my property is only 3 feet off the back of the house and there are trees there any way!

Any advice?

[refurbish]

I have a QuickShade Ez Up 10x10 and it is realy easy to set up.
the directions show 2 people setting one up,( one to pull each
side )

but I did it alone and it took me 10-15 minutes,actually I had to
use it just the other day and it pretty much covered the vehicle
I was detailing ( 05 Honda Accord )

just make sure you anchor it down !,it comes with 4 spikes to
put into grass,dirt,etc...

my driveway is narrow so the legs overlapped onto the grass,
thats when I used the spikes.
if you have a wide driveway you may have to use cinder blocks
ontop of the leg ends or something heavy at least.

if a good gust of wind gets under it and catches it just right
it will fall over probably hitting your or whoever's vehicle
( it does have adjustable leg height )

as far as size goes the 10x10 covers a midsize vehicle,but you may want to go for the bigger size just in case you have to
detail a larger size vehicle such as a truck ( personal preference )

as the sun shifts it will shine on one of the sides of the vehicle,
( either hang a blanket or a small tarp on the sides )
I just turned the car around and faced the completed side to the sun and let the other side cool down while I did something else.

I got mine on sale at Pep Boys ( they are always advertised )
also I've seen them at Big Lots,Walgreens,etc...

good luck

[rusty bumper]

Go for the taller one.

Sam's Club carries some of the more sturdy models, but they are priced higher too.

[OctaneGuy]

I've got two 10x10 EZups, and if I were to buy them again, I would get the 12x12. The 10x10 is even too small for our short MINI Coopers. The trouble is that the sun is rarely directly overhead, but rather from an angle so the amount of shade protection is lessened with a smaller footprint. Also note that some tent sizes are measured by the footbase as opposed to actual shade coverage. While the 12x12 are about 10 to 15 pounds heavier, over all they aren't much bigger folded.

[RLdetail]

I noticed that they were sized by the base dimensions

You would think they would list it as a 9x9 with a 12x12 base but no they can't do that!

I think I'll go with the 12x12. They also sell the side wall kit that covers one whole side plus half of the other two. But for the money I can get a few tarps and velcro and make one myself and still be ahead.

Thanks for the input!

[rusty bumper]

The ones I saw at Sam's Club have the same dimensions from top to bottom. Plus they come with their own side walls.

There the kind you see at flea markets & such.

I think they run about $150.00, but they look rather sturdy to me.

[RLdetail]

I was at one close by last week and they didn't have any there.

Maybe I should ask or check again before I buy one of these.

[OctaneGuy]

Considering we're one of the shortest cars on the road, you can see how a 10x10 fits over a MINI



Plenty of headroom


This one is known as the DOME II

You can see the side wall shade on the front here--I added vinyl logos of our club name on the front.


You can get a glimpse of us sitting under the 12x12 which was definitely more spacious. Note the extra leg.


Here's a straight legged tent

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by OctaneGuy
Here's a straight legged tent

This is what I saw at Sam's Club.

[SpoiledMan]

I have this one from Costco and absolutely love it! I can put it up and take it down by myself and it comes with a bag that has wheels. It fits in the passengers front seat in my Integra and is easily placed there with no help.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=10029394&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=4144&hierPath=114*4144*

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I have the same canopy as SpoiledMan. It works very well, and is easy to put up and take down by yourself. But like the others have said, you need to anchor it down when using it.

Tim

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by SpoiledMan
I have this one from Costco and absolutely love it! I can put it up and take it down by myself and it comes with a bag that has wheels. It fits in the passengers front seat in my Integra and is easily placed there with no help.

That's the one I want for myself.

There great for a lot of outdoor activities.

[SpoiledMan]

I simply don't use it if there is anything more than a slight breeze. I do plan on getting some bags and loading them up with something and using them as weights but I've also been thinking about just getting some leg weights and strapping those on.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by 2hotford
But like the others have said, you need to anchor it down when using it.Tim

I used to run a CNC burn table for many years. If I could get access to one, I could burn some circles out of 1 1/2" or 2" plate and use them instead of stakes or cinder blocks?

Provided I burn a slot in them so they fit around the poles.

I've burn out many a boat anchor in my time!

[SpoiledMan]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
That's the one I want for myself.

There great for a lot of outdoor activities.

I got it for $150 in store. They had it marked wrong and tried to change the price at the register. The manager saw it different and gave me the lower price. I found out by accident that it would fit in my car the way it does. I was going to stick it out the sunroof.