EZ up/Pop Up/Canopy Tent recommendations

[Rarified27]

What's everyone using for a shade canopy on the job which can stand up to daily use?

I just busted a pin on one of my tent legs and need to replace it asap.

I position mine a little over the back of the truck so the tailgate is a workbench in the shade or if I have to move away from the truck and keep the tools and myself from being damaged by the heat.

8x8 at the smallest, but the guys I see with 10x10 seem to get the best use out of the larger size.

Please post a link if possible. Thanks!

 

[JradM]

I use a steel-framed 10x10 Shelterlogic. It's a bit heavy in the bag, but a lot more stable than my buddy's alumimium EZ-UP.

10x10 straight leg is definitely the better size IMO. Easy enough to set up and take down solo, but large enough that you don't have to cuddle your friends to stay in the shade.

 

[RTM]

Expect it to be disposable unless you weigh it down. See so many trashed when a gust of wind surprises the operator. Cheap ones, or quality ones, they get trashed just as easily.

My EZ Up lasted 6 seasons of girls volleyball, using all day every second or third weekend, still sees occasional use. Don’t know how the quality has changed since 2006? Or so.

 

[kyrbz]

Last summer I was thinking this canopy was the best $65 I ever spent at Harbor Freight. It's on its second summer of being outside everyday at a job site. The fabric is starting to wear through in spots. The frame is rusting where paint is scraped off from dragging it around or being blown across the job site because it wasn't weighted down. It's pretty easy to put up / take down. Probably most time consuming thing is all the velcro tabs that hold cover to the frame. It's 10' x 10' and replacement covers are available cheap.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I had one that was sturdy as hell, and just as heavy, but I don’t know the brand. It was given to me by a bike shop for advertising, but when the sponsorship ended they took it back.

It was 10x10 and it was all I could do to carry it. Once I had it where I wanted it, it was a breeze to set up. The sturdiness made it easy to put up and take down, just a ***** to carry..lol

 

[mike93lx]

I like ez-up. Previously had a 13x13 that had overhangs. Lots of area under cover, but it was very heavy. Currently have a 10x10 "pyramid" model.


E-Z UP Pyramid Instant Shelter Canopy, 10' x 10' with Wide-Trax Roller Bag & 4 Piece Spike Set, Royal Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015W1VMF8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For me, height is super important as I am 6'5" without boots on. If I can't get it so the cross bars are at least 6'8" off the ground, I am not interested.

A vented peak is very helpful for both wind mitigation and heat venting, although my current one is not. If I were getting one that needed to stay up for long stretches, it would absolutely be vented. I mostly have mine for temp shade while working on a project in the driveway or yard

 

[RTM]

For me, height is super important as I am 6'5" without boots on. If I can't get it so the cross bars are at least 6'8" off the ground, I am not interested.

Dang good point. Mine is only about 6’ under the cross bars, and I was always having near misses forgetting to duck. And a few not near misses,

 

[mike93lx]

Dang good point. Mine is only about 6’ under the cross bars, and I was always having near misses forgetting to duck. And a few not near misses,

I feel like half of my life is ducking under ****.

 

[fuggle]

I'm now a big fan of ABCCanopy. I've tried a few of the cheaper ones but they just can't handle much wind or relentless sun.

 

[Old Man Roger]

ABCCanopy

I think the commercial delux was the one I had. That thing was a tank.

 

[Willie Makeit]

Caravan Canopy - commercial version. Pricey, but most things that last are.

 

[rust in the eye]

Do you need to set it up by yourself?
I have a Quick Shade brand canopy that is used perhaps once a year for outdoor parties. Its sturdy but heavy and an absolute pain the *** to put up solo. I used to have a cheap knock down slant leg canopy that was easier to put up (assemble) solo.
For daily use mine would certainly suffer from the repeated up and down, with or without help.
What about just stabbing a patio umbrella or two into the bed's stake pockets? Easier to reposition as the sun moves too.

 

[bobg03]

I like ez-up. Previously had a 13x13 that had overhangs. Lots of area under cover, but it was very heavy. Currently have a 10x10 "pyramid" model.


E-Z UP Pyramid Instant Shelter Canopy, 10' x 10' with Wide-Trax Roller Bag & 4 Piece Spike Set, Royal Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015W1VMF8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For me, height is super important as I am 6'5" without boots on. If I can't get it so the cross bars are at least 6'8" off the ground, I am not interested.

A vented peak is very helpful for both wind mitigation and heat venting, although my current one is not. If I were getting one that needed to stay up for long stretches, it would absolutely be vented. I mostly have mine for temp shade while working on a project in the driveway or yard

I too like and have had good luck w/EZ-UP, mostly used when I still had a pickup to set over the bed and sit in shade in lawn chairs at the drag races.
Of course I'm not 6'5", only 5'6" and the height over the truck bed was never an issue...

 

[GeoBruin]

Do you need to set it up by yourself?
I have a Quick Shade brand canopy that is used perhaps once a year for outdoor parties. Its sturdy but heavy and an absolute pain the *** to put up solo. I used to have a cheap knock down slant leg canopy that was easier to put up (assemble) solo.
For daily use mine would certainly suffer from the repeated up and down, with or without help.
What about just stabbing a patio umbrella or two into the bed's stake pockets? Easier to reposition as the sun moves too.

I'm sure the OP has long since selected their canopy since the thread was awakened from the dead by WSCT attempting to peddle their wares, but I'm not against a good canopy discussion if there's some new opinions on the topic.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

This is great timing for me! I happened to come across one for sale in the Harbor Freight deals section. I never really considered one before, but since I live in an apartment and do all of my car work at friend's driveways, I was thinking it would be awesome to have one of these. I tend to like to overspend an buy quality stuff that will last. So I'm also looking for a high quality version of something like this. My specific use case is same-day setup and takedown, nothing long-term semi-permanent. I want something quick to set up and take down and the poles shouldn't be too long or I can't fit them in my car to transport them. Or maybe the poles could be breakdown but that would likely reduce the strength.

 

[mike93lx]

I too like and have had good luck w/EZ-UP, mostly used when I still had a pickup to set over the bed and sit in shade in lawn chairs at the drag races.
Of course I'm not 6'5", only 5'6" and the height over the truck bed was never an issue...

Yes, the air up here is thinner

 

[Sumboodie]

Caravan Canopy - commercial version. Pricey, but most things that last are.

I had a 12x12. It lasted 1 use . Breeze picked it up and bent it up.
I got pissed as it about ripped my face off and smashed it into bits with the excavator.

 

[bobg03]

Yes, the air up here is thinner

LOL,I have been told that, I have 3 sons and their biological mother is 5'1" her younger siblings were all 6'+. Our eldest and youngest are both 5'7", our middle son was 6'5" before High School and wore a size 15 sneaker...

 

[GeoBruin]

This is great timing for me! I happened to come across one for sale in the Harbor Freight deals section. I never really considered one before, but since I live in an apartment and do all of my car work at friend's driveways, I was thinking it would be awesome to have one of these. I tend to like to overspend an buy quality stuff that will last. So I'm also looking for a high quality version of something like this. My specific use case is same-day setup and takedown, nothing long-term semi-permanent. I want something quick to set up and take down and the poles shouldn't be too long or I can't fit them in my car to transport them. Or maybe the poles could be breakdown but that would likely reduce the strength.

Maybe consider 2 10x10s instead of a 10x20. It looks like the 10 x 20 still has intermediate legs so you're not really gaining anything, and it would give you the flexibility do set up just one if you didn't need both. Plus they'll be smaller/lighter/easier to transport.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Maybe consider 2 10x10s instead of a 10x20. It looks like the 10 x 20 still has intermediate legs so you're not really gaining anything, and it would give you the flexibility do set up just one if you didn't need both. Plus they'll be smaller/lighter/easier to transport.

Oh yeah I should clarify I dont think I need one as big as 10x20. I think 10x10 would be good enough thanks for the idea!

 

[GeoBruin]

Ah, I see. In that case, I don't have any specific recommendations on brands or styles, but you should have a lot more options in the 10x10 size range. There are some recommendations up above from this thread's first life. I have one of the Harbor Freight models I drag out occasionally and it has worked fine.

I imagine one of the advantages of going with the original easy up for other mainstream brand is you may be able to get replacement parts like just a replacement tarp or just a bag Etc.

 

[californiamilleghia]

Eurmax commercial is the model a lot of regular swap meet sellers use , they put them up and down everyday.

the cheap 10x10 canopies weigh about 35 lbs shipped or less

and they will blow away in the wind , add at least 10 lb weight (15-20 is better) to each corner and if it gets real windy pull loose on corner of the canopy top and let it flap in the wind , that stops it from becoming a kite , hopefully !

 

[Willie Makeit]

I had a 12x12. It lasted 1 use . Breeze picked it up and bent it up.
I got pissed as it about ripped my face off and smashed it into bits with the excavator.

I've had my commercial grade 12x12 Caravan Canopy for over 8 years now. No issues at all other than it's a bit heavy for one person to move around when it's in the bag.

 

[niget2002]

We just picked up two straight leg canopies from Acadamy a few weeks ago. These have their 'easy-up' system. You pull the sides out, then slide under and push up on the middle of the canopy to pop the top up. It's the easiest canopy I've ever used. Only time will tell how long it lasts.

Out cheap slant side from Walmart still 'works' and is 15 years old. Some of the buttons are starting to rust so it's more difficult to push them in to take it up and down. It's why we're replacing it.

This is the one we bought

https://www.academy.com/p/academy-sports-outdoors-one-push-10-ft-10-ft-straight-leg-canopy?sku=khaki

 

[cycle61]

We just buy whatever looks decent at Walmart when it’s time. Picked up a 10x12’ yesterday, that’s a size I hadn’t seen before and may offer a bit of extra space and flexibility.

They’re all disposable under heavy use. If we get a year out of one before a gust of wind folds it up that’s a win.

The one described above, with the single push-up in the center to lock everything, are super handy.

 

[Sumboodie]

I've had my commercial grade 12x12 Caravan Canopy for over 8 years now. No issues at all other than it's a bit heavy for one person to move around when it's in the bag.

One I had wasn't that heavy. Maybe 40lbs, if that. Was the Caravan Canopies brand.

 

[Willie Makeit]

One I had wasn't that heavy. Maybe 40lbs, if that. Was the Caravan Canopies brand.

I must have a different model. I think most of the manufacturers offer similar versions of the same size canopies at very different quality levels and price points. OR maybe I just got lucky.

 

[908Jim]

I must have a different model. I think most of the manufacturers offer similar versions of the same size canopies at very different quality levels and price points. OR maybe I just got lucky.

I've been using a Caravan Canopy for 15+ years and it has held up remarkably well. They definitely make several quality grades, as indicated by the price point.

The V Series are really cheap, like sub-$200 and they often have legs that flare out for stability to help compensate for cheap build quality. This is true of most pop-up tents. The Caravan "Traveler" series is a light duty commercial (which is what I have) and it's a bit more robust with vertical legs to allow multiple to be setup next to each other.

The real Caravan Canopies are like $1k and true commercial grade.

 

[Sumboodie]

I've been using a Caravan Canopy for 15+ years and it has held up remarkably well. They definitely make several quality grades, as indicated by the price point.

The V Series are really cheap, like sub-$200 and they often have legs that flare out for stability to help compensate for cheap build quality. This is true of most pop-up tents. The Caravan "Traveler" series is a light duty commercial (which is what I have) and it's a bit more robust with vertical legs to allow multiple to be setup next to each other.

The real Caravan Canopies are like $1k and true commercial grade.

Yeah. Mine was maybe $125 or so.

$1000... I'd just build something!

 

[Willie Makeit]

I've been using a Caravan Canopy for 15+ years and it has held up remarkably well. They definitely make several quality grades, as indicated by the price point.

The V Series are really cheap, like sub-$200 and they often have legs that flare out for stability to help compensate for cheap build quality. This is true of most pop-up tents. The Caravan "Traveler" series is a light duty commercial (which is what I have) and it's a bit more robust with vertical legs to allow multiple to be setup next to each other.

The real Caravan Canopies are like $1k and true commercial grade.

I should correct my earlier post ... mine is a 10'x10' ... NOT a 12'x12'. Mine is the Traveler model as well, purchased from COSTCO - I had to pull it out this past weekend for a friend to borrow. I would estimate it is 70+ lbs once it's in the bag and I'm guessing the steel framework is the reason for the increase. I paid $250+ for mine like 8-10 years ago and it came with 3 side wall panels.

Caravan website lists the canopy itself as 28 lbs and the frame as 44 lbs ... total of 72 lbs BEFORE is shoved into the roller bag.

Traveler® 10×10 Instant Canopy Kit (with sidewalls) – Caravan Canopy

www.caravancanopy.com

edit: added link & weights