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#1
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Decent quality pop-up canopy?
Any recommendations for a decent quality pop-up canopy? Something in a 10x10 or 12x12 to set up next to my trailer at DE? Something that is likely to last more than a few events before it breaks?
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2015 Cayman GTS 2021 Jetta R-line 2016 F-250 Formerly owned Porsche/BMW: 1986 944 Turbo 2006 325i 2000 911 1987 924S 1999 Boxster 1986 944 |
#2
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From my experience I like both the Caravan and EZ-Up brand canopies. Both are well made. The Caravan may be a bit heavier, sturdier and a bit more expensive. From experience, I would stay away from any canopies with a spring-loaded center pole that's supposed to hold the center up; the spring eventually sags and/or fails. Also, some of the better quality brands are easy to get repair parts if you ever need them.
I like the canopies that have some venting flaps built into the peak, which helps them act less like a parachute if the wind kicks. But no canopy is indestructible. You NEED to monitor the weather, and make sure to bring it down if the winds are supposed to get over 10mph or so. Tie downs are also important so it doesn't start traveling around if an unexpected wind hits it. Sometimes you have obvious anchor points to use, like trailer wheels or frame. There's now a bunch of nice water filled weights on the market, that allow you to anchor with enough weight to do the job, but can be emptied at the end of the day, and are much easier to transport that blocks of concrete, etc.
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- Tony P. Currently - 1984 944 SP2 racer - 1977 911 KM Special vintage racer - 2012 Cayman R (also the wife's) - 2000 Boxster S (now mine) - 1995 993 (garage queen) - 2007 Cayman S (wife's track beast) - 2017 F350 (tow monster) - 2018 Jeep Wrangler Gone but not forgotten - 1989 944S2 - 1979 RX7 - 1986 944 - 1991 944S2 (in car heaven...) - 2001 Chevy Suburban 2500 (FIL's beast now) |
#3
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I have an EZ-Up that is past its prime, but I still use. There are a few bent frame pieces that make getting it up and down a 2 person job, but it is still functional. I'd say I got about 2 track seasons out of it before the bend.
They are ALL disposable, it's just a sliding scale of how many uses you get before it's trashed. Everything Tony P says is pretty spot on. My tactic when it got windy - I just took the canopy off the frame and put it back in the bag. The frame alone was generally fine in heavy wind if anchored to something of reasonable heft.
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Tom Freeman '21 Q5 PHEV (DD, dog hauler) | '22 GR Supra (OLOA) | '93 Mustang GT (Crapcan) | '16 BMW R1200RT (Cop bike) |
#4
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I have an extremely solid steel-frame 10x20 EZ-Up (professional level) with an off-white cover. This canopy is really solid and far nicer than the more common EZ-Ups (and Wal-Mart crap) most people use, and also twice the size. It does NOT have poles half-way down the long side and doesn't need them, either (it just has 4 poles in the corners - most 10x20 tents have 6 poles). Not the cleanest-looking cover (fine from 20 feet), and one of the little feet could be welded back on (would make it easier to pull the pole down, but I just use a pliers). I bought it from Tony Kelly for $100 and will sell it for the same thing as I really never use it anymore (paddock with friends with 2-car enclosed trailers). Let me know if you want it - it's currently in my garage at Summit Point and you could either pick it up there or I'll bring it down to Potomac later this month.
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Peter (not "Pete") K. 2016 Cayman S 1999 Miata ("SM") race car 2016 Toyota Highlander--tow vehicle/wife's DD 2017 VW GTI SE (DD) Gone and missed: 1992 Miata ("SSM") race car 2009 911 C2S Coupe 2004 Toyota Prius - sold to son's girlfriend 2006 Dodge Durango 2003 Acura MDX 86 Black 911 Coupe race car 86 Gold 911 Targa 82 WineRedMetallic 911 Targa |
#5
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We have EZUPs for PCA. Use and abuse them a lot. They are more expensive, but you can buy replacement parts for them.
We have a few that have lasted over 5 years and are still in use.
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Vu It's not just the cars...It's the people! |
#6
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After dealing with canopies that will bend with the slightest gust of wind, I bought a 10x20 Eurmax canopy that I saw some of the professional race teams using. Extremely well built and uses hexagon tubing. The come in varying sizes and tubing diameter. Not cheap but you will never have to buy another one. On sale now with free shipping and weight bags.
https://www.eurmax.com/pro-pop-up-tent.html
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Steve Potomac PCA Co-CI(retired) 89 944 Turbo Race car 85.5 944 NA son's 2015/2019/2020 944Cup and PCA Nat'l Champ racecar 94 968 1 of 11 Iris blue coupes 92 968 1 of 2 Tahoe Blue Cabriolets 98 993 C2S w/Aerokit II 77 911S Vintage race car project 70 Boss 302 86 Mustang SVO 08 F250 SD Diesel 15 Audi SQ5 "Noel spun! Noel spun! Don't do anything stupid, Dad." -the boy on the radio on the last lap of NASA race as the second place car spins behind me in T5 at Summit Point. |
#7
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I bought a caravan one 2005ish. Still in okay shape, except for the damage I did when I ran over it in the paddock. I'd look at others if I was buying again just because of the weight.
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#8
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If you get one of those expensive ones, don't run over it.
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#9
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Quote:
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Evan 87 911 E stock GONE.......: 84 911 Estock 2015 E stock national champion Close Motorsports - Driver Coaching and Data Equipment sales Website coming soon Old http://retaliatemotorsports.blogspot.com/ |
#10
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That is an automatic feature of those Evan, somehow timing is everything as I witnessed from a distance!!
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Safety Chair, PCA Potomac Region Retired DE Chair, PCA Potomac Region. Retired Co-Chief Instructor PCA Potomac 2008-2012 1971 914/6 (Factory) 3.2 Track car 1988 911 Targa 1986 944 |
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