BajaNomad - Camping Shade/Canopy

Camping Shade/Canopy

TLBaja79 - 12-23-2013 at 10:13 AM

Nomads
I'm looking to get a new Baja Camping Shade/Canopy that will stand up to the sun and wind of Baja camping.
I've always the old mesh with aluminum poles which could be jerry rigged as they broke.
Or just make my own with poles and rope and various different tarps.

I see a lot of what I figure to be cheap ones out there now.

Whats the best most durable one on the market?
What do you use?

Online sites for QUALITY camping gear?

woody with a view - 12-23-2013 at 10:15 AM

get the swap meet type. the stuff in Big5 and others are junk and can't stand the wind.

David K - 12-23-2013 at 10:22 AM

I am very impressed with my new Coleman 10' x 10' Instant Canopy...
(as well as the !0x9 Instant Tent)... I have had many canopies and screen house shades in Baja... They generally last only a few trips, sometimes less (if the wind surprises you)!

larryC - 12-23-2013 at 10:28 AM

Sew up your own. I put attach points on the side of my camper. I sew relatively light weight nylon into the shape I want, put spring snaps on the edges to line up with the attach points on the camper, and sew nylon strap around the edges and then support it with poles and ropes. Works well and is really fast to set up.
YMMV
Larry

bajabuddha - 12-23-2013 at 10:32 AM

http://www.amazon.com/10X16-Screen-Garden-Nursery-Canopy/dp/...

This particular material is breathable fabric, fairly strong seams and eyelets, and has been used in our li'l enclave for a few years now and gaining popularity. By 'breathable' i mean it won't shield you from rain, but does a good job in the shade dept. and lets some of the wind go through it, reducing loft. However, when the Norther's blow (like now for instance) best bet is a nice stone building in town that serves cold Pacifico, and doesn't rock and roll with you in it.
Happy trails,
bb

TLBaja79 - 12-23-2013 at 10:51 AM

Awesome, thanks for the ideas. I saw that Coleman one and was skeptical...and replacing those legs would prob cost a ton. But if you say its working out, thats great!
Seems like tons of camping stuff out there in the last 15 years, hard to sift through the crap and find the quality...I'm sure its out there.

David K - 12-23-2013 at 11:12 AM

The Coleman seems very strong and well made, it is new to us, so no long term history yet. It is the best made one I have bought, so far.

Our previous canopy got destroyed in the sudden wind south of San Felipe on July 4th weekend, 2011... The same wind that sank the Erik and lost so many lives, near Gonzaga Bay.

Here is the last photo of it, the day before the wind:

Bajamatic - 12-23-2013 at 12:36 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Camo-Camouflage-Net-Support...

EDIT: They cost 40 bucks - not 108!!! don't get ripped off!!

I like this route with a camo net. They're quieter, since they're not solid they stand up much better when the wind gets nasty, and the shade is great. Plus any green "baja adventurer" who wanders onto a remote surf spot with a single campsite set up under a camo net is bound to beeline for the next point.

And if you're a nomad, well, now you'll know to cruise on over and say hello!

[Edited on 12-23-2013 by Bajamatic]

Pompano - 12-23-2013 at 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TLBaja79
Nomads
I'm looking to get a new Baja Camping Shade/Canopy that will stand up to the sun and wind of Baja camping.
I've always the old mesh with aluminum poles which could be jerry rigged as they broke.
Or just make my own with poles and rope and various different tarps.

I see a lot of what I figure to be cheap ones out there now.

Whats the best most durable one on the market?
What do you use?

Online sites for QUALITY camping gear?

Most of the really great tents/shelters for sun and wind can be found by attending Burning Man events. I went a couple times with Killer Caine many years ago and saw some impressive ideas. Lots of creative ideas..and most are not pricey at all. Here's a good internet site for your research.

Good luck and happy camping (meaning Don't let the wind ruin your vacation!)

http://blog.burningman.com/2011/04/playa-tips/diy-your-burn-...

David K - 12-23-2013 at 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Camo-Camouflage-Net-Support...

EDIT: They cost 40 bucks - not 108!!! don't get ripped off!!

I like this route with a camo net. They're quieter, since they're not solid they stand up much better when the wind gets nasty, and the shade is great. Plus any green "baja adventurer" who wanders onto a remote surf spot with a single campsite set up under a camo net is bound to beeline for the next point.

And if you're a nomad, well, now you'll know to cruise on over and say hello!

[Edited on 12-23-2013 by Bajamatic]

The one link you posted says $108... so where is the $40 one, and cruise on over to where??? Thank you...

Bajamatic - 12-23-2013 at 12:59 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMO-NET-SUPPORT-SYSTEM-CAMOUFLAGE-S...

They're readily available on ebay.

"... And cruise on over to where???"

Cruise over to the campsite that looks "shady".

Unfortunately, you're gonna have to stumble across it. There's a bizarre naturally occurring GPS reception void that occurs whenever we approach this particular beach. I can't explain it.

El Jefe - 12-23-2013 at 12:59 PM

I too like the old swap meet type. Flat top of silver tarp held on with bungie loops with the little ball on the end. Corners of welded pipe. 4 - 8' legs and 4 - 10' top pieces which form a square made of heavy 1/2 inch steel conduit.

No stakes. Just tie it down to buckets of sand or water. Get 22 feet of 6' wide shade cloth and use it for a wind and sun block on two sides. Clamp to uprights with, well, clamps.

You have to carry the long poles on your roof rack next to your surf boards.

Sets up easy. Bomb proof. Wind resistant. No moving parts. Carry the end pieces (that each receive two top poles and one down pole), the bungie loops, tarp, clamps and shade cloth in the five gallon bucket you use to anchor the whole thing. Tie two corners down to your rig and you have an awning.

Used one of these for many many years. EZ ups are for amateurs.

Pompano - 12-23-2013 at 01:21 PM

Here's another option for you. We put this one up for sheltering boats, vehicles, etc at mi casa in Baja. Bought it from Cost Co in San Diego...price was about $400 if I recall correctly. Used for many months at a time, then stored away for summer vacations elsewhere.

Heavy duty poles and actual canvas is much better than the light stuff.....carport type that you can add canvas walls to shut out wind, dust, etc.

It does require some work and takes up some room, though. Works for us.

Another lighter version ...from Cost Co, SD also. Works well, but watch our for wind gusts. Anchoring any wind/shade shelter is a good idea when camping in Baja.

[Edited on 12-24-2013 by BajaNomad]

OCEANUS - 12-23-2013 at 02:11 PM

The swap meet canopies are sturdy and long lasting. The only downside is transporting all of the loose poles and attachments. We set up a couple of 4" black ABS pipes with threaded caps to serve as the pole holders and a crate for all the fittings, bungies and tarps strapped to the top of it.

We have found that the best way to anchor these down in the wind has been rebar driven into the sand and duct taped to the poles. All other weights (buckets of sand, water filled jugs, black iron landscaping stakes, etc.) have failed us on the windy days, and the rebar buys us enough time to strip off the tarps before they get damaged.

Marcos Canopies in Chula Vista will have everything you need. Here's the link to their website:

http://marcoscanopiesinc.com/

TecateRay - 12-23-2013 at 03:19 PM

I use a Caravan pop up type that I bought at Costco 7 or 8 years ago, still using. I see two keys to surviving in the wind.
1. I use 4 ft. Steel forming stakes and drive them into the grounds next to the legs. Then I use duct tape in a couple of spots to attach the stake and legs.
2. I don't have this but I wish I did - vented tops that let the gathered wind pressure escape.

To help make it last I store and transport it vertically so it isn't bouncing around on the floor of your truck. Saves wear and tear on the canvas (or nylon) and the frame.

Barry A. - 12-23-2013 at 03:41 PM

For many years of 'beach-camping' we have used a 12 x 16 Army Surplus duck canvas tarp, one short side attached to our camper top with springs, and use 4 steel adjustable poles with springs on the non-camper corners, and in the middle of the tarp, each side.. We use very heavy duty 6 inch long springs at ALL attachment points, and 2 foot long steel construction stakes and nylon rope guy lines, two guy lines at each outlying corner, and one each at the middle of the tarp---------everything spring-loaded to absorb the wind gusts. Not fool proof, but almost always stands up to the wind-----and never has ripped or broken anything. If the wind gets too bad, then we take it down temporarily------which takes about 2 mins....

On edit: VERY IMPORTANT----we put soft plastic covers on all the tops of the 2 foot long steel stakes to avoid bad cuts in the middle of the night if you should stumble over one of the steel stakes------saves the shins big-time!!!

Barry

[Edited on 12-23-2013 by Barry A.]

David K - 12-24-2013 at 12:48 AM

Such big, heavy shade structures just aren't possible to take on a camping trip, or use when you don't own a big truck, or have extra space. Light, easy, but good quality for camping trips of 3-7 days means the Coleman 10x10 Instant Canopy (or similar) will be fine.

The pop up shade is a big step up from my homemade (PVC pipe and tarp/ bungee cords) shade. Bajaboy gave me grief about it, lol...

Actually it was a piece of wood, the PVC cam later!

By 2008, we had the first pop up shade canopy...

laloma - 12-24-2013 at 05:38 AM

I highly recommend the "Paha Que" company products.
We've had a 10x10 shelter for years and use it regularily.
Very high quality components such as aircraft grade poles, tough cords and cloth. The 10 x10 is easy to put up and and crushes down to a very small package about a quarter of the size of the "easy up" type shelters. They say they have a limited lifetime warranty.
Easy to find on Google.
These products offer a good alternative to the cheap throw away shelters currently flooding the market.

Hook - 12-24-2013 at 08:34 AM

I have both a swap meet type that has withstood winds that I pegged at about 35 kts. (out at the Punta Chivato beach camp) and an EZ up. I think you have to have both; one for day tripping and one for multi-day trips. The swap meet type take up too much room and take longer to set up than I want for day tripping.

The thing with EZ ups is that they cannot be left unattended. Everyone knows that. We drop ours to the lowest setting, remove the velco attachments at two opposing corners and then clothespin the loose areas towards the middle of the peak between the attached corners. This passes enough wind that it doesnt blow over.

Mil Spec Camo Netting

bajaguy - 12-24-2013 at 08:42 AM

I have used this stuff for years, works great

http://www.camonettingstore.com/

mcfez - 12-24-2013 at 09:07 AM

http://www.uline.com/BL_8785/Instant-Canopy?pricode=WT618&am...

Uline is a commercial outlet for folks like us to buy from. Here is the Canopy for Farmer's Markets that most of us buy. Heavy commercial grade stuff

[Edited on 12-24-2013 by mcfez]

TLBaja79 - 12-24-2013 at 10:11 AM

Awesome, thanks for the info.

Planning a camping trip to the Loreto, Conception Bay, Mulege area for the spring. Gonna get out away from everything so need shade!

Sunman - 12-24-2013 at 01:07 PM

Kelty Carport (Medium), the larger version is a little less wind friendly.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/kelty-carport-shelter-mediu...

[URL=http://s395.photobucket.com/user/sunman2020/media/IMG_0573.jpg.html]

[Edited on 12-24-2013 by Sunman]

[Edited on 12-24-2013 by BajaNomad]

shipping is.. $173???

Whale-ista - 12-25-2013 at 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMO-NET-SUPPORT-SYSTEM-CAMOUFLAGE-S...

They're readily available on ebay.

The price is $30, but.. add shipping makes it $200? Are these available at surplus stores?

Support System

bajaguy - 12-25-2013 at 03:47 AM

http://www.camonettingstore.com/camo-netting-supports/camo-n...

Quote:

Originally posted by Whale-ista

Quote: