by Elorrum » Sat May 01, 2010 7:47 am
I drive a small hatchback, and have little storage at home. Having a shelter that packs up as small as a tent was my priority. The light material isn't the darkest shade, but it's shade. Abo gear says theirs is UPF 50. Footprint is 12 by 12 at 8 feet high, more since it is stretched out to a low profile. over 6 feet still inside. I cap my rebar with the solar lights. This photo was 2007, big wind that year. I would monitor it during the wind, and by the end of the week, I had added a few more ropes so every entry point had some guyout to look out for. 2008 I added a 5 ft. steel t post on the windward edge so the rope wouldn't dip down to the ground collapsing the pole on that side. Putting chairs in the corners during the wind worked just as well. One pole did separate, the metal sleeve just split, tore a small hole in the material sleeve, but it still was o.k. When I got home I used some jb weld and ribbon to patch it back up, would consider pro-active reinforcement of the metal sleeves as they are not solid cylinders, but formed with an open seam. Bring something colorful to tie onto the ropes. I use the Kelty tripease line that is reflective at night.