Lots of opinions on Canopies

Our last trip out our REI Alcove met with a damaging windstorm in the desert, ripping the fabric in one corner where the tie-down cord attaches. I tied it down directly to the canopy frame for the rest of the outing and that worked until we got home. I repaired the fabric cover at home by sectioning that corner and re-stiching, reusing the binding material. It appears to be good, we will see when the next big wind comes along.

I also purchased another complete Alcove off eBay, it came from a Goodwill store in Washington state. It cost less than I paid for the original one and is in great shape except for a little rust on the poles where they join. I cleaned up the rust and put on some rust inhibitor, I have it in storage as a backup. Check eBay, they do come up occasionally, as well as some parts.

We really like the Alcove, it is minimalist while providing good cover, easy to carry, setup and tear down, we have two windwalls (three now, as the eBay one had a wall too), and a large mosquito net that we can use in buggy places. I really haven't seen a canopy solution I like better.
 
We really like the Alcove, it is minimalist while providing good cover, easy to carry, setup and tear down, we have two windwalls (three now, as the eBay one had a wall too), and a large mosquito net that we can use in buggy places. I really haven't seen a canopy solution I like better.

The bolded is exactly what I would like to find. For some reason it seems some of the best reviews are for products no longer available. I'm retired and work is now a four letter word to me. Easy, simple, and convenient are some of my favorite words now.
 
Great, the West Marine stays are much higher quality than the ones on Amazon; they are molded with nice rounded edges where the Amazon ones are cut from a sheet and have sharp edges that shed fibers.
I got three 8 foot stays, then designed and printed three sets of brackets. The stays are cut in 53.5" long pieces. The fit is good and support the canopy cover well. There was no rain (thankfully) on our latest outing so I can't attest to the prevention of any water pooling, but I think it should work.

I am happy to share my design files if anyone wants to try printing their own.
View attachment 7096View attachment 7097View attachment 7098View attachment 7099

A very nice solution! I just sent you a PM about using your design files.
 
I did contact the company. They are stating they expect them back in stock in August. Which makes this a pretty viable candidate for me personally :D

Looking at the ARB awning/room from earlier in this chat and it looks like the killer-combination might be those to, at least for me personally. I don't care for lenghty set-ups...if it takes more than 10-15 minutes to do, it usually isn't worth the effort, unless you're expecting climate conditions which warrant it.

The Gazelle looks fantastic for the galley - some one on youtube (not campinn person) published about an amish community which fabricated something very similar....I was expecting to go that route....I'm kind of happy this thread became active again :)
Looks like it's back in stock..........better hurry.:)G6 Deluxe 6-Sided Portable Gazebo
 
well this is not really a reply but...
We have a Northern Breeze screen tent which we were doing a test run on whether we could still put it up by ourselves (senior women) post Covid year.

In doing so we didn't get far as one pole snapped.

So here is the deal can anyone use it for parts or if you can find a pole replacement FREE. We have loved it but it is beyond my 80+ strength.

The fabric is all in good condition (no rips).

Not sure how we would mail it but if you pay for shipping we maybe could figure it out.
I would be interested! Where do you live? Maybe we could “swing by” during some of our travels! We are currently in Colorado, and heading home to Ohio some time in the next 7-8 days.
 
Our last canopy (Summit 170) had a leg fold like a cheap deck of cards so we replaced it with the Eurmax and this is way, way better. It is heavy but way more durable.
I really like this canopy. Thanks for the review. But I'm just a bit concerned I might not like carrying it around due to the weight. Are you still just as happy with it 3 years later? What's your thought on lugging it out and back on all your trips?
 
I really like this canopy. Thanks for the review. But I'm just a bit concerned I might not like carrying it around due to the weight. Are you still just as happy with it 3 years later? What's your thought on lugging it out and back on all your trips?
Yes. So much so that we bought a larger 15 x 10 model so we have 2. They are heavy but the wheels on the cover make it pretty easy to move around. It's just the loading and unloading that the weight becomes a problem. We had it out last weekend and the weather turned ugly and windy (probably gusts around 20-25mph) and we staked it down and it held great. Our friends bought a 10x10 model and were camping with us, staked his down and his held fine as well. So, yes, pretty pleased with it still.
 
Yes. So much so that we bought a larger 15 x 10 model so we have 2. They are heavy but the wheels on the cover make it pretty easy to move around. It's just the loading and unloading that the weight becomes a problem. We had it out last weekend and the weather turned ugly and windy (probably gusts around 20-25mph) and we staked it down and it held great. Our friends bought a 10x10 model and were camping with us, staked his down and his held fine as well. So, yes, pretty pleased with it still.
Thanks. That's good to hear. I've been agonizing over wanting something sturdy but not wanting something heavy. Unfortunately I don't think you can have both. Amazon had a lightning sale and I decided to bite the bullet. I ordered and just received the Eurmax 10x10 but the standard rather than the premium model. I think it's about 10 pounds lighter. The frame isn't quite as beefy but the rest of it looks exactly the same. I haven't had a chance to open it and set it up yet. Hopefully in the next day or two.

https://www.amazon.com/Eurmax-Commercial-Instant-Removable-SandBags/dp/B081G87FJP/?th=1
 
Bump for the off season...anyone looking to simplify, like to off load their Northern Breeze, 10x10 or 12x12?

Keeping eyes peeled for REIs XMAS sale...
None of these show up in "lightly used" online shopping.

I did score on an Onyx Carbon to use for overhight hiking...

used up my Members Dividend!

We just purchased one off of Facebook Marketplace in Indiana on our way south. I noticed there are three others listed in MI, OH and KY.
 
Ok, here is one more addition to this fat thread. I have an Alcove but rarely bring it as it seems to be more trouble than it's worth, at least here in the dry Southwest. I recently got this Kelty Sideroads Awning as a simpler awning for the galley area. I haven't used it yet except in my driveway.

full


Once I added these little loops to the locking rail on the galley door, it goes up quickly.

full


Also, I added some hooks to the straps you see going to the front of the trailer so I could just hook them over the front of the fenders instead. So far, I'm very happy with it. Goes up easier, lighter and smaller to carry and packs up in a minute. Also I expect it to be better at keeping wind out of the galley area once the 2 feet are staked down.
 
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Ok, here is one more addition to this fat thread. I have an Alcove but rarely bring it as it seems to be more trouble than it's worth, at least here in the dry Southwest. I recently got this Kelty Sideroads Awning as a simpler awning for the galley area. I haven't used it yet except in my driveway.

full


Once I added these little loops to the locking rail on the galley door, it goes up quickly.

full


Also, I added some hooks to the straps you see going to the front of the trailer so I could just hook them over the front of the fenders instead. So far, I'm very happy with it. Goes up easier, lighter and smaller to carry and packs up in a minute.

very smart mod on great solution for sw desert sun! Like the quick up and down...
 
…I re-found this picture, screenshotted saved on my iphone...was it from here?
I hadn’t seen that picture before, couldn’t say if it was from this forum.

I do recognize the tent - that’s an Oztent (link).

The tent is designed with a protected door, and there are also numerous accessories to extend in various ways. There are different sizes available. It’s a rapid setup tent, and doesn’t collapse like other tents, when collapsed it’s more like a 6’ long bundle, like a steel-framed canopy.

Oztents are highly respected among the overlanding crowd….
 
And still thinking new REI Northern Breeze when Members XMAS sale pops up...(too bad it doesnt come in camo...)

Say,
Who has got a good pic of a CI tucked way back into a 12x12'?

I read you "can just cover a side door and be able to go back into the sheltered room created by NB and,

still have room inside with galley hatch up?

Correct?
If so then it seems to me the NBs external poles and sloping sides looks strong without extra weight of massive folding trade show type canopies,

thus closest to providing a kind of temporary snow sheltering for winter boondocking...that sheds snow too.

(screenshot found while noodling on heated LI batteries...)

We've set up the Northern Breeze over the trailer (550) so we can get out and be covered on either side with access to the open galley area. It's not bug proof, but it IS dry.
 
Thanks, Peggy! Do you have a picture to share of your CI tucked in the NB?
Is yours a 10x10 or 12x12?

I do recall while browsing here seeing one profile avatar of an NB with CI tucked in...but did not save it, as those are so tiny that when expanded are blurry...

Reason I ask is I am idly noodling, doodling on a trimmed awning/screen section to match the CI side profile that could be tightened down, sort of like the standup side tent, to bug seal it some...but as I dont have an NB yet, can only imagine dimensions...a picture is worth a thousand words.

(I tried scrolling thru your media but fyi its refreshing very slow,
(at least on my cell connection to ipadmini, which can happen depending on network congestion, or if the host server is fetching slow)

Some beautiful bird and landscape pics there...Big Bend is on our must see list...

Sorry, no pics of the Breeze over the trailer to share. It would require some work with extra screening on the front of each side forward of the doors to achieve any sort of bug reduction - and then you'd have to deal with the open underside of the camper front.
As for Big Bend - we loved it! Very remote, but worth the drive. We spent 6 days there this Spring (early April) and felt like our timing was right - highs near 100° and lows in the 50's.
Ken
 
Thanks Ken!
Good point on the open areas.
The NB has a floor option (available on Amazon)
but I infer from description there thats also not a perfect seal with side walls either...
Hmmm...noodling continues...

It's probably possible to put the entire camper within the NB, centering it so you could achieve 'bug-proofness'. If so, there'd be less room at the galley of course. That would require the 12X12 for sure...
 
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