Folding/pop up Gazebo for shelter

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Bainsy

Member
G'day crew, just wanting to see if anyone else uses a folding / pop up gazebo for shelter instead of the old tarp with ropes and poles?

I currently use tarps and poles but it takes a bit to get up and pack down. (especially by myself) It flaps in the breeze, even though its a heavy duty tarp and the ropes are that tight i can play a tune on them! and when it rains, its catches the water and when it overflows someone always gets soaked!

iv been looking at a few gazebos on ebay, they look as if they fold out and pack up easily, they have an angled roof so it doesn't catch the water, some come with extra walls. and they pack into a carry bag.

if anyone uses one of these it would be great to hear about your experience with them, and what one you use or recommend.

Thanks, Bainsy
 
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harzee

New Member
Hi
I bought the OZtrail one off ebay but so far have only used it for day trips and picnics. Goes up and down fast, got the 6x3(weighs about 40kg) so heaps of shade but you want to be built like Arny if your thinking of putting it on the roof rack. Walls only have velcro tabs so I dont know how strong a wind it will hold up to. Comes with pissy little guy ropes and pegs (I've seen my mum knit with bigger) so if your serious about holding it down replace these. The whole thing comes in the bag packed by an oragami expert so once you unfold it you won't get it back in the same bag. Not that the bag is much good, mine already needs replacing but I will get a decent canvas bag made bigger to hold everything. Packed size is still 1500 x 250 x 350 so does still take up a bit of space. The metal parts seem pretty solid and should last the canvas(poly) is pretty thin but I look at it as disposable. They are that cheap that if I get a dozen uses out of it I got my moneys worth. I f it buggers up chuck it away and get another one. Hope this helps
 
4X4

4X4

Moderator
Slightly off topic, have you considered Guy Rope Springs?
Guy Rope Springs are vital when erecting a tent fly or shade tarp. Even in moderate winds the tarp will catch the breeze like a sail and will want to move. The springs "gives" with each tarp movement and will save the strain being put on pegs and the tarp eyelets. The larger the tarp, the more force will be put on the tarp eyelets ... guy rope springs help this problem.

Cheers Rossco
 
B

Bainsy

Member
4X4 said:
Slightly off topic, have you considered Guy Rope Springs?
Guy Rope Springs are vital when erecting a tent fly or shade tarp. Even in moderate winds the tarp will catch the breeze like a sail and will want to move. The springs "gives" with each tarp movement and will save the strain being put on pegs and the tarp eyelets. The larger the tarp, the more force will be put on the tarp eyelets ... guy rope springs help this problem.

Cheers Rossco
Click to expand...

thanks for the tip Rossco
 
Davidman

Davidman

5th Annual Victorian Gathering member
Anaconda and Rays Outdoors have a lot of different size, cost and quality gazebos. Sometimes they have pretty good specials too.
 
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harzee

New Member
Hi Bainsy
That's the one I bought. A mate of mine just bought the same size as mine and we put it up Saturday arvo in a moderate to strong wind. The gazebo itself was fine but the wind pushing on the velcro walls kept coming undone. We decided that we will buy some eyelets and use cable ties and give it another try later. Personally I like the 6m it gives you plenty of room the 3m would be fine for 2 - 4 people but when there's more people plus a table of food and peolple want to put their eskies out of the sun the 6m is just better. I don't think I would try using the walls as an extra verandah when you can have the comfort and ease of the bigger model. Cheers
 
B

Bainsy

Member
harzee said:
Hi Bainsy
That's the one I bought. A mate of mine just bought the same size as mine and we put it up Saturday arvo in a moderate to strong wind. The gazebo itself was fine but the wind pushing on the velcro walls kept coming undone. We decided that we will buy some eyelets and use cable ties and give it another try later. Personally I like the 6m it gives you plenty of room the 3m would be fine for 2 - 4 people but when there's more people plus a table of food and peolple want to put their eskies out of the sun the 6m is just better. I don't think I would try using the walls as an extra verandah when you can have the comfort and ease of the bigger model. Cheers
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it will be just my missus n i using it, i seen some today and the 3m is plenty big enough for us 2. i think the 6m is a bit big because where we camp there sometimes isn't much room, and i dont have much space on the back of the ute
 
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harzee

New Member
I don't think there is a great deal of difference in size between the 2 shelters when collapsed down but the 3m will deffinately be easier to put up and down with just two people. You do neeed a large area to camp with the 6m by the time you add in the tents and cars etc. So good luck with your purchase either way
 
allanmac

allanmac

4x4 Earth Contributer
I bought one of those cheapie ones, 3mx3m, from Homemart for about $90. Use it mainly when up on the Murray when watersking etc & works a treat. Have taken it camping a couple of times & again, no problems. Key is, as others have said is to have decent ropes/pegs attached to each corner & you wont have any issues, as has stayed stable in some very heavy winds. It doesnt have sides etc, more designed for shade but it does seem reasonably waterproof.

The biggest problems I find is;

1. Takes up a fair bit of space & can only fit in the back of the 4wd with back seat layed down...
2. Cannot errect by yourself as generally need at least 2 people, preferably 3, to set/pack up...:( Takes about 2 minutes only.

I'll try to find a pic of it from the last 4wd trip.

(Not a great pic, but it is the light coloured gazebo...)

HighCountry2010004.jpg
 
ChallengeLee

ChallengeLee

Moderator
bainsy said:
Thanks for the comeback harzee, is it one of these 3x6 m Folding Outdoor Gazebo
they look pretty good, might be a bit too big, looking more about this size 3x3 m Folding Outdoor Gazebo

the 3x3 would be big enough for what i want but if it wasnt i was thinking of just using 1 of the walls as a veranda. put a few eyelets at the end to stick in extra poles.

any thoughts?
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I have the 3by3 metre one, fairly simliar to that one, apart from it only having the three side walls and have had it for a few years now and still going strong, apart from one bent pole when it got caught up in a strong wind before l added the stronger ropes and pegs. Still works though without too much trouble.

I use it for myself and my young fella and take it vitually for every camping trip. We have a large table and large icebox and our camping chairs and few other bits and bobs which all fit really well with some room to spare and move around.

I am able to put it up and down by myself without any trouble.

I have added stronger pegs and ropes to keep it anchored and find that in really strong windy weather that if you keep one side of the three unsecured or given a little slack rather than tautness it tends to not create a wind tunnel effect which is what does cause it to catch and try and lift up.

I wouldn't hesitate in buying another one once this ones given up the ghost, but l'm sure the pricing is a little higher now then when l first bought mine.
 
Pure Yobbo

Pure Yobbo

Moderator
Just a small hint guys the 3x3 is pretty long when packed up you either need a ute, roof rack or fold down the back seats. You can get a Oztrail one which folds up shorter. I havn't seen one but have read about them.

You can get all the bells & whistles for the OZ trail ones now - I saw gutters fro them in the camping shop the other day.
 
B

bks

New Member
putting up a tarp

What is the trick putting up a tarp for shelter. Tried for the first time last week and found it very difficult with two people.

We would get two poles up but when we went to put up the third it would all come down.

Any help appreciated
 
Split pin

Split pin

Active Member
Start at the corners first with the corner ropes at 90 degrees. Then do the side ones.
 
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An72

New Member
I also choose this one than the traditional Gazebo others are using. Being comfortable was probably the main reason why. When looking for a pop up gazebo, I recommend you take a few things into consideration, not just the price. Firstly consider how long your gazebo is to last. Is it just a gazebo for a festival, or is it for use in the garden through the summer and spring? Does it need to be durable and able to withstand rain, or should it be lightweight and portable?

These are just a couple of things you should consider when deciding on which pop up gazebo to buy. Price, Durability, ideal for traveling and can withstand bad weather are some reasons we need to consider.
 
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An72

New Member
Choosing a gazebo style actually depends a lot on where you plan to build it. A pop up gazebo that truly suits your needs with size, style and colour customised for you, will make all your outdoor events a breeze. While they only take a minute to popup, gazebos will provide your guests with welcomed protection from the weather. A folding gazebo with then only take minutes to take down. Shopping for a folding gazebo tents or marquee can be complex and daunting, as not everyone has experience in what to look out for. Try searching online. It's the best place where you can find different gazebo of different uses.
 
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