Shade Structures for Camping

Over the years I have seen and tried a large number of different "structures". Most are heavy and bulky, or have too many pieces that never seem to fit properly, or have parts that fail.

So, my advice is to stick to a good quality tarp, some decent poles and a couple of cross bars. Easy to clean and store, don't take up a lot of space. After you have set it up a few times you will be surprised how quick and easy it is.
regards

John, I have an Oztrail Compact Gazebo, it can be up in a couple of minutes easier with two people, although the sides take a little longer. I use it more for out door events, watching sports or rally's when in one location all day, than camping.

When camping for a couple of days I use it as a kitchen and keeps out the flies, in high winds I drop the height to half way and you can still sit under it, then tighten the guide ropes.

never found any that were 'relatively sturdy' or 'water proof' either LOL,
once the wind comes up they were all fairly useless..but the easiest to pull down..and the best overall..was a heavy poly tarp about 4 x4mm that had a reinforced hole in the middle for a long tent pole and a tent pole on each corner,

looked like an older style tent without sides, still caught the wind though, the good part about it was you only had to drop the centre pole and one corner pole and it was down, once the wind nicked off, a few seconds and it was up again,

it was brilliant sitting under it on warm days, half the c'van park would congregate under it on hot days...terrific to cook drink under etc etc

had the other commercial type with frames but watching those get blown around the joint in high winds waiting for someone to get speared wasn't a good feeling

I've just bought a dome-shaped shelter - 4.2 x 4.2 metres - 17 sq m instead of the 18 of 3 x 6.

It can be set up totally independant of any trees.

You can buy it from Rays Outdoors for $299 - or from ALDI at $189 normally, $149 while on special.

One we've used for a few years now was a $40 special from Kmart. It is a shaped tarp, came with poles and pegs. It is starting to stretch now but it has a lot of use. See here for a look at it. For the money and it's quality it has been brilliant.

I basically agree with those who have said a tarp and some poles are the best - all the parts are replaceable and available anywhere and it is flexible. No two camping spots are the same - sometimes you need a windbreak, other times a rain shelter or combination of both. A tarp and poles let you build something on the spot that suits the situation.

Cheers
Dion

John, I use the plain tarp with 4 poles concept also. It is low cost and versatile.
My tarp is 6m x 4m so it can be erected as a 4m x 4m roof with the spare 2m hanging down one side as a wind-break. If weather is worse I add another tarp on a second side as further protection. It only serves as the cooking and seating area when camping as we sleep in the back of the Troopy.

For quick overnight stops we just hook the tarp to the Troopy roof-rack and use two poles.

Agree with Allan B, bought a Bunnings Tarp and poles and ropes at a camping store, all up 4 poles 8 ropes and tarp maybe $97. Have 2 size small and large can attach to roof rack, trees or anyone standing still long enough. Bunnings have a really good quality tarp that's 3 bonded layers silver one side black the other - silver reflects the heat and sun. About $29 for a 6x8 $39 for a 8x10 (I think) and they double as liners in the back of the wagon. They are heavy to fold but follow the creases and your right, also they take a punishment - the tool box hasn't rubbed holes in it yet. The cheapo woven ones are a waste of time, they fray in the wind and are not the most waterproof...you get what you pay for! I threw both the cheapo and "quality cheapo" out after 6 months!

Have to add my vote for a tarp.

Good quality tarp,
It is versatile as you can set thee poles nice and high on hot dry days to keep the radiant heat out, or low in rain. You can choose your slope and angle to suit the sun, wind or rain or a combination of the above
In extreme weather you can set it up son you can put your tent under it
For the record I tried several other structures including the domed Coleman and although some are good, nothing beats the old tarp
Hint, do not go too big as setup difficulty increases exponentially with size

CJ

Over the years I have used a number of different "gazebos" or shade shelters when working out doors. We have a great big truck to carry them in so space is not a problem, and as the boss I have a couple of handy lads to put them up. Just as well they are all huge and heavy.

They all work pretty well on a still sunny day but if the rain comes or the wind gets above a gentle breeze they are useless.

When camping, if staying in one spot for a while I put up a tarp. Mine is 9m x 7.5m I use about 16 poles and hang it over the Trak Shak. It is a good quality silver and green tarp with seat belt webbing sewn into the hems. It has withstood some pretty solid winds. Think south coast NSW in summer with the big southerly buster coming through. I use inner tube rubber as shock absorbers on all guy ropes. It takes me and my son about 1hour to put up and about 30min to take down. On a hot summers day it is worth every drop of sweat spilled putting it up because it keeps the Trak Shak and me cool.

Duncs

Oztrail would be the way to go, all you have to do is visit the next dog show in your area & you will see hundreds of gazebo's!



We have the 3m x 3m version of the above & it works very well & is OK in moderate wind too. In addtion you could tie guy ropes to each corner if you were going to leave it up & unattended, but since it is really very simple to drop it down on its legs, or as we do at the dog shows is remove the canopy part if we leave them up overnight if we are not there to supervise.

The 3x3 I can put up myself, the 6x3 would need two people at least I would say, but may one person can do it with skill.

I also lubricate the sliding components with silicon spray as that makes it 100 times easier to put up & fold down.

As a bonus the 3x3 version can fit across the floor well in front of the 2nd row seats in the Prado!

Make sure you get the heavy duty version, the poles are a little thicker & as such stronger.

Cheers

Hi John

Another place to try is the local netball competition oval. Netball teams use them all the time for shade for kids between games. The might have good information on where available in your area and prices etc.

You will also find them in a range of brands & sizes at any markets.

I saw some Oztrail models at BCF the other day. 3m x 3m @ $250 and 6m x 3m @ <$500 I think. Didn't ask but wouldn't be surprised if you could get sides for them too. The legs had feet with a couple of holes for pegs. Looked pretty solid and well-made.

Thought it looked a good idea and if I didn't already have tarps and poles I would consider one.

I bought an OzTrail, 3mx4.5m, set-up from Anaconda recently. Although this was more for use in the back yard etc rather than for camping. For camping we have always used a tarp, which is very easy and takes up little space.

Having said that I am going away with a group next week down on the South Coast so I've thrown in the OzTrail......it is very easy to erect..but comes with a weight / space penalty especially if touring.

I'd go a tarp for 'normal' touring....

Cheers

Bunnings current flyer lists a Party Pavilion Gazebo for $149.

It's 3m x 6m and uses 6 poles. It shows walls only on one side.

I/N3190687