Shade

Submitted: Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:09

ThreadID: 77102 Views:4425 Replies:6 FollowUps:5

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missy

Sorry if this has been done to death.
The search function and myself are at logger heads.

My family and I are going on a 7 month camping trip from June to early next year.
We have a Freedom tent and the back of our triton has been converted to have storage and fridges etc.

Over the benches in our Triton we have a awning.

We have no other shade though.

Was wondering what people do for shade?
Is it the old tarp and a few poles or are there better and easier ways to set up a kitchen area or area the kids can play.

cheers

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Reply By: Harry - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:22

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:22

Try this
Go to BCF website, type in search RV shade deluxe.
It might solve your problem.
I have one of these and works very well, if it looks like rain, out it comes and suction caps hold it onto vehicle.(very strong)
In my case it covers the kitchen area of the camper, and keeps the wind out too. Saves putting the annexe up.
They cost about $120 and are well made.
Ave a good one.

AnswerID: 409980

Follow Up By: missy - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:27

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:27

Thanks.

I had a look.

So when you want to take a drive you need to pull it down?

I think I like the idea of a more permanent structure. Something will stay up the whole 4-5 days we are on site.

Ideal would be fast up and down and compact when folded.

Dreaming much?

FollowupID: 679927

Follow Up By: Tenpounder (SA) - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:41

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:41

Hi there. Have you thought of an awning attached to your Freedom tent, rather than to your vehicle? We have such a thing. You'll need a few poles and guys, but, by the time you have finished, you can have a 20ft by 10ft awning, free of the tow vehicle, covering the doorway to the tent and partly supported by the tent, but with the extremities supported by poles and guys.
Ours happens to be a Freedom awning, purpose built for the Freedom 13ft by 10ft, but I can't see why you can't achieve the same result with a decent quality canvas tarp. Since Freedom have been saying 'about to close', you may have no choice anyway!!
We have actually used the awning to bridge between the tent and the vehicle, which may be useful in bad weather since it stabilises the outfit.

FollowupID: 679928

Follow Up By: Member - Boeing (PER) - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:52

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:52

Hi Chris, We have the large awning for the "Freedom" family tourer and whilst the area covered is extensive, it takes a while to put up correctly. The tent itself is a 10 min job. My daughter has a Oz trail deluxe gazebo and we took it away a couple of weekends ago and were very impressed. So impressed that we purchased one on special, took it away down south and of course it rained on the Saturday night but with the gazebo up we could cook under there and not get wet. Only takes 5 min to put up or take down.

FollowupID: 679929

Reply By: outsider - Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:35

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 at 22:35

those instant gazebos are hard to go past, So quick and easy to put up and put away, free standing so you can put it anywhere. you can pick up a decent steel framed one for a couple of hundred.
Mine came with mesh walls which are great if there are bugs around.

AnswerID: 409982

Reply By: Member - Nathan & Lyndsey (WA) - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 02:33

Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 02:33

Hi Missy.

We use a Mosquito net tent (think thats what they are called). It's just a mesh tent basically but the roof is tent material.
Also good to cook or wash dishes in when insects are annoying !!!

Lyndsey

AnswerID: 409994

Reply By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 08:38

Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 08:38

We have the Oz Trail Deluxe gazebo..... a bit dearer but a much more sturdy item that will last longer than the cheaper ones. We have used ours for the last 5 or 6 years, you can also buy fly net sidewalls and solid sidewalls, which are a brilliant addition in outback area's with lot's of insects and the solid walls when it's raining provide a dry environment rather than having to huddle in the tent.

Wouldn't be without one to be honest!

Cheers

Brian

AnswerID: 410008

Reply By: missy - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:16

Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 10:16

Thanks for all your replies.

Now I need to do some research and then find a decent price.

Would you go secondhand for say the oztrail gazebo? Can they be abused and then be crap?

AnswerID: 410026

Follow Up By: Member - Boeing (PER) - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 21:10

Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 21:10

Missy, When they are on special, the price is $199.... one of the major camping retailers will have on special either prior to or just after easter.

FollowupID: 680025

Reply By: Farmboywa - Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 22:14

Tuesday, Mar 23, 2010 at 22:14

missy, I don't think there are any shortcuts to a patch of deep shade and a square of medium weight waterproof canvas with eyelets in the corners and one in the middle like the roof of a marquee will prove to be a durable and versatile addition to your campsite. Happy Days.

AnswerID: 410133