Best freestanding shelter?

[KDog]

What are folks using for a free standing shelter that is bomber?

Our pop-up Quik Shade broke last trip, not that it was all that sturdy to begin with.

I want to replace it and have seen some on REI's site like their Alcove or the ARS (aluminum rapid shelter).

REI Alcove

ARS

I would like something like the Alcove which is light and compact, but it looks flimsy. The ARS looks bulky and heavy, but burly.

Wind, sun and rain compatible is the idea.

Is there a expedition tested product out there?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Tucson T4R]

I got one of these wings from Moss before MSR bought them. Looks like the same product and it works great. I have had mine survive a few severe thunderstorms with high winds.

http://www.msrgear.com/tents/outfitterwing.asp

 

[Mike S]

I have an MSR parawing and like it - nice and taut easy to set up and about 200 SF for shade and shelter.

They also had a Outfitter wing that was bigger, but I don't know if they still have them. I sold my last ne a couple of weeks ago.

m

 

[paulj]

My recent Idaho trip pictures show that I used a Kelty Noah 12 wing tarp most nights, setting it up over the camp table, or hanging off the side of my car.

I also have a MSR Vista, which works well on the car. MSR just started making it again. It's a smaller version of the Outfitter that others mention.

But these are not freestanding. Prior to getting these I made good use of a Kelty Sunshade. This is a 3 leg free standing tarp. I don't have experience with the 4 leg ones, but I suspect the 3 leg version will stand up to winds better, provided it is properly staked down. It has a couple of downsides:
- with fiberglass poles it packs heavy (ok for car camping, too much for backpacking)
- headroom around the sides isn't quite as good with 4 leg ones
- it doesn't completely cover a typical table
- it requires a good tug to get the poles in the grommets.


paulj

 

[mrlocksmith]

Not freestanding but you might consider the Kelty Carport Deluxe Awning. Mine has held up very well camping in treeless and windy 40 MPH Nevda. Just stake it down and tighten the straps and the thing hardly flaps in the wind.

Mark

 

[Tucson T4R]

Not freestanding but you might consider the Kelty Carport Deluxe Awning. Mine has held up very well camping in treeless and windy 40 MPH Nevda. Just stake it down and tighten the straps and the thing hardly flaps in the wind.

Mark

That looks like a pretty nice set up. :drool:

 

[KDog]

Hmmm,

Is that Kelty Carport rain worthy? I agree you have a nice setup there.

The MSR parawings look big enough to cover a trailer! Free standing is a misnomer since you have to stake and guy for the wind anyway.

Thanks for the ideas.

Kevin

 

[paulj]

The fabric is the normal waterproof polyester that Kelty uses.

However when rigged on my Element, the central panel is nearly horizontal, so rain water pools on it. I tried various configurations, and found that the most effective thing was to rig it with a forward tilt, so rain water drains toward the hood. To do this, I put a 4" block of foam between the tarp frame and the rear roof rack bar.

With a different height vehicle this might not be a problem. It is also possible to rig it with the outboard ends raised. The deluxe model comes with poles to do this. However the raised version looks like an airfoil just begging to fly away in the breeze.

There are some pictures of my Carport rig (and the other tarps) on my pbase gallery
http://www.pbase.com/paulj3/element_camping

 

[paulj]

Some other Element owners are becoming experts in using the Kelty Carport - or 2 in this post:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=634372&postcount=1380

 

[SunMan]

Kelty Fest

Here are pics of the Kelty Carport Medium, Carport Deluxe, and Shade Structure all in action...can't say enough about them.

FYI, the Shade Structure and Carport Deluxe are a bit more wind sensitive than the medium...

 

[rctr03]

i think the carport works great! wind proven.

 

[Bella PSD]

Take a look at Paha Que'.
http://www.pahaque.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PQWO&Product_Code=900-6000-000&Category_Code=sr12x10

Best free standing screen room I have ever owned.(thanks VikingVince!) So far, wind and rain, no problem. In two weeks I will have it out on the NC beach for the ultimate wind test. I am confident it will hold up just fine!

Louie