16 replies to this topic

[Chris70]

What you recommend on EZ up type canopy at least 10 x 20 ?
Thanks
Ademir

[dstevens]

A 10x20 is a good size for the car. I also like to have a 10x10 for the "hang out" area or hospitality if your team is big enough. I can do a table, chairs, a small microwave and BBQ, TV, SAT radio, and a porta cool or heater if the conditions dictate. If you don't have an RV it's a good place to pass the time or have a meal.

[wheel]

You can get by with a 10 x 10. I have a 10 x 20 Hard Up, that we use for the Runoffs, with the 10 x 10 EZ up, used like dstevens suggests. I am normally alone at the track, so I use the 10 x 10 every week, since I can put it up and take it down solo. I think I got it at Sam's, or Costco. The other one has a bunch of pieces, plus four walls, but takes a bit to put it together.
wheel

[fishguyaz]

I got a knockoff version of an ezup canopy.
first time using it a small wind bent up one of the horizonatal accordian hinges.
never used it again.
if you get one, buy a good one, like the real ezup brand.

[Keith Novak]

Lots of people use a 10x10, or two of them. One is a bit small when it's raining if you need somewhere dry for both you and the car. We'll sometimes set up tent city with a bunch of 10x10s all lashed together. Takes a little coordinating to get everyone off to grid and into the paddock.

Costco right now has a nice looking 10x20 for $400. The bigger you get, the sturdier it needs to be. A good wind will destroy a cheap 10x10 even if you lash it down very well. A bigger one turns into a bigger sail.

Make sure whatever size it is, you know if that's the footprint of the legs, or the canopy. Many will say 10x10, 64 sq. ft. of shade.

[Bruce Wilson]

My new Costco 10x20 held up in it's inaugural weekend, which just happened to be one of the worst weather weekends ever. Many 10x10 canopies were sacrificed to the racing gods. Can't WAIT to use it for sun shelter!!!

-bw

[Zauskycop]

Alot of times I don't make FIRM recommendations on here because, well, this will be my second year SM racing, and I just don't know enough to be an "expert". However...here I think I can. Having raced autocross for 10 years at various sites and nationals, and last year at SM races...I have used a good many EZ-up type canopies. Some good, some bad. But one in particular has risen above the rest, and I use it now exclusively as it has actually lasted me 5 years! In wind, in rain, it still survives and after I tighten it up every spring...good as new. It is by Quick Shade is is the S100.

http://www.quikshade...ail.aspx?Id=905 (also found at Sports Authority which has MANY online coupons)

It is heavy duty enough, has a silver lined "full shade" top, has a vent which lets wind through rather than tearing down the canopy. I use 2 10 x 10's next to each other, and for the most part, that works great.

THAT said, I am exploring getting another top, one of the "lean to" types that attaches to the trailer. I just have to check if a 20' canopy will work on a 20' enclosed trailer. Okay..so what have I learned.

1. Quality counts. Find a heavy duty canopy. Don't get the ones that are 10 x 10 for a footprint, but only 8 x 8 for shade. Those seem to be the cheapest.

2. 10 x 10 is the largest "segment" that you want. Don't get fooled by the 12 x 12, or 10 x 15's that are just 4 post..the span is too great and the WILL collapse with winds over 10 mph. 20 x 10's are fine as long as they have the extra bracing at the halfpoint (10 ft).

3. (my reason for exploring other options) 2 10 x 10's work great...GREAT...until it rains. Then it is a 10x10/waterfall between/10x10. Not fun. 10 x 20 would be awesome for that.

4. Buy clamps (4) for when it rains. They just don't shed water well enough (especially after stretching a bit) in a heavy rain and end up with collection points on every side when the fabric sages and catches the water. Clamping the top tightly to the sides to let the water run off in a heavy rain solves that. Otherwise you will end up "tending" the rain, or else the canopy collapses.

5. TAKE IT DOWN AT NIGHT. Just do it...you THINK it won't rain enough...you THINK it won't be windy enough...and you end up with a pile of twisted metal that looks worse than a Steyn car at Road America... (sorry Denny...looking forward to watching you drive away from me at June Sprints this year)

Hopefully, some of that will help...

[Tom Hampton]

Yup. I've seen a lot of 12 x 12 without a center pole collapsed in the wind. Or worse (and usually) wind AND rain...while the 10 x 10 soldier quietly on.

[Keith Novak]

As for 2 10x10s in the rain...

We used several for a 6hr, where it rained and rained and rained to maximize our dryish high spot in the paddock/pond. Using little Harbor Fright clamps, we rolled and clamped the 2 edges of the canopies together to prevent the waterfall where they met. It worked well enough that we were the only dryish spot in town and all the hot-pit officials were greatfull they had somewhere to hide from the weather.

The truss top style is much better for wind than the open style. I was one of the people that wasn't spared in the storm Bruce mentioned (thanks again for helping me dispose of the carnage BTW) and before the real wind even hit, the windward side had bent. They can be flimsy that way. 1 or 2 gallon buckets full of cement with an eye-hook sticking out the top make nice anchors so you don't need to lash it down to something bulky you may want to use, like your extra wheels.

[Chris70]

Thank you everyone .Looks like I am going with the Costco 10x20 as I already have some of the smaller ones.
Keith Novak, have you raced other cars besides the SMs?

[Adam Molaver]

and FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY - tie down your EZUps!!! i've got about $1000 worth of damage to my truck from someone who didn't. they managed to collect the wreckage and avoid telling me, so i didn't even know until i got on the road and noticed the huge scratch across the hood and windshield wiper. the big scratch and ding on the quarter. and the HUGE scratch across the roof. yep, i'm pissed about it.

i don't laugh anymore when i see them cartwheeling across the paddock, i get pissed. if you're not going to tie'em down, don't put 'em up.

ahm

[Blake Thompson]

i've used this one for several years.

http://www.northernt...35213_200435213

The breeze at Gingerman beat it up pretty bad once, but it's still dandy.

we got trounced with rain at grattan this year, Ill try this quick clamp trick. Thanks!

I always use motorcycle straps to cinch it to spare tires for weight, one side gets strapped to my trailer... since tie downs are not always around.

[Mark McCallister]

i don't laugh anymore when i see them cartwheeling across the paddock, i get pissed. if you're not going to tie'em down, don't put 'em up. ahm

I agree - I don't know if you watched the Sebring 12 hr race on ESPN3, but somebody's ez-up blew out of the paddock and went cartwheeling between the pace car and the lead car during a FCY. Yikes.

Two thoughts...I had a breeze come up from a T-storm at Sebring one time and torque my first QuickShade...but I had bought a no-questions-asked extended warranty from Sports Authority for like $9.99 or something and sure enough they gave me a replacement, no questions asked...

Second...a couple times I have made a point of securing the corners/edges of the parachute to the frame only very lightly on the edges, so that the side/corners will just blow up/lose instead of catching the wind and torquing the frame.

[Weekend Warrior]

I have a 40'x20' holiday canopy (used 3x) that comes with a '96 42' gooseneck trailer....... make a good offer....

[Dr.Dan]

I've used the costco ones (10x10) for about 5 years and they are still good to go. Never leave then all the way up at night. shorten the legs and tie them suckers down to the car with straps. I feel your pain Adam. same thing happen to me years ago.

[Johnny D]

Happy B-Day Dr.Dan.
J~

[dmathias]

I've used the same 12 X 20 Holiday canopy for 10 years. It's a beast - takes my wife and I 15 minutes to set-up, including TIE-DOWNS . Big enough for the car and 6-8 of your closest friends. Uses 1" electrical conduit for poles. It has survived storms that turn ez-ups into frisbees.