Is a circus tent an option???

Aloha everyone,

My son is getting older which means we've been going on day trips to the beach/off-roading more often. I've gone through two easy-pop-up canopies in the past two years and they seem to just be too weak for the amount of use I put them to. Been thinking about getting a tarp type canopy that uses 1" EMT pipe and galvanized joints. Those are much sturdier but aren't as easy to assemble (doesn't bother me though). I've looked into the ARB awning and the foxwing (or similar) type shade setups but can't decide. I don't like the ARB awning because it makes awkward shade in weird spots relative to the truck.
I'd really appreciate suggestions or pics of your setups.

I have a bed rack that I fabricated so I can mount things to it/fabricate brackets to allow for mounting.

I do a lot of bbqing and like to cover the bed so my son can play in it under the shade. Usually the pop up canopy covers the bed and 5 feet off the back of the truck so we can all have shade.

 

Brah that rack is sick, how much to fab one up?

 

Nice truck bro

I too have similar interest in shade.... pop up tents are good but like u said, not really that tough... I’ll be watching this thread. Shoots

 

I had most of the materials for free already laying around so including paint I think I paid $40 total to build it

 

Mahalo brah. I'm thinking there might be a heavier duty pop up tent that might work too.

 

Sweet, looks like you’re all set. The only issue is they turn into a parachute in the wind.

 

Thinking about welding my own canopy joints

 

Sounds like you are looking for something like this:

https://www.tentcraft.com/custom-tents-and-structures/frame-tent-models/x-series-tent

They go together quickly and easily, though the longer pipes for larger sizes can be a bit unwieldy. If you don't really care what it looks like find a local party rental company and see if they'd be willing to sell you one of their older tents.

 

If you got extra time can I get one built from you? Or just simple bed bars so I don’t have to deal with shipping from up state.

 

We’ve had this canopy for years and it’s held up great. Maybe the quality of the canopy Is the problem?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0072BVOL4/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

 

I'm pretty busy right now but are you on Oahu?

 

Yeah I'm thinking it might be the quality

 

looks like sandy beach area

 

First pic is

 

The "X's" are usually where the ez pop up tents break and bend in the wind. What we used to do was take the metal conduits from home depot or wherever, and just bungee them around the perimeter of the tent, along the "X's". The conduits keep the tent from buckling in the wind, if you been to Polihale on Kauai, you know the wind is super strong over there, after we put the conduits on the tent ive never had a problem with them breaking. Try it out, better than dropping money on shipping lol

 

Very nice setup, I like the way they don't hang over the bed like my Thule racks that always hit my garage when I backing up. Good thing it's an EZ-corner type, already changed a few supports lol.

 

Yessir Oahu

 

Maybe something like this would work for you?

 

I just bought one of those batwing awnings from Overland Vehicle Systems. If it’ll fit on your rack, I think it meets your needs. I’ve used it a couple times and so far so good.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/overland-vehicle-systems-nomadic-awning-270-driver-side-cover.html