Gazebo or other Shelter
Discussion
Traditionally we have camped in Expo which has given the ability to a gazebo to a cattle shed to assist in its structural rigidity. However last year and this year we are in Epinettes.
Last year we had a pop-up gazebo, not one of the particularly cheap ones either, however it was trashed when water collected on the roof, collapsing it. So I am now in the market for a gazebo or some other shelter. Minimum size 3m by 3m but probably prefer up to 4m by 4m.
Options appear to include a Gala Tent Pop up gazebo starting at £200 or one of their marques at £200
There is also the Coleman Event Shelter from around £125 plus sides.
What have others tried?
Last year we had a pop-up gazebo, not one of the particularly cheap ones either, however it was trashed when water collected on the roof, collapsing it. So I am now in the market for a gazebo or some other shelter. Minimum size 3m by 3m but probably prefer up to 4m by 4m.
Options appear to include a Gala Tent Pop up gazebo starting at £200 or one of their marques at £200
There is also the Coleman Event Shelter from around £125 plus sides.
What have others tried?
The Coleman event shelter is the standard "look at those buggers with the posh tent" product. Normally, I'd say get that one.
However, the second Unitend Autosports car, and all round great chap (well, when I knew him aged 13) Chris England are on the ELMS grid this year thanks to Gala Tent. If you go to a market anywhere in England, they probably use gala tents.
If it were me, I'd a good excuse not to buy the gala. They're supporting our sport, after all. Coleman obviously make a great product, but a V8 Ligier looks and sounds much better to me than a small gas bottle and a jar of mustard.
However, the second Unitend Autosports car, and all round great chap (well, when I knew him aged 13) Chris England are on the ELMS grid this year thanks to Gala Tent. If you go to a market anywhere in England, they probably use gala tents.
If it were me, I'd a good excuse not to buy the gala. They're supporting our sport, after all. Coleman obviously make a great product, but a V8 Ligier looks and sounds much better to me than a small gas bottle and a jar of mustard.
For 5 years we've gone with the £15 from Argos and abandon it option. Has worked ok apart from one year when the wind killed it on Thursday 
I'm sure a cheapo can also be picked up at carrefour / decathlon.
This year we've upgraded to a coleman event shelter having seen quite a few stand up to severe weather... can't report yet whether worth it or not.
Gala tents do look good if space to transport it isn't a problem (IE you're in a van/equivalent).
I'm sure a cheapo can also be picked up at carrefour / decathlon.
This year we've upgraded to a coleman event shelter having seen quite a few stand up to severe weather... can't report yet whether worth it or not.
Gala tents do look good if space to transport it isn't a problem (IE you're in a van/equivalent).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AirWave-3x3m-Pop-Up-Gaze...
I bought one of these for last year's trip... If you were there, you'll remember that there was thunderstorm of biblical proportions on Wednesday night... it survived that... and it even had a big flagpole attached to it. Another handy thing is that you can hang towels and other items for drying underneath the connopy, howere it is heavy and required at least two people to put it up...b ut is is going back this year for another bash!
Not affiliated with any vendors in any way....
I bought one of these for last year's trip... If you were there, you'll remember that there was thunderstorm of biblical proportions on Wednesday night... it survived that... and it even had a big flagpole attached to it. Another handy thing is that you can hang towels and other items for drying underneath the connopy, howere it is heavy and required at least two people to put it up...b ut is is going back this year for another bash!
Not affiliated with any vendors in any way....
Edited by Great Dane on Monday 2nd May 23:04
I'm a scout & cub leader so get to check out a lot of kit from other packs as well as our own. Coleman stuff is OK to start with but doesn't last. We have a 5x5m unit for BBQ duty at fetes but it's gone saggy in the centre and the legs wander around a bit if the ground is hard standing / unpeggable.
The gala tents I can't fault and now have a 4x4m for our Le Mans group. After 4 years of the buy cheap crap and leave it approach. Think it was 2012 we nearly lost a camp built to house 22 for dinner Went back to snall groups after that but this year we are back up to 11. Might need an extension. Bear in mind for around £350 your getting something good for at least 10 years. I decided to buy when a chap pitched up near us showed us his 6x4 which was 7 years old and still looking great.
Went for the mid range pvc coated so it doesn't have that crispy crackle every time the wind flaps. The key thing is their after sales. Any part you lose can be replaced. And you can upgrade. I added the ground bars 2 years ago just to stop the sides billowing as much. The 14 inch rebar pegs have to be seen to be believed! Lesson learned... soak the stoney sandy ground first and they go in a lot easier. Even a 1lb lump hammer struggled! Once they are in though. .. you don't need guy ropes!
The only criticism .. the gable ends could do with a cross piece as its a huge 4m section to act as a sail. I think it may be possible as we have a 10x6m span for scouts and there's a diagonal piece they use to extend the 4m to a 6m which has a cross beam. Waiting to get on a camp this year and check it out. That said it took me a day to notice the first year we hadn't pegged it down. Lol. Just the guys were attached!
The gala tents I can't fault and now have a 4x4m for our Le Mans group. After 4 years of the buy cheap crap and leave it approach. Think it was 2012 we nearly lost a camp built to house 22 for dinner
Went back to snall groups after that but this year we are back up to 11. Might need an extension. Bear in mind for around £350 your getting something good for at least 10 years. I decided to buy when a chap pitched up near us showed us his 6x4 which was 7 years old and still looking great. Went for the mid range pvc coated so it doesn't have that crispy crackle every time the wind flaps. The key thing is their after sales. Any part you lose can be replaced. And you can upgrade. I added the ground bars 2 years ago just to stop the sides billowing as much. The 14 inch rebar pegs have to be seen to be believed! Lesson learned... soak the stoney sandy ground first and they go in a lot easier. Even a 1lb lump hammer struggled! Once they are in though. .. you don't need guy ropes!
The only criticism .. the gable ends could do with a cross piece as its a huge 4m section to act as a sail. I think it may be possible as we have a 10x6m span for scouts and there's a diagonal piece they use to extend the 4m to a 6m which has a cross beam. Waiting to get on a camp this year and check it out. That said it took me a day to notice the first year we hadn't pegged it down. Lol. Just the guys were attached!
Ps... i know what happens to those not so cheap pop up gazebos when it rains. I was dragged the worse for wear from my tent at 2.30am to find several buddies trying to salvage what they could undr a collapsed gazebo. I ended up as a wobbly drunken tent leg for several minutes while gaffa tape, bits of wood and someone with enough brain power left was found to put it all back together. I remember being told off for standing there smoking a fag when i was being asked to pass something within arms reach. Lol
Pfft. You're all lightweights.
Our 15 quid Homebase gazebo survived the mighty Houx Storm of 2015 that wenesday. All it too was 5 of us holding it lovingly for about an hour whilst alternating between shivering and demanding more beer.
The motivation behind this heroic effort? protect the 15 quid Gumtree fridge =)
Our 15 quid Homebase gazebo survived the mighty Houx Storm of 2015 that wenesday. All it too was 5 of us holding it lovingly for about an hour whilst alternating between shivering and demanding more beer.
The motivation behind this heroic effort? protect the 15 quid Gumtree fridge =)
While we've used that approach it misees 1 key point... what happens if you are all trackside/watching the drivers parade/sat in Tet Rouge etc. Or do you have a tent monitor duty rota 
We've actually been very lucky not to lose the camp. Le Mans has a nasty habit of whipping up some south westerlies. .. useful to know when pitching anything big.
We've actually been very lucky not to lose the camp. Le Mans has a nasty habit of whipping up some south westerlies. .. useful to know when pitching anything big.
Well we are still using a couple of basic 3 by 3 gazebo's that are at least 7 years old, we are short of space as always and some of the modern gazebo's look great but we simply do not have room for them, the storms over the last few years have destroyed many expensive shelters around us but ours have always just about survived
I find the best option is a cheap gazebo, but with some modifications - not had one break or collapse yet in at least five years of doing it.
Make sure it's one with a tarpaulin cover, not fabric - I think Tesco, Homebase and Argos all have something suitable. During assembly of the frame duct tape the joints to better resist the twisting forces. Then duct tape the seams of the canopy - the canopy itself is waaterproof but the sems leak so need to be sealed.
Most important though, is the guy-ropes. The ones it comes with are weak and springy, the pegs are bendy and short so this is why most gazebos take to the skies at Le Mans. Punch a small hole in the corner of the canopy and anchor some steel cored washing line to the frame. Run the line out at 45 degrees and peg down with proper pegs (or maybe even two pegs for extra security). Repeat for all four corners. Do not be tempted to tie the lines to the tabs provided on the canopy, these will tear off when enough tension is applied.
You can now cable tie tarpaulins to the frame if you need an extension and seal off a couple of sides for weather protection. You will have something which wouldn't look out of place at Sangatte, and can't be taken down, but it will keep you protected and dry for a total spend of about twenty quid.
Make sure it's one with a tarpaulin cover, not fabric - I think Tesco, Homebase and Argos all have something suitable. During assembly of the frame duct tape the joints to better resist the twisting forces. Then duct tape the seams of the canopy - the canopy itself is waaterproof but the sems leak so need to be sealed.
Most important though, is the guy-ropes. The ones it comes with are weak and springy, the pegs are bendy and short so this is why most gazebos take to the skies at Le Mans. Punch a small hole in the corner of the canopy and anchor some steel cored washing line to the frame. Run the line out at 45 degrees and peg down with proper pegs (or maybe even two pegs for extra security). Repeat for all four corners. Do not be tempted to tie the lines to the tabs provided on the canopy, these will tear off when enough tension is applied.
You can now cable tie tarpaulins to the frame if you need an extension and seal off a couple of sides for weather protection. You will have something which wouldn't look out of place at Sangatte, and can't be taken down, but it will keep you protected and dry for a total spend of about twenty quid.
jamiebae said:
I find the best option is a cheap gazebo, but with some modifications - not had one break or collapse yet in at least five years of doing it.
Make sure it's one with a tarpaulin cover, not fabric - I think Tesco, Homebase and Argos all have something suitable. During assembly of the frame duct tape the joints to better resist the twisting forces. Then duct tape the seams of the canopy - the canopy itself is waaterproof but the sems leak so need to be sealed.
Most important though, is the guy-ropes. The ones it comes with are weak and springy, the pegs are bendy and short so this is why most gazebos take to the skies at Le Mans. Punch a small hole in the corner of the canopy and anchor some steel cored washing line to the frame. Run the line out at 45 degrees and peg down with proper pegs (or maybe even two pegs for extra security). Repeat for all four corners. Do not be tempted to tie the lines to the tabs provided on the canopy, these will tear off when enough tension is applied.
You can now cable tie tarpaulins to the frame if you need an extension and seal off a couple of sides for weather protection. You will have something which wouldn't look out of place at Sangatte, and can't be taken down, but it will keep you protected and dry for a total spend of about twenty quid.
Agree with all of that, but what do you do about the sides? Or are you only using a canopy? We have a full camp kitchen, TV, fridge freezer etc so used to get a 3x 10m for about £90. We tried everything to stop the sides blowing out but never found a solution other than fold them down and let the wind go where it wants. Not exactly shelter! Make sure it's one with a tarpaulin cover, not fabric - I think Tesco, Homebase and Argos all have something suitable. During assembly of the frame duct tape the joints to better resist the twisting forces. Then duct tape the seams of the canopy - the canopy itself is waaterproof but the sems leak so need to be sealed.
Most important though, is the guy-ropes. The ones it comes with are weak and springy, the pegs are bendy and short so this is why most gazebos take to the skies at Le Mans. Punch a small hole in the corner of the canopy and anchor some steel cored washing line to the frame. Run the line out at 45 degrees and peg down with proper pegs (or maybe even two pegs for extra security). Repeat for all four corners. Do not be tempted to tie the lines to the tabs provided on the canopy, these will tear off when enough tension is applied.
You can now cable tie tarpaulins to the frame if you need an extension and seal off a couple of sides for weather protection. You will have something which wouldn't look out of place at Sangatte, and can't be taken down, but it will keep you protected and dry for a total spend of about twenty quid.
The gala tents have large rubberised tabs to hold onto the frame and then all zip together. Solid.
TransverseTight said:
Agree with all of that, but what do you do about the sides? Or are you only using a canopy? We have a full camp kitchen, TV, fridge freezer etc so used to get a 3x 10m for about £90. We tried everything to stop the sides blowing out but never found a solution other than fold them down and let the wind go where it wants. Not exactly shelter!
The gala tents have large rubberised tabs to hold onto the frame and then all zip together. Solid.
Usually we'd tie a tarp to the frame and run it out at a 45 degree angle. The weakest link in this is normally the eyelets in the tarp, so again duct tape comes in handy to reinforce them and add new ones where needed.The gala tents have large rubberised tabs to hold onto the frame and then all zip together. Solid.
I imagine with a 3x10m unit the forces are much higher than a 3x3 so it might not work though. I suppose the big issue is the frame itself bending because of the air pressure on the walls.
TransverseTight said:
We've actually been very lucky not to lose the camp. Le Mans has a nasty habit of whipping up some south westerlies. ..
That happened to a big marque tent on Houx Annex sometime in 2005/7. Lifted it clear off the ground, landed on the roof of my Dads mondeo scratching the paint and then smashed into a guys LOCOST. I remember the guys in the camp having to give the LOCOST guy a fairly decent cheque.So we always secure our gazebo do the car, as well as pegs. An extra guy rope round the spokes of an alloy wheel is about as much extra re-assurence you can get.
Edited by DMN on Tuesday 3rd May 12:05
The Rock Awning ones are great. 
We've got a 6x6 one - not the basic one or the really expensive one(s) but the one up from the basic ones and it is worth the money.
Have also got a Homebase one which is 3x3 and is quite good as well - it's got drip holes so water can't collect, but it does drip though.... and a vent at the top as well.
We've got a 6x6 one - not the basic one or the really expensive one(s) but the one up from the basic ones and it is worth the money.Have also got a Homebase one which is 3x3 and is quite good as well - it's got drip holes so water can't collect, but it does drip though.... and a vent at the top as well.
Some Gump said:
Pfft. You're all lightweights.
Our 15 quid Homebase gazebo survived the mighty Houx Storm of 2015 that wenesday. All it too was 5 of us holding it lovingly for about an hour whilst alternating between shivering and demanding more beer.
The motivation behind this heroic effort? protect the 15 quid Gumtree fridge =)
as a lightweight I fell asleep during the storm.... was very surprised the morning after to see my gazebo was still there in one pieceOur 15 quid Homebase gazebo survived the mighty Houx Storm of 2015 that wenesday. All it too was 5 of us holding it lovingly for about an hour whilst alternating between shivering and demanding more beer.
The motivation behind this heroic effort? protect the 15 quid Gumtree fridge =)
We have taken a large 3x3 pop up Gazebo for the past 10 years and it's been great. it's getting close to the end of it's life now but with looking after it and re- water proofing it does it job very well and cost us £150. Not bad for £15 a year and used for other events as well
we have similar to this but with a front door as well
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4...
enough room for up to 8 and a table to hold the beer
we have similar to this but with a front door as well
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4...
enough room for up to 8 and a table to hold the beer
Great Dane said:
Some Gump said:
Pfft. You're all lightweights.
Our 15 quid Homebase gazebo survived the mighty Houx Storm of 2015 that wenesday. All it too was 5 of us holding it lovingly for about an hour whilst alternating between shivering and demanding more beer.
The motivation behind this heroic effort? protect the 15 quid Gumtree fridge =)
as a lightweight I fell asleep during the storm.... was very surprised the morning after to see my gazebo was still there in one pieceOur 15 quid Homebase gazebo survived the mighty Houx Storm of 2015 that wenesday. All it too was 5 of us holding it lovingly for about an hour whilst alternating between shivering and demanding more beer.
The motivation behind this heroic effort? protect the 15 quid Gumtree fridge =)
Basically it rained for the whole week. Then there were the hailstones in 1998.
So we might be due a proper one again in 2016...
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