Awnings/EZ-UPs for the paddock

[ehasler]

My awning didn't survive a very wet and windy weekend at Snetterton, so I'm looking to replace it.

I'm looking for an EZ-UP style awning, with sidewalls, but these seem to vary in price quite a bit, but it's hard to tell whether you get what you pay for.

Does anyone have any particular recommendations? I'm looking for something good rather than cheap, around the 3mx4.5m size.

Currently, these ones look good, but I've not been able to find much information about them - has anyone got one?

[SimonY]

It looks like those are the same as Hamilton Classic Swift Shade Pro ( http://www.hamiltonclassic.co.uk/ProductInformatio... ) which we have. It is quite big and heavy when folded up (4.5x3), but does to seem to be much stronger than previous ones which have folded themselves up. Tested at Snetterton this year in the wind - recommended

Edited by SimonY on Tuesday 29th May 10:23

[morebeanz]

I recently bought a Pro-Tex one. Very sturdy and quite easy to set up. Even though it's aluminium, it's actually quite heavy too, which is probably a good thing in bad weather!

Recommended...

[ehasler]

Cool - looks like the Pro-Tex is favourite at the moment!

Do you know of any suppliers cheaper than the link I posted?

[AtomicRex]

I'm just in the process of chatting to Canopies Southwest.

Their modular system looks rather good! We lost our awning in the bad weather the other day...and having looked through countless places these guys certainly were the friendliest and communication with Sallie (Tel [phone]) either by Telephone or email has been great.

I'm getting 2 3m x 4.5m and then, as it is modular, joining them together...plus getting some sign writing on the top. You can get all of the sides, with windows and zips, and in a good range of colours.

Their website is www.canopiessouthwest.co.uk

[Graham]

morebeanz said:

I recently bought a Pro-Tex one. Very sturdy and quite easy to set up. Even though it's aluminium, it's actually quite heavy too, which is probably a good thing in bad weather!

Recommended...

They do look a good quality/price combo. How do the sides attach. thats always a weak point on the cheap ones that have a couple of bits of thin velcro that are too short to do anything other then be annoying...

[ehasler]

The sides attach with velcro to the frame, and zips to the other side sheets, plus they have eyelets in the bottom so you can stake them to the ground.

[Graham]

Ed did you end up with any of these? if so any good ?

G

[thunderbelmont]

As a very short notice job, I bought a 3m x 9m "Party awning" from B&Q for £72.

You get what you pay for!!

I'm sure if we could have tied it down better, it wouldn't have been so much trouble! It would also have helped if the tubes fitted together and the cover actually fitted the frame (frame was about 4" too long compared to the roof!)

It kept the rain off of us at Rockingham for the July meeting (except when it was trying to imitate a box kite)

[liner33]

After going through a few awnings i found the best way to keep them was to tie them down properly

I bought bags designed for bouncy castles and then filled them with sand and used bungees to keep the awning stable, mine never blew away despite getting pretty battered.

[ehasler]

Graham said:

Ed did you end up with any of these? if so any good ?

G

Oops - only just saw this!

I've not got round to getting one, as I've not done anything with my car yet and so won't be back racing until next year. Will take a look at what's on offer at the Autosport show, and will probably buy something then.