advice sought on temporary table cover

NM_Shooter · April 20, 2009, 07:36:52 PM

I'm retiring my old camping table shelter, as it is a pain to work with and never seems to adequately protect the table.

Here are some of the details...

We "camp" at some of the forest service campgrounds that have picnic tables, and we prefer to put a shelter up over the table to keep the rain and dew off. I measured a table and they seem to be 5 feet across the seats, by up to 8' long. We usually need a little space to store propane and grills or stoves and need a bit of walk around space too.

I have plenty of hauling capacity to get stuff up to the camp. I don't like the flimsy shelters. We get hit by pretty strong storms that come up quick, and I want something durable.

I'm thinking of buying a canopy kit to build something similar to a tarped carport shelter from these folks:

http://www.creativeshelters.com/

Keep in mind that some of the picnic table areas can be a bit crowded by the forest. I'm trying to find good dimensions without having something too large to fit in some areas.

I'm thinking 10' by 14' as a shelter size, with an eave height of 6' (some ducking required) The lower eave would help to keep the rain out when it starts coming sideways. I'll probably buy wall tarps too that I can roll up when the weather is nice.

Got thoughts?

Homegrown Tomatoes · April 20, 2009, 10:19:44 PM

Honestly? My thoughts are that it sounds like a lot of work and extra junk to carry! But, IMO, if shelter is absolutely needed for the picnic table, my preferred method involves using a tarp and bungee cords and/or ropes and stretching it over the table between trees etc. Usually, I just take an extra plastic tablecloth that will cover the entire table and benches to keep them dry when we're not using them. I don't generally leave any food items/ food prep items out in the camp, including propane stoves.

April 20, 2009, 10:37:26 PM

Parachute and ropes.

NM_Shooter · April 21, 2009, 08:27:48 AM

Yeah, I know. That is a lot of work

We wouldn't set something like this up for a weekend trip. We have a 3/4 ton P/U, a 27' trailer, and lots of storage. When we head to Colorado, I'm already traveling along a dog crate, two off road motorcycles, a canoe, two fussy teenagers and an incredibly patient wife. 300lbs of tarp and poles won't slow us down any!

When we camp, we go with a lot of folks... sometimes as many as 25 people. We'll end up hosting a campfire party at least one night, usually a trout fry dinner. It rains pretty much every day in the San Juan mountains during July. Blows too. Folks frequently end up huddled under the shelters while kids get wet, muddy, cold, and covered in melted marshmallows

I want something that will cover a good amount of gear near the table, and have the option of at least two drop down sides. Seems like the shelters I am finding are either too big or too small. I need one that is juuuusssst right! (Goldilocks issues).

rick91351 · April 21, 2009, 09:21:38 AM

Do you have a Costco near by? They sell a shelter in the spring - summer months. They looks sort of like the html you attached. They have a top, sides and ends all supported by a sturdy frame. The ends or one end even zips closed, the sides can be rolled up for good ventilation. They take a few minutes to set up. Well that is after you have done it a few times and you have a crew of two or three. First time might be sort of slow. They are marketed to be a temporary car shelter. I have seen them being used of everything from church functions to parking lot sales. If that don't work check out Cabella's or one of those places for wall tents.

April 21, 2009, 09:26:27 AM

Something like the ones used at farmers' markets might work too. I'm not sure where they get them, but our local farmers' market uses some for the vendors who don't have room under the canopy, and they're sturdy looking and easily assembled and disassembled. they have heavy-duty velcro strips along the sides so that you can velcro in curtains or mosquito screens if needed. Of course, I have no idea where they get them... you might check with a place that rents tents for weddings and such and they may have a source for stuff like that, or they may even be willing to sell you a used shelter?

NM_Shooter · April 21, 2009, 03:03:37 PM

Good ideas... thanks!

Redoverfarm · April 25, 2009, 07:09:56 AM

Frank I ran across this today and thought of your earlier post.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/12x12-sportsmans-tarp-white.aspx?a=532918&pn=1

fishing_guy · April 25, 2009, 07:56:00 AM

Sportsmansguide is 10 miles from my house. It is a strange sort of store.

It has neat stuff, and is a neat place to browse. Kind of dangerous though, because you'll never quite know what you'll find there.

I got my snow pants for $20 from there 10 years ago, and they're still going strong. Not the real fance type, but quite durable.