I want to purchase a new booth this spring and had been leaning towards the ES100S from EZ-UP because I liked that the bag had wheels and also the easy toggles on the legs vs the push pins. After reading some of the reviews on Amazon, I'm hesitant. Apparently the zippered bag is breaking down. I need a booth that one person can set up and I'm not crazy about the tube system because of the time they take to set-up. Would love to hear from other "short ladies" on what they are using. I am a painter and I use gridwalls for hanging.
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If you do not want the route of the Trimeline, I recommend the Undercover Professional R-2.
I have multiple tents, including Trimeline, Undercover R-2 & Undercover R-3.
Each have their plus and minus.
To address what you seem to desire, the R-2 with the CRS walls is very good.
The R-2 is heavier duty than the R-3, contrary to the naming conventions.
I have used it for over a year, in many shows with very bad weather. It held up when 5 tents around me failed due to high winds and rains.
I can set it up, myself in about 15 minutes, complete.
It can be setup by someone with limited height and strength.
When packing it up, remove the side walls. Leave the top on the unit as it was setup. It fits in the roller bag, perfectly. Yes it is a bit tight, however it is just a matter of making sure it is collapsed into itself all the way and that the protective reinforcement plates (mounted in the bag) are not caught on the frame.
Whoever stated it is not designed to go back in the bag with the roof still on was mistaken or not talking about the R-2 / R-3.
I have made my own awnings for it. I used brackets from flourish to support it at the corners and regular EMT pipe and fittings for the rest of the frame.
No leak problems yet.
As far as concerns for water gathering in heavy rain. The unit has a center adjustment you can easily turn, by hand, to tighten the top. This keeps water from pooling.
As too the issue of customer service. I have found them to be very good in service. I've called and spoken to them multiple times. Every time they were helpful. I had one damaged carry bag, they sent me a replacement.
i use different tents for different shows.
If it is one where I need quick, easy setup perhaps a one day show, I still use the Undercover.
With any of the tents I use the Flourish mesh panels for display. The same mesh panels fit all my different tents.
I still find Flourish to be great with their customer service and quality product. However for your concerns, the Undercover R-2 with CRS curtain walls, would be the best option.
I have this tent; the bag is holding up well after 6 years. When it came, the bag was so tight I didn't think the tent would ever go back in, but it does (and more easily if you pack only what you need, not every last accessory). I have had more trouble with bent struts after I ran over a leg with a trailer. Once struts get bent, even new replacements dont guarantee that everything is still in alignment. Still, that was 2 years ago and it's still workable. It has survived a number of storms and not leaked or blown over.
One person can put it up, but slowly.
I recently bought one of the UnderCover set ups after deciding that my old Craft Hut - which takes me about an hour and a half to set up even with help was just too much - especially when I saw others setting up the booth in about 20 minutes! Have only used it a couple of times, but these are the problems as I see it: No way could I get the canopy base with the top left on back into the wheeled bag. Called the company to see if there's some trick to it and they finally said the bag is not designed to take the base plus top - only the base. Well, one of the reasons I bought it was to leave the top on! Second problem: If you are a 2 d artist, I'm a watercolorist, and you want to display on the outside walls, you are going to want awnings for shade protection. Now, since the Under Cover system's side curtains are stitched closed at the corners and open in the center, this creates a problem for any kind of awning support - you see? I had a local upholsterer put zippers on each corner but this has made closing the center zippers REALLY difficult. I think I'm going to have to have an extra piece added to relieve some of the tension. Or maybe buy side curtains from another brand, but I really like the way the Under Cover side curtains slide on the wire with snap hooks. As you can see, I still haven't figured out what to do.
As to setting it up by myself (I'm a small woman - though strong after over 35 yrs of doing shows ), it's not as easy as it first appears. Lifting each corner to snap it in place - not easy either. But a plus is it comes down really easy at teardown! At least with the Craft Hut the pieces were easy to put together, the hard part being the canopy top - HEAVY ! - and lifting it at each leg to raise it to the correct height.
So far I have not solved these new problems, plus that thing is HEAVY to get in and out of the van and the wheeled bag does not roll all that easily over bumpy grass.
Don't know how helpful I've been, but pointed out some of the problems I've experienced. Best to think through what your own requirements are and go from there.
Hi Tracy,
I didn't like the curtains closing in the middle of the sides, so I investigated other sides. Finally got a set of Easy-Up curtains. Now the issue is that the Easy-up sides attach way up high, have to lift the corners of the top detaching part of the velcro, then attach the EZup sides, then pull the corners down over the sides. I've decided to add some fabric at the top of the sides so that I can fasten the top edges of the sides under the velcro corners of the canopy. That sounds so convoluted. I hope that you can make sense of it.
Hi!
I would encourage you to go with Trim Line. In the long run, it will pay off. Yes, it is heavier but it's designed to stay up in a storm when EZ ups will be flying all around you. The new Trim Lines have legs that extend similar to the EZ Up. Also, if you call EZ Up and explain to them your situation they will be able to help you solve any issues. I am 4'10" tall and I have set up my Trim Line by myself many times. Not anymore, now I am 73 and no longer have the strength but I still can get the tent all together and just need help raising it. Also, when I first got the tent we color coded (with tape) all the pipes so we knew exactly what pipes went with what. I can get the whole frame set up by myself in the time that it takes my husband to go park the car. With EZ up or something similar, you will be looking at replacing within a few years if not one year. That's not the case with Trim Line. If you divide the pipes in enough carry bags you should be able to handle by yourself. We have our pipes in three bags and I can carry them without a problem. Good luck!
Hi, Ron, Here's the thing: I was trying to GET AWAY FROM MULTIPLE BAGS OF MANY PIPES, color coded and all - and yes, my good old Craft Hut was as storm proof as it was possible to achieve and yes I have seen many EZUPs go flying - that's a risk we all take who do outdoor shows. The perfect booth has yet be invented so in the meantime we modify, we jury-rig, we twiddle with this or that to do the best we can within our capabilities. Does anyone have that perfect booth , the one that goes up quickly, is light enough for a small woman to handle all by herself, is sturdy in wind and rain and does not break the bank to purchase? Please let me know and I thank you in advance.
Clayton, which one do you have? Terri
The EZ Up ES 100
I researched the ES100 and was not impressed with reviews. Customers complaining about it not holding up.
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