I have my own ideas on how to build my tent weights, but my question is is it better to have the weights hanging and attached (bungee corded) to the legs or to have the weights sitting on the ground? I really value the experience in this group and I'm kind of hoping that there is a consensus here.
Thanks for any help.
Replies
Thank you all for your responses. I think that the way I phrased my question most of you assumed that I was thinking of hanging my weights with bungee cords. That is not the case. I was going to hang them with 2" ratchet straps using a caribiner (sp) to attach the strap to the top rail of the tent, and use the ball type bungee to attach the weight to the leg to avoid the swaying motions.
I am also working on a design using 6" PVC and 1 1/2" PVC and a hinged mechanism so that the weight would surround each leg. It's going to take some work, especially the first one, to figure it out perfectly, but I'll give it a try.
Thanks again everyone.
If you do use a carabiner, I'd suggest using a climbing 'biner, as the cheap ones will break under almost any load.
That is the plan Jim. No cheap junk.
Is there any reason I have not found any art fair participants using simple cast iron kettlebell weights? They are small, easy to hang, all the weight you could need.... This is what I am thinking would be more logical after reading all the comments about cement, etc.
Some folks do. Steel bar is the most compact against the tent leg under the canopy wall.
Makes sense...I'm going to look into finding a local fabricator that could weld on a ring for hanging, and a handle for carrying... bet that will be a bit pricey though... Cheapest Kettlebells I found are 1.25/lb, rod even more :( Guess that is why the cement options are popular, lol!
You don't really need a handle for carrying. They stack easier if you just have a loop on the top. I have a rack on the trailer next to the door where I store the weights when traveling. Four slots, they just slide in. I paid about $1 pound to have them fabricated, then spray painted them black.
The best advice that was given to me by an architect at a show was to cross brace with tie downs. My EZ-UP survived 60 MPH winds with 40lbs on each leg, while a more professional 10x20 tent went crashing near me. You need a lot of tie downs, but worth the trouble during high winds. It's easy to do, basically make an X on each side. Do this to all 3 sides. This eliminates swaying and twisting, which is what usually does the damage, especially to ez-ups!
Brian, can you explain what you mean by tie-downs?
On grass surfaces when allowed, we add stakes that twist into the ground. On pavement, we use weights which hang just above the ground.
I might use "tie-downs" but wanted to know if I use that term the same way you do.
I hope some of you have gone over there on the right hand of the site and clicked on the ad for Canopy Weights. This is a brand new product, designed by artist Jim Eaton, that fulfills almost every need a traveling artist has as far as weights are concerned.
What I think is great about them is they are easy to load in the van, taking up little room plus aesthetically they disappear into the structure of the tent, a nice touch. Nothing ugly to disguise, a clean professional look.
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