Tents?

I am sure this has been a big discussion on this site, but I am new so I am going to ask again..... what brand of tent do you use?? I bought a Undercover from Costco which I absolutely loved except the mechanisms that extended the legs broke. Took it back thinking I got a lemon and the same thing happened with the 2nd tent. I would love another pop up tent but am really afraid this could happen again and trying to return a 70 lb. tent would be expensive. Thankfully I ordered online from Costco and was able to return both tents to my local warehouse. I am considering a Flourish Trimline, but they are expensive and how easy are they really to put up?? I am in my late 50's in decent shape but would probably be putting this together myself unless someone would decide to tag along to one of my shows. The company videos don't look like it's terribly difficult but I would like some thoughts from those of you using it in the "trenches". Thanx ahead of time for your thoughts. Kim

Replies

Paul Sanchez December 18, 2018 at 8:38pm

Hey there, I too am in my early 50s and have a Trimline. Ironically, I posted mine for sale just a few minutes ago. This is due to the exact same thing you mentioned in your post, it is way too difficult to assemble and disassemble alone. I'm in decent shape too and it is just way too cumbersome and time consuming, I will admit it is incredibly sturdy, but i do NOT recommend it for a one person operation like myself. I wish I had help and can keep it because it's that nice. Wishful thinking on my part. Good luck with your search. :)
Kimberly Salvati December 12, 2018 at 4:44pm

It is a heavy duty vinyl. No treatment.
- Edgar Williams > Kimberly Salvati December 13, 2018 at 12:08pm
  
  Kimberly, you say that you loved the door. How do you use it in your booth set up?
Kimberly Salvati December 12, 2018 at 4:43pm

It is a heavy duty vinyl. No treatment.
Bobby Weiss December 12, 2018 at 1:46pm

Thanks for the update. How much have you weathered rain in it? As far as I know, Vitabri is the only canopy that advertises rainproof in pop up category. But they make it sound like its just some sort of treatment, rather than the fabric itself.
- Edgar Williams > Bobby Weiss December 12, 2018 at 1:57pm
  
  It's waterproof vinyl. Check out this video of the Vitabri V3 in a wind tunnerl: https://youtu.be/3Smaq5TYAPI
Kimberly Salvati December 12, 2018 at 1:29pm

The Vitabri has been serving me well the past 2 years. I am very pleased with it. The only thing I need to do is use WD-40 on the legs to make them go up and down easier. Was it worth the money?? For me, yes. It's heavy duty and keeps me dry when it rains. I used it 2-3 times a week this summer for farmers markets. I can get it opened up by myself. I learned to open it as far as I could and then get in the middle and push up from there. FYI- I did get it with the UV top and I bought 4 sides one of them with the zipper door. Love the door. Let me know if you have any questions.
- Edgar Williams > Kimberly Salvati December 12, 2018 at 1:32pm
  
  I ordered one! With the door. Looking forward to it.
  - Kimberly Salvati > Edgar Williams December 12, 2018 at 4:47pm
    
    I don't think you will be disappointed. They are expensive, but me and my products don't get wet!! And that was my objective.
Richard L. Sherer April 14, 2016 at 1:46pm

One option that has not been mentioned is having your tent custom made by a tent/awning maker. Some 20 years ago when I started exhibiting at outdoor shows I knew that none of the commercially available tents would work for me. I had Davis Tent and Awning in Denver build mine after seeing another one they had done. My frame is 1” steel conduit with steel connectors similar to some commercial tents. My first canopy was tan/brown striped heavy vinyl and some ten years later they made a white canopy for the frame, and the “white only” shows. I have 3’x3’, 1/4” pegboard on two 10’ walls, and “cathedral” panels on the back wall. Those and the weight of the leather goods is a lot for any frame. The beast has withstood Colorado mountain downpours, sustained winds of 30-40 mph, and stronger microbursts. The investment was about $1000 in the early 1990’s and another $1000 for the white canopy. It seemed a reasonable investment to me to protect about $50K of inventory put out at each show. Both have now been used for 10-20 years and will be usable for as long as I continue to do shows. Meanwhile I have seen commercial models collapse and blow over in weather conditions I have survived.

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