I am upgrading to a Trimline and I watch most people toss the canopy top in the back of their truck.... but this makes me so nervous. What if it pops a hole or tears. Have you found a tote that is big enough? A bag?
What do you do?
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
Replies
The vinyl of the Trimline top is very, very tough! I have been packing mine in my truck, unprotected, layered under my stepladder and Rock-n-Roller, for nine years and have had no problems whatsoever. I am a fan of keeping things simple, so no bags.
The best solution for storing the walls and top is the heavy duty Black & Yellow plastic storage containers available at Home Depot and Lowes. Lightweight and stackable. I have 8 of them and also use for art storage.
How many gallons is that tote?
I'm not sure of the gallons. One holds all four sides and the awning and I use a second one for the top. In the past i used a larger rubbermaid container for fitting top, walls & awning but that was too heavy.
I use a Show-off but the vinyl tops and sides are similar in type and bulk.
I use a manufacturer's carry bag for the frame/ poles. And I have 2 big Rubbermaid-type utility totes - the kind every home improvement store carries - one holds 3 sides and the awnings, one holds the remaining side and the top. They are bigger than the classic blue Rubbermaid totes.
I don’t fold my sides: I roll them up while still attached to the tent, snap them closed, then unzip them and roll each like a cinnamon roll or snail shell, which means they stack neatly (more or less) in the bin. My sides are probably 20 years old, probably more. I have one hole, and I remember how I got that.
For the top, I fold that on the frame, in thirds. Standing on one end, I fold so the folds run front to back. One third over past the center, the other side then folded over that. I have to walk from front to back each fold. Then the same, in thirds. The result is a folded strip that will fit the long width of my bin. Then I roll the top, rolling over the canopy top tubing, squeezing gently with my hands. I step in between the rafters as I go, rolling it. I set the bin at the end, and when I reach the end, just drop it in.
Both of these approaches make the next set up very easy. I can just unroll my top on the frame. I am always by myself, so what I do is oriented toward solo set up.
I don’t put a lid on the bins: I don’t compress the sides or canopy top. When the weather is cold the vinyl stiffens and they stick up more.
I did have to replace my top a few years ago, but that was because my skylight became porous. Another issue entirely. My sides are original.
I've used to different methods to carry my trimline around. It's too heavy for me to carry in the flourish bags it works better for me to physically carry it individually. Until November of last year I went to shows in my Suburban so I purchased a 60" Cargo bag and cargo carrier for the back side of my vehicle. The pieces to the tent fit perfectly and when it wasn't in use I simplely backed into the garage put a five gallon bucket under each side and removed it from my suv. Now I have a Van so my husband made me a wooden box in the van so the tent doesn't roll around. I put the polls and hardware on the bottom. The sides and the top I fold up and slip inside pillow cases and then lay those on top inside the box.
I like the pillow case idea a lot. I certainly have a lot of old ones I could use for that purpose.
Flourish has wall and canopy bags.
I know that, but have you ever noticed..... no one uses them. Why?