And do NOT underestimate the lifting power of the wind. A few years ago
in Nevada we had one of those mini-whirlwinds come through the paddock.
Four of us grabbed the corners of the pop up - I was the only one under
200lbs. When all of us were three feet in the air - and still rising -
we decided it was time to let the pop up "fly and be free" before
someone was seriously hurt.
The pop up flew quite a distance before we were able to recover its
remains. That's why these days if any wind is possible I secure the tent
to something really solid, like a couple cars.

Rick

Chris Brandt wrote:

>Not only can a big gust damage your cheapo pop up tent, but a pop up tent flying through the air around a bunch of parked cars can be a costly bunch of damage (spectators, kids, car paint, etc.) I almost got taken out while on my trainer earlier this year at Alpenrose by a loose tent (unstaked), catapulting through the air.
>
>Key: Anchor it down!
>
> -----------------
>From: Randy Dreiling
> Having been a promoter for 10+ years I have had at least 20 pop ups.
>All I can say is spend the extra $, because the ones under $100 break way too easy, one wind gust and the cheap ones are toast.
>Plus make sure you get stakes and water jugs or something to hold the tent down
>
>Randy Dreiling
>----- Original Message ----
>From: Erik Voldengen
>To: OBRA list
>Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:14:35 AM
>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] EZ Up tents
>One thing I've noticed about these canopy things is not all brands produce the same thing. I bought one at GI Joes or some place like that a year or two ago, and it's nice, but nowhere near the quality of some of the canopies in the OBRA equipment stash.
>Post race at Hillsboro, I took my canopy down, cold fingers making it pretty difficult. I saw poor Josh breaking down his elaborate waffle vending station all alone, so I ran over to lend a hand. The canopies he was using were cool - no little push buttons to release the legs, but big metal loops you can PULL with GLOVES ON :) Here's where I realized not all canopies are created alike.
>So if you're looking at getting one of these, which I highly recommend, I'd suggest checking out the mechanism for holding/releasing the telescoping legs. From my experience, that's the number one factor in reliability, durability, and ease of use. If the legs barely work in the store, imagine how they'll work covered in grime with cold fingers.
>EZ-up seems to be the "good stuff."
>-Erik
>
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