Pitching a tent
Sandi D saw this photo on Flickr recently and asked me about my tent setup. I started writing such a long response on Flickr, I decided to write a blog post instead.
To start, I would very much NOT recommend the above or any other angled-leg tent. Technically it’s a 10′ x 10′ tent but because the legs are angled, it only has an 8′ X 8′ canopy. It’s like going outside in the rain holding an index card over your head. It also wasn’t tall enough, which is why I had to make the ghetto bucket risers. Yes, the angled-leggers are cheaper, and they’re definitely a preferable alternative to standing in the sun all day, but it’s worth it to scrape a few more dollars together and get a straight-leg tent.
We bought this tent a few weeks ago in an emergency situation (more on that in another post). I don’t like making big purchases under pressure, but as it turns out it’s a pretty good tent. It can be raised up high (I think the highest is 8 feet to the bottom of the canopy). And it has a little vent at the peak that should help us stay cool on the hot days.
The only thing I don’t like about it is that it’s too light. How is that a problem, you ask? Light is great for getting it around and setting it up and breaking it down, but when the wind comes, the whole thing sways like crazy. Plus the aluminum legs feel like they might snap if I look at them wrong and the awesome new sign I made makes them bow ominously.
I recommend looking at models from EZ-Up and Caravan and check Craigslist and Ebay for second-hand deals.
Here are some features I strongly recommend:
- Push-button or lever-activated legs – those little metal buttons that snap into the holes in the legs hurt your fingers when pushing and have a tendency to get stuck or even break off inside the leg. Get a tent with nice fat buttons or levers or something that’s friendlier on your fingers.
- A carrying case with wheels – for obvious reasons, this makes transportation much easier, especially for heavier tents. Our case also has backpack straps, which seems odd, but is a pretty easy way to carry the tent, since it’s so light.
- A tall tent – get something that will give you 7 or 8 foot clearance at the entrance. The last thing you want is customers banging their heads on the tent. Plus it feels less claustrophobic.
- Walls – usually sold separately, but they’re totally worth it. When the rain is coming down sideways, you’ll be glad you have them. There’s a variety of styles. I’ve seen walls with windows, screen-sections, some that roll, zip, flip, what have you. Bonus Tip: when shopping Craigslist for used deals, many sellers include the walls.
Three more things to do once you have the tent:
- Seal the seams – new tents come without the seams sealed and will leak until you do so.
- Get weights – most bigger shows and fairs require you to have weights, but you’ll want them anyway. corner weights, sandbags, plates, or cinderblocks are a good place to start, but for better stability, try something like these DIY weights or these fancy (and expensive) ones.
- Set the tent up before the first show – it’s best to know how it goes up beforehand. Plus you need to set it up to seal the seams, right?
Talk to other vendors at the markets you go to and ask them about their tents setups. Everyone has different opinions. We met a lady at a market recently who says she goes through 2 or 3 tents per season, so she went back to buying cheap ones. They’re a disposable commodity to her. She also hangs about 300 pounds of merch from her tent, so that might be part of the problem.
Feel free to add any tips you have and let me know if I missed something. Happy marketing!
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