It springs into place with just the pull of a single chord, similar to opening an umbrella but in reverse. The simplicity of this design makes it easy for one person to produce an instant sunshade in seconds. Simply fill the four attached anchor bags with sand or smooth rocks, stretch the canopy into an X-shape, and prop it up with the provided tent poles.
However, overall, we think the Tagalong is still suitable for the adventurous type who likes to be on the go and doesn’t want to lug a heavy canopy. Our notes on this shelter are mostly positive — there isn’t much we don’t like about the Escape. In addition to costing you a few extra clams, this product doesn’t pack up very small. When stowed in its carrying case, it could easily be confused with a winter travel bag carrying snow skis. Its packed size is more than six feet, making it difficult to fit into an average-sized car.
One of the highlights for me was the taupe-colored galvanized steel roof panels. They blend seamlessly into the surroundings, and it’s almost unnoticeable that the house is there. The four double sliding doors have come in handy more times than I can count, and the fully-screened wall panels have made it perfect for family gatherings and get-togethers with friends. Another slightly frustrating aspect was that it took quite a bit of time and patience to set up the tent correctly on my own. It took me around two hours to complete, which might have been quicker if I had someone else to help. Nonetheless, the tent did feel sturdy once it was set up, although one of the poles did break during the process, which was concerning.
We even gave extra points to canopies that also protected against bugs. Heavier cathedral-style canopy tents can often be challenging because of their weight; however, most are fairly simple to deploy. The Eurmax and E-Z Up are counted among these heavier tents, but setting them up was surprisingly straightforward. The whole thing is remarkably easy to set up, even for one person; the family at the next campsite was amazed at my tent prowess when I set it up solo. Takedown is similarly simple, though Clam provides an instructional video if you need help.
Pitch a truck bed tent right in the back of your truck to keep your sleeping bag off the ground and be ready to get up and go whenever you need to. Look through a variety of truck tent sizes to find the best fit for your truck bed and enjoy a tent that takes advantage of the solid foundation and protective qualities provided by a truck. All things considered, the REI Screen House Shelter is our favorite portable model. This massive, 10×10 fully enclosed canopy packs down small and only weighs 13 pounds.
Additionally, its roller bag’s wheel assembly is mostly plastic. This metric pertains to a shelter’s ability to offer protection from sun, wind, and rain. Some canopies perform well in one or two of these areas, but we gave the highest scores to those that could expertly handle all three functions.
The tent is spacious, making it perfect for larger families or groups of friends. It lets you enjoy the beautiful outdoors without being eaten alive by mosquitoes or bugs. Plus, it’s great for keeping camp chairs and dog beds organized. They allow us to convert the screen room into a bedroom on one trip and a bug-free front porch on another, making this tent incredibly versatile.
It’s also straightforward to set up, and it is made with sturdy, light materials. It is essential to consider the available space in your outdoor area when installing the screen house. Proper planning and measurement will help ensure a snug and secure fit, maximizing the functionality and usability of your new outdoor living space. The Ozark Trail Screen House 14X12 can be customized with optional sidewalls and doors for additional coverage and privacy.
To mimic heavier rain and to test the tent’s ability to withstand soggy ground conditions, we also soaked our tents with a garden hose. A few weeks later, we brought the front-runners to a platform in an area that had higher elevation, near the Waianae Mountain Range, and camped out overnight in intermittent but consistent rainfall. It’s natural ozark trail canopy to focus on the quality of a tent’s rain fly—you need that piece to work when the skies open up. But according to our experts, the durability of the floor of your tent is actually more important. A footprint doesn’t take up much space, is relatively inexpensive, and is much easier to repair or replace than a tent bottom if it tears.
It was perfect for enjoying the great outdoors while still being protected from the elements. However, as the winds started to blow harder, I realized that the support system could use some improvement. I had to add extra guylines and even some DIY horizontal stabilizing poles to the system. It was a bit of a learning curve, but after that was sorted, the Ozark Trail Screen House handled the wind and rain comfortably. Overall, the Ozark Trail Large Roof Screen House in blue was a reliable and spacious option for our outdoor adventures.