tent-transprt-msg- 12/26/01

Suggestions for transporting tents and pavilions.

NOTE: See also the files: SCA-transport-msg, pavilions-msg, p-tents-msg, tent-setup-msg, tent-alt-msg, tent-sources-msg, tent-ps-msg, tent-dsguises-msg, tent-interior-msg.

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    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: Andrew Tye <atye at efn.org>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions
Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 09:22:29 -0700
Organization: Oregon Public Networking

On Thu, 10 May 2001, Andrea Gideon wrote:
> We just got a 16x16 Four Seasons Mitered Corner tent but haven't figured
> out how to transport it yet.  I'd be interested in hearing ideas from
> other people who have small cars.  Ours is a Saturn.  Is our only option
> to get a small trailer (priced between $400 and $600 in my area)?

Ivar here,

When I first got my Tentsmiths French Bell 11 years ago, I had a Toyota
sedan. The poles for this tent comprise two 10' 3" x 3"s, one 9' 2x10, and
four 7' 2x2s. The solution that I used, (and continue to use with a small
truck), is a demountable roof rack.  

There are several varieties available. Most have a maximum load of 100
lbs.  Some have more.  The one I use is comprised of four brackets and two
2x4s that I have covered with carpet remnants.  For lashing the poles down
I use two 100' lengths of 100 lb. test braided cotton rope.  Hemp would be
stronger but as my poles are painted, I use the softer cotton to avoid
damage to the finish. I have seen others use a variety of bungie cords. 

Putting the roof rack on and lashing everything down properly takes me
about 25 minutes.  For me, this is much less onerous than having to drive
with a trailer and it allows me to use full length of wood rather than
sectioned.

I hope this is of some use,

Ivar Hakonarson
Crosston, West.

From: thurman <hillth at navair.navy.mil>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 12:30:56 -0400

I have a Ford Festiva and a 12' x 14' wall tent. ten 5' poles, two  8.5'
poles, and a two section roof beam. Each section is 8' long. I bought a
Ford Festiva roof rack on Ebay for $46 delivered. It mounts permanently.
I did the job myself in about 2 hours. All of the poles and the tent go
on the rack, and nothing overhangs.

From: theducks at best.com (Steve Urbach)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions
Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 16:13:58 GMT

On Sat, 12 May 2001 20:50:29 -0500, "Y2k_knight" <y2kstar at swbell.net>
wrote:
>I'm assuming the price on a small trailer is for new, have you considered
>used?  Check the Nickel Ad's, also check online.  You might find someone
>nearby that has placed an ad on the 'net'.

If you go the trailer route, AVOID those trailers with 8 inch rims if
you drive any distance at highway speeds. They are prone to both
bearing and tire failures (at 65 they are really spinning like
crazy). I would recommend 13 inch as a minimum if you drive long and
fast or heavy. 

NEVER overload your trailer, your life is not worth the additional
risks. Working trailer brakes are a real good thing, especially
with small tow vechicles.

Derek
,        _
,       | \                           Steve Urbach 
,       |  )erek
,   ____|_/ragonsclaw                 theducks at JbUeNsKt.com 
,  / / /                              get rid of the J U N K

From: wbfountain at aol.comnospam (Wm. Bryan Fountain)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Date: 13 May 2001 22:34:58 GMT
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions

I used to have a festiva - my solution was a small traveling salesmans utility
trailer 4'x 4' with two large black plastic tool boxes mounted on top - the
spears and poles fit on a rack diagonally across the sides tilting upwards -
worked great.

The trailer even did the unthinkable - even fully loaded and going uphill,   -
it increased my fuel mileage by about 2 mph.(due to wind resistance / drag)  I
know it isn’t logical - but it happened - think of the aerodynamics of a flat
backed vehicle compared to a sloped rear.

Ld Brun Canutteson - resident of the Midlands - (Midrealm)

Proud Seige Engineer & Member of House VonBrandenburg

MKA - Wm. Bryan Fountain
Asst. Professor of Industrial Technology
Sauk Valley Community College
Dixon, IL 

From: ~^V^~ <keaeris at erisian.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions
Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 18:57:34 -0400

Andrea Gideon wrote:
> We just got a 16x16 Four Seasons Mitered Corner tent but haven't figured
> out how to transport it yet.  I'd be interested in hearing ideas from
> other people who have small cars.  Ours is a Saturn.  Is our only option
> to get a small trailer (priced between $400 and $600 in my area)?
>
> Giovanna

Many years ago, we went to Sears and purchased at set of roof racks for a
really reasonable price.  I don't remember if Saturns have rain gutters or
not, but you can find places that sell roofracks for things like bikes and
kayaks that will generally come in for less than a $400-600 asking price.
That and one of those $30-40 softsided roof bags and you'll have the tent
no longer in the car at all, plus possibly space to put additional cargo.

Flaxy, whose other life has a big kayak in it.

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: whheydt at kithrup.com (Wilson Heydt)
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions
Organization: Kithrup Enterprises, Ltd.
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 22:23:12 GMT

Andrew Tye  <atye at efn.org> wrote:
>There are several varieties available. Most have a maximum load of 100
>lbs.  Some have more.  The one I use is comprised of four brackets and two
>2x4s that I have covered with carpet remnants.  For lashing the poles down
>I use two 100' lengths of 100 lb. test braided cotton rope.  Hemp would be
>stronger but as my poles are painted, I use the softer cotton to avoid
>damage to the finish. I have seen others use a variety of bungie cords. 

Cotton is a very poor choice for line to lash down a top load.  Much
better to use nylon.  Use the natural stretch of the line to tension
it.  It's also easier if you use two ro three shorter pieces in
place of a single long line.
-- 
        Hal Ravn                                Hal Heydt
        Mists, Mists, West                      Albany, CA

From: Jeni <paquerette at adelphia.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 15:07:09 GMT

> Many years ago, we went to Sears and purchased at set of roof racks for a
> really reasonable price.  I don't remember if Saturns have rain gutters or
> not, but you can find places that sell roofracks for things like bikes and
> kayaks that will generally come in for less than a $400-600 asking price.
> That and one of those $30-40 softsided roof bags and you'll have the tent
> no longer in the car at all, plus possibly space to put additional cargo.
> 
> Flaxy, whose other life has a big kayak in it.

Don't know if this is a practical option for you, but we recently got
roof racks for our Buick Century for $20 at a u-pull-it junk yard. For
strapping, we're using ratcheting straps (nylon, I think) which we got
at a flea market for about $5 each. Even brand new, they're pretty
reasonable (don't think I've seen them run more than $10), and will last
longer than ropes. I don't know how well they'd do for poles, though.
We've been transporting three 6' long plastic tables and a 5' wooden
rack with this set-up, and it's very sturdy.  

-- Cecilia.

From: "ruadh" <ruadh at home.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: transporting pavillions on/in small cars
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 16:11:03 GMT

why not put the tent roll on the trunk surface, as its metal on those
Saturns. "Roof Racks" for the trunk are also sold. And since one of the
first thing to do after arriving on site, [Troll and Potty = others] is to
Set the tent. You won't need much stuffings that maybe in the trunk. Now the
weight of the highest things is the poles, and reduces wind loading.

<the end>