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Hi,

Agree with SVsue, the outwell polycottons have a PVC zig not the tarpulin type gs that the polyester tents have.

If you really cant get to grips with the bear lake canopy, there is always the option to customise it so you have a side canopy that hangs under the top, and clips onto the poles...

I did this with my indiana 8 when we had the same canopy issue, t worked a treat, and the benefit was that I could raise it when sunny and drop it when rainy....

Being quite good with a sewing machine I managed to attach it under the top of the canopy, but with a few clips and ties in the right place, you could create something that would work the same,  A really good marine canvas supplier would be able to provide some decent cotton to use (kayospruce is one I've found)

I've also suggested this to outwell so hopefully they will tke noticec and provide this option at some stage soon....If they just produce a full length fabric canopy that can be used with existing poles and zips, but able to clip to polesto keep in place I'm sure that people would buy at the right price...

Hope they do it!!

Emma x

Hi

I recently saw the new Royal Winnipeg 6 tent up and thought it was really nice. It is a similar layout to their Bordeaux 6 but in polycotton and has the side porch as well as front canopy with removal windbreak sides and a zip out groundsheet. It is a coffee cream colour and I was very impressed. I just wish they did it in a 4 berth as well because its too big for our needs. Unfortunately its also too new to have any reviews. Prices seems to range from £899 down to £699 at Intertent.

Quote: Originally posted by mumshadenough on 17/5/2009

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Hi,

Agree with SVsue, the outwell polycottons have a PVC zig not the tarpulin type gs that the polyester tents have.

If you really cant get to grips with the bear lake canopy, there is always the option to customise it so you have a side canopy that hangs under the top, and clips onto the poles...

I did this with my indiana 8 when we had the same canopy issue, t worked a treat, and the benefit was that I could raise it when sunny and drop it when rainy....

Being quite good with a sewing machine I managed to attach it under the top of the canopy, but with a few clips and ties in the right place, you could create something that would work the same,  A really good marine canvas supplier would be able to provide some decent cotton to use (kayospruce is one I've found)

I've also suggested this to outwell so hopefully they will tke noticec and provide this option at some stage soon....If they just produce a full length fabric canopy that can be used with existing poles and zips, but able to clip to polesto keep in place I'm sure that people would buy at the right price...

Hope they do it!!

Emma x

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Hi Emma

Your canopy sides look great. This is something I want to do with my tent but having trouble deciding what fabric I need to buy. Our tent is made from 185T Ripstop polyester. What did you use? I want to make it detachable like the new Royal tent canopy sides are. They clip onto the poles with plastic rings. I am sure I could do something similar with ours. I have looked at the website link you provided but still not sure which would be best fabric? I was thinking of buying another Royal windbreak which matches our tent and is about the right width and trying to customise this. Do you think that would work??

Using another windreak would be ideal, as it would match and you can pretty much guarantee it's a similar waterproof...You might need to use 2 panels for each side of the canopy as I'm not sure that the height of a windbreak is enough to cover the gap.

I attached the sides with ties, simply sew them onto the sides of the made up canopy and they tie onto the poles, they do leave a small gap, but the cover is so much better than the open sides.

Regarding the top part of the canopy, I did sew mine all the way over, however if you can create some ties on the inside under the canopy, you can attach it so that it hangs under the overhang. (if that makes sense?!?!?!)

Whatever you end up doing, i'm sure it will be an improvement in the canopy you have at the moment.

Have fun,

Emma

Quote: Originally posted by mumshadenough on 20/5/2009

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Using another windreak would be ideal, as it would match and you can pretty much guarantee it's a similar waterproof...You might need to use 2 panels for each side of the canopy as I'm not sure that the height of a windbreak is enough to cover the gap.

I attached the sides with ties, simply sew them onto the sides of the made up canopy and they tie onto the poles, they do leave a small gap, but the cover is so much better than the open sides.

Regarding the top part of the canopy, I did sew mine all the way over, however if you can create some ties on the inside under the canopy, you can attach it so that it hangs under the overhang. (if that makes sense?!?!?!)

Whatever you end up doing, i'm sure it will be an improvement in the canopy you have at the moment.

Have fun,

Emma

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Hi Emma

Thought I could use these to attach the sides to the canopy so I could remove them in the nice weather (if we get any this year!!!) and then clip to the poles as you suggested. We are going away on Sunday so I will measure up and see if a windbreak would work. Seems about the right dimensions. I have also found an online shop which sells tent fabric so could buy it by the meter if I need to. They also sell the window fabric to make the sides a bit lighter. Thanks for all your advice

Clingons would work but I guess you might still get a small gap unless you can clingon to the underside of the canopy.

Good luck, You will find it makes so much of a difference!!

Emma