EZ-Ups and Other Canopies

[PalmettoSmoke]

Hello everyone. So I need to purchase a new canopy for my competitions, and noticed that Wal-Mart has their "First-Up" brand on sell for $79.00. Is there any reason to pay twice as much for the EZ-Up brand, or are you just paying for the name?

Thanks.

 

[SmokeInDaEye]

Spend more for sturdier construction. I've destroyed three Quick Shades/EZ-Ups in less than a year. Two were repairable but that was extra money I could have spent on something better.

The last one was weighted down, teathered to a trailer, etc. but one strong gust ripped the upper supports apart, leaving the weight behind.

I'm now looking at one of those 10x20 car ports. A bit harder to transport and assemble, but they seem to hold up in bad weather.

 

[Smokin Gator]

Go with the EZ-Up... I have had one of my two for 5-6 years and it is still going strong. Before that I had a Quick Shade and the pos lasted less than a year.

 

[HoDeDo]

you will notice a substanial difference in the thickness of the frame members, the make-up of the metal in them.... And the areas where the frame members are joined are much sturdier in the ez-ups vs. the cheaper ones. They are designed to hold up to more. Also - the tops on the Sam's ones are typically 500-600 denier and well waterproofed, usually with reienforced seams. The wally world ones will start to leak after a few uses/abuses. They also are not as thick/strong in the fabric.... usually a cheap coated nylon.

 

[HoDeDo]

Specifically the new EZ-up at Sam's, the Embassy II - $187. Comes with four sides, and and an awning, with banner holder. All sides Zip at the corners and one has a door opening. The top bolts to the frame in EIGHT places - so much more sturdy. The new one also does away with the center post... so you get much better drain off from the roof, and less sagging than older models. Ok, that's all for now )

 

[Slamdunkpro]

According to EZ-UP and Sam's the Embassy II shelter has been recalled (overtightened bolts during assembly causing the trusses to bend) and discontinued.

 

[HoDeDo]

According to EZ-UP and Sam's the Embassy II shelter has been recalled (overtightened bolts during assembly causing the trusses to bend) and discontinued.

Interesting! I like ours better than our Encore. We have one of each.
They have a huge display of them at both JoCo KS Sam's club, as I was in both today picking up meat.... I'll have to ask about the recall - they are definately selling them!

I must have gotten one before/after the bolt tightening issue....
Thanks for the heads up!

 

[CTSmokehouse]

Spend more for sturdier construction. I've destroyed three Quick Shades/EZ-Ups in less than a year. Two were repairable but that was extra money I could have spent on something better.

The last one was weighted down, teathered to a trailer, etc. but one strong gust ripped the upper supports apart, leaving the weight behind.

I'm now looking at one of those 10x20 car ports. A bit harder to transport and assemble, but they seem to hold up in bad weather.

Have not destroyed any Quick Shades/EZ-Ups yet in 2 years, but have destroyed the carry pack on one. I guess you go to more exciting venues?
At Lime Rock, Don and I tried to install the side panels in 40 mile an hour winds... not a good idea.. we held on to the Quick Shades as the storm passed by. Other teams had secured there sites with slings and ice chests.

Happy with my Quick Shades.

Yours in BBQ,

Cliff

 

[SmokeInDaEye]

Have not destroyed any Quick Shades/EZ-Ups yet in 2 years, but have destroyed the carry pack on one. I guess you go to more exciting venues?
At Lime Rock, Don and I tried to install the side panels in 40 mile an hour winds... not a good idea.. we held on to the Quick Shades as the storm passed by. Other teams had secured there sites with slings and ice chests.

Happy with my Quick Shades.

Yours in BBQ,

Cliff

IT depends on how you define more exciting, Cliff. The worst was losing my only canopy at Hudson Valley rib fest in the middle of a thunderstorm last year and bending the legs back into shape so we could make it through the night. The easiest was a 10x10 missle in the middle of our fish turn-in two weeks ago in New Hampshire. To date, I done two KCBS contests and have lost three canopies in the process. Just another reason for me to stick with grillin!

 

[HoDeDo]

IT depends on how you define more exciting, Cliff. The worst was losing my only canopy at Hudson Valley rib fest in the middle of a thunderstorm last year and bending the legs back into shape so we could make it through the night. The easiest was a 10x10 missle in the middle of our fish turn-in two weeks ago in New Hampshire. To date, I done two KCBS contests and have lost three canopies in the process. Just another reason for me to stick with grillin!

I feel your pain brother....
You could have snow pile up on your top, and tear it. (Osage City)
Heavy winds collapse a cheap frame (Oklahoma Joes)
Heavy Rain sag your top further (hmm not coming to me)
Then - severe thunderstorms/50 MPH winds, tear your top at a seam trying to lift it (staked off to the truck and trailer), and almost ruin a frame (Marshalltown)

:shock:

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

According to EZ-UP and Sam's the Embassy II shelter has been recalled (overtightened bolts during assembly causing the trusses to bend) and discontinued.

No chit????????? Well that does it! I'm definitely taking mine back to Sams! One use and it busted all to hell! Do NOT buy an Embassy! The Encore is awesome!

 

[HoDeDo]

No chit????????? Well that does it! I'm definitely taking mine back to Sams! One use and it busted all to hell! Do NOT buy an Embassy! The Encore is awesome!

If you want a Caravan from CostCo, let me know... I'll be taking my embassy back now also, and getting a CostCo canopy...(Alumashade)

I thought my embassy held up great during the Marshalltown storm, where my encore died, but no use in tempting fate if they are recalled. I didnt see it on CPSC or consumer reports, but if I find a link to the specific recall I'll forward out to those I know that have them.

 

[CTSmokehouse]

IT depends on how you define more exciting, Cliff. The worst was losing my only canopy at Hudson Valley rib fest in the middle of a thunderstorm last year and bending the legs back into shape so we could make it through the night. The easiest was a 10x10 missle in the middle of our fish turn-in two weeks ago in New Hampshire. To date, I done two KCBS contests and have lost three canopies in the process. Just another reason for me to stick with grillin!

Clint,

Our first comp was Hudson Valley Rib Fest last year....so that was you we saw running (flying) by...! You were in the swamp section....we chose the flood plain!

I guess we have been lucky! (or haven't done enough comps)

Do you nail the legs into the ground?


See you at Willie Palooza!

Yours in BBQ,

Cliff

 

[SmokeInDaEye]

Clint,

Our first comp was Hudson Valley Rib Fest last year....so that was you we saw running (flying) by...! You were in the swamp section....we chose the flood plain!

I guess we have been lucky! (or haven't done enough comps)

Do you nail the legs into the ground?


See you at Willie Palooza!

Yours in BBQ,

Cliff

That was me, by the bathrooms and turn-in. Seemed like a convenient location...

I used to stake the legs into the ground but now I attach five gallon water jugs to the legs and, on some wise brethren advise, stake and tie each corner like a tent. Picking up the 10x20 carport on Sunday.

 

[Mo-Dave]

Don't mean to high jack this tread but I have an Encore ll Ez-up. I bought it last summer from Sams and have used it 4 times. The last cook off it rained hard, this was the first time I used it while it was raining. My problem is it leaked like a sieve, especially at the low point near the corners. Anyone else experience this and what if anything can be done about it?
Dave

 

[SmokeWatcher]

I was looking at the WM First-up canopy today.....glad I didn't bite that hook.

 

[Muzzlebrake]

Don't mean to high jack this tread but I have an Encore ll Ez-up. I bought it last summer from Sams and have used it 4 times. The last cook off it rained hard, this was the first time I used it while it was raining. My problem is it leaked like a sieve, especially at the low point near the corners. Anyone else experience this and what if anything can be done about it?
Dave

Did you seal it?

I just used my new ones for the first time this past weekend at Lake Placid. I did have some leaks during the heaviest rains but nothing too bad.

I usually spray all of my tents with a good sealer at east once a year, just forgot about it this time. I think it will be fine once i spray them.

 

[Muzzlebrake]

I thought my embassy held up great during the Marshalltown storm, where my encore died, but no use in tempting fate if they are recalled. I didnt see it on CPSC or consumer reports, but if I find a link to the specific recall I'll forward out to those I know that have them.

Please let me know if find out anything. I just used my new Embassy and thought it was nice, hate to have the thing break in the middle of a good thunderstorm.

 

[JamesB]

Don't mean to high jack this tread but I have an Encore ll Ez-up. I bought it last summer from Sams and have used it 4 times. The last cook off it rained hard, this was the first time I used it while it was raining. My problem is it leaked like a sieve, especially at the low point near the corners. Anyone else experience this and what if anything can be done about it?
Dave

Just used my Encore II this past Sunday in heavy rain. No problems with leaks or puddling. Was yours leaking at the seams?

James.

 

[CTSmokehouse]

That was me, by the bathrooms and turn-in. Seemed like a convenient location...

I used to stake the legs into the ground but now I attach five gallon water jugs to the legs and, on some wise brethren advise, stake and tie each corner like a tent. Picking up the 10x20 carport on Sunday.

Clint was this your site...? The Quick Shade looks good there! Ours was the fourth red one.

Yours in BBQ,

Cliff