AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade/soft crate favorite?

35230 Views 37 Replies 17 Participants Last post by TaraM1285, Sep 25, 2013

MaggieRoseLee

Discussion Starter · Jul 11, 2007 (Edited)

I like the Kelty Sunshade - Medium best, here it is at trial in July:

Why?

-Lightweight: 10lb 4oz (4649g)
-Waterproof
-Light colored to reflect sun on hot days
-variable height and width adjustment for custom sun protection AND protection from wind/rain
-quick and easy-to-set-up-set-up, I have no problem doing it all by myself
-plenty of room for 3 large crates and all my gear
-very sturdy in high wind conditions when I've seen ez-ups end up with bent frames and ruined.

So............................what's your favorite setup for a trial?

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1 - 20 of 38 Posts

balakai

· #2 · Jul 12, 2007

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favorite?

Well, I'm beginning to rethink mine. I've got an EZ Up and a knock-ff; the knock-off was bent in a storm but is still usuable. At 4 feet long when packed up, it fits better in my Element, but I have to drag extra brace poles along.

If I did more outdoor trials, I think that I'd be looking into something like your Kelty.

~Kristin

JayneA

· #3 · Jul 12, 2007

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

From a UK perspective we are lucky to get sun!

Seriously, things are a bit different here, we don't setup next to the rings. Everyone keeps their dogs at the car in the parking area and we just walk over to the rings for our runs. So we tend to shade the cars either with reflective tarp or else some people will use a carnopy - http://www.agilitywarehouse.com/product_detail.cfm?id=1462

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MaggieRoseLee

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 12, 2007

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

Wow, those are nice.

Kelty has some 'carports' you can attach to the cars, but not as large.. (from here)

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mygsds

· #5 · Jul 26, 2007

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

I have the ez up style from Dicks Sporting Goods. Darn - can;t remember the name

))
I can do it myself if I have to and its easy to assemble and put away. Its not light but its very stable when set up and I can install either all round screens for warm days or windscreen for cooler weather or a combo of both.

Pat

GSDBESTK9

· #6 · Feb 4, 2008

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

I have one of those EZ ups and my friend and I just use our trucks for "walls"

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ArtistInNature

· #7 · Jun 9, 2008

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

OK, so I've about had it with my EZ-up that 'only needs one person to set up' (HA - NOT!). This weekend's trial in Bozeman saw rain, hail, snow, high wind, and almost no sun. A microburst trashed 3 EZups within seconds on Friday afternoon as folks were setting up. (Not mine, I arrived a few moments later in Noah's flood...).

MRL, I clicked that link to go to the Sierra Trading Post deal for the Kelty - but it doesn't mention any side panels or rain fly or other accessories...? which would be kind of essential (need SOMETHING to protect dog and handler when Montana wind is blowing hail sideways! YUCK.)

JakodaCD OA

· #8 · Jun 9, 2008

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

Julie WOW,,that is really scarey,,I've seen a few of the ez ups go flying and lucky no one gets seriously hurt !!

I bought a Coleman 6 person tent at Walmart a couple years ago, and I love it,,it IS easy to set up with one person , has side panels and rain fly,,also has alot of screen when you don't want to use the rain fly cover..anchors good, and it's held up in some mighty nasty rain weather..

The only two things I don't like about it,,it has a built in floor, so it tends to get really dirty if your in that mud/rain crap, kinda hard to clean at home after you've packed it up ya know?

And it definately doesn't fit in the bag in comes in,,I bought one of those Roller luggage bags (which I love!) cheap at job lot and pack it in that..

Trialing here right now is around 90 degrees! LOL
Diane

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MaggieRoseLee

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 9, 2008

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

The Kelty's on sale do NOT have side panels..

But the 'new' ones do. More expensive though and I think the side panels are extra.

Click here

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Timberlinek9

· #10 · Sep 1, 2008

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

How many crates can you get under a Kelty Tent?

MaggieRoseLee

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 1, 2008

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

Quote: How many crates can you get under a Kelty Tent?

Easily 3, even 4 in the Medium Kelty if you juggle them around and have sunscreens. If it's a raging downpour, cause there's no sides you do have to make sure everything is in the center....

If you spend alot of time in the tent with the dogs that cuts into the space. But I''m always out volunteering or visiting with friends and the Kelty is really just for the dogs and all my agility crap!

Here's another view, closer. I have 2 different sized crates, the larger one on the right was for my Lab and 65 pound GSD, the smaller crate on the left has my 75 pound 'baby' Bretta Lee.

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sleachy

· #12 · Nov 4, 2008

Re: AGILITY Discussion Topic - Tent/sunshade favor

Quote:I have the ez up style from Dicks Sporting Goods. Darn - can;t remember the name ))

Quest!
I had one too...it just bit the dust and I am looking to replace it.
I always put it up by myself without a problem but I bent it. Once those things get a bend in them, they are done for!

Jax08

· #13 · May 26, 2010

Maggie - What brand is your soft crate?

MaggieRoseLee

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 26, 2010 (Edited)

Jax08 said:
Maggie - What brand is your soft crate?

The green ones in the picture are Midwest Canine Camper dog crates Pet Crates Direct | Canine Camper Soft Dog Crates - Factory Direct Prices

I lov'em cause they are easy to set up and have flaps that can cover ALL the mesh windows for privacy (crazy crating area?) or warmth (cold windy fall day?). PLUS you can leave all the mesh windows open to allow ventilation on the hot summer days.

I don't lik'em cause the models I have (and mine are older so this may have changed) once they get wet or dog stinky, they are not so easy to clean and get the smell out. Too bulky to get into the washing machine.

I've been tempted to buy the ones that look like little tents for the hotter times and when I don't need the covers for warmth or to calm my dogs. The ones like these Mighty Mite Dog Gear - Dog Tents and Soft Sided Dog Crates

And this one

ABO Gear Instent Dog Haus - Dog Tent - TheUncommonDog.com

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3

lylol

· #15 · Jun 22, 2010

Maggie... Acouple years back I picked up two ABO dog haus at a Tuesday Morning "seconds" store for not much $... my BC was too hard on the screens but if you want the second never used one for the cost of postage, its just been sitting in my storeroom... I thought I might add it to a raffle one of these days but let me know ... do you think your girls would fit?? It is roomy ... my BC had a ton of room but I know Rune would be crowded... I could try him in the "used" one and let you know. Lysa

MaggieRoseLee

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 22, 2010

lylol said:
Maggie... Acouple years back I picked up two ABO dog haus at a Tuesday Morning "seconds" store for not much $... my BC was too hard on the screens but if you want the second never used one for the cost of postage, its just been sitting in my storeroom... I thought I might add it to a raffle one of these days but let me know ... do you think your girls would fit?? It is roomy ... my BC had a ton of room but I know Rune would be crowded... I could try him in the "used" one and let you know. Lysa

CRAP! I just bought one of the Doghaus and used it twice before Glory went thru the screen door with ONE swipe of her foot! The screen is just not tough enough for a normal GSD pawing. Trying to figure out if I can get someone with a sewing machine together with some stronger mesh to do a repair.

Love the size, love the weight, love the ease of set up/take down. But the screen is really just a lightweight type material and not made for a 'real' dog just using a paw!

lylol

· #17 · Jun 23, 2010

Yup that was our problem... even a little crazed Border Collie foot was too much for the screen

But man they are so easy to set up. Sigh. If you find a solution let me know.

MaggieRoseLee

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 23, 2010

I'm trying to think where I can get some stronger mesh. It seems like anyone with some sewing knowledge and a good machine could then just sew a new panel in over the old one. The zippers seem fine, as well as the other fabric.

Now where to get a stronger mesh screen....

lylol

· #19 · Apr 8, 2011

GoGo Dog Crates

Here is my new favorite soft crate. Not the cheapest but it is very easy to set up (unlike some of my others), easy to Tote and has nice features/workmanship. You can find the go go crate online... but the woman that runs this site does agility with her Bostons and part of your cost goes to a rescue of your choice. Delivery is timely too. While you are there my GSD loves to play with the Udder Tugs!

LuvourGSDs

· #20 · Jan 16, 2012

Hello, Don't want to start a new thread so, hoping this will get noticed.

Anyway, looking for fav soft crates as of today? I am getting sick of lugging the metal ones, even tho I have them in 36", around. I am after a durable one for a GSD. My crew are all crate trained, but do fear them trying to get out of a soft crate at the show. I have one setup here now for them to go in/out of, lay in, etc just to see it's ok. I set it up at a run thur over the wkend & it took a few scratches, but she stayed in. This one I am borrowing & it's a tad flimsy & feel they could roll it. It just had the 2 ends that flip up & you zip. No real corner support.

Any suggestions?

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