Pop-up Cabin Use?

D

Diver Bob

Newbie
I've got a 10x10 Breeze tent for long stays, but it's a bit of a pain to set up and doesn't really help protect the kitchen area from rain and mosquitos. I recently saw this advertised and it seems to meet my needs perfectly if it will attach to the 550 off the kitchen area (| MOGICS). There are similar ones on Amazon - they are made for SUVs and fit over the hatchback. Anyone try one of these things yet?
 
I saw these in the wild --- last autumn. The quality looked really good. The flat roof makes me concerned about rain. Pooling water is heavy, and I've seen tents brought down by light rain...let alone heavy rain, though the flexible sides may mitigate that.
 
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I'm gonna echo Sweeney. If you ever saw Cosmo Weems (RIP) youtubes on the "Clams" tents in the snow, having to bounce it off periodically to avoid collapse on the slightly sloped roof, at 0:45 here

you can imagine "just a little water"
(which is heavier than snow)
Would be a problem for something like this MOGICs which is even more lightweight and with a flat roof...

But, I feelz ya - I have a NB 12x12 you can fit a whole 560Ultra under it, almost (mine in FL battened down for stormy weather) -
and
you need to sew a custom panel(s) to fit one of the zippered ends...
to really keep the bugs out...
(See screenshot from another CI plus NB owner in the "Canopies" thread.)

but yeah,
its a PITA to setup and take down for just one night.
 

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Thanks for the feedback, admit the roof worried me as well. But I’m taking a chance with the special discount I’ll let the group know how it works out. I will NOT use that tent in the snow :-) so no worries there.
 
Diver Bob said:
Thanks for the feedback, admit the roof worried me as well. But I’m taking a chance with the special discount I’ll let the group know how it works out. I will NOT use that tent in the snow :) so no worries there.
Click to expand...

Are you trying to find a cover for the galley or a changing room? I think in this group we've probably tried just about every option available. What features are you looking for, any specific needs? This is one of the famous Jeff Bezos issues --- good, fast, or cheap --- pick 2. Its taken me a few years, but I think I found what generally works for me...


Kevin said:
I'm gonna echo Sweeney. If you ever saw Cosmo Weems (RIP) youtubes on the "Clams" tents in the snow, having to bounce it off periodically to avoid collapse on the slightly sloped roof, at 0:45 here

you can imagine "just a little water"
(which is heavier than snow)
Would be a problem for something like this MOGICs which is even more lightweight and with a flat roof...

But, I feelz ya - I have a NB 12x12 you can fit a whole 560Ultra under it, almost (mine in FL battened down for stormy weather) -
and
you need to sew a custom panel(s) to fit one of the zippered ends...
to really keep the bugs out...
(See screenshot from another CI plus NB owner in the "Canopies" thread.)

but yeah,
its a PITA to setup and take down for just one night.
Click to expand...

I think the clam is probably the easiest to set up --- I've got 2 :D The one Cosmo modified, and a genuine clam. There are 2 problems with them
  1. Bugs - I don't know where they come from, I suspect they are hiding in the grass, and when they emerge they fill the room since the floor is open.
  2. Heat - The mesh keeps in too much heat. In the summer the airflow is very bad.
The unzipping screens help, but they are still not adequate. Only about 1/4 do. There are 4 screens per side panel --- and only one is zippered. I'd like to see the roof designed with an air vent to allow some critters to escape, better ventilation (Think the top of an umbrella -- a little loose flap), and more side openings.

I may just bite the bullet, and start cutting this spring. CLAM style take about 2 minutes to set up, 2 minutes to take down and are pretty robust once you drive a few stakes into the ground.
 
That's what I'm doing, working out what's right for me. On trips I find I'm staying 1-3 nights max at any location. I have a vestibule tent which is great it sets up in a few minutes and serves its purpose. But I find it inconvenient to use the kitchen area in rain and buggy areas, and that's what I'm trying to address. I guess I'm looking for a vestibule tent for the kitchen. The northern breeze is not a solution for this in my opinion. The popup seems like what I'm looking for so I'll take a chance and post feedback for others. We'll see...
 
I don't see the cooling vent listed specifically. Do you mean the G6?

Thats the one I have...the vents help, but not a lot, and there's no floor so bugs are one of the 'most annoyin' things about it, there seems to be more than no screens at all.
 
Sweeney said:
I don't see the cooling vent listed specifically. Do you mean the G6?

Thats the one I have...the vents help, but not a lot, and there's no floor so bugs are one of the 'most annoyin' things about it, there seems to be more than no screens at all.
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It has an open screen ceiling, with a raised rainfly over the top, so heat can escape, an windo screens that unzip for better airflow if there are no bugs. G6 Cool Top 6-Sided Portable Gazebo
 
Sweeney said:
I don't see the cooling vent listed specifically. Do you mean the G6?

Thats the one I have...the vents help, but not a lot, and there's no floor so bugs are one of the 'most annoyin' things about it, there seems to be more than no screens at all.
Click to expand...

Apparently they now sell a "footprint" but doesnt zip in.
G6 6-Sided Gazebo Footprint

Fwiw: I actually bot the zip in floor to my Eureka NB12x12 but not used it yet...still deciding on a custom side panel like some have crafted...
(i do have a sewing kit with a long zipper as a project...saving for next trip...)

which would also need to be joined somehow at bottom to match the profile under the CI for bug proofy-ness once tucked over/under the galley...similar to how the CampInn Side Tent does to fit fabric close to the CI walls all around the door opening.

I also have a Kelty tarp I am testing out for 1.standalone shade in desert or
2. draped over the NB12x12 which DOES have a good roof vent(s)... (but does NOT have a separate rain fly...)

To see if that tarp helps cut the heat and condensation some in muggy hot places like FL, where a bug proof screen room is nice.
 
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Bake and Kroak said:
Dustinp has it correct Gazelle as a G6 Cool Top out now I do not know long it has been out Comes with a rainfly This is the one i am considering
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Nice! Thats the ticket!

I imagine you could also add glue on velcro tabs to attach the footprint to the walls in a few spots...seal off the bugs more.

Please leave a review if you do get the Cool Top...
I really like the ease of setup on the Clam and a couple folks have made custom wall cutouts to be able to slide over the galley, IIRC...dustin?

So if these G6 Cooltops hold upas well as Clams, then we have another proven solution...that goes up faster than traditional exterior frame tent style with guy lines, stakes...trip hazard at night!
 
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The weather is finally decent in the northeast so set this thing up and took some pics only thing not shown is the rain fly. Seems perfect for my needs and very easy/quick to set up. I got a break on the price as early adopter but I think they’re around $300 list.

I would NOT recommend for snow
 

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Diver Bob said:
The weather is finally decent in the northeast so set this thing up and took some pics only thing not shown is the rain fly. Seems perfect for my needs and very easy/quick to set up. I got a break on the price as early adopter but I think they’re around $300 list.

I would NOT recommend for snow
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Oh thats a handy screen room!
Fits perfect!
How long to set up?
 
Vince G said:
Someone on the forum modified a clam shell pop up. They added another zipper so on side was over galleywe and other enterance was opposite. Was great idea.
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I think Cosmo did that. He had one that he had custom-modified to go over his Vistabule. He had a sail-maker on the east coast do the modification if I'm not mistaken.

The Gazelle G6 tent you can be set up around the galley, plus it has a small step-through on the backside. The step through the back door takes a little coordination...but its usable. Its also nice that you can zip open some of the screens, as well as to drop sides for privacy and providing some exposure protection.
 
dustinp said:
I think Dirty6 ordered one, but haven't seen any updates on how well it has worked out for them yet.
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We got the G6 Deluxe but no cool top. It works well for us, but attaching the awning to CI galley door to make a rain covering for the galley didn’t quite work as well as I wanted it to. The galley continues to be the most challenged spot for us to cover and protect.
 
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