interesting awning option

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AdventureBuddies

AdventureBuddies

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Costco - Kelty Deluxe Carport Shelter

It's an awning that pitches like a tent and attaches to the roof of your truck. REI sells it for $300 and I was considering buying one. I accidently found it at Costco for $60 so of course I had to order it to see if it's practical or not. I plan to hook it to my Maggiolina so I can climb the ladder to the door without gettting rained on. The awning just arrived tonight so I will pitch it tomorrow and report on it. Any thoughts?
 
Looks nice and cheap to boot. I usually make my own with a tarp and some adjustable tent poles but I like the different positions this offers. Please post a report with some pics when you can.

..
 
Thanks for the info on this. I have looked at this shelter before and thought it was too pricey. Got the kelty Noah's tarp instead. But for this price I had to order one. I was going to wait for your review but didn't want to miss such a great deal.

I compared the specs and costco appears to be selling the large size which goes elsewhere from $300 to $250. And with costco's return policies you can't go wrong if it doesn't work out.

Thanks again:beer:
 
my report

This awning is pretty cool. The materials are high quality and the design is decent. Not sure why it has zip open windows with screens though since it doesn't seal on the ground well enough to be bug proof anyway. With the vertical legs attached, clearance is about 9 ft at the peak and you can easily walk under it without ducking. Looks like it will be reasonably wind sturdy if properly guyed out.

It took me about 5 min to pitch plus another 2 min to attach to the rack basket - pretty quick for my first try and definately easier than I thought it might be. For $60 I think it's a no brainer and I don't even know how they can offer it at that price.

I don't know how it will finction attached to the top of my open Maggiolina Grand Tour - might be too high to use without the vertical leg poles. Maggiolina doesn't arrive until Feb but I think I'll keep this awning no matter what.
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Hard to tell from the pics, but are the 'windows' see thru or do the provide some privacy if you choose to use this as a changing room with the sides down as in your first pic?

It's a steal at $60. Amazon has it at $290 and just about everyone else at $300.
 
Brentbba said:
Hard to tell from the pics, but are the 'windows' see thru or do the provide some privacy if you choose to use this as a changing room with the sides down as in your first pic?

It's a steal at $60. Amazon has it at $290 and just about everyone else at $300.
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The windows are like on a normal tent: screen on the exterior side and a zip down flap of tent material on the inside so it's private and can be used as a changing room.
 
AdventureBuddies said:
The windows are like on a normal tent: screen on the exterior side and a zip down flap of tent material on the inside so it's private and can be used as a changing room.
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Thanks

How sturdy is this thing? Think it would hold up to a good stiff wind? How does it attach to the roof rack?
 
Brentbba said:
Thanks

How sturdy is this thing? Think it would hold up to a good stiff wind? How does it attach to the roof rack?
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It's definately sturdier than I expected. The poles are large diameter and the intersections are strong. The tent attaches to a pole that runs parrallel to the roof rack via some velcro straps (probably the weekest link) in the middle and metal hooks on the end. That pole then attaches to the roof rack via some very sturdy looking nylon re-enforced straps. With strategic guylines, I think it could handle sustained 30mph winds - certainly it can handle more wind than you would want to be hanging out in. I would feel comfortable pitching it in Joshua Tree in the winter where it can get pretty windy. The dumpy little stakes that came with it are not sufficent to anchor the tent in high winds.
 
The awning set up looks to be useful. It's just that wind thing out in the desert that would be a problem.
 
Live to Ski said:
Hi AdventureBuddies,

Any chance you can scan/email the directions. That will help me understand before I buy!

Thanks in advance and happy xmas/merry new year!
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Sorry, I don't have a functional scanner and I checked the Kelty website - no PDF instructions. I'd say order it from Costco and return it if you don't like it.

I will post again after I use it in some wind. It definately seems more wind proof than one of those awnings that extends out of an aluminum housing like they have on RVs.
 
Thanks for the tip, I looked at these at length before but the cost scared me off, I just got one... for my birthday this month! :D

I appreciate the tip off!

Drew
 
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spressomon said:
Bought the Kelty Carport Deluxe Large last summer. Have used it a few times attached to my Maggiolina. I'll post up pic(s) from our New Year's DV trip...as soon as I figure out how to do it (new Mac owner ;))


For now here's a pic from an earlier outing on the coast this fall...Expedition Portal Forums - View Single Post - New Maggiolina GT Med on Horizon experience
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Excellent. Looking forward to seeing those pics. I noticed on your mods list that you have a Waeco fridge. I'm considering buying the same one - would you buy it all over again? Any thoughts?
 
AdventureBuddies said:
Excellent. Looking forward to seeing those pics. I noticed on your mods list that you have a Waeco fridge. I'm considering buying the same one - would you buy it all over again? Any thoughts?
Click to expand...


Yep...I would buy the Waeco again: No doubt. I like it for many reasons...one of which is it, like it or not, has a couple temp zones in the main compartment and the smaller upper compartment is warmer yet. I put a container of ice cubes in the lower hinge side rear corner...on setting 3 they stay frozen for as long as you have power or run out due to heavy cocktail consumption ;).

My only nit...and every product has at least one...the fabric insulative cover isn't as durable as the ARB/Engel cover. But even after 2 1/2 years of heavy hard use it still is functional albeit with a few stitches missing.
 
I serendipitously came across this deal last night as well. I was planning to post this here but looks like you guys already know about it.

Check out REI's product listing for pics to help understand how it sets up: Kelty Carport Deluxe Shelter - Truck/SUV from REI.com

Not only did I buy the Carport for $60 ($320 @ REI), I also bought the the Kelty Screen House (12' x 12') for $60 ($250 @ REI)!

Looks like they're both out of stock now (thanks to ih8mud). :grinpimp:

Costco still has the Kelty Mantra 5 tent for about 1/2 price as well (last year's model, I believe); it's one of the highest regarded family tents out there. Too bad I'm in the market for a Mantra 6 or 7.
 
Here's a few pics of the Carport Deluxe from DV last week...
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