Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I slept 'outside' this past year, and had few issues, and those were my fault. Where I come from, if you sleep outside without some sort of screen mesh guard, you will wake up with a million mosquito bites, if not worse. I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of bugs.
If it rains super hard, a night in the car isn't that bad. With quality sidewall tarps, my 12x12 dome canopy works fine . And as far as staking it down, please do. My neighbors last year failed to do so and their airborne, pinwheeing EZ up tore through another group's sweet campsite 50 feet away literally shredding their setup.
I secure my cooler to a corner of the EZ up; the weight is equal to any stake, and deters wholesale theft.
Post by SilentEyedStorm on Dec 1, 2013 7:31:14 GMT -5
I used only an EZUp last year. I had brought a tent and canopy, but there wasn't room to set up both without sacrificing room to move around. I did use tarps (they are actually unused surgical drapes) on 2 sides, which I punched holes in like a shower curtain and hung from the outer roof supports of the canopy using loosely fastened zip ties. When not in use, I rolled and fastened them to the roof of the canopy with large clips. I slept on a cot placed on a large, thick, rubberized tarp, which in the real world is really the roof of my daughter's wooden swing set/fort. The use of the tarp was so I wouldn't have to step into mud, or my cot wouldn't slowly sink and shift, when it rained. The only change I'll definitely make this year is the addition of cheap shower curtain rings. Last year was my rookie year, but thanks to all the advice on this board, I feel like I was well prepared.
On a side note, if you can get your hands on surgical drapes, get a few. I don't know if there is an equivalent that can be bought in a store, but mine are indispensable. A 3rd drape was as a sleeping bag, because the first night I woke up with a damp pillow/blanket from the humidity and was miserable. The drapes are water resistant, hold zero moisture and are totally reusable. I stayed the perfect temp and dry every night.
2013~Bonnaroo, Gentlemen of the Road-Troy 2014~McDowell Mountain, Beale Street, Bonnaroo, Riot Fest 2015~Coachella 1, Bonnaroo 2016~Summer Camp, Bonnaroo, Live on the Green, Pilgrimage 2017~Bonnaroo, Live on the Green, Pilgrimage 2018~Bonnaroo
"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" 2019~BROKE 2020~M'fking COVID 2021~ditto 2022~tbd
I tried the EZ UP-only set up 2 years ago when I was volunteering and got completely wiped away by torrential downpours. I ended up sleeping in my friend's car for a few nights until the festival started and then crashed in a friend's tent. The big problem I think was not properly fastening tarps to the sides of my EZ UP in a way that would prevent all (or most) water from entering into the EZ UP area. It's also possible that there was nothing I could do since the rain was pretty heavy at times throughout the night. I also made the mistake of using a tarp as my "floor" for the EZ UP. It got muddy real-quick, and that kinda defeated the purpose.
The following year I didn't even try to fix it. I just set up a tent under an EZ UP and slept in there with a fan to my face.
thanks, another good perspective.
I'm getting the idea that humidity/dampness and rain are the enemies of the ez fort.
Post by FuzzyWarbles on Dec 1, 2013 11:37:25 GMT -5
I've never tried the EZ up only route but have heard from others that it is nice. This year I used a 10x10 Quest straight-leg dome canopy with UPF 50+ protection canvas and reflective sidewalls covering the east and south. I also left the rain fly off for breeze, hung a coleman tent fan from the top of the tent, and slept on one of these, www.amazon.com/Byer-Maine-Allagash-Plus-Blue/dp/B008424XM2/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1385915765&sr=1-2&keywords=allagash+cot. I was so comfortable I had a tough time getting up before noon to prepare for early shows.
Post by Od Lid Johnny on Dec 3, 2013 1:02:31 GMT -5
I always cut slits in my wall tarps and fasten all sides. Let's wind blow through and keeps shade still. Also good to have enough to cover all walls in case of rain.
Post by laurensmackho on Dec 3, 2013 10:29:13 GMT -5
I had a tent that survived five Roos. Unfortunately it died on a camping trip in West Point, Va. A drunk friend sat down on one of the tent poles and then my drunk behind sat down on the other one. I'm thinking a smaller tent would be good this year, and perhaps another Ez-up to go over my tent.
Has anyone had more luck with a particular brand of tent over another? I haven't gone shopping for one in a long time, and it would be nice to know what to look for.
I use one of these in a slightly smaller size...they make all types/sizes and are very good for shade and to put a tent underneath. They are more affordable than one might think. A decent size group can afford one. The main issue is the length of the poles...a truck, van or large roof rack is advised. look up "portable carports"...you will get many years of use from a rig like this. A better investment than an EZ up IMO. EZ's are great to set up over tents...please properly stake them down!
Me and a buddy went with a pretty sweet Coleman EZ-up canopy. It had a bug net that wrapped all the way around, as well as a weather wall to put down for each side. It wasn't an exact science, but we could adjust the weather walls enough to keep a breeze going through and block the sun in the early morning. Slept on cots with a tarp underneath and definitely staked it all down. Was as good as I think you can hope for at Roo, short of being in an RV.
