After buying your pop up canopy (a.k.a instant up canopy) and reading the provided instructions, you might still be a bit confused about how to setup your canopy. Indeed perhaps you didn’t get instructions in the first place, or maybe after your first trip you’re now thinking – there’s got to be an easier way to set this up! Read on to find some tips and tricks to make your setup a breeze – whether you need to know how to setup a canopy by yourself, or with someone else.
Who is this guide for?
The most popular size of pop up canopy is the 10 x 10 ft version, which is most easily setup with two people. However it is possible to setup a 10 x 10 by yourself, and I’ve covered both methods in the steps below. Indeed some canopies are designed to be setup by one person (see my review of the best canopy for easy setup). If you’ve got a canopy larger than 10×10 the process is fairly similar, but you’ll need more people. I am using a straight leg canopy here as an example, but the approach should also work for slant leg canopies. Find out more information about the difference between slant vs straight leg canopies.
How to setup a canopy by yourself
- Place the unopened frame upright in the space where it you need it.
2. Try and open the frame out as far as you can (probably won’t be very much)
3. Standing in the middle of one side take hold of a folded truss segment (watch hands for pinch points)
4. Lift the frame gently and it should open out slightly. Move to the next side and do the same. Keep moving around until it is close to being fully opened.
5. Lock the sliding corner mechanisms in place. If it’s windy at this point I would knock in your tent stakes into the feet or attach your weight bags. Once the canopy top goes on you may be fighting to keep it down.
6. Drape over the canopy top now while the frame is low, and secure the corners
7. Raise the legs
8. Tie any straps/tabs on the inside down
9. Tether or weigh down the legs (including the stakes in the feet if you haven’t put them in already).
Check out this helpful and instructive video on how to setup a canopy by yourself.
How to setup a canopy – 2 person setup
This is very similar to the single person setup, however step 2 and 3 are easier (refer to the photos above).
- Place the unopened frame upright in the space where it you need it.
- Each person should stand opposing each other, roughly in the middle of a side
- While holding onto a folded truss segment, each person lifts up gently and walk backwards as the frame opens out (watch hands for pinch points)
- Lock the sliding corner mechanisms in place. If it’s windy at this point I would knock in your tent stakes into the feet or attach your weight bags. Once the canopy top goes on you may be fighting to keep it down.
- Drape over the canopy top now while the frame is low, and secure the corners
- Tie any straps/tabs on the inside down
- Tether or weigh down the legs (including the stakes in the feet if you haven’t put them in already)
Here is a video to show you how easy it can be done with two people:
FAQ
How do you make a pop up canopy taller?
Most pop up canopies have extendable telescopic legs that can make it taller and give you more head clearance. If you have already maxed this out and you still need more height, try resting the legs on stable and flat objects such as bricks. You need to ensure that the canopy stays level; and keep in mind that as your canopy gets taller it also becomes less stable and more prone to taking off in the wind.
Can a car fit under a 10×10 tent?
As long as you own an average sized car, you should be able to fit some of your car underneath. However it’s unlikely that it will fit completely underneath unless it’s a very small car. The average mid-sized car is about 6-6.5 ft wide (add a little bit more for side mirrors), 15-16 ft long, and about 5-5.5 ft tall. A 10 x 10 ft straight leg tent/canopy will obviously have slightly less than a 10 ft opening on any side, and most can extend to a 6ft valence height (distance from the ground to the first horizontal truss – the bit you have to walk under to get into the canopy proper). Therefore the car’s length will be your biggest challenge in trying to fit underneath.
How do you close a 10×10 canopy?
Follow these steps:
- Un-tie any internal straps holding the canopy on the frame
- Lower down the legs
- Remove the canopy top
- Release the corner sliding mechanisms
- Walk the frame back in (easiest with two people)
How do I keep my canopy from blowing away?
You can secure a pop up canopy by weighing it down with heavy bags or weights; by tying it down with ropes; or by burying the canopy legs in the ground. Consider using a heavy-duty canopy like the Eurmax pop up canopy.
How do you set up a beach canopy?
You can follow the same steps outlined in the article above to setup your canopy on the beach. However as you are on a loose substrate (sand) and much more exposed to the wind, you will need to use different methods to ensure you are secured down. Use sand specific stakes and/or weight bags that you can fill with readily available sand.
