I'm in the market for a Gazebo and I have no idea where to start (very much used to tarps and poles). A lot of the reviews seem to be equally terrible haha so am I best to just get 2nd hand?
Have been considering:
- 3x3m standard wanderer/kings/oztrail
- Coleman Event / Spinafex 420 Shade Shelter (dome style things)
Looking on marketplace i can see a
- Spinafex 420 for $190 and a Dune 3x3 for $100
Any thoughts, bargains and tips are greatly appreciated!
I second the avoid the Kings 4wd Supacentre crap.
Just be aware, if there's heavy rain these gazebos can eventually catch massive kilos of water. I watched one do this at a field day. (It looked perfect ,assembled correctly, when it was up and it was dry) But when it bucketed down, what a spectacle.It gradually collected rain till it just disintegrated under the weight. (I presume it either got soaked or a slack surface area grew with the deluge) If you're under one in heavy rains keep pushing the material upwards to shed the water till the heavy rain finishes.If you can't keep up, as they say, run as fast as your legs can carry you.
This was a better brand (instant up) from memory. (Blue I think. Oztrail?) Not sure it wasn't ours, but I do remember it was branded, and it was pre the Kings days.
if there's heavy rain these gazebos can eventually catch massive kilos of water.
One camping trip we had a massive downpour of rain during the night. Heard a crash and the gazebo failed. Next morning well over half the gazebos were no longer standing.
Nah dont get second hand. Not worth the risk of a leaky gazebo, its a shit time. I quite like my Coleman. Solid and waterproof. I got one with lights built in from bunnings for $150.
Yes avoid Kings
Is this for a once-off or something regular?
If it is once-off, then something like a Kings would be fine. It is cheaper stuff, but for the occasional and/or once-off, it is okay. I can't speak too much for the Kings outdoor stuff, I use most of their electrical stuff (DC-DC Charger, Inverter, Solar Blanket).
If you are a regular, spend a bit extra and get a reasonable brand.
Don't go second hand unless its a once off.
I'm trialling camping out with the family. I'm big into it as we camped 4-6x a year growing up but haven't camped in years with marriage, pregnancy, newborn-phase, home-buying etc. So I'd prefer not to jump head-long into a big expense in case it sticks in the garage for the majority of its life haha, on the flip side I'm hoping my fam of 4 love it and we become regulars
If you don't want the big expense, go for Kings stuff.
4wd "cheap and nasty" supercentre
Oztrail all the way
I lugged a Oztrail around every weekend for 2-3 years. It copped wind, dust, rain, etc week after week and it's still in decent condition. Could almost use a new canopy but it's been great and I wouldn't hesitate buying another.
Think our current one is a wanderer. Seems fairly well built. Some cheaper ones the frame seems to be made of toothpicks amdnnot sturdy at all.
Dome style are a lot more set up and pack up time, but can be better in the rain. Our 3x3 can be set up by one person in quick time, but does require monitoring the water pooling when it rains.
Second hand is more likely to have a saggy top which will be more likely to catch rain. They are chep enough to buy new.
Oztrail are expensive, but good.
Never trust a brand using the name king, i have found. Usually overrated.