Storm-proofing the Side Panel on a lightweight A Frame Design

[Geoff Caplan]

Nick

Maybe we have TrailStars with different sils? Mine is a few years old now. I do find it sags when it’s cold and damp – and because it’s such a big tarp the shape goes and it gets more flappy.

I think the RSBTR silpolys will reduce this a fair bit, as well as being lighter.

[Nick Gatel]

Perhaps, Geoff. Mine is 4 years old. I really get it taunt during the initial set-up and ocassionally need to make minor adjustments at the linelocs. I usually use 9″ Easton stakes or long MSR ground hogs. Sometimes I use snow stakes in sandy desert soil. As you saw in my A-Frame pictures, I’m not afraid to put a lot of tension on a shelter.

[Nick Gatel]

What are your thoughts on the shapes of a solo mid or hexamid? They both provide a living space similar to half a trail star (which is all one person really needs) with a smaller footprint and similar weather handling.

I use mids. A Wild Oasis and Hexamid for many years. I gave away the Oasis and the Hexamid was my main shelter for 5 or 6 years. Now I have a Deschutes CF, which is a little larger than the other two; but no comparison when it comes to the spacious living space in a  Trailstar, and they won’t shed wind like the Trailstar either. In heavy rain and wind the small mids can allow water inside; not going to happen with Trailstar.

[Geoff Caplan]

All these great shelters have their pros and cons, but where serious 3 season weather is a possibility, it’s hard to see past the TrailStar.

Whatever is says in the marketing most lightweight shelters can’t take a real storm above the treeline – and when you ask the makers directly about the limits they get pretty cagey and advise due care.  So they’ll be fine most of the time, but spend enough trips up high and one fine day they’re going to shred around you. The TrailStar is the exception, I think.

For wind, the TrailStar is in a class of its own in the weight range. For rain, it’s possible to be open and vented in weather where you’d have to close up pretty much any other shelter.  And for livability it’s good enough – in particular i love the ability to cook safely inside.

As I worked on my fixed A-Frame design, I realised that you simply can’t get anywhere near the wind performance of the TrailStar without sacrificing lightness and simplicity.

With a tarp you don’t need so much strength – you can stay light and simple because when things get really hairy you’ve got the option of simply dropping the profile and riding things out. Getting back to A-Frame design, TrekkerTent understood this and began offering a tarp-like version of their Stealth that you can drop into storm-mode. And that’s the direction I’ll take in future rather than trying to reproduce Phoenix Phortress type strength. You’ll only need this if winds exceed 60mph or so, and I can live with it as an occasional emergency measure:

Compared to the TrailStar you get a smaller footprint and more space above head and feet. But it’s still not going to match the wind performance and coverage, so it all depends on priorities.

It’s interesting that Chris Townsend, who has been reviewing shelters since the Flood, rates the TrailStar as his all-time favorite. If you need what it offers, there’s really nothing else at anything like the weight.

The Ancients say that in the journey to wisdom you end up back at the same place, but with greater insight. I think that’s the story of my attempt to produce a lightweight Phortress!

[Ross Mellows]

How bizarre to find images of my old Phortress on such an esteemed forum!

[Author]

Posts