Russ McBride
Russ McBride New Reader
10/15/23 12:39 p.m.

My upper body/arm strength (or lack thereof) makes it hard to set up my canopy (ABCCanopy brand, similar to EZ Up). 

I've used straps and long squeeze clamps, and they help, but hoping for something better. 
 

Is there a tool (or clever process) for getting the corners to click in place?

As you're thinking about a reply, imagine the skinny guy getting sand kicked in his face by the body builder bully on the beach (and please don't suggest I send away for the Charles Atlas kit).

Thanks in advance. 

tomtomgt356 (Tommy)
tomtomgt356 (Tommy) Reader
10/19/23 1:46 p.m.

I don't know if this will help your situation, but when I have to set mine up by myself I tie one leg to the car/trailer and go around to the other three legs pulling them out a little at a time till it is open enough to get the corners to click.

californiamilleghia
californiamilleghia UberDork
10/19/23 2:34 p.m.

I always put mine up by myself ,  pulling each side a little and then going around and do the next corner , then next etc , 

This is with the other poles still  not pulled out so it is only 4-5ft tall ,

Then when its most of the way out I use my shoulder the push up the corner until it clicks , after that the other click easy ,

then I go around and pull out the inner poles until they click , one at a time , 

The "Book" says that you are supposed to push up the center pole  and the outer corners will all click !

I have never got that to work for me , but have seen it work for others......

And tie some 10-20lb weights  on the poles as they will turn into a kite :)

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
10/19/23 3:57 p.m.

don't extend the legs till you click the corners.

that's all i've got.

glueguy (Forum Supporter)
glueguy (Forum Supporter) Dork
10/19/23 5:07 p.m.

Let's think about this.  At the moment when the legs click into the top frame, the legs are square to the frame and the click happens with the least force.  Any further down the legs you start the frame, the more effort it takes to push up because the frame still needs to expand a small amount to get to square.  Therefore, the effort is high because you are trying to expand the frame from a single point and muscling through the cock-eyed resistance.

This is the benefit of partially expanding the four legs then getting underneath into the center and pushing up on the center pole.  You are using the center to evenly open all four sides.  You don't need to click it in from here but this is how I can open one solo.  From the center you get the whole frame 90% open, then can go to each leg and shake/pull to get all four to 95% open then go back around and they'll all click in with as little force as you'll get.

 

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