THE TANNING TENT
The Tanning Tent is my own idea and design. It’s a STRONG, portable, privacy enclosure for full-body sunbathing in your own backyard. It’s 15 feet x 15 feet x 6 feet. It is not a pop-up. But it is simple to assemble, even by yourself. I’m NOT selling them, I’m showing you how to reproduce it, and where to purchase the off-the-shelf parts. And, I will be showing you how to assemble it as well.
The following is the list of parts...
TARPS.COM (Canopy angle fittings 1 3/8”)
F3-138
F3-138
1 3/8" Flat Roof Corner - 3 Way Fitting. These are for the top and bottom corners only.
$10.95 each x 8 pcs = $87.60
FT1-138
FT1-138
1 3/8” closed T with NO ROLL-STOP – 3-way fitting.
These are for the three sliding poles only.
These are for the three sliding poles only.
$9.45 each x 6 = $56.70
FT2-138
FT2-138
1 3/8" Closed T with Roll Stop - 3 Way Fitting
These are for the bottom of the four center pipes only. These are NOT sliding.
$8.45 each x 4 = $33.80
F4-138
F4-138
1 3/8" Flat Roof Center Side - 4 Way Fitting.
A stop on the long pipe so the pole will not go all the way through. These are for the top of the four center poles only.
$14.25 x 4 = $57
FX-138
FX-138
1 3/8" Flat Cross - 4 Way Fitting . The long pipe has NO role stop. The other two short pipes do. This is for the one top center/middle.
$9.79 x 1 = $9.79
AMAZON.COM (Ball bungees, stakes, tarps)
Ball Bungees
6” heavy-duty, B&W, ball bungees – a pack of 100 for attaching tarps to frame.
$24 for a pack of 100 ball bungees. 24 cents each x 100 = $24
https://www.amazon.com/Bungee-Canopy-Camping-Shelter-Resistant/dp/B0GRC6TZHP/ref=sr_1_33?crid=1MW8U9H9EDTIP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1MWFTjDWMxYcQW7dG2BQhCZuRkhzanoCUZXAy0HA4e9InsEKI7QbELTnmCKT7aQnb61FE6FSc9zNrW7GbNiE1NIx6xdE5wpqDacKFmgzCuk4pW1-abjek1Kmcwkm1i39t-LM7rKI6s45REggiYhAYpSfEAdsfXa3p7_wiBkVRStxMWXjQJmzhq8R1loMR2iMDrp-mVzfmtOUoqVtcO3eX2C22gcKbPSByoKDssuQaNzalTSkHl0j26SqF4KP0AS_Gpb93EGDZ3bJRnVNpaujnhvAnzgrGrR2XJZcTl96ZIs.1FLcJwjYJKHnihn3xfbQ9mWNzbiU8yphQObetR_MvHk&dib_tag=se&keywords=ball%2Bbungee%2Bcords%2B6%2Binch&qid=1784086763&sprefix=ball%2Bbungee%2Bcords%2B6%2Binch%2B%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-33&th=1
U Rebar Stakes
24-inch heavy-duty U rebar stakes with black antirust coating (16 pcs)
$5.07 each, x 16 = $80.74. (1 pack of 16)
These are amazing! They eliminate the tripping hazard of guy wires. The Tanning Tent acts like a ship’s sail. Therefore, the frame must be resolutely attached to the ground. And these things do that marvelously! My Tanning Tent has remained steadfastly in place even in serious Nebraska wind storms!
https://www.amazon.com/EISENSP-Trampoline-Anchors-24-Inch-Antirust/dp/B0DNFMG93C/ref=pd_ybh_a_d_sccl_3/134-9699864-3151449?pd_rd_w=G8ha9&content-id=amzn1.sym.67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_p=67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_r=3RHGHGM5NA4CKBS094RM&pd_rd_wg=ead72&pd_rd_r=1582bcc3-9cb0-4595-9b42-f6f4ddfdbbd5&pd_rd_i=B0DNFMG93C&th=1
6’ x 20’ 12 mill, white poly tarp
Tarp - 6’ x20’, white, heavy-duty, 12mil, by MVPNET. Grommets approximately every 18” (which is VERY good!) This tarp is for the walls.
$27 each x 3 = $81
These tarps have lasted through weeks of Nebraska winds and three Nebraska windstorms - with gusts of 50-60 mph. They are cheap and easy to replace and are sold on Amazon and Walmart.
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Durability-Multipurpose-Courtyards-MVPNET/dp/B0D2X6H33S/ref=pd_ybh_a_d_sccl_15/134-9699864-3151449?pd_rd_w=y7iIn&content-id=amzn1.sym.67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_p=67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_r=CS205G3RGRV7T0QDHEVX&pd_rd_wg=9QJZa&pd_rd_r=567b6398-4a07-4fae-8c7e-c96db3befd62&pd_rd_i=B0D2X6H33S&th=1
6’ x 8’ 12 mill, white poly tarp
Tarp - 6’ x 8’, white, heavy-duty, 12mil, by MVPNET. Grommets approximately 18” (which is VERY good!). THIS tarp is for the door. They are cheap and easy to replace and are sold on Amazon and Walmart.
$16 each x 1 = $16
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Durability-Multipurpose-Courtyards-MVPNET/dp/B0DB7C1Z9K/ref=pd_ybh_a_d_sccl_1/134-9699864-3151449?pd_rd_w=WjY7j&content-id=amzn1.sym.67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_p=67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_r=DCTX7E8QSK29Y13HR2Q6&pd_rd_wg=hhnJw&pd_rd_r=2be7a966-227a-4cdf-a4bf-5b650fe0b007&pd_rd_i=B0D2X6H33S&th=1
AMERICA’S FENCE STORE (1 3/8” Galvanized Steel Pipe)
America’s Fence Store (1 3/8” Galvanized Steel Pipe)
I built my “Tanning Tent” frame out of Galvanized steel because it is three times stronger than aluminum. I chose this because of the strong and frequent Nebraska winds – typically 20-35 mph; PLUS the Nebraska windstorms – typically 50 mph and occasionally 60 mph gusts. A frame, built with this is SOLID!
The pipes are the exact same pipe that is used in residential chainlink fences – it’s the “top rail” of such a fence. I purchased mine from America’s Fence Store, in Rapid City, SD. They have stores in a number of midwest cities. Here’s the link to the exact pipes I purchased:
https://localstore.americanfencerapidcity.com/collections/residential-chain-link-pipe/products/swedged-end-galvanized-pipe-residential-1-3-8-x-21
The pipes come in exactly 21 foot lengths. They cut them to the size I specified below. Not an inch was wasted. They charged me $5.50 for each cut. Their 21 foot, uncut pipes cost me $17 each (which is a marvelous price). Add on the $5.50/cut and now each 21 foot pole costs me $28. Even within their different stores in the midwest, the price for those 21 foot, uncut, pipes vary WIDELY! Some of their stores charge $53 per 21 foot, uncut 1 3/8” pipe!
The pipes come in exactly 21 foot lengths. They cut them to the size I specified below. Not an inch was wasted. They charged me $5.50 for each cut. Their 21 foot, uncut pipes cost me $17 each (which is a marvelous price). Add on the $5.50/cut and now each 21 foot pole costs me $28. Even within their different stores in the midwest, the price for those 21 foot, uncut, pipes vary WIDELY! Some of their stores charge $53 per 21 foot, uncut 1 3/8” pipe!
The size, of these pieces (even at 7.5 feet) make shipping them absolutely out of the question! It’s way to expensive to ship. So, you just need to shop around in your local area for the best price.
SO, HOW MANY 21 FOOT PIPES MUST BE PURCHASED AND CUT?
Eleven.
Each 21 ft pipe (cut in three parts) is $28
$28 x 11 = $308.00
THE TOTAL FOR ALL MY TENT PARTS: $755
(not including tax, or shipping, or gas to go get the pipes - a four hour round trip)