“This is my second 12 x 20 ft Super Max canopy; I purchase the first at Sams' Club sometime in 2012 or so. A tree fell on that one, so bought the second direct from Shelter Logics website. The original version came in a large box, as it was composed of one piece legs and upper canopy segments, approx. 6 1/2 ' long, all segments were 2" diameter steel tube.
The recent purchase from SL came in a relatively small box, as the design was changed so that 2 segments are joined to make a single 6 1/2' leg and upper canopy segment. All leg segments are 2" diameter tube, as well as the corresponding segments forming the triangular top support.
Here is the bad: all the upper canopy longitudinal segments, along each side and at the apex of the canopy top are made using 1 1/2" diameter tube; this allowed them to pack a 1 1/2' tube within a 2" tube in the box, but thus greatly diminishing the overall strength of the canopy. So no longer 'Super' Max, more like 'OK' Max, a regrettable compromise on Shelter Logic part. This allows them to use the smaller box, save weight and thus shipping costs, but I would prefer a version using 2" diameter for ALL segments, even at a greater cost.
We have high winds occasionally where I live, but the install is nestled so as to have wind block, and as well we anchored the legs as directed. However, SL degrading the design strength by using the weaker 1 1/2" longitudinal tube will make the constructed canopy more vulnerable to strong wind or other stress placed on the canopy.
One recommendation for better strength - we used #8 or so self threading metal screws to secure all segments together at each joint. SL provides only a basic bungie assembly at each corner to hold down the canopy onto the 4 end leg upper ends to secure these points from lifting in wind. I recommend securing all joints, to avoid creaking in winds as well. We also dug small depressions at each leg base, filled with larger gravel followed with pea gravel for final leveling, so as to allow give at these stress points. You can then use a stronger bungie wrap around at the leg base, and attach the bungie end to a stake. DO NOT STAKE DIRECTLY THROUGH THE 8 PLASTIC FOOT PCS!! Stress will eventually crack the plastic. The bungie allows give during minor shifting.
Packed well, good directions, good customer communication re shipping, just recommend offering an all 2" tube version.”
Hello Ron,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us! We're glad to hear that you found the packing and installation instructions satisfactory, as well as appreciating our customer communication.
Your insights on the 1 1/2" longitudinal segments and the recommendations for securing the joints with additional screws are invaluable. We always strive to improve our products, and your feedback will certainly be taken into consideration.
If there's anything else you would like to discuss or further assistance we can provide, please feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
ShelterLogic
“I did not buy this yesterday because the product and the company do not exist. They may have been shut down in a blue state. They need to hire me as a consultant, because they do not know how to run a business, or move to a business friendly state.”
Hello,
We are very sorry to see you feel this way. Customer satisfaction is very important to us and we would like to discuss what went wrong. Please give us a call at 1-800-932-9344.
Thank you, Customer Service
“I received this quickly and assemble Time was near an hour, had my wife help stretch the cover. Already rode out snow, wind and rain; keeping dry underneath.
I only give it a four because quality control missed the leg connections.”
“i had one shelter many years ago and loved it and it was easy to put up. this one I bought in may was the worst canopy we ever put up. it took 8 people to assemble it and the instructions were not very good. there was only a few pins and not enough for all of the holes and didn't tell us which holes to put them in. also It took 3 files and 3 people to file every single cotton picken hole in the elbows (corner pieces), to fit the poles in and took 3 hours to file them. we usually take it down each fall and reset it up in the spring, but we will NOT be doing that this year because it took so long to put it up and got all of the elbows in the wrong places due to lack of info in the instructions. if this one get destroyed then we will be going back to "King canopy" we had that one set up every summer for 7 summers before a micro burst took it away.”
