After last year's microburst tore through the pits.
Im looking into replacing the material on my awning for that black mesh stuff for breathability and keep it from turning into a parachute.
What mesh have you guy's used and how has it held up under strong winds.
Was looking into the harbor freight mesh, just wondering if it's thick enough to prevent tearing.
I'll be sewing up new loops to slide in and can swap back to the stock material if wanted.
Look into aluminet shade cloth. it let alot of air thourgh and is tougher then it looks.
If the material is closed enough to make shade it's closed enough that the wind will take it away from you.
Sid.
Sid is correct... there is no wind proof shade material out there... however we started using "cattle guard" more than 35 years ago... it provided 60% shade and breathability. We tried building something over the trailer that would let us leave it up for the 50-60 MPH trip to the other end... that was too complicated and hard to erect so we just tried it with 4 poles.... since it was only attached at 4 grommets that idea failed, the rear 2 grommets pulled out. The SCTA has been using the same material for about 25 years now and it stays put most years.
The big problem for any shade is keeping it attached to the ground in the wind bursts that occur at Bonneville. Staking, buckets of cement, all have been tried... the only successful option I saw was Marlo's circus tent, professionally installed and guaranteed to be standing at the end of the week...
Is the HF version as tough and durable is anybody's guess... it is cheaper... but I can tell you when we were making the shade for our new trailer, we cut them out of the pieces of our original 2 pieces of cattle guard. There is a grommet every foot, all of them attached with zip ties to perimeter frames and they stay put at 55 MPH.
I've used some of the HF in brown for a garbage tarp covering the bed of my truck with good results. Just don't know how the ends would hold up.
My work has this stuff called "monster mesh" we use for pop up trailer screens and I've used it in front of my radiators to keep bugs, debris out. Only comes in 6ft width but might be something to consider.
What is this "cattle guard" material you talk about ?
This is a great discussion, keep em coming.
Well we bought it before the internet... Marty and I went to the farm store because I had seen it previously, they had 12x20 pieces with gromets all they way around. It is livestock shade material... only available in black back then... It is amazing how cool it is under it.
Quote from: rockracer on June 09, 2026, 11:20:01 AMWhat is this "cattle guard" material you talk about ?
This is a great discussion, keep em coming.
I had a chance to google what Stainless was talking about and found a link that pretty much talks about all of the coverings and what might be best for you. Should give you some good ideas.
https://www.tarpsupply.com/blogs/tarps-articles/what-are-the-best-materials-for-livestock-shade-tarps
And yes Stainless, Marlo's Circus Tent was wonderful to work under!!!!!
B'ville 2012!
New mesh awning all sewn up and installed.
IMG_20260708_181851_323.jpg
IMG_20260708_182010_820.jpg