CLAM Quick-Set Pavilion Camper 12.5' Screen Tent, 8-Person, Brown

A high quality product, easy to install, very spacious. It is protective from regular rain and sun and of course insects. Flaps covering mesh walls do keep the wind out.(though this may not always be to your advantage see below) Tips if you use it in places if the weather gets bad. This is our second Clam purchase. Our first one did break but I think we were asking more from it than it was designed to do. We camp on our land on a hill that can receive heavy rain fall and 70 mile an hour winds. We used to leave the Clam up when we were not using it hoping it would withstand the elements while we were not there. Inevitably, the combination of rain and wind would make the Clam collapse in on itself. After learning this we do a few things: 1) make sure to stake down all sides not just the floor and vertex where there is a ring with string. 2) if we are experiencing heavy winds we open up the the material flaps (lack of a better term) and let the wind run through through the screens walls. The top will still provide protection from the sun or rain. 3) there is a vertical pole that is attached by Velcro to a diagonal pole near the door. This is an important structural pole. It will help a lot in the bad weather. 4) we have played around with a center pole to keep the center from collapsing in the combination of heavy rain and wind but I think really staking down lines connected to stress points work best. The reason we try do hard to make it work is because it is a great product and we want it to work for us in the bad weather. You could even use it as a tent not just a gazebo.

The camping world is all talking about the clam and after years of struggling with canopies and putting tarps on the sides for rain/ sun/privacy and still dealing with bugs, I took the plunge and ordered the pavilion camper and then when it was delivered I was afraid I got something too big to handle. It looks intimidating! But the campground I go to most often has huge picnic tables and I want it to be covered. So I just did my practice run and I did it! You will need some arm strength but I have carpal tunnel in both wrists and a bad shoulder and it was much easier than any of my canopies and didn’t bother my arms or shoulders at all. It took me 30 minutes to set up, check it over, take it down and put it back in the bag. The next time will go so much faster. The sides popped out nice and easy and then I had to get a sturdy stool (or a cooler or similar will work) to pop up the roof. I am 51, mostly a solo camper and I chose this one because the wind panels are built in and it’s less for me to mess with at set up or have to store. If it rains, it will literally take a few seconds to put the panels down, huge bonus. I originally was going to go with the next size down, but by the time you buy the separate panels, it’s about the same money and you have more room in this one. I really won’t be using the floor often so I did not attempt to set that up, but it’s nice to have. The bag is also much lighter to haul around without the floor in it. My one recommendation would be for clam to put wheels on one end of the carry case, especially for this big guy and the money we’re spending. One of my canopies had that and it was much easier to haul around. But, thank you for the oversized bag! We all know putting camping stuff back in its bag is often the hardest struggle, so I’m very pleased with that. Take down was super easy too. Even though the whole thing is long, it’s skinny-ish and it fits in my 2018 Honda CRV lengthwise, but it does rest partially on the arm rest between the front seats. I checked it over for any stitching issues others reported but mine looks good! I’ll update in the future when I use it in the real world, but I’m confident Big Brown will be able to keep up with me and pull her weight.

I have been using this for years now. It does have some mild wear and tear but with how long I've had it I would expect that. It is extremely easy for me to set up and tear down by myself (im a 5 foot tall woman)

I purchased this specifically for the ease of set up. I usually need it up myself. I’m a 68 yo female. I can set up, take down and get it in the storage bag myself. The bag is properly made so you have so problems getting it back in after the first time you in wrap it. We have gotten two picnic tables in this size and still had room to move around. WATCH THE VIDEO FOR SET UP. What looks to be setting it up, upside down is correct. If you don’t do it right, you will be sorry. Many videos of unhappy people that didn’t follow directions!

The tent itself is VERY easy to set up. The floor installation on the other hand is a nightmare the way the velcro flaps at the bottom of the tent walls that cover the floor attachment points constantly close on the velcro while trying to attach the floor pieces. These flaps have velcro on them and constantly reattach to the wall, making the floor installation tedious and time consuming. Sorry, guys but this requires a MUCH better design. I would suggest putting velcro on the outside of the flap with an attachment point above the flap so the flap can be folded up and secured while the floor is attached, then the flap can be folded down afterward.

When you are traveling in a small two person RV, but want that extra space, this is ideal. We have used ours as a closed in room to provide a guest room, and a tv room for our 5 month stays in Florida for the winter. The floor and the large window zippered closures provide the option of an open air screened gazebo or a fully enclosed room. I highly recommend the extra purchase of the Clam water resistant and sun shade cover as well.

We absolutely LOVE our clam. The big issue is the poles have pushed through the material in four locations. The roof is far from waterproof, even with waterproofing spray. If they could solve the issue of durability where the poles are secured, I would give it a 20 star rating!!!