welcome

I'm so glad it helped. I was actually cussing and crying when I got it and had to have a friend come over and do it. weighing it down is a dream. These are the weight bags I got www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QNRR72H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You fill them up with water at your campsite. I also got a hose to do it. It takes more time to fill them then to take sand bags out of my van, but the sand bags take up real estate in the van and are heavy. When these water things are empty, I store them away and they take up little room. I still tie down the clam when I can. If it is by my van, I do tie one end to the van and put the weights on the four corners. I like having it next to my van if I can pull over far enough and fit it in, the back toward the front of the van and the opening toward my van door. It gives me so much privacy. But the placement of the CLAM is dependent on what is around me.

I'm sorry about your lungs. It does stink. I moved to water bags so I didn't have to haul the sand bags. I fill them at each stop. They pack down well. Anything bending over is a problem. I have a to of foot stools everywhere so I can sit and do things. LOL

I don't know. I have seen the brown ones here and there. But it did not matter to me. As long as I had those flaps on the top to guide the rain.

I'm writing a memoir about starting the Houston Women's Hiking group and how it began by wanting to go in the woods, but afraid of being alone. I worked through that and do a lot of things to make myself more comfortable. I always camp in state parks, for now, that may change ad I plan another trip. If you are scared you can stay near the camp host. They are there to help. No, I'm not frighted. I do camp in a van though, and feel more comfortable doing that. There are lots of things you can do to help yourself feel safe. I do understand the apprehension though. However, the alternative is I would never do it waiting for others, or have to do it on their time. Now that I have Houston Women's Hiking if I didn't want to go alone I could find someone at the drop of a hat. Also, there are even some CALTO events. Camping Alone Together. You all go alone, but you know there is someone just over then ill or down the road. Frankly, I love camping alone, and now that I do it, I have everyone hooked, so family now camps regularly as well.

@BridgetteMongeon Thank you so much for your quick and honest response. Getting my courage up to do this..this helped!

Hubby has zero interest in camping, so I'll be on my own.

Not at all. And we have group camps like the All women camping trip twice a year as well as CALTO Camping Alone Together. Where you go by yourself, but you know other women are around if you need help.

really? OK Im trying that next time.

Is there a reason why they tell you to pop roof last? Why don’t have screen room but do have gazelle t4 clam style.

Amen to that. The important thing is to keep moving. I love my clam.

Be sure to stake down the elbows and not just the edges. Yes, I purchased a heavy duty stake kit, though most of the time, I'm just using weights. It will blow around if you are not able to way it down or stake it down. I got the weights for just that reason. Sometimes I can't get the stakes in the ground or I want it next to my van.

Agreed- The first time I tried I had a hard time, and if it is not staked down it is impossible. I think after it is done a few times it helps. Glad the Gazelle worked. and was probably cheaper.

As a single woman this works out great for me. I feel independent every time I put it up. I have switched over to water weights instead of sand bags.

It was a hard decision at first, until I needed to do it by myself, then it was a no brainer. Plus this takes up a lot of real estate when folded in my van. This is something to think about. The smaller was it for me. Plus, I often like to put mine right next to my van. Any bigger and I can't. Getting from my van to this is so important during storms. especially if I connect the two with the tarp. I have so much more space, don't feel cramped, and have a place to put things outside the van.

@WomenSteppingOutside thank you for your response. I may be camping near Livingston lake come the fall.

@@lauravictorious4670 in texas? I'm in texas

@@WomenSteppingOutside yes, Texas, but I'm up north for the summer.

typically the small green one does not. But this color does www.amazon.com/Clam-Traveler-Portable-Camping-Outdoor/dp/B07DDNGWQ5/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3C0MXTVJK4PT8&keywords=clam+shelter&qid=1685462085&sprefix=clam+shelte%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-10&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3

Keep trucking, you in your wheelchair and me with my lungs. We got this.

If you don't secure one side down, you will just pull it around the campsite. Securing down a side gives you something to pull agains. I also think that it gets more flexible as you have it. I sure do like mine for my simple camping.

I love it! the perfect extra space, I often tarp over my entrance to my van and then to the clam for a foyer experience, especially if it will be raining.