Hello, I was wondering how your set up is holding up as it has been a few years since any comments have been made. Is the double sided tape still your recommendation along with the velcro? Also, for the permanent joints, did you end up doing and liking the double sided tape and vinyl combo? Thanks!
Wondering what your post experience has been with this method of construction? (would do better next time?) Planning my build and I am super interested in the velcro idea since I'll be travelling solo and wanted to have an easy time for set up / tear down. Have you reused this model again on the Playa since its original construction?
I would absolutely do the velcro again. The self-adhesive velcro has held up very well and the time savings and reuse is great. I would also highly recommend beveling the edges because that definitely contributed to a lot of integrity. And the ratchet straps work well too. I would definitely *not* recommend the contact cement. It was a huge pain to apply and does not seem to be holding up that well. I have a roll of this that I plan to test next, www.findtape.com/product586/Scapa-S301-Double-Coated-Clear-UPVC-Tape.aspx?cid=11&idx=18&tid=1&info=Double-Sided%2bTape.
Would the pieces of this size be able to all fit inside a minivan, you think? trying to figure out what size I could build and also fit in a average van
Probably not. Some minivans can hold a few sheets of 4'x8' building materials -- but only a short stack. It folds down to 4'x8', plus a little extra from the joints. So it would just barely not fit. That said, during construction, you could purposely trim a couple inches off all the pieces to make a slightly smaller yurt that would fit. Another alternative might be to make the sides fold as well -- so that it folds down to 4'x4' instead of 4'x8'. I am potentially making that modification this summer. Or, lastly, you could strap it to the top of a minivan. Though that will not help your gas mileage.
What did you sleep on inside? I'm planning to build one and put a queen size mattress in for two people. I'm a little worried about the amount of space, but I think the comfort of the yurt will be outweigh the roominess of a tent.
I used VELCRO Brand 90943 - Industrial Strength - 2". It has stuck so well that for repairs to the permanent joints (and if I was building a new yurt), I have been using Scapa S301 Double Coated Clear UPVC Tape instead of contact cement. If I built another yurt, I'd still just use the 2" because it was never the weakest link. The hook and loop parts are definitely strong enough with 2". I guess an advantage of the 3" stuff is that the load on the sticky side is spread out over more surface area, so it is less likely to delaminate or cause the underlying foil to delaminate.
Hey, wondering where you ordered the velcro from? I'm in the UK, and am struggling to find any products that come in roles, rather than 2 small strips.
I think DAP. But it failed after several years. I have more success and an easier time using ,Scapa S301 Double Coated Clear UPVC Tape instead of contact cement.
The velcro has a sticky backing on it already, so I just pealed and stuck it. The backing on the velcro has held up better than the contact cement, and I am now experimenting with using Scapa S301 Double Coated Clear UPVC Tape instead of contact cement for making repairs where the contact cement has given up the ghost. The double sided sticky tape is waaaay easier to work, so hopefully it holds for a long time as well.
