Venture Clam review and rain testing with wind/rain panels
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2020
- This is a review of my new screen shelter and its wind and rain panels. I won't show how to set it up in this video (though I am showing how to put on the wall panels). You can find those types of videos elsewhere (see links below). This is just a review with my impressions of the shelter and the wind panels. I also had a chance to test for leaks during a rain storm. My suggestion is to spray the Clam with water proofing spray and to seal the seams right out of the box. It's much like a tent and can definitely use water-proofing measures.
I'm also including a hack on how to use a panel on the front entrance, where there isn't a rain flap to repel the water and there isn't any matching Velcro on the shelter to mate with the Velcro on the panel.
No sponsorship here. I bought this for myself at Amazon. The price fluctuates, of course. I paid $225 for this in June 2020. The 3 pack of panels was $46 and the 2 pack was $31. This model of the Clam was actually cheaper than the 4-sided Traveler model at the time of purchase.
Venture Clam:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Wind panels (they are the same as the ones being used for the Traveler and the Sky models):
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
These are the metal stakes I showed in the video:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Here are a few videos showing how to set up the Clam shelters (they all go up the same way).
• Quick-Set Clam Shelter...
• CLAM QUICKSET SKY! BES...
• Clam Screened Pavillio...
Sorry again about the thumbnails. I keep trying to figure out how to make my pictures under 2mb so I can use custom pics for thumbs. Not happening so far. Lol. - Навчання та стиль
This is the storm testing video I mentioned:
ua-cam.com/video/pGwIjfzit9g/v-deo.html
Thanks for the review! One suggestion is to roll up the window flaps the reverse way so it doesn't create a pocket for rain water. Water will roll off if the flap is rolled underneath.
We are awaiting delivery of our Clam and have watched dozens and dozens of videos. Yours is the BEST. Great tips! The magnet solution is genius. Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome and thank you!
I'm glad you commented on the temp change with the wind panels up. I thought the extra shading would make it cooler. Good to know. I like the tip about staking down one side of the door. Thanks for that! Smart lady to use the magnets. Thank you for such a detailed review.
You're welcome and thank you. 🙂
The magnets were a very clever temporary fix! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks FD, I was researching these and your video popped up. Still deciding but this was very informative.
Hey Maitilda! Good to see you. I'm glad this was helpful. I really like my Clam. I don't use it much here but I didn't buy it to use here, so it's okay. Lol.
nicely done. a clever quick fix with the magnets.
Thank you very much. 🙂
Good video! You’ve explained a lot of great points
Thank you. Happy New Year! 🙂
Thanks for the review! Very helpful.
You're quite welcome. Thanks for stopping by and subscribing. 🙂
good, thorough review….thanks. I just bought this model, have not used it yet, however
You're welcome and thank you. I hope you enjoy yours, too.
I have this! I also bought the panels for rain/privacy, but have never used them. Perfect to keep the bugs away!
I really love it. I considered getting a Springbar canvas tent as my extra outdoor space but this is much lighter, smaller for storage, and easier for me to set up on my own. It won't last as long in the desert, but I know what I'm getting into there.
@@freedomdove I used to live in Sierra Vista, Az...the desert can be harsh.
I'm a Clam super fan! Thanks for the great, helpful video!
After the sun ate the roof of my first Clam Traveler, I always use a heavy tarp over the top to protect it. Bonus is that it provides real shade and coolness. I use bungees to hold it down.
I just ordered a Clam Venture, so I got a 10x10 tarp to put over the top for shade. Should be interesting to see how a 4 sided tarp fits over a 5 sided structure, LoL.
You're welcome and thank you! Yeah, I bought a big heavy-duty white tarp to use over the top of it. I'm also wondering how well it's going to work on my style of Clam. Lol.
The good thing is that the tarp will be multi-purpose to create a quick awning off the side of my Suburban if I don't have enough space for the Clam, or I'm not going to be somewhere long enough to deploy it.
Earth magnets 🧲 great idea. Bar magnets, wouldn’t pack up as easy as the round ones. We sprayed our seams too.
Freedom dove . the best video I've ever seen and the best information ever. But you have to waterproof the entire clam unit. and get some waterproof seam sealer also that will take care of all the problems that you have water coming in to your clam unit. I have to say the best video I've ever seen thank you. God bless
Thank you very much. 🙂
Nice job with the magnets!
Thank you. 🙂
Been looking at these thanks for the video! Bill :)
You're welcome. 🙂
Nice Dove. Yes you need to seal your seams. Good you set it up to rest and work out the bugs. Sky has he velcro sewn into the door. Its easy enough to add. Magnets were a good idea to test it out. Enjoy =Cosmo
Thanks for watching and commenting, Cosmo, and thank you for your review videos. They were very helpful. 🕊😘
Agreed. Great ingenuity to use magnets. Love it. I"m debating on sizes and this is really good info. Watched Cosmo's then saw your comment and hoped over. Well done. :)
@@johndurrett3573 Thanks, John. I think you'll be pleased with the Clams. This was just the right size for me as a solo traveler with a lot of stuff. Lol. Actually, the determining factor was that I can fit my cot/hammock in the Venture model whereas it wouldn't fit in the Traveler.
Thanks for showing your clam. I camped with someone who had one and she was able to put her clam up w/o help in no time. I wonder if a lightweight tarp on top would help with the heat.
I'm sure it would. This model is a weird shape. It would be easy for the Traveler. I just need tie down points in all the right places. Lol. Thanks for the suggestion and thank you for stopping by. 🙂
I had no problems placing mine in the bag by myself. Thanks for your review. I haven’t had mine in rain yet.
Good review. Also be aware, where the stakes hold the tent in the grommets, in high winds they will rip right off the tent. good idea to sew over the seam on the flap, just in case.
Thanks, Dee. You mean reinforce the seam that's there?
@@freedomdove yes, lost one of the straps with the grommet in a high wind storm at a lake on 2 different clams. They look like they are sewn good but the threads come loose. Mine was brand new.
@@BoxVanDee Okay, thanks for the warning. I didn't realize the stitching was inferior. It's not surprising, really, since it's just a nylon structure.
I bought a Clam, for camping and then Covid-19 hit. Almost a year later, have yet to even take it out of the box. Maybe this year, or next one after.🙏🏻
We have the escape, 6 sides and rain flaps at the top of the panels. The door had no Velcro for the panel, I added Velcro so we a snug the whole clam down. Have bought the rain fly because the roof untreated has leaked in steady/heavy rain.
I wish the Venture model had a rain fly. That would be awesome.
the sound of rain can increase our alpha waves (neural oscilations) which can create a nice calm feeling, I know this isn't about that but I thought about the sound of rain in a tent which I thought was very nice
I love the sound of rain, too. I hear it well in my garage because I have a metal roof with no insulation in the ceiling.
@@freedomdove there are a lot of rain playlists on spotify
It appears that for serious camping it'd be best to stretch a tarp over the whole tent to protect it during a heavy rain and to help block some of the sun. They're definitely designed to function as a screen tent first, with overnight use as a secondary consideration.
Yes, I think so, too. I bought a big tarp to put over top of it. 👍
HI! Maria here from Cosmo's channel! Nice review of the Clam... We bought the Venture too... it was for a great price last fall on Amazon from a third party store... We used a tarp over the zipper door hooking it onto the D-rings and extended the rope to the back D-ring. This helped pull the tarp above the door and onto the roof about 6" What did you seal your seams with? ~ Maria
Hi Maria! I have the Coleman seam sealer. If I find it insufficient, I'll use a brand that Cosmo recommended.
www.amazon.com/dp/B000OR5PHW
I'm thinking a tarp on top might help with the sun, as Carol suggested. It's such an awkward shape on top that it should be fun. Lol.
You can go to Harbor Freight or any Lowe's or Home Depot. and get a reflective tarp one side. and if you know how many feet your clam is go one foot over and then you can throw that over the top of the roof of your clam. and it is a great reflective for the Sun and it's waterproof also to benefits. Just like to share this with you we own one also. Clam Sky camper the best product out there we also use a shop fan that produces more air to cool the inside of the clam Sky camper down plug to a jackery. and hang up one bug lamp takes care of the pesty mosquitoes. God bless
Thank you. I did already buy a tarp and a shade cloth that I can use on top of my Clam and also off the side of my rig to make an awning. I have two of those bug lamps and have used them in the Clam. They work well at night. 👍
I had to wrestle the thing up. I'm hoping next time will be easier.
Where did you find the screen for the door? I bought some but it was just 3 panels.
The Venture Clam is 5 sided so I bought a 2-pack and a 3-pack of the wind panels.
Thanks for your video....Where did you get your bed and table? Thanks
You're welcome. I got the hammock cot and the folding bamboo table at Amazon (both Kingcamp). The small wooden table in the corner is part of a set that we have here at the house. I can't remember where we got those.
@@freedomdove Thank You so much!!!🙏😊
If Clam knows people need an overhang and velcro on the entrance and a shade roof cover why don't they provide this?
I'm guessing not enough people have contacted them with such a request. Their Pavilion model does have a rain/wind panel for the entrance. In fact, the panels are built into each side of that Clam. They're not separate like mine. The just roll up when you want them out of the way--just like I do with my windows.