Yeah, that "simple way is the right way" thing is real. My buddy had a similar mess in an old Philly apartment, a closet that was basically a triangle. His power stretcher was a no-go. He was about to just leave it wrinkled, but another guy on the crew grabbed a scrap 2x4 and a dead blow hammer. Just tapped it along the tack strip in that tight V shape. The carpet laid down smooth as anything. He said it felt like cheating.

Watched my friend's patio crack the same way last year...

Wow, I totally used to defend that tripod design. I'd tell people it was fine for the price and that folks were just over-tightening things. Then mine cracked last month while I was just setting up in my own backyard, not even on rough ground. Seeing that split plastic, I finally got it. It's not user error, it's just a bad part. Your story about the metal leg upgrade is making me seriously consider the same move now.

My stretching routine is basically just trying to reach the top shelf at the grocery store. It's a full body workout of panic and regret. The real stretch is my patience when I have to ask a tall stranger for help.

My regulator froze up last January during a cold snap, just like you mentioned kim.ben. I keep a small ceramic space heater pointed at my propane tank and regulator now, set on low, whenever the shop temp drops below 40. That constant gentle heat works better than wrapping it for me, since the blanket can trap moisture. What kind of blanket did you use, the kaowool type or something else?