LFD2037
TEXAS LEXUS!
My kid and I made it thru 55MPH winds w/rain going sideways for about 2 hours straight. Hell of a downpour w/out a single drop in the tent. I'm a fan of canvas bow tents!!!
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It's all about zipper and seam quality...
Who's gonna be the guinea pig?
Especially considering they are all from China.
Sorry to say I guess I am the guinea pig! side by side to the arb, no different! except ZIPPERS(YKK for ARB) and SEAM stitching! same ladders, same or similar padding.....even the fabric seems to be the same. Instruction manual is the same!! maybe different grade of aluminum extrusions? I cant tell. For the price I got it for, i am satisfied! when I get a little more money, I'll try the TJM. ARB is over-priced though! Competition is good and maybe in the future RTTs will generally all come down in price.
update! I have spent last night in big bear in 22 degree weather with heavy winds....there was no noticeable draft coming in and the platform was pretty darn solid. I was skeptical at first of the platform and if it would hole my 230 lbs body without much drama. Over all it held up pretty solid and note to self....need the ladder extension with a 4" lift and 37" tires....The ladder seems a little bit on the anemic side but only time will tell............
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Xtend-C...663?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27eb12e93fphil where did you find that ladder? how would it be installed to the tent?
That from a vendor or a used one sold to you at that price?Does anyone have anymore experience with the smittybuilt RTT since this was written? Currently I am looking at a smittybuilt RTT model 2783. From what I have read and watched on YouTube it is similar to the Arb rtt.
I have found a member on mud who has a contact selling the smittybuilt for $700 which is half of the arb.
For my application I will be using the tent for a few trips per year usually 1 night 2 max during summer. I also have 2 kids ages 3 and 5 and that is a concern as they are rough. My thought was in a few years they can have their own tent and my wife and I can have our own privacy with the RTT. Not too many bears in the areas we are in but many coyotes and raccoons.
Another thought I had in this tent if we decide we don't like it the $ lost is not as great as the Arb or others out there.
Any opinions or reviews are welcome.
Several years ago there was a move in Chinese electronics manufacturing to start recruit Quality engineers from Japan. There was a dramatic change in quality directly thereafter. Back before ISO there was a saying in the quality movement "Quality is free." Still true.The blanket statement that all the tents made in China are the same because they are made in China is like saying all American homes are the same because they're made in America.
From my experience there are distinct differences with all the Chinese manufactured tents. Someone hit the nail on the head, it's about stitching and seams and most important......QUALITY CONTROL! That is all over the board between the brands.
A friend of mine wants one. Just keep us up to date on your progress.@the gimpey one I was given a contact by a member on mud a number of an individual that sells them for that. I have had trouble contacting them though. The number is out of FL which I have found in other research that a company that has sold them there for $700. Currently the smittybuilt rtt is 900$ on amazon.
If you want the number PM me and I can pass it on.
The design of the Smittybuilt is similar to the older ARB Simpson II model tents. The newer Simpson III is quite a bit different, so not really a close comparison IMO. As with just about any "budget" purchase, you get what you pay for. If you know going in that quality will not be the same and possible issues more likely, then take a look. Other options might be more expensive but usually for good reason.Does anyone have anymore experience with the smittybuilt RTT since this was written? Currently I am looking at a smittybuilt RTT model 2783. From what I have read and watched on YouTube it is similar to the Arb rtt.
I have found a member on mud who has a contact selling the smittybuilt for $700 which is half of the arb.
For my application I will be using the tent for a few trips per year usually 1 night 2 max during summer. I also have 2 kids ages 3 and 5 and that is a concern as they are rough. My thought was in a few years they can have their own tent and my wife and I can have our own privacy with the RTT. Not too many bears in the areas we are in but many coyotes and raccoons.
Another thought I had in this tent if we decide we don't like it the $ lost is not as great as the Arb or others out there.
Any opinions or reviews are welcome.