ARB Simpson II RTT

[NorCal Cruiser]

http://www.arbusa.com/New_Products/...df?PHPSESSID=6aa115c2ad649be03cce8b5004aa7ab4

I saw this in the latest 4wheel Parts catalog listed for $1282.99. I tried to check it out online but it's not on the 4wheel Parts website yet. I haven't been able to find too much info about it. But I like the look of it- having the vestibule that covers the ladder. Does anyone know anything about this or have any more info?

(and sorry if this is a repost I searched and didn't see anything about it)

 

[TroutRunner]

I spoke with the Western ARB Sales Rep the other day and he mentioned he had just tried one out and liked it a lot. He took his daughter camping and she loved it. He they are new for the US market from ARB.

He sent me a PDF file showing it from what appears to be the catalog pics. Send me a PM with your address and I'll forward it to you.

TR

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

Thanks- PM sent

 

[hoser]

The ARB tent is very similar to the latest Roof-Top-Tent brand tents. The framing is near identical and the difference being the shell material and the extra vestibule. It is rumored the ARB and roof-top-tents are made in the same factory. IMO, I would either spend a couple of hundred more and get an Eezi-awn or a lot less and get the Roof-Top-Tent.

 

[Tentsontop]

They are a lot alike. Overland Journal has a brief review of the ARB tent IIRC.

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

The ARB wasn't in the Overland Journal test.

 

[expeditionswest]

Yeah, the ARB tent was available just after our test. We intend to review it using the same criteria as the main review, which will show how it compares to the field.

All of our tests are documented in detail with limited control variability so that we can test future units against the same criteria.

For example, we have a test of the Mombasa scheduled in a few weeks.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've got one here in stock if you have any particular questions.... I've posted quite a bit about them on other forum, here is the pertinent info:

They are very similar to the new style Mombasa tents, having not seen many of either unit... the ARB one looks to have a higher quality of build, as well as a bit better material. All of the internal components are identical.

There are at least 4 or 5 different companies putting their name on a nearly identical tent, Open Sky, ARB, Mombasa and a couple others overseas.

All things considered I think they are a great tent for the $$$ I'm happy with mine

 

[dogboy2]

I crawled around inside of one last week. Appears to be of decent quality and stable with two adults and two toddlers giving it the once over. Good cross ventilation with screened windows on either side and matching door access on either end. Sleeping pad is about 2.5 - 3" thick and firm enough to provide decent support. Ladder has good extension length and is solid under foot and can be easily modified to accomodate lower mounting heights. The vestibule created by the ladder access is fairly generous and I can imagine that with the zip-on vestibule accessory, it will make for a good changing area and/or secondary sleeping zone. The shell material appears to be a ripstop poplin, treated with a water repellent and covered by a secondary fly layer that by marketing and firsthand reports, remains waterproof even in the rains of the Pacific Northwest. All windows and access points have a small pop out awning and seemingly look to provide adequate sun shade.

The small awnings are my primary concern given the typical weather conditions here in the PNW, and I'm wondering if they will provide sufficient water intrusion protection. Maybe I'm just accustomed to the foul weather construction of 4-season backpacking tents that could withstand the likes of Everest, so what do I know? Visually comparing them to the Eezi Awn and Hannibal products, they look to have less foul weather provisions. My gut says that they will perform well in drier climates without question (like the Aussie Outback) but time will tell.

Will somebody buy one already, put it through the ringer, and post up a field report please? If I could demo one for a week/weekend, I'd kindly volunteer.

-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[TroutRunner]

Dogboy,

Did it look like you could sleep with two adults and 2 toddlers in it? I'm borrowing one right now that is pretty small. A tight 2 adult tent is all for sure.

Anyone know what size of the technitop or Eezi-awn would fit a family of 4?

TR

 

[TroutRunner]

I found the specs for tents and the Eezi-Awn 1600 is almost a queen. The Technitop is a little smaller.

TR

 

[dogboy2]

Dogboy,

Did it look like you could sleep with two adults and 2 toddlers in it? I'm borrowing one right now that is pretty small. A tight 2 adult tent is all for sure.

TR

In short, yes. We're long in leg by nature and so are our toddlers and the concensus with the wife was that the size was doable. Now for how long, as our burgeoning beanstalks shoot skyward, who knows? They are both under the age of three and a half at the moment, so I could anticipate a good 3-4 year run with all of us snuggled up before it became sardine like.

I've been eyeing the EezeAwn Series 3 1800 - a mother of all RTT if there ever was one. It's huge and probably better suited for mounting on a off-road utility trailer. It would definitely accomodate all of us for quite some time but I'm thinking the 1600 might fit the bill and be a more reasonable size for the roof of the '60.

Anyone have any experience with both the ARB and the EezeAwn products who can add any insight to this question?

-dogboy- '87 FJ60

 

[TroutRunner]

One thing that looks interesting about the ARB, in the first post photo link, is the presence of what appears to be a vestibule over the ladder area so that you climb up into a covered space instead of just into the front and then in.

I can think of ways to stash stuff up underneath to keep it out of the rain and out of the way, but easily reached by standing on the ladder.

TR

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Anyone heard about pricing for that ARB awning mentioned below the tent in that first link?

 

[bull]

Anyone heard about pricing for that ARB awning mentioned below the tent in that first link?

I just sold a set up to a customer and the annex ARB102 was around $475.00 if not a little less.



-bull

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I just sold a set up to a customer and the annex ARB102 was around $475.00 if not a little less.



-bull

I worded that wrong, in the link on the first post, it shows the tent, and then if you page down, it shows an awning that hangs off the side of the truck, not incoroporated with the tent, thats what I was looking for a price on.

Bull, are you an ARB dealer?

 

[bull]

I worded that wrong, in the link on the first post, it shows the tent, and then if you page down, it shows an awning that hangs off the side of the truck, not incoroporated with the tent, thats what I was looking for a price on.

Bull, are you an ARB dealer?

Ahh. ARB110 That is around $300.00.

Yes I'm a ARB dealer now, started a new business. No website yet, but here is the place holder http://bullsac.com


-bull

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Anyone heard about pricing for that ARB awning mentioned below the tent in that first link?

They have two awnings available... the 1250 and the 2500

1250: Rear Mounted (narower) Ret: ~$285
2500: Side Mounted (wider) Ret: ~$315

Tent: ~$1275
Annex (vestibule): ~$375

 

[gavman]

The ARB rep was at a local outdoor 4x4 event here (In BC) last week and was offering the tent for 1800 CDN and said the regular price for us nucks will be 2200 plus tax
Way more than the US prices
I hate stuff like that

 

[Montana Cruiser]

The ARB rep was at a local outdoor 4x4 event hear (In BC) last week and was offering the tent for 1800 CDN and said the regular price for us nucks will be 2200 plus tax
Way more than the US prices
I hate stuff like that

Pop down, pick one up from Bull and head back ..... you are close enough that it would make the short drive worth it.