Chinese RTT (1 Viewer)

[MMA_Head]

I did some searching through old threads and couldn't find anything on these 2 RTT companies that are available to me at a local dealer here in Edmonton.

My local guy said he is looking to get rid of one of these Tenda tents that he has in stock: http://www.china4x4extreme.com/item.asp?Id=325
The price is only $900 for tent and annex. This seems like a generic Chinese brand and when I emailed them, they sell these for $517 a piece when buying 10 or more.

The other he sells is this TJM: http://www.tjm.com.au/en-oceania/product/tjm-boulia-roof-top-tent?tid=8
Anyone have any experience with this brand. It seems like it may be better quality but it's $1500 for tent and annex.

That Tenda one seems like a great deal at $900 but I don't want to end up with a POS either. Does anyone have any experience with Tenda or just generic Chinese brand tents like it? It's a tough deal to pass up but if it's just garbage, I would rather spend the extra $ and get a good one. Any help would be appreciated

 

[titanpat57]

TRDParts4U had an ARB tent and annex for like $1400....call over there and ask them for a price

 

[greentruck]

TRDParts4U had an ARB tent and annex for like $1400....call over there and ask them for a price

True, worth knowing, but I bet shipping to Canada is a deal breaker.

Anyone know where the TJM tent is made? Could be China, too, the way things work.

I'd look for online reviews and see where else the Tenda iis sold. Not sure about TJM in tents, although they're been around long enough to trust would want to stand behind their gear.

If at all possible, I try to look at the tents, see how construction and materials compare, etc. Understand that may not be possible. But the tents may be more comparable than not, despite the price difference.

EDIT: After quick look see impression, the TJM looks like a bit better fit and finish -- or maybe their marketing people just give a better impression. I'd bet the Tenda's are fairly serviceable, though, as their website shows an extensive line of RTT. Whether there's $600 worth of difference is for you to judge, I suppose.

 

[Enigma]

My personal opinion is that ALL these tents are made in the same factory or two in China, and the reseller just slaps their sticker on them....they all look pretty much the same from what I've seen.

 

[Thornton]

Just got done looking at the Tenda site and it looks identical to the Camping Labs RTT I used to have. Had no problems with it at all and as far as I know the new owner is having none either. It was a great deal for the price.

 

[greentruck]

My personal opinion is that ALL these tents are made in the same factory or two in China, and the reseller just slaps their sticker on them....they all look pretty much the same from what I've seen.

Jeff,
I'd bet your guess is not more than a factory or two off from the actual count.

That said, the Chinese build to spec. Vendors can get the everyday stuff or the high-grade for not much more. That still leaves a certain air of mystery to exactly what you'll be getting for your money in the absence of any other advice you can find.

 

[MMA_Head]

They do look very similar to some of the others but quality is a big question mark. There will probably be a little more quality control with an Aussie company selling Chinese made tents than a Chinese company selling Chinese tents. I do want to buy locally to support the guys around here and to avoid high shipping cost of course. Almost all of them are actually made in China anyways so if nobody has actual experience with Tenda (or generic Chinese) or TJM, I might just have to take a chance and pick one and see how it works out. I'll post as to how it works out if I do.

 

[romey]

if there's one thing i've noticed with all the brands and their tents, it's the quality of the fabric used...from 200 to 300g. from some of the pics, i'm noticing cheaper tent like fabric compared to the one i picked up from BC (canada roof top tents). i'm sure you've seen my long post on it. still, so far so good. hoping to do some winter camping next. it came with annex room/awning/awning room. also has the telescoping ladder which will work with tall lifted trucks (and wont need an extension).

looks like the one you posted is still using the "older" style 2 piece ladder (which may require the extension). it also doesn't tell you how thick the fabric is.
for what it's worth...

 

[Mace]

My personal opinion is that ALL these tents are made in the same factory or two in China, and the reseller just slaps their sticker on them....they all look pretty much the same from what I've seen.

Jeff,
I'd bet your guess is not more than a factory or two off from the actual count.

That said, the Chinese build to spec. Vendors can get the everyday stuff or the high-grade for not much more. That still leaves a certain air of mystery to exactly what you'll be getting for your money in the absence of any other advice you can find.

if there's one thing i've noticed with all the brands and their tents, it's the quality of the fabric used...from 200 to 300g. from some of the pics, i'm noticing cheaper tent like fabric compared to the one i picked up from BC (canada roof top tents). i'm sure you've seen my long post on it. still, so far so good. hoping to do some winter camping next. it came with annex room/awning/awning room. also has the telescoping ladder which will work with tall lifted trucks (and wont need an extension).

looks like the one you posted is still using the "older" style 2 piece ladder (which may require the extension). it also doesn't tell you how thick the fabric is.
for what it's worth...

This is it. Most of the RTT manu are built in China. That being said, a considerable difference in the tents is the QA/QC and quality of materials. Same design, much different materials.

 

[MMA_Head]

if there's one thing i've noticed with all the brands and their tents, it's the quality of the fabric used...from 200 to 300g. from some of the pics, i'm noticing cheaper tent like fabric compared to the one i picked up from BC (canada roof top tents). i'm sure you've seen my long post on it. still, so far so good. hoping to do some winter camping next. it came with annex room/awning/awning room. also has the telescoping ladder which will work with tall lifted trucks (and wont need an extension).

looks like the one you posted is still using the "older" style 2 piece ladder (which may require the extension). it also doesn't tell you how thick the fabric is.
for what it's worth...

Good point. I will email them and ask the thickness.

I did go through your thread about that BC guy and I would consider driving back since I'm from Van Island but looks like he is sold out for now..

 

[ih88hi10]

The link to the first one isn't coming up but the second one (TJM, was it?) looks identical to the Mombasa that I have. I really do like that design. I'd be more concerned with the material of the cover than the tent.

I don't have an annex and wouldn't want one. I just used a left over wind curtain from an awning around the bottom for a changing room when needed. I'd recommend one of those without the annex if you can get one.

I'd prefer the 360 degree views and breezes that you don't have with an annex.

 

[ENGINE er]

A guy on mud that lives local to me purchased the lot of 10 from a Chinese supplier on Alibaba that claimed to be the ARB supplier. I went over to his house, inspected and checked it all out and the quality and fabric looked consistent with a high quality RTT. At $1000, with annex 20mins from my house it was a no brainer.

Picked it up about 8mo ago and have slept about 25 nights in it. Used the annex once to give some friends a place to sleep and did one 21 day trip with it across the southwest. Held up great, still looks great. The only thing i see replacing within the next year is the nylon straps the go over the cover. The sun is getting to them and will become weak soon. But this is something i can get done locally.

So my wife and I have been very happy with our purchase.

2 weeks ago in the tx hill country

Canyonlands Utah

 

[Enigma]

The only thing i see replacing within the next year is the nylon straps the go over the cover. The sun is getting to them and will become weak soon. But this is something i can get done locally.

My tent is several years old, and I'm the 3rd owner. The velcro/nylon cover straps started busting last year and finished off this year.
I just use 2 ratchet straps now, works great.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Many of the RTTs on the market are made in China. The difference, as Mace (I think) pointed out is when the company has boots on the ground to make sure QA/QC is followed.

ARB tents are not made in China.

I have had a couple of Chinese manufactured tents in the store and the new ARB Simpson. We actually have a ARB Simpson that arrived today. I will tell you that the ARB tents are built to a nicer standard the Chinese manufactured RTTs but the ARBs also cost a bit more. I personally use the ARB due to the amount of time I spend in the tent - which can be a TON.

ENGINE er - the RTT you have pictured is the current Chinese design with the overhand and the current ARB design is a newer design. Several weaknesses have been fixed and upgrades put in place including a sloped cover to drain rainfall better, among others.

 

[ENGINE er]

I didnt mean to infer that the tent was the SAME as the ARB, but if you look at the simpson II they look almost identical. No doubt a company like ARB will have the resources to tweak the design and overlook the manufacturing/QC no matter where it is.

 

[1973Guppie]

My personal opinion is that ALL these tents are made in the same factory or two in China, and the reseller just slaps their sticker on them....they all look pretty much the same from what I've seen.

BINGO! x2, I got a tent from tents on a rack and like it, got mine with annex room and extended ladder for 1k.....

and fyi, one mfg makes all of these tents for various guys like arb, same mfg, same tents, just different labels. I have never been shown the actual differences between them as far as quality.

that being said, I have not compared directly with arb and others, but would be interested in seeing the SPECIFIC differences between the china ones and the "managed quality" rtt's such as arb. I am guessing the differences are minimal.

 

[Southeast Overland]

BINGO! x2, I got a tent from tents on a rack and like it, got mine with annex room and extended ladder for 1k.....

and fyi, one mfg makes all of these tents for various guys like arb, same mfg, same tents, just different labels. I have never been shown the actual differences between them as far as quality.

that being said, I have not compared directly with arb and others, but would be interested in seeing the SPECIFIC differences between the china ones and the "managed quality" rtt's such as arb. I am guessing the differences are minimal.

I've seen both and sell both - the ARBs and Chinese manufactured tents. The Chinese manufactured tents are worth their price, but the ARB tents are nicer.
- The material is nicer,
- the stitching,
- the finish,
- the structure such as several poles on the ARB Simpson are adjustable and the overhand is sloped to shed rain,
- the cover straps are more adjustable,
- where the window poles go through the tent body into the floor on the ARB there are nice "slits" in the fabric versus a grommet. This provides an easier fit, especially when the tent body shifts around the tent floor.
- The ventilation ducts on each side are designed to stay open, have "struts" to do this, and a heavier and reinforced rim,
- The floor is more durable,
- And the tents come double boxed, which helps prevent damage in shipping.

Both options are nice enough. The Chinese tents are less expensive and have some less expensive features. They will work well for many people and did for me for 3 years of use - after that though I upgraded to an ARB and am happy with the differences.

We sell Tepui and Mombasa tents that are manufactured in China. When someone wants a tent for a good deal then we suggest these. If they want a nicer tent and can spend a little more money we suggest an ARB. If they want a very nice tent with a hard outer shell then we suggest an AutoHome.

 

[1973Guppie]

I've seen both and sell both - the ARBs and Chinese manufactured tents. The Chinese manufactured tents are worth their price, but the ARB tents are nicer.
- The material is nicer,
- the stitching,
- the finish,
- the structure such as several poles on the ARB Simpson are adjustable and the overhand is sloped to shed rain,
- the cover straps are more adjustable,
- where the window poles go through the tent body into the floor on the ARB there are nice "slits" in the fabric versus a grommet. This provides an easier fit, especially when the tent body shifts around the tent floor.
- The ventilation ducts on each side are designed to stay open, have "struts" to do this, and a heavier and reinforced rim,
- The floor is more durable,
- And the tents come double boxed, which helps prevent damage in shipping.

Both options are nice enough. The Chinese tents are less expensive and have some less expensive features. They will work well for many people and did for me for 3 years of use - after that though I upgraded to an ARB and am happy with the differences.

We sell Tepui and Mombasa tents that are manufactured in China. When someone wants a tent for a good deal then we suggest these. If they want a nicer tent and can spend a little more money we suggest an ARB. If they want a very nice tent with a hard outer shell then we suggest an AutoHome.

not disagreeing with you as you obviously have much more experience with comparing and contrasting the tents but my chinese tent (tents on a rack) has the thick ripstoff fabric, slits for the poles, not sure on the vents, my vents are thicker and have a thick rim that pops open. Just some info for the collective wisdom of mud.

 

[danadog]

I bought one from the guy in BC. I was impressed with what I received for the dollars spent. It still is not near the quality of a nice ground tent from the north face or MSR. But they are comfortable and convenient. The downside of them is that they are single wall construction so they don't breathe. Be sure to keep the vents open when is warm and when it's cold.

 

[ih88hi10]

I've seen both and sell both - the ARBs and Chinese manufactured tents. The Chinese manufactured tents are worth their price, but the ARB tents are nicer.
- The material is nicer,
- the stitching,
- the finish,
- the structure such as several poles on the ARB Simpson are adjustable and the overhand is sloped to shed rain,
- the cover straps are more adjustable,
- where the window poles go through the tent body into the floor on the ARB there are nice "slits" in the fabric versus a grommet. This provides an easier fit, especially when the tent body shifts around the tent floor.
- The ventilation ducts on each side are designed to stay open, have "struts" to do this, and a heavier and reinforced rim,
- The floor is more durable,
- And the tents come double boxed, which helps prevent damage in shipping.

Both options are nice enough. The Chinese tents are less expensive and have some less expensive features. They will work well for many people and did for me for 3 years of use - after that though I upgraded to an ARB and am happy with the differences.

We sell Tepui and Mombasa tents that are manufactured in China. When someone wants a tent for a good deal then we suggest these. If they want a nicer tent and can spend a little more money we suggest an ARB. If they want a very nice tent with a hard outer shell then we suggest an AutoHome.

How about the covers? The covers? The covers?
Are the covers any better on the ARB than the Mombasa? The cover on the mombasa is total garbage.