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View Full Version : ARB Introduces Simpson II Rooftop Tent!!



smbisig
05-03-2007, 04:07 PM
“Seattle, May 1 /ARB 4×4 Accessories

There is no need fill your precious cargo space with tents, air mattresses and sleeping bags when you can carry an ARB Simpson II tent on the roof of your vehicle. Now you can have your bed already made and with the simple clamshell style design, your accommodations can be flipped open and ready for sleeping in minutes.

Easily stowed on your roof rack, the ARB Simpson II provides a hint of luxury no matter how remote your location. Furnished with a two and half inch high-density foam mattress with removable cover, this tent offers paramount camping comfort. Spread out on a larger than queen-sized bed and, at just under eight feet in length, this tent provides plenty of space to sleep two people and store their gear. With an open height a little over four feet, the tent’s vaulted ceiling ensures ample headroom.

Manufactured from high quality poly-cotton, the Simpson II is waterproof, yet breathable and resistant to mold. An aluminum framed and clad base reduces weight and insulates against cold weather. A raised fly-sheet helps keep the tent cooler in the sun and reduces condensation in the cold making it ideal lodgings in any weather. Supported awnings permit the windows to be opened during rain and screens on the doors and windows will keep the insects at bay.

The tent is accessed by a short climb on the, retractable, aluminum ladder. Designed with no sharp edges, the ladder rungs are made for use with bare feet.
An enhanced mounting system means no need to drill in to your roof rack or bars so, the tent can be installed and easily removed when not in use. The tent folds down to packed height of twelve inches to minimize wind resistance.

A large variety of accessories including awnings and annexes for additional enclosed outdoor spaces are also available to complement your tent and enhance your camping experience.
Sold complete with ladder, mounting hardware, tools and comprehensive instructions, the ARB Simpson II Rooftop Tent will have a suggested retail price of $1,540.00.

The ARB Simpson II Rooftop Tent will be available from over 1400 ARB distributors nationwide.

About ARB:

ARB Corporation Limited is Australia’s largest and industry leading manufacturer and distributor of quality, 4WD vehicle accessories, with distribution in more than 100 countries worldwide. The company manufactures and stocks the world’s most respected and sought after brands including ARB Air Locker locking differentials and bumpers; Old Man Emu (OME) customized suspension systems, IPF high performance lighting, and Safari snorkel systems. ARB’s Seattle office is the North, South & Central American headquarters and importer of ARB 4×4 Accessories.

Tent Photo 1 (http://stevenbisig.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/arb-simpson-rooftop-tent.jpg)
Tent Photo 2 (http://stevenbisig.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/resize-assistant-1.jpg)

ARB USA Website (http://www.arbusa.com)

Media Inquiries:

For more information about ARB or to obtain production quality images, please contact:
Lisa Wood, Marketing Manager, ARB 4×4 Accessories 720 SW 34th Street, Renton, WA 98057.
Tel: (425) 264-1391, Fax: (425) 264-1392.”

flyingwil
05-03-2007, 04:26 PM
A while ago I contacted ARB to carry their "Touring line." They stated that there was not not enough intrest to bring in the tents... looks like they changed their mind!

I believe the tents are made by Howling Moon, if not are very silimar from the description.

Off their Old site (now the .au one) http://www.arb.com.au/arb-roof-top-tents.php
http://www.arb.com.au/new-products/arb_touring_tent.pdf

smbisig
05-03-2007, 04:46 PM
A while ago I contacted ARB to carry their "Touring line." They stated that there was not not enough intrest to bring in the tents... looks like they changed their mind!

I believe the tents are made by Howling Moon, if not are ver silimar from the description.

the arb rooftop tent is an arb touring product, arb manufactures this tent.

flyingwil, you have a pm

smbisig
05-03-2007, 04:50 PM
Did not get it yet...

should be there now. sorry, its a pc thing, i dont understand.

take care.

adventureduo
05-03-2007, 05:21 PM
I like how you enter the tent! Maybe something to grab onto while getting out.

Any inside pics?

locrwln
05-04-2007, 01:27 AM
Very interesting. :camping:
I would also like to see some better pictures.

So FlyingWil, are you going to be carrying them? Or do you know yet?

Jack

Willman
05-05-2007, 01:32 AM
Very interesting. :camping:
I would also like to see some better pictures.

So FlyingWil, are you going to be carrying them? Or do you know yet?

Jack

BUMP...

I'm in the market for a roof top tent......

:jumping:

mountainpete
05-05-2007, 02:05 AM
This tent interests me... too bad it wasn't included in the first issue of Overland Journal for the tent test (looking forward to that one!). I wonder if ARB USA has actually started shipping them yet?

I am going to need to purchase a tent this year for a multi-week trip in August - I'm going to need to investigate this one further.

Pete

Green Ganesha
05-05-2007, 08:23 AM
That ARB tent does look an awful lot like my Howling Moon....

7543

7544

Bergger
05-05-2007, 03:44 PM
It probably is made by Howling Moon. ARB does that with a lot of thier products, such as the Speedy Seal Tyre Puncture Repair Kit and the E-Z Tyre Deflator are example.
http://www.arb.com.au/tyre_accessories/speedy-seal.gif
http://www.arb.com.au/tyre_accessories/ez-tyre-deflator.gif

Safety Seal
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/safetyseal/DSC03500340.jpg

Currie E-Z tire deflator
http://www.redrock4x4.com/shop/images/currie/CE-9029E_MED.jpg

None the less, nice looking tent.

cruiseroutfit
05-08-2007, 04:06 AM
I am under the impression that ARB purchased the company that was selling these tents, they made some quality changes to the product and are now selling them. smbisig would know more ;) but its very common for them to buy company's and products (Air Locker, OME, Bushranger all come to mind :D)

I can't wait to see them in person, I'm hoping to have mine in a month or so :D

pygmyowl
05-08-2007, 03:11 PM
I'm very interested in the Simpson II tent as well, as I will be taking delivery of a AT Chaser some time in July and currently have a Eezi-Awn 1800 pegged for the Chaser but I could change if this looks better. I do like the lighter sand color which might make it cooler over all and wonder if the poly/cotton material will dry faster than the treated canvas in the Eezi-Awn. I do understand that some reviewers found the Howling Moon inferior to the Eezi-Awn in many respects, so if this is just a "repackaging" of the Howling Moon I would pass.

From the picture shown the ladder is placed in the middle of the floor, does this mean you enter through a trap door, or maybe the ladder was just placed there for convenience?

flyingwil
05-08-2007, 03:30 PM
So FlyingWil, are you going to be carrying them? Or do you know yet?

Jack

Jack-
I am not sure yet. Pending the quality I would love to carry them.

Green Ganesha
05-08-2007, 04:30 PM
From the picture shown the ladder is placed in the middle of the floor, does this mean you enter through a trap door, or maybe the ladder was just placed there for convenience?

Actually, the floor only extends out as far as the top of the ladder. The gap between the top of the ladder and the edge of the tent is open. That area forms an entryway where you can enter/exit the tent without getting rained on, plus probably helps keep the tent cooler.

OverlandZJ
05-08-2007, 04:37 PM
Actually, the floor only extends out as far as the top of the ladder. The gap between the top of the ladder and the edge of the tent is open. That area forms an entryway where you can enter/exit the tent without getting rained on, plus probably helps keep the tent cooler.

I was wondering about how the tent is sealed as well, i would hope that there is some type of zippered screen trapdoor to keep out mosquito's etc.

Green Ganesha
05-08-2007, 05:15 PM
I was wondering about how the tent is sealed as well, i would hope that there is some type of zippered screen trapdoor to keep out mosquito's etc.

I can only speak to the Howling Moon design, but I'm assuming it's the same. There is no trapdoor; rather, the tent is sealed along it's sloped edge, which is a mirror-image of the left side you see in the original picture. The tent is symmetrical around the forward-facing window, with a zippered door at the top of the ladder. The enclosure above and around the ladder is just a shade/rain awning. The door at the top of the ladder, and all the windows, have both solid and fine-mesh covers, separately zippered.

I've attached some pictures to hopefully illustrate. This shows the open entrance area, and the zippered doorway into the tent. (It's a Howling Moon like mine, but a narrower model.)

7634

My 2.4-meter tent has the same arrangement.

7635

Here's a shot of the interior, showing the windows open, but with the mesh in place. (Sorry for the mess; the photographer popped in unexpectedly. :eek: )

7636

cruiseroutfit
05-09-2007, 08:11 PM
I spoke with a couple of the folks from ARB regarding the new tent...

The tent is manufactured for ARB, so it is not a rebadge according to the gents up there. However this is a brand new tent (different than the older ARB Touring model) so they really don't have alot of exposure to it yet... they have a container load on the way so I expect that will change shortly.

As for the differences between the ARB & the Howling Moon, I would love to tell you but I don't know... but as soon as mine arrives I'll take some pictures of me using it :D:D:D

Nullifier
05-09-2007, 08:43 PM
That ARB tent does look an awful lot like my Howling Moon....


7544

Nice Campa Trailer!

Green Ganesha
05-09-2007, 09:32 PM
Nice Campa Trailer!

Thanks much.

kcowyo
05-09-2007, 09:49 PM
7635


Ok, that's just too cool. Great set up and great photo.:clapsmile

OverlandZJ
05-09-2007, 11:34 PM
Thank You for the photo's and explanation Trevor....now i get it. Great setup!

:campfire: