Eezi-Awn vs ARB III RTT advice needed

[benedmonson]

If you haven't made your buying decision yet I can most likely help you a little as my wife and I spend over 100 nights in RTT's. We just returned from a multi week trip to Baja. We had our beloved Ezi-Awn 1600 T-Top on our LR3 and pulled our AT trailer with a Ezi-Awn 1800 on it. My friend brought his Defender 110 with a Ezi-Awn 1400 T-Top on it and then there was another LR3 with the ARB on it. We also had a friends AT trailer with the Ezi-Awn Globe Trotter on it and I can say it is the ultimate bomb!!! As for me who has owned multiple RTT's in the past I'm sold on the 1600 T-Top for my LR3 because of its space for my wife and dog and the ability to add my annex (great for setting up your Pett toilet system in when woods aren't available) when needed. I also really like the quality of construction and the materials used. The Ezi-Awn is the easiest RTT I've ever put up and taken down, its all about learning the process. My buddies 1400 T-Top worked great on his Defender 110 and slept 2 people comfortably. I wouldn't want to sleep 3 people in a 1400, but it is doable in the 1600.
There are many good tents available for less money than the Ezi-Awn's, but for overall quality of construction and everyday use it is killer!!!

 

[overlander]

Ben,
Thanks for that great feedback. Well I've made my decision and it's the same decision I started with. After the posts on this thread and several PM's, it sounds like the eezi-awn's are the clear winner at this time. ARB is getting ready to make some changes/improvements to their tents from what I've heard, but eezi-awn is the time proven quality leader...so Eezi it is.

Now my big question for you Ben is: on a Defender 110, would a 1600 be too wide for a Defender? the price difference is nominal to me, but it sounded like a 1600 might be a little too wide. I don't think an LR3 is any wider than a 110, so I would definitely like to hear your thoughts. I'm set on mounting the tent so it opens over the back and enclosing the rear safari door. If the 1600 wouldn't hang over the sides, then I would go 1600 for sure, as we could fit the kids in with us on nights when the spooky noises require our presence in bed.

and how about a pic of your LR3 with tent mounted? That sounded like a great Rover collection on that trip of yours BTW.

 

[benedmonson]

Ben,
Thanks for that great feedback. Well I've made my decision and it's the same decision I started with. After the posts on this thread and several PM's, it sounds like the eezi-awn's are the clear winner at this time. ARB is getting ready to make some changes/improvements to their tents from what I've heard, but eezi-awn is the time proven quality leader...so Eezi it is.

Now my big question for you Ben is: on a Defender 110, would a 1600 be too wide for a Defender? the price difference is nominal to me, but it sounded like a 1600 might be a little too wide. I don't think an LR3 is any wider than a 110, so I would definitely like to hear your thoughts. I'm set on mounting the tent so it opens over the back and enclosing the rear safari door. If the 1600 wouldn't hang over the sides, then I would go 1600 for sure, as we could fit the kids in with us on nights when the spooky noises require our presence in bed.

and how about a pic of your LR3 with tent mounted? That sounded like a great Rover collection on that trip of yours BTW.

Here are a few of the Eezi-Awn 1600 T-Top on my LR3 as well as the 1400 T-Top on my buddies Defender 110.

 

[overlander]

Here are a few of the Eezi-Awn 1600 T-Top on my LR3 as well as the 1400 T-Top on my buddies Defender 110.View attachment 34611

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View attachment 34614View attachment 34615

Ok, I did that to myself. I really didn't need to see that picture while I'm stuck in Iraq. Since the damage is done, that is a great looking LR3 you have, and I see it's mounted open over the side, which means the width is the same as the 1400. what are your thoughts on the rear mounting of a 1600 on a Defender with a rear opening?

Also, there was only one pic, so I didn't see the pic of the 110. Can you spoil me some more with additional eezi-awn and Rover porn? (I'm going to hate myself, this thread and this place I'm at in the morning..):drool:

Edit: Ok, I see the rest of the pictures coming through now. Slow Iraq internet.. (I'm still going to hate myself)

 

[Tom B]

what are your thoughts on the rear mounting of a 1600 on a Defender with a rear opening?

A 1600 will have around 4" of overhang per side on a 110 - most 90/110 racks that I have looked at are around 1400mm wide. I mount my 1600 off to the side, and I have not seen a 110 with anything more than a 1400 mounted opening fore and fore.


Here's a picture (not mine) that might help with you with putting it in perspective. The tent is a 1400.

 

[AmericaOverland]

Ben,
Thanks for that great feedback. Well I've made my decision and it's the same decision I started with. After the posts on this thread and several PM's, it sounds like the eezi-awn's are the clear winner at this time. ARB is getting ready to make some changes/improvements to their tents from what I've heard

Has ARB already made these changes as of January 2010? I'm researching this for the next several months while I pay off things/save some money.

Stephanie

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Has ARB already made these changes as of January 2010? I'm researching this for the next several months while I pay off things/save some money.

Stephanie

Yes, I am expecting my Simpson III.5* soon

*not an official name just what I'm calling it

 

[wRadar]

OK, despite reading a LOT about RTTs in various threads and on several websites, I'm still having a bit of trouble nailing down what the big difference is between the ARB Simpson tents and the Eezi-awn tents. I see that the Eezi-awns use a plywood floor, while the ARB ones use some sort of poly-looking material. Other than that, are there dramatic differences of some type that I'm missing? Fabric? Quality/thickness/durability of the structural materials? Does the Eezie-awn have a built-in coffee maker that I didn't notice, somehow?

Additionally, Kurt, if you have any additional info on the changes in the "III.5", please let me know!

Thanks, all, for any and all help you have! I'm hoping that the upcoming tax refund may help me put an RTT on the Tacoma.

Have a great weekend!
-Radar

 

[AmericaOverland]

I'm still having a bit of trouble nailing down what the big difference is between the ARB Simpson tents and the Eezi-awn tents. I see that the Eezi-awns use a plywood floor, while the ARB ones use some sort of poly-looking material.

Look at the design in the photos. The Eezi-Awn has an unprotected entryway, while the ARB has a protected entryway.

Stephanie

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...Additionally, Kurt, if you have any additional info on the changes in the "III.5", please let me know!...

Reinforced veranda and door opening bows (telescoping to eliminate the need of the guy lines)

Different construction method although same materials used for the floor/frame/insulation construction preventing some expansion issues that a very limited number of SIII's were having in cold weather climates. Keep in mind "SIII.5" is a name I jokingly use, officially they are still the SIII and one would have to to do some investigating to determine which they have.

To my knowledge all tents shipping after late Dec/early Jan are going to be the SIII.5 or shall we call it SIIIB I've got a couple of them here, hoping to get one swapped out for my SIIIA in the coming weeks though it won't happen before I head out to Death Valley this weekend so likely next week or the following.

 

[007]

Look at the design in the photos. The Eezi-Awn has an unprotected entryway, while the ARB has a protected entryway.

Stephanie

No, look at the Eezi-awn T-TOP and you will see that it is protected.

 

[wRadar]

Thanks, Kurt. Great info!

As for the Eezi-awn / Simpson differences, does anyone have anything significant?

 

[the dude]

Reinforced veranda and door opening bows (telescoping to eliminate the need of the guy lines)

Different construction method although same materials used for the floor/frame/insulation construction preventing some expansion issues that a very limited number of SIII's were having in cold weather climates. Keep in mind "SIII.5" is a name I jokingly use, officially they are still the SIII and one would have to to do some investigating to determine which they have.

To my knowledge all tents shipping after late Dec/early Jan are going to be the SIII.5 or shall we call it SIIIB I've got a couple of them here, hoping to get one swapped out for my SIIIA in the coming weeks though it won't happen before I head out to Death Valley this weekend so likely next week or the following.

Have you had a chance to compare the IIIA to the IIIB? Are you happy with the upgrades?

We are looking at the Simpson III as out first RTT. We are just concerned about some of the QC that we have read over the net. It really looks like ARB is stepping up to the plate on fixing issues but what does that do for people that have the "old" style. Are they good at pro-actively helping those with issues in the future?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Have you had a chance to compare the IIIA to the IIIB? Are you happy with the upgrades?

Yes and yes, I've had the IIIB's here for a couple of months but still havn't had a chance to sit down and write up a little overview.

It really looks like ARB is stepping up to the plate on fixing issues but what does that do for people that have the "old" style. Are they good at pro-actively helping those with issues in the future?

Yes, one thing that can always be said about ARB is they will continue to refine their products. For example the LandCruiser air lockers have had roughly 10 different renditions at this point. While the first one is a great unit and there are still working ones out there, the latest and greatest are just that much more refined, easier to setup, stronger, etc. Their touring equipment follows the same line of thinking. Some of the changes made to the IIIb include zipper upgrades, reinforced bows, floor update and a cover update. All are modular in that they can be added to the IIIA. Yes, if you have a problem with a previous model, ARB stands behind them in fact I was just working on an issue with a Simpson II and found that the gents @ ARB Tech had build a new heavy duty part to replace the one that has some issues, so even old tents are still getting updates and support.

I'll get some side by side pics and a overview soon.

 

[the dude]

That would be great Kurt!

We won an ARB gift certificate at this years River Shiver and I am just in discussion with them as to how much stuff we can buy with it...:wings:

Have you had a chance to see the new annex as well? Our truck is pretty tall (HJ61 with high roof SOA on 38s) Do you know the length of it? It is my understanding it doesn't have an attached floor?