Australian manufacturer ARB has released two new tents in the North American market, including their first hard shell tent. The two new products join the popular Simpson III tent the manufacturer has produced for a number of years..
The Esperance rooftop tent features an ABS hard shell, that when closed measures, a relatively compact 60 inches by 48 inches and is just 13 inches tall. When deployed, the tent’s footprint expands to 60 by 79 inches. Gas struts provide opening assistance to the assembly. The tent body itself is constructed of a 200 gsm poly cotton canvas with the rain cover constructed of a 210D oxford material with a silver-coated additive for water resistance.
Internally the tent has a 1.5-inch thick high density “sponge” mattress with a removable, quilted polyester cover. The sleeping area can be opened up to camp with three large, meshed openings as well as a moonroof. ARB provides internal dimmable LED lighting, as well as an external LED strip near the ladder.
The Esperance Rooftop Tent – Photos by ARB/Offroad Images
In addition to the Esperance, ARB released the Flinders rooftop tent model, which is a traditional soft shell design that focuses on providing a more efficient system than the Simpson III design. Stowed, the tent measures just 55 inches by 47 inches and is just 8 inches tall compared to the 15-inch tall Simpson III. When open, the new unit has a 55 x 94-inch footprint and a peak of 55 inches, nearly matching ARB’s other softshell design. A more efficient design and presumably lighter weight materials offer a 44 lb. weight savings compared to its more gravity-challenged sibling.
The base of the tent is constructed of an ABS laminated aluminum attached to a 25mm diameter frame system. The tent body fabric is a 300 gsm poly-cotton rip-stop canvas complements by a 420D oxford polyester at the sunroof and window awnings. The Outer cover is made of a 600 gsm heavy-duty PVC material.
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Internally, the tent spots a 2-inch high-density foam mattress designed to fit two adults. The sleeping area opens up to the exterior with three large, zippered openings as well as a surprisingly large moonroof.
Both tents are available now.
The Flinders Rooftop Tent – Photos by ARB/Offroad Images
Specs and Pricing
Esperance Rooftop Tent
| MSRP | $2680 |
| Tent Type: | Hard Shell |
| Packed Dimensions | 60 in (L) x 48 in (W) x 13 in (H) |
| Open Dimensions | 60 in (L) x 78.7 in (W) x 47.2 in (H) |
| Weight | 123 lbs |
| Sleep Capacity | 2 adults, 1 child |
| Shell Material | ABS with acrylic compound |
| Main Tent Fabric | 200 gsm poly cotton fire retardant canvas |
| Mattress | 1.5 in thick high-density sponge |
Flinders Rooftop Tent
| MSRP | $1689 |
| Tent Type: | Soft Shell |
| Packed Dimensions | 55 in (L) x 47 in (W) x 8 in (H) [12 in H with ladder) |
| Open Dimensions | 55 in (L) x 94 in (W) x 55 in (H) |
| Weight | 123 lbs |
| Sleep Capacity | 2 adults |
| Outer Cover Material | 600 gsm heavy duty PVC |
| Main Tent Fabric | 300 gsm poly cotton rip-stop canvas |
| Mattress | 1.5 in thick high-density sponge |
