Chose an Oztent

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 15:10
ThreadID: 44600 Views:3083 Replies:6 FollowUps:7
This Thread has been Archived
G'day all,

the Oztrail (tourer 10 Plus) lasted for a few years but as Members such as Ivan (ACT) would be aware, they won't go the distance if you are frequently asking them to deliver. I would say however, that they are very good value for those that don't go bush much, maybe use the tent a few times a year. Mine has stretched a fair bit at the vertical seams it appears and the front mesh zip has busted numerous times, in addition to teeth going awol. I have always been disappointed in the small awning you get standard with the centre pole tent but of course you can buy the add ons, or take extra time and set up a tarp, several of which I pack. The canvas is good however, ventilation and room - no probs there.

Anyway, after a lot of research and future planning, I have upgraded to an Oztent, RV5. Have also gone with the peak side panels and front panel. Should work very well for us and I don't expect to be buying another tent, at least for a very long time.

Have to say, it was great to be able to sit down with the son of the inventor and chinwag about it all.

Delivery in a month and straight into use but it'll get the serious workout this Sept/Oct on a Syd-Perth return via dirt.

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 15:14

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 15:14
Good choice. We have and Oztent and very happy with it.

Cheers

D


Simba, our much missed baby.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 235112

Reply By: Phil P - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 15:42

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 15:42
Did you decide on the roof pod?

I've always wondered how well they would travel on the roof without one?
AnswerID: 235119

Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 17:30

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 17:30
G'day Phil,

no, too expensive and I can manage nicely without I reckon. They did not try to flog me one with the tent. Good people at Oztent.
0
FollowupID: 496135

Follow Up By: Darren C - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 14:48

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 14:48
I actually looked the other day and cant see them advertised on the website anymore - also noticed that ARB are selling them with a $100 or so off the price - maybe they werent selling and are discontinued now?
0
FollowupID: 496382

Reply By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 15:43

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 15:43
Good on you mate ;-)

My Tourer 9 Plus has lasted 3 years - but there have been a double Simpson crossing, Cape trip and many many smaller trips in between - reckon we've probably got 150 nights out of it.

Stretching has been the biggest problem, which then causes stress on the zips - especially for middle of the night wee stops for our three young blokes - one especially leaves it until he's absolutely busting, and it's a race to get out of the door in the dark..

When it gets real wet, we get a small amount through the floor (even with the shadecloth down) - looking for PVC floor next time.

We'll go a Freedom or Southern Cross next - this one was a test to see whether the style of tent was what we were looking for or not - this one had the extension frame out the back - next one will be center pole only..
Cheers,

Ivan
2008 D4D Prado

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 235120

Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 06:59

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 06:59
G'day Ivan,

yeah I almost contacted you to see how you were going with your decision.
0
FollowupID: 496265

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 10:41

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 10:41
Ivan, you can get OZtrail tourers with PVC floor and have beeen able to since at least 18 months ago but are obviously more expensive.. Michael
Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 496319

Reply By: Member -Signman - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:58

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 18:58
A ' good' tent should be an investment..
Can't go past Southern Cross tents ....
AnswerID: 235160

Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 19:24

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 19:24
well i have mate. came close several times to getting one. i have the utmost respect for SCC, but with a family of six, sometimes camping all together, sometimes not, combined with the way I set up at camp, the Oztent got the nod. The product is proven, like SCC, but had the right design and options for my varied trips. Definitely an investment.
0
FollowupID: 496175

Reply By: Member - Brenton H (SA) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 20:05

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 20:05
Have had a a variety of divorce tents over the years including a centre pole tent and an RV2 and more lately a RV4 to fit my longer superdooper stretcher.
Oztent will not dissappoint you and you have made a good choice.
The small awning on the centre pole tent always annoyed me also.
AnswerID: 235171

Reply By: Member - Jack - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 21:16

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 21:16
You won't be disappointed. I am on my second Oztent (new model with peaked roof and panels) which has just done a 6 month 37,500 trip around Oz. One small hole at the back whcih I suspect was caused by a tent peg in the bag, but no other dramas. It was used every day/night bar 5 days where we got a cabin in Karratha due to a minor injury sustained on the trip.

They handle strong winds exceptionally well, we found.

I did get the Ozpod and found it very good, mainly due to a "dicky" back that gets out of sync without warning. Being able to slide it into the pod as opposed to lifting it onto the roof rack was a bonus for me.

The folks at Oztent are the best. On a previous trip, a mate of mine manage to bust one of the joins in the frame (being stupid) and they moved heaven and earth to get us a replacement in very short time.

As a point of interest, the inventor, Joe Viglione, used to own a restaurant just near my place, and after sufferering a very bad injury (I think life threatening) he came up with the design while in Hospital. One of those good stories.

Enjoy your Oztent.

Jack
The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 235190

Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 06:57

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 06:57
G'day Jack,

yeah comments such as yours I found in the archives helped for sure. Re the trigger, I heard he was getting really annoyed with a mate's dome tent that had a pole missing, and he thought 'there must be a better design for a tent.' though this could have resulted in the hospital visit :) anyway, the story will be posted on their website soon. a good job they have done on the site too. you never know, maybe an ozpod will come up on ebay for a song, but I am sure I can rig something else up in the meantime if I am not taking the trailer, otherwise it fits perfectly in that and is loaded at a comfortable level.

cheers,

Jeremy.
0
FollowupID: 496264

Follow Up By: Dingo77 - Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 09:36

Monday, Apr 23, 2007 at 09:36
Hi Guys,
(sorry to cut in) but I'm planning on getting one myself and am a little undecided as to what size to get + which choice of side panels (peaked or straight) to select.

I prefer the RV5 due to it's size but am the type of person that wants to setup and go quickly, does anyone have any issues with the extra bit (at the rear) for setup and packing (i.e does it get in the way when folding up...?), I think the largest one without the extra tail bit is the RV3, any comments on this one?

Also, is it an issue to zip up those peak side panels (at the top) they look pretty high?

By the way I've seen a demo and can say that they look really well made.
Cheers
0
FollowupID: 496300

Sponsored Links