Got my new ARB Simpson II but I'm not happy with the quality

I'd be after a replacement.

Geez the dog looks impressed with his new digs!

When does he finish ladder training?

Takin it back tomorrow arvo, will post up the response. The shop bought it off, the guys there are awesome, it's an ARB issue and I'm pretty sure they'll help sorting it out.

Nice looking tent Brett. Much too "fussy" for my liking but it looks to be good quality and made from proper canvas. One major question though why have you put it up on the roof of your car? Tents are supposed to be on the ground!! Once you've pitched your tent up there you're stuck and if you want to do day trips from the camp site you have to take it down. Still, I guess it can be put on the ground if you want to stay a while in an area and travel out each day. The old basic centre pole is the one for me - up in a minute and strong as an ox.

ARB are not as good as most people think, I will never buy off them again.

I think ARB used to be good until they discovered China. It's getting very hard to buy good stuff those days.
We try very very hard not to buy Chinese , just bought a Beefeater Barbeque made in Australia.....3 times the price but beautiful.

cheers
Reiner
PS 3 weeks and Cape York here we come :-)

Yep - you must believe the marketing hype and go by the top notch prices all the 4WD accessory mobs are charging when in fact it's just very high profit margins.
An example is a typhoon twin compressor - made in China no doubt but 4WD mobs want around $350 for them, go to a Truck spares mob and buy the same thing for $170 - Mmmmm buying betting quality or just high mark up and paying for the nice ads in the magazines ???

Enjoy your tent after you insist on a new one as you have paid good money.

Cheers

Darryl
Brisbane

Brett,

Nice setup. I'd be back there to get it replaced or money back. New roof top tents now seem to be going for about half the price they used to. I was wondering about the quality?

Brett.

Take it back.

Regards

I had the same one but sold it after 1 stay in it.
When packs up wet it dampened the mattress, the holes where the big alloy "U" bar comes from let in mozzies, i got ever so soaked packing it up because it was a very dewy morning and almost froze my arms off pushing in all the sides, i couldnt leave my bedding in it because it would appear to be almost tearing the hold town straps trying to force it shut.
The window stays are the same on all of them.
The tear i would get looked at and the holes for sure.
The missing strap should be replaced.
But good luck with it anyway.

The problem with any product is quality control. No problem buying China, but the importers such as ARB need to have strict guidelines on the quality otherwise it is their brand name that suffers. They need to sort that out and rectify the issues you have.

I recently bought an Eezi Awn and I am happy with the product. I looked at the Ebay ones that are selling for a large discount to others, couldn’t touch them because of quality. I later found out that a major chain rejected the (Chinese) product due to quality and they’ve eventually found there way onto eBay……I can’t verify that, but it wouldn’t surprise..

I would expect that they will fix the problem- it's a big name. I had bull bar and driving lights fitted by them but had to take it back because the lights were wrongly wired in- I had been assured that they did plenty of them on my make of 4wd- . They were very helpful, friendly and apologetic etc. but I guess I have lost confidence in them after that- and would not class myself as a repeat customer. I can't do this stuff myself, so will pay hard-earned money willingly for a good job done right- another reason this site is good to try and find them.

I had the OME suspension fitted by ARB to the prado recently, very happy with there service. I did have an issue where they damaged a inner drive shaft boot I would say wedging something in there to pull down on suspension ?? and must have cought the boot and put a small tear in it. I replaced the brake pads (front) the following day and noticed grease and crap sprayed everywhere and took me a few minutes to find the tear. Rang them straight away and notified them and was expecting the usual "sorry mate must have been there etc" but to there credit he booked it in again straight away and replaced the inner boot. Now wether they new they had done it or not I dont know but no questions asked and was fixed. I will return to them for dual batt & rear locker to be supplied and fitted. Regards Steve M

Hi guys.
We have an ARB/ Howling moon Simpson model and are wrapped with it. The original model they sold was a re- badged howling moon product, along with their hard cased car side awning.
We bought ours over a year ago now, and have seen the new one that ARB are getting made elsewhere now. How old is yours? The new model came out in about march/ April. Yes have to agree, and so do the ARB guys, the new one is an inferior copy. They would like to not have the new one and re- stock with the original, re- badged howling moon. If it was up to the fellow we talked to , he would have the original one back in place of the "new" one quick smart, as it reflects poorly on their buisness to sell an inferior product.. Sure, you pay more, but you do get what you pay for. I'm not sure what one you have, but our experiences with ARB have been great. Any problems... they fix it ASAP.
We have had ours out in wind, rain, frosts and heat. Have nothing but praise for it. It is as it says.. a Touring Tent. That is what it was designed for. We have used it in a caravan park for 2 night stays and yes it is a bother to pack up each time you want to go out. With the fact in mind that it is a Touring Tent.. we have no probs/ hassles with it.
Love it!!!

Just checked your pics. Yes you do have the newer model. yours has the top roof vents, which are an improvement.
I'm sure ARB will come to the party to get the "issues " fixed.

Suppose its a Chinese tent with an ARB patch sewn in - you are doing the quality control for the manufacturer - that's modern retailing - nothing new - and we all accept it as standard practice - the only thing ARB could be picked for probably is not checking them first (but nobody wopuld expect that - as long as they send it back and give you a good, new one).

OK all is good. The tent's been taken off and it's getting replaced with a new one. Very happy with that.

It's going to be QA / QC before being thrown back onto my Cruiser.

I wouldn't have expected anything else from ARB.

My dealer, Coastal4X4 were excellent, right away they took photos and have taken the tent off with the full intention of getting me a new one.

Doesn't get any better than that

i have the howling moon version and it is brilliant,well made also have the arb version of the side awning and its very good also.your tent must have been a monday or friday made on cheers Paul

ARB is a bit like the RM outback brand. Not what they used to be. Warranty not so good either. First hand experience.

Sean

Our experiences with ARB have been nothing but good. They have gone out of their way to get things right. Yes we have had a couple of things needed to be fixed, but they were more than happy to fix/ replace the items at no charge.
Glad to hear your tent issues have been addressed. Happy touring.. Its all about the journey.

We've just completed a 2 month tour of the kimberleys in the same tent from ARB.

had no problems with the tent itself, quality wise. only real issue we had was where the U shaped metal bar goes in at the back as someone said earlier as it lets bugs in. Simple solution was to throw an old shirt or something there. Don't know what we'll do for the long term though, but I don't see it as a major problem.

We also got an ARB awning off the side of the car with the mozzie netting too. Unfortunately we didn't check that before we left and low and behold the first night we set it up at Bell Gorge, we noticed two identically sized tears or rips in the top of the fabric on opposite sides.

We only got back yesterday and plan on taking it back to ARB in the next couple of days. Will let you all know how it goes.

Jason.