Any reason not to get an ARB RTT?

[TenaciousTJ]

I've read a bunch of posts from here and different sites on the ARB Simpson II RTT. Recently, someone here posted that ARB stopped production on the tent due to quality control issues. I called them last night to see what the deal was. They said they have not stopped production and they are still shipping and selling them through distributors. So, is there any reason not to get one?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've dealt with quite a few of the tents thusfar... so far they have been great. I did have one arrive to a customer that he was not 100% happy with, mostly loose strings and such that needed cleaning up. In the end he was happy to keep it despite our offers to send another one or give him a full-credit return.

 

[Martyn]

I know of at least 3 people who were less than happy with the QC on the tents. They all exhibited problems in exactly the same areas.

I'm surprised ARB is still selling them. I was lead to believe they had been removed from inventory because of these issues.

In talking to people in the last month or so I have come to the realization that what is unacceptable from a QC perspective for us, may be acceptable for other people. I guess it has to do with how much you are willing to put up with if the price is lower.

Kurt, I don't mean this in any disrespectful way at all. But I've been dealing with RTT's for over 20 years and I guess I'm just set in my ways.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I know of at least 3 people who were less than happy with the QC on the tents. They all exhibited problems in exactly the same areas.

Which area would that be in?

I'm surprised ARB is still selling them. I was lead to believe they had been removed from inventory because of these issues.

First I had heard about removing them from inventory? The units that have come through my hands have been acceptable. I'll have to ask around @ ARB, mabey my tents have had a better track record than others? A couple of the tents I installed here, I spent a few extra minutes cleaning up (ie. trimming loose threads, setting the zipper track, and adding stainless washers to several of the mounting locations).

In talking to people in the last month or so I have come to the realization that what is unacceptable from a QC perspective for us, may be acceptable for other people. I guess it

Its really all relative I suppose? When your paying 1/2 - 2/3 the price of a "premium" tent, is it reasonable to expect the same level of quality? I know of similar gripes with some of the "premium" tents, I had a customer purchase a higher dollar unit and it failed within weeks of purchase, he eventually returned it for an upgraded unit.

I would never advertise them as being the "highest" quality units on the market, but I wouldn't call them unacceptable either. Having spent 30 nights in an exact tent, I feel comfortable calling it a good unit. It has its issues, but I think they all do... its a matter of balancing your budget with your willingness to modify/repair/inovate on known issues.

Kurt, I don't mean this in any disrespectful way at all. But I've been dealing with RTT's for over 20 years and I guess I'm just set in my ways.

None taken, I respect your experience and opinion alike. Again I would never boast them as the top of the line unit, in fact I have sent customers to other dealers when I see their needs and expectations won't be met with the ARB unit. Different strokes for different folks. The only complaints I have dealt with happened to be from a fellow ExPo'er, we offered to refund him 100%, in the end he took a credit from ARB... upon inspection of his issues and tents I have had in hand, his tent was an exception, not a rule. I've been happy enough to keep them in stock... time will tell but given my personal experience with the unit on my trailer, I doubt I'll change my mind anytime soon?

 

[Martyn]

Which area would that be in?

Kurt

I e mailed you a copy of the ARB tent report. I sent a copy to ARB earlier in the Fall.

I won't list all the issues, as I'd prefer not to air dirty laundry in public, I'd like ARB solve the issues in house.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Kurt

I e mailed you a copy of the ARB tent report. I sent a copy to ARB earlier in the Fall.

I won't list all the issues, as I'd prefer not to air dirty laundry in public, I'd like ARB solve the issues in house.

Received and reviewing, thanks for all your insight and expertise

Regarding improvements to the tents, I've never hesitated to suggest changes to ARB in the past. With all this in mind I'm going to take a closer look at incoming tents to make sure they meet what I would consider acceptable. Thanks again!

 

[Martyn]

Received and reviewing, thanks for all your insight and expertise

Regarding improvements to the tents, I've never hesitated to suggest changes to ARB in the past. With all this in mind I'm going to take a closer look at incoming tents to make sure they meet what I would consider acceptable. Thanks again!

No problem. I think we are both on the same page when it comes to providing exception service to our customers.

 

[TenaciousTJ]

Could you let me in on the info, maybe shoot me a PM with the issues? Would like to see if it's something I can live with, or be a deal breaker. I'm just a short drive down the road from ARB, so it has to due a little with saving on shipping and the fact that if I do have issues, I know where they live :wavey:

 

[Spikepretorius]

I'd be interested to know if the ARB is actually from Oz.
More likely to be manufactured in China.
Failing that then maybe a re-branded South African product, although our tents are generally very good.

Just wondering.....a lot of their stuff is now sourced in China.

 

[Martyn]

I'd be interested to know if the ARB is actually from Oz.
More likely to be manufactured in China.
Failing that then maybe a re-branded South African product, although our tents are generally very good.

Just wondering.....a lot of their stuff is now sourced in China.

ARB tents are made in Shanghai

 

[Martyn]

Could you let me in on the info, maybe shoot me a PM with the issues? Would like to see if it's something I can live with, or be a deal breaker. I'm just a short drive down the road from ARB, so it has to due a little with saving on shipping and the fact that if I do have issues, I know where they live :wavey:

The report is something AT does for tent manufacturers. They provide us with Prototypes or new production units and we sleep in them for 30-45 nights and then provide feed on any problems, construction issues, materials, quality etc.

It's not something we are paid for just a service to the industry, a way to help improve product lines, and it allows us to see and field test new tents when they first come to market or before.

I supplied the report to Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters because he is an ARB dealer and is selling the product. Using the information he can quickly check each tent he installs or sends out to a customer to make sure it meets his own QC levels.

We don't sell ARB tents, we sell Eezi Awn tents. So it puts us in a strange and complicated position, in that we don't want to bad mouth ARB, as they are a good company and have in the past taken care of QC issues that may have arisen. As the tents are still on the market we also want people to know that not every tent is 100% and it should be carefully checked. We also don't want people to make the assumption that we are "airing dirty laundry outside" in an effort to pursued people to buy the brand of tent we are selling vs. the ARB. That is not our intention.

Kurt is an ARB dealer. He understands all the issues with the Simpson II RTTs. I'd suggest you arrange the tent sale through him.

 

[60seriesguy]

I'd be interested to know if the ARB is actually from Oz.
More likely to be manufactured in China.
Failing that then maybe a re-branded South African product, although our tents are generally very good.

Just wondering.....a lot of their stuff is now sourced in China.

From the units I've seen, I'm convinced they are not re-branded South African products. They seem fine for the price, but they're not in the same "lekker" level as the Eezi-Awns, for example.

 

[cnskate]

I believe the ARB tent is essentially the same made in China tent that cartoptent and racktent.com sell, which is a great tent for the $$, but the ARB tent is a fair bit more. I'm not sure if it has the upgraded cotton canvas fabric on it. It does have the cool Ttop, or whatever you call it, extension on it, that combined with the optional vestibule, gives you a cool 2 story tent. The need for the latter would be the only reason I could see for buying an ARB over a catoptent.com one.