ARB Simpson II: Sun-eaten straps

[Purple People Eater]

I am the proud owner of an ARB Simpson II. The first few months of ownership have been great, but I have run into a problem. I kept the tent on top of the XJ all summer and the Arizona sun just ate the black nylon straps that hold the cover down and they have become so brittle, they've broken just from the wind from driving around. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm planning on replacing them soon, but if there's a better solution, I'd like to hear it.

 

[mudbutt]

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[cruiseroutfit]

The material in the newer covers seems to be holding up better, I don't have any difinitive proof just my own experience having owned and used the SII, SIII and SIIIB tents. The cover from a SIIIB will work on the SII and SIIIB with some minor changes. I don't have a good solution for prolonging their life but they are fairly cheap to replace and are commonly available both OE from ARB or at a sew shop.

 

[Purple People Eater]

The material in the newer covers seems to be holding up better, I don't have any difinitive proof just my own experience having owned and used the SII, SIII and SIIIB tents. The cover from a SIIIB will work on the SII and SIIIB with some minor changes. I don't have a good solution for prolonging their life but they are fairly cheap to replace and are commonly available both OE from ARB or at a sew shop.

It's not necessarily the cover I'm having trouble with, just the straps. I'm thinking about just unscrewing them and replacing them with something from Home Depot, but I fear I'll have to do that every year. I just wonder if there's a more suitable material for the job. I could probably use that treatment stuff, but if the straps are super cheap, I shouldn't have to reinforce them with something 3x their cost. Not trying to be super frugal, I would rather spend a little more for a higher quality and more resilient product than spend the money to protect a low quality solution. Ya feel me?

 

[08whitex]

My brother had the same thing happen with his simpson III. He called ARB and they sent him a new cover and straps free of charge.

Talk about great customer service. They didn't even ask for a pic or proof of ownership.

 

[Purple People Eater]

My brother had the same thing happen with his simpson III. He called ARB and they sent him a new cover and straps free of charge.

Talk about great customer service. They didn't even ask for a pic or proof of ownership.

Wow, that is pretty cool. I'll give them a call in the morning.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

It's not necessarily the cover I'm having trouble with, just the straps.

I should have been more clear, I'm referring to the entire cover assembly being more stalwart as of late in my expereience, better zipper, straps (both material and the design) as well as the actual cover material being better.

I would rather spend a little more for a higher quality and more resilient product than spend the money to protect a low quality solution. Ya feel me?

Loud and clear. I'll check with my local sew shop, they do almost exclusively outdoor gear, bags, radio holsters for ski resorts, climbing packs, etc, they have even built a few custom RTT covers. If anyone has a solution for the cover it will be them. I was just looking at my SIIIB tonight and I'm getting discoloration not on the straps themselves but the Velcro is faded and almost yellowing.