Eezi-awn questions

[bigreen505]

Can someone tell me:

1. All the differences between series 2 and series 3 tents?
2. Whether a 1200 is big enough for two 5'10" adults and a dog or couple?
3. What is a reasonable price for a used series 2 1200 in exceptional condition?
   

It is time to move to the roof and I'm tired of trying to pitch a tent in rain.

I'm pretty sure this has been covered, but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks!
Bill

 

[Pskhaat]

Bill, personal question feel free not to answer, but would you not need the rooftent for...more people?

IMO, a 2200 is really the only way to go That said, I would think the 1200 would actually be feasible with only two adults and a smaller dog, maybe someone who actually has one can comment :O

 

[Willman]

I just got an 1800 3 series......It's still in the box.....waiting on parts for my trailer....

I believe they changed the windows and a few other things between the 2 & 3 series

If i was you.....if you have the $$$$....get the bigger tent....It will be worth it later. Plus more more to grow....

What is the RTT going on?

 

[Martyn]

The 1200 is 48 inches wide, unless I'm mistaken that is the width of a single bed. I would suggest that the smallest size tent for two adults would be a 1600. The difference in price on a new 1200 and 1600 is $250.00, money well spent I believe.

Paul May at Equipt1 would be able to give a detailed list on the differences between the Series 2 and Series 3.

Price on used tents I think if you do a search on the Portal you would find they hold their price well. I wouldn't expect to find one under $1000.00 and then shipping runs around $150.00 if you have it skid mounted and trucked.

 

[articulate]

Bill, consider the next size up. I've got the 1200, and with the two of us plus a baby it's getting tight. Brooke and I are "normal" sized folks in the 5'8" neighborhood and the 48" width was perfect for us, before we were three. (Guess how we became three . . .)

There was an improvement in the cover on the series 3, and it's got larger windows. Perhaps another detail or two.

 

[bigreen505]

Bill, personal question feel free not to answer, but would you not need the rooftent for...more people?

IMO, a 2200 is really the only way to go That said, I would think the 1200 would actually be feasible with only two adults and a smaller dog, maybe someone who actually has one can comment :O

Generally there seem to be two people going on a trip, but more would be nice. Usually me and my sister, me and Alaina or me and Hannah.

Basically I came across a potentially good deal on a series 2 1200 and wanted to see whether it was feasible. Sounds like it is probably better to pass. If I do indeed pass, I will share the info.

 

[flyingwil]

All the differences between series 2 and series 3 tents?

Bigger windows, pockets, color options, and cover differences... actually the newest Series 3 tents are coming with a really cool cover that is dual fold over the ratchet.

Whether a 1200 is big enough for two 5'10" adults and a dog or couple?

It will be a tight fit width wise with a larger dog, if were two guys, unless you two dont mind snuggling a bit you'll be fine. I would go slightly bigger if you have the option.

What is a reasonable price for a used series 2 1200 in exceptional condition?

IMO $950

I'm tired of trying to pitch a tent

Try this:

 

[HDM]

i'd pass on the 1200 - you'll likely end up buying twice if you expect to use it for more than the two of you. measure and mark off the dimensions on your living room floor with tape and see for yourself. you'll also want to make sure you are not forced against the walls - particularly if you camp in humid/wet/cold conditions. i think the the 1400 is an ideal size for two adults, a bit of clothing and some wiggle room. we'll have to go bigger if we add more than a small dog or infant. going bigger means it takes up more of the rack which can be an issue for some. also, putting up and taking down a roof tent in the rain is not necessarily easier, quicker, or dryer. to be honest, it only takes about a minute or so longer for me to get my rei basecamp tent up/down than our roof tent. bottom line, i still get wet if it's raining. i suppose the roof tent does have the advantage of not needing to clean the dirt/mud off the tent floor before stowing it away. on the other hand, while getting the cover off the roof tent is a snap, getting it on properly when your are wet and in a hurry can be a bit of a chore so sometimes you have to add time for cursing. roof tents arn't really "better" than ground tents, just different. there are definately pros and cons to both.

 

[Willman]

Try this:

:xxrotflma

That made my day!

(Guess how we became three . . .)

This has Mark written all over it!

:elkgrin:

 

[Bergger]

We just got an series 3 1800 on our Chaser and it's awesome. Actually has much more room than I thought. Plenty of room for the three of us and all our clothing. There is enought room that we can totally hang out in there and play cards or a board game if it's pouring ran outside. I'm so geeked up about it I think my daughter and I are going to set it up in the garage and spend a night in it this week! My wife just rolls her eyes at me. Anyway I'd go larger than the 1200 so, as mentioned previous, you don't end up buying twice.

 

[Equipt]

Nice guys. I should send that of the Eezi Awn guys.

All of the comment have been spot on. There are only a couple differences between the 2 and 3 models. Wil hit it right on the head. The biggest difference is close to double the size of the side windows. It makes a huge difference when the tent is all the way open. 360 degree views. When they increased the windows they had to relocate the interior pockets to below the window. All the models retained the same sizing and there was the introduction of a color option. All models are now available in either olive with olive fly, or beige with olive fly. The beige tents come with a tan cover. The matress was increased a bit as well. A bit cushier. The ratchet cover was changed as Wil pointed out.

The 1200 is a bit narrow. All the models are the same length when open or closed. Open dimension is roughly 8', so plenty of length. Imagine it this way. The tent width mimic the size of beds we normally think of, with in a few inches give or take. A 1200 is about a twin, the 1400 is close to a double, the 1600 is roughly a queen, and the 1800 is a king size. I acually use king size sheets, down comforter, and pillows in our. I made big points on this change.

Scott Brady has spent over 200 nights in his 1200. It was the model he took up north. In fact 2 of them. A Series 2 and 3. They are livable, but tight.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions I can help with.

Cheers,

 

[Defender90]

Good info!

 

[bigreen505]

Guys, thanks for all the info. I'm not completely set on what to do yet. While I fall firmly in the "buy the best and only cry once" camp (it is a long standing family value), the tent I found is a great deal and I could easily resell it for what I would pay for it. However, it seems silly to buy something that I know will likely be too small.

The thought being people in the tent, dogs in the changing room. And this would be fine for two people. The question being, how many of my trips are likely to be all three of us, and my crystal ball isn't that clear.

I may cruise over to Slee this week and see if I can get a better idea.

 

[DBS311]

Hey, if you hop over to Slee's, would you mind comparing the Eezi-Awn with the Technitop (if at all possible)?

Sorry if I slightly shift focus away from Eezi-Awn, but how does the Technitop compare in regards to size? Would it be considered around a 1200 or 1400? Thanks.

 

[Martyn]

Hey, if you hop over to Slee's, would you mind comparing the Eezi-Awn with the Technitop (if at all possible)?

Sorry if I slightly shift focus away from Eezi-Awn, but how does the Technitop compare in regards to size? Would it be considered around a 1200 or 1400? Thanks.

Here are the dimensions off their South African site.
Dimensions :
Length box (closed) - 1,1 meters
Length box (open) - 2,2 meters
Width - 1,3 meters
Height of box - 0.28 meters
Weight (no ladders) - 52 Kg.

This would make it a 1300 or 1.3 meters

All of the RTT's are sized in Meters across the tent, so 1.3 M is equal to 51.18 inches.

For comparison US beds are sized as follows in width:
Twin 39" or 0.99 meters
Double 54" or 1.37 meters
Queen 60" or 1.52 meters
California King 72" or 1.83 meters
King 76" or 1.93 meters

Here is a chart for converting RTT sizes to find the tent width in inches;
1.2 meters or 47.25"
1.4 meters or 55.12 "
1.6 meters or 63"
1.8 meters or 70.87"
2.2 meters or 86.62"

Most of the RTT's are 8 feet long or 2.44 meters long there is some variation, the Technitop is 7.22 feet long.

Apart from the hard numbers it's a difficult thing to do to compare on tent to the other, I think the Overland Journal did a good job in the Spring 2007 issue. There is no substitute for seeing the tent first hand, but lots of pictures, detailed pictures of the construction, ladder, base, hinges, stitching, etc is useful.