I have the ARB version 3. There are pros and cons. I'm curious about your height claim, 59"??? Are you sure? Maybe that's underside to top outside but not inside floor to ceiling? The photos don't do it justice if this is true. I have not felt like mine is too short but if I could almost stand up inside a 59", that's would be useful for changing in privacy at a campground or bike race, etc.
As for the covered entry, under-space created, that's what I like about the ARB but I think I saw an awning attachment for the Autohomes that essentially gives you a covered sloped awning space too. The one thing the Autohome can't do is be smaller in closed footprint. The ARB when closed up uses about 1/2 the footprint which allows other things to be on the rack, if desired.
The rain thing.... these are really best for dry environments obviously, but not all of us outdoor people live only in dry places. While we had nearly 4 months of zero rain this past summer, it started raining a couple weeks ago and will now rain every few days at least a little until June ! So, on the wet tent thing, my ARB will in my opinion, weather a storm better, however there is a lot more surface area that will then be wet, and there's the over-fly too. Your clam shell design will get wet sides of course, but not the roof or as much material will be wet.
The Autohome is MUCH easier to open or close though. It takes several minutes just to unzip the cover on my ARB, then 15-20 minutes for full set up with window awnings out, etc. Another 15 to install the annex below the covered area. The annex is really cool space creation though and when set up beside the vehicle, the doors can all still be opened because the ladder is about 45" away from side.
Pros and cons, but they are both great to use. I do think the Autohome is a lot faster to set up for the quick overnight and morning departure though. My ARB is more of a set up and stay a few nights sort of deal.
You don't think my ARB is "aerodynamic" ? ?!!!
