ARB Esperance Roof Top Tent Review - 25 000km of use!

[@Slugasi]

Mate, great review. Thanks for taking the time to provide such an accurate review of this product. After considering many other options, my main priority is durability and the ability to withstand the elements. Everything else it offers is just a bonus, or any minor faults can be overlooked. Staying dry, warm, and comfortable far outweighs the faults you pointed out-nothing is perfect, after all. I’ve looked at other brands and reviews, but part of my decision comes down to the fact that there’s an ARB store close to my place, so no delivery issues-quick and easy. Cheers, mate.

[@James-jd7ik]

An excellent ‘honest’ review. The little details learnt by your experience are invaluable. ‘Moon Roof’ is obviously a ‘tempting Carrot’ but means you have to remove the Fly to use, unnecessary added pack-up time if you want to ‘get going’. A useful and comprehensive review, thanks and happy travelling 😊

[@fiq1999]

Very helpful video, hope we can see some vlogs from your adventures!

[@whatcaravanaus]

If you search for A Lap of the Block (@alapoftheblock) we post the travel vlogs there!

[@stevescott9667]

Thanks for the tips for young players like me.

[@whatcaravanaus]

No worries, hope they helped

[@milindag]

Beat video on the product that I have seen. Well-done.

[@whatcaravanaus]

Cheers 👍🏻

[@jeffreyvasquez7105]

​@@whatcaravanausyup well done review, arb should compensate you on this one, thanks for the tips ❤

[@jmzdlone]

Can you share more about the moisture mat

[@whatcaravanaus]

Too easy. It's this one here: www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/tents/tent-accessories/tent-flooring/dune-4wd-anti-condensation-mat-120-cm/BP90180560-black We've put it under the mattress and velcroed it to the bottom of the mattress so it doesn't fall out when we pack up or set up. Also adds a bit of padding, so more comfortable too.

[@markh6676]

Thks, very good review. Any dust ingress to speak of? Sometimes with thid type of rtt, the hinge for the extension platform let's in dust. Also, would the mounting clamps work with 50mm² alloy roof bars or would they be too thick.

[@whatcaravanaus]

No dust ingress inside, and we’ve done some dusty roads. Not sure about the 50mm roof bars, we’ve obviously got the thinner ones and there’s a bit of slack but 50mm is quite thick. You can also mount using bolts so that might be a better option.

[@matthewnewson]

great review think you’ve talked me into it haha is there any reason it can’t fold out on the other side (passenger side) as i’d be mounting to a trailer? cheers

[@alapoftheblock]

You’d cop more drag if you mounted it backwards, it’s got an aerodynamic shape on the hard lid. But the mounting would work either way.

[@matthewnewson]

@@alapoftheblock yep understand mate , thanks a lot and happy travels legend

[@suepalmer2049]

Fantastic video - great tips. Thanks.

[@whatcaravanaus]

Glad it helped out 👍🏻

[@heathviner2512]

Awesome review mate👍

[@whatcaravanaus]

Thanks!

[@MohamedElKady-r8v]

Thanks for the tips 👍

[@Coug4Life]

Great review. Thank you. I’ve had an ARB simpson III for 10 years. It’s been solid and concept and materials look very similar. A few things I’ve had to address and was wondering if you have experienced the same. (1) aluminum internal overhead tent supports attract condensation. I ended up wrapping mine with foam tape to alleviate. (2) internal clear tape used to seal seams basically all came off. I resealed all seams with liquid seam goop. (3) I’m able to store additional deflated air pads in my SIII. Have you tried to do anything similar?

[@bjorn99]

Great video! Appreciate the tips. May I ask if you could share the distance between the rails at the tent from center to center (when standing at the back of the vehicle)? I have a different rack and would like to know if it’ll fit.

[@whatcaravanaus]

No worries. The distance between our rails is 90cm, and the minimum distance you can have is 76cm.

[@VenkateshPattamatta]

Amazing video mate! Can you tell us where you got the Anti condensation mat from?

[@whatcaravanaus]

Cheers! Got the mat from Anaconda, but can’t remember the price. It’s the 120cm version.

[@VenkateshPattamatta]

@@whatcaravanaus Thanks mate. In Anaconda I can see the Dune 140cms one haha which is 200x140cms, my tent is 210x152cms and ARB rtt is 200x152cms. So length x width wise the mat comes short, do yu think it would work effectively with condensation? I am sorry to be asking you here, but not many people have used these mats and you used it it would be really appreciated :))

[@whatcaravanaus]

We haven’t had any probs with it being smaller in the RTT. I’ve used some stick on Velcro to keep it in the centre of the mattress when we fold the RTT up, otherwise it’s been pretty easy.

[@VenkateshPattamatta]

@whatcaravanaus Mate cant appreciate your reply enough. I just ordered it from Anaconda it was the 140cm one. Thanks a ton!

[@chaseclemen2231]

Thanks for your review - I just got one in Cape Town, South Africa. Can one install it backwards so it could open on the left hand side of the car?

[@whatcaravanaus]

In theory you could, I guess. The aerodynamics are set up to open on the right so you’d probably get a higher drag and maybe higher fuel consumption.

[@chaseclemen2231]

@@whatcaravanaus will give it a try and report back.

[@clairenewbolt8768]

Great review mate - Hadn’t thought of the wind issue yet, I have a question if you don’t mind, looking at the set up, I’d have that back window (at 12.2minutes) open up over my tray, do you see any issues with my climbing it and out that way? I’m not big, 5ft5. I see the mattress is not flush with the base of the window and that material could catch but otherwise can you think of anything? Cheers!

[@whatcaravanaus]

Only issue I'd see is the getting in and out without the ladder - if you've got a way to climb up and down from the tray, you'll probably be fine. Our daughter sometimes uses that window when we're not there to tell her not to...

[@clairenewbolt8768]

Okay great - I got some storage boxes there to stand on, thanks for your reply

[@amylever2535]

Did you need to weather it before it 1st use??

[@whatcaravanaus]

No, we used it straight away.

[@joeycarnevale9219]

How’s the mattress for comfort?

[@alapoftheblock]

It's ok. Definitely on the firm side, we used a mattress topper for a while but it was a pain to set up and pack up so just got used to it being firm.

[@999mrkhaled]

Can u compare it to ikamper plz

[@whatcaravanaus]

Haven’t had a close look at the ikamper. If I get the chance I’ll post any thoughts here.

[@radioforum]

No comparison.. Icamper way superior

[@jeffreyvasquez7105]

​@@radioforumalso 3x the price from esperance

[@DriveLikeShana]

As much as I love ARB products, looking at this setup.. I am happy I got a James Baroud. Far easier.. almost nothing set up. Just unlatch n lift go in and zzzz 😅 . Nice video 😊

[@whatcaravanaus]

Love the James Baroud too, great tents. Thanks for the comment!

[@markh6676]

What model JB have you got? Thks.

[@DriveLikeShana]

@@markh6676 Evasion Evo standard size 👍🏼 might need the larger one if over 6ft.

[@radioforum]

It looks so flimsy. The straps look like they are going to rip at any moment. Door is do flappy like elephant ears., I imagining trying to fit into the holes.. roof is plastic?? Why is ARB ( notoriously good quality) hasn’t done a good job with their tents.. The lights is the only good about it..

[@johnjames2256]

I have owned this tent and would never buy it again or recommend it. First off is the price, it’s really expensive, second is the size, I’m 190cm and I only just fit inside and wouldn’t have liked to sleep with 2, third is the weight, it is very heavy and will affect your vehicles agility/manoeuvrability. My opinion is to by a soft top tent as they are lighter, cheaper and offer more space