Anyone had experience of Eezi Awn rooftop tents?

[Chris]

I'm looking for a new RTT and having had a good look at the Howling Moon, Tuff Trek, ARB, Hannibal etc they all appear to be pretty much the same. It's hard to work out who copied who actually. Many of the fittings are identical. It's quality that really makes the difference. Now, looking at the Eezi Awn 1.4 T Top it does appear to be different in quite a few ways. The main pram hood section is similar, but the porch set up is different and so is the outer weather cover. One of the tricky parts on any of the fabric RTTs is zipping the outer cover on, especially if the tent is mounted flat on the rack or you have other gear on the roof. The EA doesn't have a zip, you throw the bag over and then it has a ratchet strap set up like a draw-string. Over all, I like the feel, quality, spares availability, comfort and design. One thing I don't like is the ladder. It's crap. I think I'd rather swap the ladder from my Terrain RTT onto this if it's the way I go.

So who's got an Eezi Awn and do you like it? Slightly concerned about the thought of having a wooden base. But I am told it stops the condensation. I'm not after a pop up hardshell tent here by the way. It is a question about this particular brand. It's made in SA not China which is a plus I think.

If I lived in a lovely warm sunny climate where it didn't piss it down five seconds after you'd just said isn't it lovely today..... then RT choice would be easier.

 

[stan]

Chris
i had an eezi awn for years, before there was so much choice, like you say most of the others are the same, I've been selling some daktenten ones, but they will be made in the same Chinese factory as the others!
i thought the eezi awn was great, a mistake to sell it but that was a few years back.
mine was one where there wasn't the option to have the annex under the tent, this is a big step forward and you can get in under cover, they have all gone this route now.
the construction was very durable, I found the ladder to be ok as well.
the fabric was good, very little condensation. The mattress was a really good one, not sure they are the same standard these days, the chinese ones aren't great. The wood base is good and solid.
The mozzy net was a bit odd, durable but quite a big weave from memory
The cover didn't have a zip, just a strap around, but it was almost as much hassle to be honest as you had to work the strap around the base to ensure it was tight, if you just ratcheted it up it would only pull from the two corners if that makes sense?!
they are a lot more money now, but I think they are well made and one of the best
Hope this helps
stan

 

[stumog]

I did look at the ezi awn but as you have said the ladder is really really crap. I think most of the expensive tents are much of the same apart from the ladder.
Stu

 

[Chris]

Stan, that's terrifically helpful actually. I get the strap / zip issue. My problem is that the current roof box is quite tight to the tent and getting your hand in between to feed the zip so it doesn't catch is tricky and when you do catch it, it cuts the fabric. It seems I may have to wrestle with a strap or a zip, but the strap sounds the better or two evils I think.

 

[jjsaul]

I've got an eezi awn 1.4, (older type without the porch section), with the rachet strap type cover fixings.
I'm impressed overall with the build quality of the tent, and it's very comfy - I often sleep better in it than i do at home! Only reason I'm considering changing it is for one of the extended ones with the porch bit.

 

[Chris]

Well that's a good endorsement can we get a discount for two?

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

You could switch to roof bars instead of a rack which should make it a lot easier to get at the zip/strap and will weigh a lot less than the rack as well.

 

[Chris]

No where to put my roof box though Jon or hang all the boys and bobs I have attached on there now
I have looked at this all ways round as you'd imagine
The longer rack does allow more zipping room but I really like the idea of no zip
Less tucking in means I may not need steps which would be a weight saving for sure
Ordered a Foxwing today
I will have to rotate the roof tent which I'm not happy about but thems the rules

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

No where to put my roof box though Jon or hang all the boys and bobs I have attached on there now
I have looked at this all ways round as you'd imagine
The longer rack does allow more zipping room but I really like the idea of no zip
Less tucking in means I may not need steps which would be a weight saving for sure
Ordered a Foxwing today
I will have to rotate the roof tent which I'm not happy about but thems the rules

Roof tent on 2 bars, box on another 2 bars, bolt the bits and bobs to the bars, sorted The BOAB bars I'm using are just 40x40x2mm steel box section with some legs, so simple to make holes to mount things or even weld bits to if needed. Just a thought

 

[Chris]

Obviously I meant bits and bobs. Boys are very hard to bolt down or weld in fact
Not ruling it out Jon just not sure it's the way I want to go
The tent base currently sits on the rack, flat. Now it may have escaped your attention but I weigh nearly half a stone (cough) more than you and bridging the base across two bars probably isn't the best idea

 

[SimonD]

Definitely recommend the build quality. Mine is also the older type without porch and the last owner abused it all the way to Capetown. A couple of eyes needed replacing but the canvas was good. Excellent air in hot climates and not much condensation [with fly] in cold climates. VERY comfortable. We found occasionally that if you parked on a bit of a slope and the ladder dodn't have its foot on, the tent became almost impossible to close off at the bottom when in it. Easily fixed with the ladder foot or ensuring that the ladder isn't over-reaching for the ground. APB [Phill Bond] can get plenty of spares as well. We replaced the cover as the old one was getting a bit holey. Ours opens to the side rather than over the end and we're happy with the configuration. The are pretty heave to get on and off (3-4 people).

 

[jjsaul]

Mine is only mounted on roof bars (both on a range rover classic and a volvo v70) and not had a problem. The bars bend a bit on the volvo but they are universal £30 ones....

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

Obviously I meant bits and bobs. Boys are very hard to bolt down or weld in fact
Not ruling it out Jon just not sure it's the way I want to go
The tent base currently sits on the rack, flat. Now it may have escaped your attention but I weigh nearly half a stone (cough) more than you and bridging the base across two bars probably isn't the best idea

Ok, use 3 bars I'm sure 2 would be fine though, our big long folder was only supported by a bar at each end and didn't have any flex problems, that was a wooden base as well.

 

[Chris]

Not running a deal on roof bars are you Jon?

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

Not running a deal on roof bars are you Jon?

Funny you should mention that