Is an Ozent worth it?
The Oztent is one of the most popular tents in Australia, which is primarily known for its fast set up time.
They come in various sizes (and now various models), and are built to last. They are all dark green and shaped the same. Numerous accessories can be purchased to add extra rooms, awnings etc (more on this below).
Is the 30 second setup time true?
To physically get the tent standing, it takes longer to get it out of the bag than it does to stand the tent up. It would probably take about a minute to get it out of the bag and have it standing, and then another few minutes knocking pegs in.
From there though, most people have other accessories to add – awnings to set up, front rooms, fly’s and then undoing windows etc. However, it is an extremely fast tent to set up, and not much else comes anywhere even close. This is the primary reason so many people purchase Oztents!
Whilst the 30 second tent isn’t strictly correct, once its out of the bag you can have it up in about that time!
To set my Oztent RV5 up with all of the accessories you can do it in under 6 minutes with 2 people.
These days though, unless we are staying in one spot for a long time, we just set the tent up with a few pegs and two guy ropes. Once the tent bag is on the ground its less than a couple of minutes.
Oztent sizes and types
There are 5 different sizes of Oztents – RV1, RV2, RV3, RV4, RV5. The tents are numbered according to how many people can sleep in them (they do say +1 for each model).
However, I highly doubt you would fit 6 fully grown adults very comfortably in an RV5, even with a front room to throw all of the gear.
Some time ago Oztent released a new range, called the RX-5, which is similar, but not something I’ve experienced or can review. There’s also an SV5 which the same applies for.
Why doesn’t everyone have one?
There are a few reasons that these are not on everyone’s shopping list. The first is that they are very long when folded up. The RV1 is 1.6 metres long when in its bag, and the rest are 2 metres long. This means that the only way to carry them is on the roof racks or in a very long vehicle (Ute or Troopy).
This can be a big issue for those that can’t lift the tent up onto roof racks, and for those that don’t even have roof racks in the first place.
The other main issue is the price. A base model RV1 is $849 (without any discounts), and a base model RV5 is $1249. If you were to purchase an RV5 with a tarp, side panels, front panel and fly from the Oztent website you would be looking at nearly $1900.
However, they are an incredible tent and a massive number of people do own them, and love them! It’s been the best tent we’ve had by a country mile.
Oztent Accessories
The standard Oztent comes with an awning out the front, poles, pegs and rope. If you want more room, you can purchase sides for the awning, and a front panel. This essentially gives you a second room, and is well worth it. Note that there are 2 different types of side panels.
A tarp, or ‘floor saver’ as it is termed on the website is another worthy investment, as no matter how good your tent is the floor is the first thing to go. A fly can be used to keep the tent cooler, and to keep the water off the tent. You won’t have any issues with water getting through the canvas, but it still a good idea.
Oztent also sell tag along tents, which can be joined to the main tent. These are great as your family grows up; the kids can sleep in a tent that is connected to the adults.
Buying a cheap Oztent
When looking for tents for sale, wait for sales, or look for a pre-used one. I purchased an RV5 with every accessory you can get (except the tarp and front panel) for $900, second hand. It had been used twice and was in perfect condition. That is literally half the price.
The other option is to look for deals done online, or in camping and outdoor stores. Ranger Outdoors and BCF will be able to do better deals if you are prepared to haggle. If you don’t ask, you don’t get! Wait for sales, and you can quite easily get 20% off. That’s a substantial amount of money.
If you want a fantastic deal on an Oztent, check Snowys outdoors out – Oztent RV Range at Snowys.
Updated review:
We sold our Oztent to our brother in law. We had it for a number of years. Off the top of my head we must have spent around 100 nights in the tent, with absolutely zero issues.
This includes 5 nights spent in the windiest conditions I’ve ever experienced at Gnaraloo station, various storms and all sorts of different temperatures. They really are a fantastic product! There are very limited Oztent problems, and that’s what you pay a premium for.
We moved from an Oztent to a camper trailer, and the Oztent is still being used regularly by my brother, and going strong some 10 years later (although he doesn’t use it as much as we did!).
Is it worth getting an Oztent?
If you are committed to a tent on the floor, and not a roof top tent, swag or camper trailer, the Oztent has a seriously solid reputation that is pretty hard to beat. There’s a few other competing brands (like Blackwolf), but you won’t go too wrong with an Oztent!
If you own an Oztent, are you happy with it?
My Oztent Review is that they are fantastic, and have had zero issues with it.
Hey Shane,
Yep, a bit of extra room is always handy, and easy to look back and wish you’d gotten one that was a bit bigger!
All the best
Aaron
Have an RV3 which I have been very happy with. Only wish that I purchased the RV4 which has the extra pocket as it give you more room inside. Only costs a little bit extra, a little bit heavier and packs up the same size.
Hello,
They are a great tent. Happy camping!
Aaron
I’ve been looking for a fast/easy set up tent for a while now,and have been reading reviews about this tent,which are always great,but this thread has me sold! Definitely getting one ❤️
Thankyou everyone!
The drifta bag and the kayak lifter idea has solved the only concerns I had- thanks
Hey John,
That is genius! I’ve heard of the Drifta bags for the Oztents, but not the kayak lifter. Very clever, and I’m sure it works well.
All the best
Aaron
Lifting an Rv5
Hi have used an rv5 just once and it is a brilliant tent first time was in torrential rain and hi winds. Worked brilliantly. The only prob was lifting it on my Ranger. Firstly buy a Drifter bag they are bigger and tougher than the original bag i bought the camouflage bag. Tough and waterproof. I have googled and found a device made by Rino its a Universal Kyak lifter looks brilliant and definitely getting one
Hey Charlie,
That sucks; not what you want to happen. What has Oztent got to say about it all?
We never tried joining tents together, but sounds like that might be a good thing
All the best
Aaron
Have had 2 RV5’s for several years now. Happy with the tents but not with the accessories. Bought a gutter to join the two tents together and front wall and side wall kit so that one awning can be a room while the other awning is open. Every time we have tried to join the tents it has been problematic.
As much as we tension the awnings. When it rains at least one awning will fill with water instead of flowing into the gutter. Just today so much water collected, 2 crossbars bent. The gutter can be difficult to get enough fall and can overflow through the awning zips.
Will probably throw away the gutter and joining panels and set up the tents and awning room separately.
Hey Sue,
Great to hear. They are an awesome tent.
All the best
Aaron
I’m picking my RV5 up on Monday on my way to camping after seeing a girlfriend unfold hers last weekend while we were camping, and I can’t wait
Hey Matilda,
Hopefully he replies – he should get a notification that someone else has replied.
All the best
Aaron
Hi I’m interested in the comment made by Brendan Adams. I’m wondering which Rhino Rack basket he uses for his rv5?
Hey Brendan,
Good to hear you like the RV5. We had a great run out of ours too.
All the best
Aaron
I bought an RV-5 that I set up by the river at my parents’ property and use it all Summer. It is bulky to transport, but I can deal with that. It just fits in my car (VW Passat Alltrack) but I’ve ended up getting the Rhino Rack basket for it so I can have more room in the car for gear, and my dogs. I love the quick set-up, I can do it on my own easily and quickly (I’d say it is a 1 beer setup), and pack up is equally quick. It fits two stretchers comfortably, with space between, and then I store the gear underneath – quite luxurious actually! It wasn’t cheap, and I got the fly & floor mesh (I use a tarp too) as well, but it works well for me.
Can’t wait to get out by the river again, and hopefully to some touring too!
Hi Roberta,
I’m sorry to hear that. Please note that the Oztent RV5 (as reviewed) is not the same as the tent you have (RX5).
I would see if you can push a little harder; they should take care of you. Where did you get it from? Will they help you out?
All the best
Aaron
I’m interested in the review stating “We’ve had our Oztent now for a number of years. Off the top of my head we must have spent around 100 nights in the tent, with absolutely zero issues. This includes 5 nights spent in the windiest conditions I’ve ever experienced at Gnaraloo station, various storms and all sorts of different temperatures.”
One month ago, we purchased an Oztent RX5 for our annual holiday. As we were disassembling the tent under windy conditions, one of the supporting poles (inside the main tent) snapped and another one bent. We have been told by Oztent that this damage is not covered under their warrantee as “Oztent covers any manufacturing faults and unfortunately can’t cover storm damage”. I believe there must be a manufacturing fault. What is considered a “storm”?
We are planning a trip later this month where we will be moving from place to place almost every day. That ’30 second’ setup is going to be my life saver – I’m just praying for soft ground to bang the pegs in to once it is up 😉
We have a Jackaroo SE now so the tent won’t fit inside the car with us. Single person lift on to roof rack will be made easier as we will make a rail similar to the Kayak ones … lift one end of tent and rest it against rail sticking out from side of roof rack at 90 degrees, then lift other end of tent on to the actual roof rack, then slide the first end across. I’ll post some pics on FB when we get it finished
regards
Sharon
G’day mate!
They are an epic tent; I love mine. It makes moving from place to place less of a hassle!
Aaron
Bought an RV4 with deluxe peaked walls purely because I can put it up and pull it down by myself if my partner is incapacitated. Half normal price, 2nd hand from Gumtree. A few hours after purchase we set it up in a caravan park and sat through a wicked storm, toasty warm inside the tent. Couldn’t be happier!