Oztent RV tent range. Buy with caution
- Written by The Times
A review of the Oztent RV "30 second tent" range.
Three years ago we bought an RV-4 from BCF Mackay.
It was used a few times including a weekend with intermittent rain which is important as the Oztent fine print says that each tent has to be wetted before use to swell the fabric and seams.
Our tent was stored for a year in a dry garage before being brought out for another camping trip in 2025.
On this trip, the tent was in heavy rain. This time the tent rained inside. Once saturated, the tent became porous. Water came through the fabric ( not just at the seams ) and dripped onto everything inside the tent including electronics and bedding.
We took the tent back to BCF, this time another branch other than Mackay when the tent was still within the warranty period. The BCF store manager refused to accept the tent and take it back for assessment by Oztent for replacement or a refund. He claimed that as we had used the tent for close to two years it was not covered by warranty.
That was not good. A warranty is a statuatory obligation. The manager later rang to apologise for his conduct as he later came to understand that he was obliged to take it back. A complaint to BCF HQ got is attention.
BCF's refusal to handle the warranty meant that we had to complain to Oztent.
We did that and Oztent agreed to accept the tent for assessment. Oztent informed us that a courier would appear at a certain time and date to collect the tent for assessment. The deal was that Oztent would assess the tent and if no fault was found, we would have to pay freight.
That sounded fine.
The problem was that the courier did not turn up.
By this time it was in the too hard basket. It was just not worth the waste or time and mental stress dealing with Oztent and the non appearing courier.
We still have the Oztent RV 4 it is unusable except in dry weather.
So, would we buy another Oztent.. ?
Well we did. This time a $2,500.00 Oztent RX-5
This one has much stronger and less porous canvas to suit the US market. PLUS the seams are all taped so that water will not become internal rain like it does with the Oztent RV 4 and Oztent RV-5.
What to do if you fall for the 30 second erection gimmick. ( It will always take a lot longer to set up an Oztent to the point where it will not blow away in light wind )
In our view, based on actual experience, an Oztent RV 4 or RV 5 are not fit for purpose unless they are erected indoors, under a gazebo or are used in the desert but even then heat is transferred easily though the thin fabric.
If you buy an Oztent RV-4 or Oztent RV-5 buy a gazebo to shield it from rain and heat. Failing that, buy one of those heavy duty silver tarps and erect it over your Oztent.
Oztent sell a thin silver colour fabric fly that zips onto the structure of the highest point of the tent. Those Oztent flys are expensive and do not survive long in the harsh Australian Sun especially when exposed to wind as well.
Our verdict.
Avoid Oztent RV-4 and RV-5.
If you want one, then buy a gazebo to function as a rain and heat proof barrier.
Don't assume that your warranty means a lot and don't assume that Oztent will send a courier who actually turns up if you get to the claim stage.
Oztent RV-4 and RV-5 tents are not cheap and so water resistance is certainly a desirable characteristic. Waterproofing without taped seams ( like in the RX-5 expensive one ) and with the thin porous fabric is simply not to be taken for granted.
See our supporting pics.
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