ARB Touring Esperance - User Manual

BR 2021 – Rev 1
Congratulations on purchasing your
ARB TOURING ROOFTOP TENT - the quick and easy way to enjoy camping.
Included in this leaflet is all the information that you require to obtain the maximum enjoyment and benefit from
your rooftop tent. Given proper care your rooftop tent will give you many years of trouble-free camping.
ARB Esperance
Tent

Summary

Getting Started

Vehicle Compatibility and Safety

Requirements for vehicle roof bars, weight limits, and essential safety precautions.

Included Accessories

Comprehensive list of all components provided with the rooftop tent.

Managing Condensation

Advice on reducing internal condensation in varying weather conditions.

Installation

Mounting Procedure

Step-by-step instructions for securely attaching the tent to the vehicle's roof.

Installation Safety

Mandatory safety warnings and torque specifications for secure tent mounting.

Tent Usage

Opening the Hard Shell

Instructions for opening the hard shell roof top tent and extending its components.

Ladder Operation and Safety

Guidelines for safely operating and securing the tent ladder for access.

Erecting the Canopy

Steps for setting up the entry canopy and window awnings using support rods.

Closing the Hard Shell

Procedure for safely closing the hard shell, including securing straps and C-channels.

Care and Warranty

Storage and Care Guidelines

Best practices for storing the tent to prevent damage, mold, and mildew.

Warranty Terms and Conditions

Details on the 3-year warranty coverage, exclusions, and claim procedures.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features
5. Safety Warnings

The ARB Esperance Tent is a rooftop tent designed for camping, offering a quick and easy setup. It is part of the ARB Touring range of products.

Function Description

The ARB Esperance Tent provides a portable and elevated sleeping solution for campers. It is mounted on a vehicle's roof and unfolds to create a tent with an integrated ladder for access. The hard shell design protects the tent during travel and facilitates a relatively quick setup and pack-down process. It includes features for ventilation, weather protection, and internal lighting.

Important Technical Specifications

• Mounting Requirements:
  • Requires suitable roof bars, a roof rack, or THULE roof racks on the vehicle.
  • Cross bars must have a dynamic weight load of at least 75kgs and be at least 76cm apart.
  • If installing to an ARB Baserack, specific bridging brackets must be used.
• Torque Setting for Mounting Bolts: 22 Nm for the U-shaped bracket bolts.
• Ladder Angle: Approximately 70° angle for optimal support.
• Speed Limit with Tent: Recommended maximum speed of 110 kph (68 mph) when the tent is on the vehicle. Driving speed should always be adjusted based on road type, quality, weather (wind, rain), and applicable state speed limits.
• Power: Includes a cig plug to USB adaptor and cables for internal lighting, requiring a suitable 10amp 12V power plug.
• Warranty: 3-year (36-month) warranty covering workmanship, finish, and fabric, effective from the date of purchase.

Usage Features

• Mounting Configuration: Can only be mounted in an "Off the side" configuration, meaning it folds out from the side of the vehicle, with the entry point on the RHS (looking from the rear).
• Setup Process:
  1. Unlock three fastening straps.
  2. Push up the hard shell; gas struts assist in opening.
  3. Undo the strap securing the ladder.
  4. Remove the ladder's protection cover and fully extend it from the vehicle and tent.
  5. Disconnect the fabric tensioning elastic strap and pull down the ladder to extend the floor.
  6. Place the ladder on even, solid ground at approximately a 70° angle. Adjust length using locking buttons on rungs.
  7. Erect the entry canopy using two spring steel rods: insert the straight end into holes near the ladder attachment point, and hook the other end into the metal grommet of the canopy.
  8. Extend window awnings using additional spring steel rods.
  9. Secure hinge cover flaps to touch tape pads under the tent base and secure other loose straps.
  10. For bad weather, place two aluminum C-Channels into the struts section to lock the tent.
• Ladder Operation:
  • Extend all rungs and ensure each rung is locked from bottom to top.
  • Ensure the ladder base is on even, solid ground; avoid uneven ground, rocks, sand, or mud.
  • The main panel (floor) and extension panel (attached to ladder) should be horizontal.
  • Do not over-extend or make the ladder too vertical.
  • Always face the ladder when climbing in and out.
• Internal Lighting: Included cables can be passed through a hinge cover flap to an external 10amp 12V power plug.
• Ventilation: In wet or humid conditions, leaving windows slightly open allows airflow to reduce condensation.
• Shoe Pocket: Includes a shoe pocket for convenience.
• Storage Bag: Comes with a storage bag for steel rods.

Maintenance Features

• Mounting Security Checks:
  • Check that the tent is securely attached after a short distance of driving and at regular intervals.
  • Tighten mounting brackets whenever necessary as part of good trip preparation.
• Cleaning and Storage:
  • Do not store the tent wet. If packed away wet, zip close all canvas doors and windows, then open and dry thoroughly as soon as possible to prevent mold, mildew, and rot.
  • Mold is not covered by warranty if caused by storing or packing the tent wet or damp.
  • Ensure the tent is completely dry before storing for extended periods.
• Trip Inspections: Regularly check that all nuts and bolts attaching the rooftop tent to the vehicle are tight and in good repair. Check the ladder is securely fastened and the locking strap is applied.
• Fabric Care: The warranty covers fabric, suggesting attention to its condition.
• Condensation Management: Keeping windows and doors slightly open provides cross-flow ventilation, reducing water vapor buildup and condensation inside the tent. Condensation is not a leak but a result of temperature variations.

Safety Warnings

• Mounting: Do NOT attempt to mount the tent if you have back, knee, or other health complications. Use correct lifting techniques or mechanical aids.
• Flame Sources: Under no circumstances should any flame sources or heating devices be used inside the tent. Keep all flame sources away and watch for airborne burning embers.
• Ladder Safety: Failure to properly secure the ladder can cause serious injury. Ensure all rungs are locked, the base is on solid ground, and the angle is correct.
• Vehicle Height: Be aware that the rooftop tent increases the vehicle's overall height. Measure the total height to ensure clearance for carparks and other overhead obstacles. This is not covered by warranty.
• Center of Gravity: Attaching the tent alters the vehicle's center of gravity; adjust driving accordingly.
• Closing Straps: Do not use excessive force on the three fastening straps; they are designed to hold the tent base and shell together, not to pull/ratchet them. Hold down the top shell firmly to compact the tent, then secure the straps.
• C-Channel Rods: MUST remove the two C-Channel rods from the gas struts before closing the hard shell.
• Ladder Retraction: Be careful not to get fingers caught between the rungs when retracting the ladder.
• Bedding: If difficulty closing the tent, it may be due to excess bedding; remove some if necessary.

ARB Touring Esperance Specifications

General

Brand	ARB Touring
Model	Esperance
Category	Tent
Language	English