Superior quality and quick setup make the Oztent RV-5 a worthy basecamp while adventuring
Who hasn’t wished for that cabin in the woods, a Walden of sorts for the contemporary Henry David Thoreau? To live deliberately, without the trappings of daily life, is a popular theme among today’s rugged adventurer.
Overlanding is an exercise in compromise. We go to get away from it all, but some comforts of home are worth packing. A dry sleeping space is essential. Room to dress, sit up and read, or perhaps to gather when a wet warm front parks itself over our outing is also a welcome amenity. To that end, a large, durable, expedition-quality tent with a big awning fits nicely on the packing list, or could wind up on the list of regrets when we’re stuffed inside a cube or dome the size of a doghouse.
Susan and I took a risk the first time out with our Oztent RV-5 at the infamous 2018 Overland Expo East. The event was ushered in by a deluge, swamping the venue, then the whole affair was blanketed with a nice layer of sleet and snow. As should be a precaution with any new gear, Oztents recommends seasoning their tents and testing before use to ensure against leaks. This involves wetting the fabric then allowing it to dry before applying seam sealer to any errant stitching. Being the typical, hurried, part-time American travelers, we didn’t do that. Thankfully, quality control had done its part at the factory and no issues ensued.
Oztents have been around since 1993. They are built using single-layer, 8-ounce Ripstop polycotton and a bathtub-style PVC floor. The stowed package is undeniably large. Its bag is six and a half feet long and 11 inches by 15 inches, and weighs 54 pounds. Unfolded, it spreads to 102 inches square, stands over six feet tall and sports an awning extending 75 inches. This is no backpacking tent, nor a department store reject. It is equipment that, with proper care in use and storage, can last a lifetime.
A sturdy, rectangular, extruded-aluminum framework folds within and requires no assembly prior to pitching the tent. Oztent claims a set-up time of under 30 seconds and, in fact, one can be in the dry very quickly once the tent is removed from the bag. A simple folding out of two arms, a lift of the branded center pull-tab and a quick clicking into place of the diagonal supports does the trick. Velcro secures the supports; however, there is little likelihood of them collapsing unless forced upward by a pesky grandchild or other mischievous occupant. The remainder of deployment takes a few more minutes.
Oztent offers a superb footprint underlayment, which can be staked down independently or with the tent. Robust guy ropes stow handily in covered pockets and can be stretched out as needed. Clever, plastic, open-end wrench-like clips permit infinite tension adjustments in a jiffy. Two tubular, telescoping cam-lock aluminum poles support the awning and a center guy rope can be used to pull a gutter shape into the awning, preventing water from pooling. Generous pest-proof windows surround the structure, providing considerable air flow when needed, and can be zipped shut. A tiny zippered opening near the front corner allows access for an electrical cable without draping it through the door…a nice detail.
While the internal frame is made of sturdy aluminum, the potential for breaking one of the hinges exists if one were to twist them in a way they were not designed to operate. A hurried, strong-wind deployment or ham-fisted assembly could cause a failure, though we never had an issue. They aren’t fragile, mind you, just potentially vulnerable. And Oztent does supply replacement parts at a surprisingly reasonable price. Most components range from $2.00 to $30.00 each. The ability to easily refresh this product over time is another testament to the foresight of the manufacturer.
Since that initial experience at Overland Expo East, we have used the tent at Overland Expo West in 2019, again experiencing rain, wind and snow, and throughout the American West, desert and mountain camping from our Toyota 4Runner. We have become adept at unstrapping the package from our BajaRack roof rack and pitching the tent in short order.
The tent is billed as a five-person space, which would work fine in the conventional, mat-on-the-floor arrangement, but we’ve taken to using military-style cots for sleeping and keeping a few of the comforts previously left at home by our sides and beneath the cots. Our cabin in the woods is more mobile than Mr. Thoreau’s and almost as large. The joy of overlanding has increased by several cubic feet thanks to our Oztent RV-5.
See the Oztent website for a host of accessories, including spare parts, sunrooms, full enclosure extensions, cots, chairs, tables and more.
Pros:
- It’s an instant “cabin in the woods.”
- Materials and construction are first rate.
- Stands up to wind like few large profile tents.
- It can honestly put you in the dry in under a minute.
- Well-designed tent and accessories provide incredible versatility.
Cons:
- Use caution when unfolding to prevent damage to hinges.
- Large bag makes stowing inside vehicle unlikely.
- Six-foot zipper on bag only pulls one direction.
Editor Note: Read all about Bill Dragoo’s Toyota 4Runner built for vehicle-based and overland travel in Issue 34 of OutdoorX4 Magazine HERE. If you’re not subscribed, you can subscribe HERE.
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