OzTent RX-5 Deluxe Review | GearJunkie tested

The rooftop tents are really nice. But they aren’t suitable for everyone or every rig. This is especially true if it’s your go-to daily driver and you value fuel economy or handling. Luckily, there’s another option for those of us who want something different: OzTent RV/RX-Series of 30-second tents.

Oztent RX-5 Deluxe Probably different than any other tent you’ve used. The first thing you notice before taking it out of the bag is that it’s huge. It measures 79.5 inches long, 14.9 inches wide, and 10.6 inches tall and weighs 67.2 pounds.

This is definitely a car-camping or overlanding type of tent! Once you’ve found a flat spot and taken it out of your bag, setting up the main part of the tent often takes less than 30 seconds.

I tried it last year and it has become a mainstay for me and my family.

In short: The OzTent RX-5 Deluxe ($2,199) is a great compromise between the comfort and strength of a rooftop tent and a ground tent that isn’t tied to the roof of your vehicle at all times. It’s big, awkwardly shaped, heavy and expensive, but it’s built to last for decades and offers more comfort and protection than even a yurt.

Oztent RX-5 Deluxe Review

The RX-5 uses an aluminum frame with two folding arms that extend horizontally to create the tent’s footprint. Once these sides fold, you simply step inside the tent door and lift the frame, which opens the tent like an accordion. Inside, there are braces on both sides that give the tent structure and it has an over-center latch that locks the tent in its open position.

Once they’re set, you’re ready to rock. The dimensions of the tent when installed are 102.3 inches wide, 102.3 inches deep, and 74.8 inches tall, measured at the door.

The ventilation with OzTent is excellent. The RX-5 Deluxe has windows on two sides and a huge skylight on the roof, all of which have very fine mesh to keep out insects. The front door is large and uses three zips in an inverted T shape, making entry and exit very easy. There are also two “eyebrow vents” above the door, which I leave open at all times to eliminate condensation.

Quick initial setup is the main feature for OzTant, but it’s far from its only trick. For example, it has a built-in awning, which is standard on all tents in the series. This is one of my favorite parts of the tent, because with a few poles and guy lines, you have a decent sized covered area to shelter from the sun or rain.

Plus, because it’s permanently attached to the tent and made from the same 8-ounce canvas material, it’s incredibly strong and wind-resistant. The dimensions of the awning are 102.3 inches wide and 78.7 inches deep. The height varies as per your preference, as the pillars are telescopic.

oztent rx-5 size

The RX-5 (and its nearly identical twin, the RV-5) is the largest tent in OzTent’s 30-second tent lineup. They are sold as 5-person tents, but like every other tent, those people need to be small. That said, I am 6 feet, 4 inches tall, and my wife is 6 feet, 2 inches tall; We both fit the large Exped MegaMat sleeping pad and, in my case, a roomy OneTigris cot with no issues.

Another bonus of the RX-5’s overall size is that, at the door, I can stand almost upright, making tasks like changing clothes much easier. For campers looking for a slightly less bulky setup, the RV-3 and RV-4 are available. There are also RS-1 and RS-2 swags, which are smaller still.

The RX-5 Deluxe comes with a zip-on rainfly that has a reflective coating on the roof to keep heat away from the tent. This is a big deal in the Australian outback as well as in sunny Southern California, where I live. The zip-on extra room that attaches to the awning and creates a second en-suite living space is very useful if the weather gets too bad or if you want a little extra privacy.

negative aspects

Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? It is, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are tradeoffs. While the initial setup of the tent’s sleeping area is super-quick and easy, the awning, fly, and extra rooms all require additional effort.

If you have a pathological hatred of placing bets or spitting out the man’s lines, look elsewhere, because OzTent makes plenty of both. If you’re just preparing for one night, the whole rigamarole can be very difficult to deal with, especially after a long drive to camp. However, for many nights, it becomes absolutely worth it.

The ripstop canvas that the tent is made from is highly wind and water resistant, but it does require some care and feeding to keep it that way. Specifically, canvas tents “require”Spices,” Which involves spraying them down with a hose once a year to help swell the stitches and prevent water ingress.

Is it a big deal? No. Is it more work than occasionally deflating a nylon tent? Yes. PVC bucket flooring is very rugged and does not require any special care, although it can be sensitive to sharp rocks or dog claws.

improve experience

Everything about the OzTent looks and feels high quality, except the bag it comes in. This is adequate, but taking the tent in and out can be a real hassle. For my tent, I bought a set of bags, its poles and accessories Another Australian company called Drifta.

They are made from very high quality fabric, and the tent bag is slightly larger and zips on three sides, making the tent very easy to pack. They’re not very cheap, they cost around $280 at current exchange rates, and shipping from Australia to the States (as there is currently no US Drifta distributor) is a bit of a pain, but it’s worth it.

Decision

OzTent has a few US distributors and a US website, making it easy to order. The price is steep for a ground tent, but not miles away from something as sturdy as the Springbar.

My RX-5 comes with the Deluxe Fly and extra room, which are usually optional extras, and sells for $2,199, which is a very low price. Oztent also sells a mesh floor saverThat goes under the tent and awning I recommend, and it will run you $180.

So, if you’re ready to move away from a regular ground tent and want something more substantial that can withstand any weather nature throws at it and still last for decades, the OzTent is a great option. It offers something truly unique with its easy setup design and excellent build quality. This is an excellent alternative to rooftop tents for those who can’t leave the tent on their rig at all times.