What is the difference between the Series 3/XKLUSIV tents, and the Jazz/Fun tents?
The Eezi-Awn Series 3 and XKLUSIV roof top tents are the legendary flagship soft shell roof tops tents on the market. They are the benchmark, for robust construction and durability, decades of world travel experience. The Jazz and Fun roof top tents are every bit an Eezi-Awn product, built to a slightly lighter, more economical specification. All the Eezi-Awn tents are built on the same production lines, and use many of the same components. The Jazz/Fun line uses a bit lighter Teflon coated polyester rip-stop material. And because it is lighter, lighter bows, hinges, overhang extrusions, etc. can be used. The side window coverings are incorporated into the rain fly too, to save on materials and labor. The result is a true Eezi-Awn quality product, that compares closely with other tents on the market.
Why does Eezi-Awn use wood panels for their floor instead of a composite material?
There is a very good reason for the wood panels that you see on the Eezi-Awn tents. Not only do they look more classic, it has mostly to do with insulation. Most of the tent producers on the market are using some fashion of aluminum sheeting with a thin insulation sandwiched in between. Aluminum is great at transferring temperature. So when you have a cold exterior surface, and a warm interior surface, you will inevitably end up with condensation on the interior surface. That means your mattress is going to get wet. Some companies offer a "condensation sheet" for their floors. That is not a solution to the issue. The solution is better insulation. The wood panels that Eezi-Awn use are a solid core Moranti plywood. Moranti is very dense, like teak. So dense it will not absorb water. It gives the floor a great insulation value. You do not need a condensation sheet on our tents.
How can I clean the material on this tent?
The material used to make the Series 3 and XKLUSIV tents is made of a a cotton/polyester thread that is wax impregnated before weaving into the rip-stop material. If the material gets stained, wait until completely dry and brush the stained spot with a fine bristle brush. If necessary, use a gentle liquid detergent and lightly scrub the spot. Rinse thoroughly, and let dry.
Do I need to put a repellent on the tent material?
The cotton/polyester thread with wax impregnation makes the tent very water resistant and breathable. Do not apply a repellent to it. That will seal the material and remove it's breath-ability.
Do I need to put a protectant on the cover?
The cover is made of a 700 gram double sided PVC that has been treated with a UV protectant. Each time you wash your cover, you do remove a little of that protect. That leaves the cover more susceptible to the sun. We suggest applying a UV protectant such as 303 Aerospace Protectant for Plastic, Vinyl, and Rubber after each washing.
Is the Rain Fly removable?
Yes. The rain fly is elevated from the main body of the tent to create an air gap between the rain fly and the tent. This is to help keep in cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. The rain fly is attached to the tent with a full set of YKK low temperature buckles that can unclip, and allow you to remove it.
How does the extended roof line work?
Eezi-Awn developed a set of extrusions that attach to the bottom of the overhanging panel. You loosen two friction knobs, and slide the U shaped extrusion set out horizontally. Before getting to full extension, there is a second U shaped extrusion set recessed in the first one that elevates into place to raise the roof line upward. Once that is in place, you extend the first extrusion set to full extension and tighten the friction knobs in place. To put the roof line away, you reverse the process.
How do the walls attach to the tent?
The wall system is stored in it's own bag, separate from the tent. Once the XKLUSIV tent roof line extension is in place, the walls attach to the overhang in a combination of male/female welts and hook/loop attachment points. Once you hang the walls, you can stake the bottom edge to the ground with the stakes provided.
What is the mattress like?
Eezi-Awn builds their mattresses from a high quality 300 weight foam, with a fabric cover. The fine line of building a mattress is to ensure support, but not too soft to compress through, or so hard that it feels like a board. They have found the happy medium.
Can I store sleeping bags inside the tent?
Yes, if you are aware of where to put them. Think of a roof top tent like a giant wood and canvas turnover. There is a void in the middle of the mattress area, on the half of the mattress above the bolted down side of the the tent that is enough area for a couple down sleeping bags and pillows. It needs to be on the bolted down side. If you put it on the side that folds over, all the sleeping gear will slide down to the hinge point and bind up the closing of the tent. Try a few times, and it will make sense.
Why are the Eezi-Awn tents so heavy compared to other tents?
Eezi-Awn walks a fine line between weight conservation and durability. The materials used in the construction of their roof top tents are designed to last a lifetime, if taken care of. A roof top tent endures all the vibration and abrasion that your vehicle does. The tent materials rub against each other constantly. Lighter materials start to fail quickly, as their water proof and UV coatings wear away. Plastic components stress and fail over time. Eezi-Awn doesn't use plastic components in their tents, and they use thicker material and mesh to stand the test of time. Consequently, the tents weigh a bit more. But it's worth it.
What is the warranty on an Eezi-Awn tent?
The short answer is 3 years, against materials and workmanship. The long answer is that our philosophy is this. If it is our fault, we will fix it. If it is your fault, we'll help you fix it. Eezi-Awn tents are built to last. With good care, they will. If something needs addressing, we carry a full line of replacement parts in the US, and we can get anything you need from the factory.
What do I need to put a roof top tent on my vehicle?
Typically, the load bars that come on your vehicle are not up to the task of holding a roof top tent. The load rating on most OEM rack systems are between 100 and 150 pounds. That is roughly what the tent weights, let along a couple occupants. At a minimum, at a good pair of load bars, such as Thule or Yakima produces, that are more sturdy than the ones your vehicle came with. This is a minimum. For a more robust solution, consider replacing your OEM rack with a K9 Load Bar or Roof Rack System.
How do the Eezi-Awn tents attach to a vehicle?
There is a set of aluminum extrusions attached to the bottom of each tent. Each extrusion has a slot built into it, to accept a rectangular washer holds the head of a 8mm bolt. Your tent comes with a DIY kit that includes 4 of these washers, along with the bolts/fender washers/nuts to attach the tent. You can slide these washers in the extrusions to the point where you want to attach them, then add a nut and washer to the bottom of the bolt. If clamping to a load bar, we have additional mounting hardware to accommodate this. Please look at the Roof Top Tent Mounts section on our site.
How high can I mount this tent?
The Eezi-Awn ladder is a 2 piece extension ladder that can support the overhanging portion of the tent up to 2 meters. That is roughly 80". You can shorten the ladder by adding holes in the vertical uprights to receive the connecting pins at a height of your desire. We also offer a ladder extension, which add roughly 12" of length to the ladder for a max height of 92". That height is to the bottom of the tent base.
