Not everyone needs a $3,500+ hardshell rooftop tent. If you are getting into overlanding and want to try the RTT life without betting $5,000 on it, the ARB Simpson III at $1,795 is the entry point that does not suck. Editor’s Pick If you only have time to skim — this is the gear in […]
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Not everyone needs a $3,500+ hardshell rooftop tent. If you are getting into overlanding and want to try the RTT life without betting $5,000 on it, the ARB Simpson III at $1,795 is the entry point that does not suck.
Editor’s PickCheck Price on Amazon
I have compared this against the Roofnest Falcon 2 ($3,495) and the iKamper Skycamp 3.0 ($4,899) in our rooftop tent comparison. The ARB loses on setup speed and weather resistance, but wins on value and brand trust. Here is the full breakdown.
| Type | Fold-out Soft-Shell |
| Sleeps | 2 adults |
| Sleeping Area | 55 x 94.5 inches |
| Setup Time | 3-5 minutes (realistic) |
| Weight | 115 lbs |
| Mattress | 2.5-inch high-density foam (included) |
| Body Material | 300gsm polycotton canvas |
| Rainfly | 420D polyester |
| Season Rating | 3-season |
| Brand Heritage | ARB (Australia, est. 1975) |
| Price | $1,795 |
Not everyone needs to drop $3,500+ on a hardshell rooftop tent. I’ve set up and compared the ARB Simpson III against the Roofnest Falcon 2 and iKamper Skycamp 3.0 to figure out whether the budget entry point actually delivers or just creates headaches. My overlanding experience includes years of trips with my family of 5, first with a Jeep Rubicon and iKamper, now building out the 2025 Sierra.
Build quality and warranty claims were verified against ARB’s official product specifications and owner feedback from overlanding forums.
Check out Mark Bouliane’s field review of the ARB Simpson III:
The Simpson III fills a very specific role in the RTT market:
ARB has been making overlanding gear since 1975. They are an Australian company that has been building products for people who actually drive into the outback — not weekend warriors in a parking lot. When you buy ARB, you are buying decades of real-world testing in harsh conditions.
The Simpson III (named after the Simpson Desert in Australia) is their entry-level RTT. It is not their fanciest, but it carries the same build quality standards as their fridges, compressors, and bumpers. ARB does not make junk.
ARB says “quick and easy setup.” What they mean is 3-5 minutes once you have done it a few times. The first time, budget 15 minutes and maybe some colorful language.
The process: unlatch the cover, unfold the tent, extend the ladder, zip out the rainfly, attach the guy ropes if it is windy. It is not complicated, just more steps than a hardshell that pops open in 30 seconds.
Is 3-5 minutes a dealbreaker? Depends. After driving 8 hours to a campsite in the dark, an extra 3 minutes feels like an eternity compared to the “unlatch and push” setup of a hardshell. But for $1,700 less than the competition, most people will deal with it.
Key takeaway: Setup is the biggest compromise. If you camp frequently and value speed, a hardshell is worth the premium. If you camp monthly or less, 3-5 minutes is fine.
The 300gsm polycotton canvas is breathable — way more breathable than a hardshell. In summer camping, you will notice less condensation inside a canvas tent. Canvas “breathes” and manages moisture better than aluminum and polyester.
But canvas has limits:
For three-season camping in places like PA and NJ — spring through fall — the Simpson III handles everything you will throw at it. I would not take it into serious winter camping (sub-20F temps), but that is not what it is designed for. For cold weather options, check our tent heater guide.
Key takeaway: Canvas breathes better in summer but cannot match hardshell weather protection. Know your climate and camping season before choosing.
Here is the math that matters:
| Tent | Price | Type | Setup | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARB Simpson III | $1,795 | Soft-shell | 3-5 min | 115 lbs |
| Roofnest Falcon 2 | $3,495 | Hardshell | 30 sec | 130 lbs |
| iKamper Skycamp 3.0 | $4,899 | Hardshell | 30 sec | 145 lbs |
The $1,700 you save over the Falcon 2 buys you a Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 ($799) AND an ICECO VL60 fridge ($500) with money left over. That is a complete overlanding sleep + power + cold storage setup for the price of one premium tent.
If you are not sure whether RTT life is for you, starting with the Simpson III is the smart move. You can always upgrade to a hardshell later after you have decided overlanding is your thing.
The Simpson III is the budget-friendly foundation of a complete overlanding setup:
Total cost for a complete RTT + power + solar + fridge setup using the Simpson III: roughly $3,500. That is less than the Roofnest Falcon 2 alone.
Buy it if: you want a reliable RTT from a trusted brand, you camp primarily in fair-to-moderate weather, and you would rather spend the savings on other gear.
Rating: 4/5 — Best budget RTT from a brand you can trust. The soft-shell limitations are real, but so is saving $1,700+.
It works in mild cold (30-50F) with proper sleeping gear, but soft-shells lack the insulation of hardshells. For winter camping, pair it with a diesel or propane heater and manage condensation carefully. Below 20F, a hardshell is the better choice.
Realistically 3-5 minutes once you have done it a few times. First time: budget 15 minutes. The process is: unlatch cover, unfold tent, extend ladder, zip out rainfly, attach guy ropes if windy.
Moderate rain, yes — the 420D polyester rainfly does its job. Sustained heavy downpours may cause some seam seepage. The bigger concern is packing wet: if you break camp in the rain, the canvas must be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent mildew.
115 lbs — the lightest tent in our comparison. Most vehicles with aftermarket roof racks handle this weight easily. Check your vehicle’s dynamic roof load rating to make sure.
It is a 3-season tent (spring through fall). The canvas construction breathes well in warm weather but does not insulate as well as hardshell alternatives in winter. For year-round camping, consider the Roofnest Falcon 2 hardshell.
Any vehicle with aftermarket crossbars rated for 115+ lbs dynamic load. Full-size trucks, SUVs, and most mid-size crossovers handle it fine. Factory crossbars on compact SUVs may need upgrading. The Simpson III mounts to standard crossbar widths.
Yes. Sub-$1,000 RTTs from unknown brands often have quality control issues, poor stitching, and questionable waterproofing. ARB has been making overlanding gear since 1975. You are paying for proven build quality, consistent materials, and brand support. The tent holds resale value ($1,200-1,400 used) because of that reputation.
The ARB Simpson III is light enough that most crossbars handle it fine, but always verify your dynamic load rating before you mount. The RigSafe Overland Configurator runs the three-chain calculation — static, on-road, and off-road — against your specific vehicle in about two minutes.