Blackwolf Turbo 240

[101RRS]

I have been thinking about getting a either a swag (mini tent) or a quick putup tent. While I can see the benefits of a swag in some circumstances overall I think a tent would be better for me.

On a recent trip away a couple of people had Oztent RV? and some had the Balckwolf Turbo 240 and I was able to observe how hard and quick each was to erect by one person and to pack away. The Blackwolf in my mind was the clear winner.

On researching the Blackwolf 240 I see that there are two versions - the standard Turbo 240 that has a full awning on the front and the Turbo 240 Lite that is a bit cheaper but only has a small awning at the front - other than that the basic tent seems to be the same but the Lite is about $300 cheaper.

Any one got any experience with these two tents and how have you found them - can you get a full awning for the Lite?

Thanks

Garry


Oztent

[weeds]

We spent many hours in the camping store comparing the blackwolf and RV......still unsure if we made the right decision, we went with the RV.

At the withe the wolf you can fit it inside a standard 4wd, the RV has to go on the roof.

[WhiteD3]

I've had the older BW 240 Turbo without the annex for 6 years. Great tent, easy to put up by myself. It'll fit in the back of the D3/4 with no dramas too.

Can be a bugger to get back into its bag if not packed correctly.

[PhilipA]

I've had the older BW 240 Turbo without the annex for 6 years. Great tent, easy
to put up by myself. It'll fit in the back of the D3/4 with no dramas too.

Can be a bugger to get back into its bag if not packed
correctly
I recall being in a 4WD club in Sydney for the AGM at Kurrajong heights a few years ago.
Several had bought the Turbos, and all the turbo owners had the same rant. It was/is very difficult to get back in the bag, and they wondered why the bag wasn't made a bit bigger. Some had sold and gone to Oztents because of this. The early ones had plastic hinges AFAIR and these often broke but I believe they then changed to steel hinges.
I thought the ultra lite was made of a lighter material.
Regards Philip A

[weeds]

Oh when we were looking we discounts the lite pretty quick......

[101RRS]

At the withe the wolf you can fit it inside a standard 4wd, the RV has to go on the roof.

That was what I observed - the RV seemed heavy and big when folded.

Ref other comments re fitting into the bag - the RV also seemed to have the same issue.

All camping stuff seems to have this issue - my sleeping bag cover is all ripped as are all my seat bags.

I thought that the BW Turbo Lite 240 and the standard 240 were made out of the same stuff but from comments on here that does not seem to be the case.

Cheers

Garry

[jonesy63]

Ref other comments re fitting into the bag - the RV also seemed to have the same issue.

Hi Garry - I have an Oztent RV3 (and annexe, fly etc.) for about 5 years and the original bag was too small. Oztent listened to the owners and the new bag I got a couple of weeks ago is a bit bigger and now much easier to get into the bag.

It used to take longer to get into the bag than setting it up! Now all good.

[WhiteD3]

Can be a bugger to get back into its bag if not packed correctly.

Quoting myself......don't want to give the impression that it can't be done....just that you have to get all the air out of the tent as you roll it up. Once rolled up, I stand it vertically in one end of the bag and then pull the other end of the bag over the top, letting gravity do the work.

The good thing about these tents is the ease of putting them up. I can get the tent up in a few minutes using 4 pegs. Only if its windy (or going to be) do I put the outer pegs in.

[weeds]

Hi Garry - I have an Oztent RV3 (and annexe, fly etc.) for about 5 years and the original bag was too small. Oztent listened to the owners and the new bag I got a couple of weeks ago is a bit bigger and now much easier to get into the bag.

It used to take longer to get into the bag than setting it up! Now all good.

No problems fitting the RV4 into it bag

[Jack ANT]

G'day ll, I've used the Black Wolf 240 for close to 10 years now I guess. In snow, rain, hail and heat its been a great tent. That said I did get an aftermarket very heavy duty waterproof bag made up to fit the tent, awning and ground sheet. It is a bit cumbersome but worth it when you take kids camping. I bought a Black Wolf 300 but it was too big and hard to manage so moved it on.

ANT

[101RRS]

It looks like the 240 is the real deal over the Lite - I just need to try to find the best price. Best so far is about $980 - a bit more than I wanted to pay for a tent but I guess the quality is there.

Thanks for the comments.

Garry

[TerryO]

I used some Frequent Flyer points recently and got a Caribee Pacific Tent when Qantas had some special sale on. Have no idea if its any good but just wanted a inexpensive supposedly quick to erect tent that can be used very occasionally if need be, mainly for privacy more than for anything else. I considered the Black Wolf but could not justify the price for how little use it might get.

[Redback]

Hey Garry, have a look at one of these swags, $495 RRP.

Swagit Double Swag by Travelander (http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?1313-Swagit-Double-Swag-by-Travelander)

FROM
Travelander - Australia's best Slide on Campers - Australia's best offroad campers (http://www.travelander.com.au/)

Baz.

[101RRS]

Thanks Baz but I am not interested in a swag - amongst other issues you cannot stand up in them.

Cheers

Garry

[KCJones]

We have the Black Wolf 240 love it. Did the same looking around the shops, at both the light and the full canvas one. For us the awning space and the heavy plastic tub liner swayed us to the full 240.

We always set up the outer skin too as the awning is just too useful. We have got it down to an art over the past year and the misses and I can have the entire tent up and fully pegged out in 15 minutes. That's with a ground sheet as well. If it's just the main tent for a quick over night it's up and out in 5. Packing up is about 25, most of that is squeezing the tent into the right shape. Black wolf changed the bags when they made the three pole awnings (which we have). Still can be a squeeze mind. Also we have burst one of the seams on the bag due to the tent poles causing a pressure point.

We have camped in some very strong winds, -6 conditions and the tent took it like a champ. Never had a leak, and the ventilation is fantastic. I wouldn't be without it to be honest.

[101RRS]

I spoke to Blackwolf the other day - they do have an optional bag for $70 that is bigger - while they would not acknowledge there was an issue they did advise me about the bigger bag - I guess that says it all.

Cheers and thanks for the information.

Garry

[Pilbara130]

Hi Garry

I can't comment on the 240 but we have the 300 turbo plus and if you follow instructions on the order you repack it does fit ok.
We didn't go for the lite just due to the fact the Canvas is a lot darker so we can sleep in if we want to and the canvas is lot more durable.

All the best with your purchase.

Dan

[101RRS]

Ok I decided that the full Blackwolf Turbo 240 was my perfect tent and if I was going to use it all the time for many years it would my choice - however it is just too expensive at around $1000 for my usage - probably only a couple times a year.

So the compromise is a new but superseded Oztrail 9 touring tent - has good quality canvas, good floor area and you can stand up and is only $306 from BCF at the moment.

Still has a centre pole but a cheap side frame kit is available.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=84503&d=1411624752

Whats more unlike most tent bags the Oztrail bag is twice the size that is actually needed:) and it will fit in the boot of a small car unlike the RV style of tents that need to go on a roof rack.

So while not my ideal tent for my use it will be fine and was a good price.

Cheers

Garry

[Leroy_Riding]

one of my best friends has a Black wolf turbo life plus 300 with the front wall kit, takes him forever to set the thing up. . . i much prefer my double swag, side awning off the defender and a pop up gazebo. . . im done and getting a fire going while he is still trying to lay his tent out. . .

I used to have an Oztent RV1 and loved it! would get another one in a heart beat, I only sold mine when the Ex left me and I downsized to a swag.

there is a huge difference in the black wolf lite vs standard when it comes to material, the lite is near enough to standard cheap tent type nylon, didnt seem to crash hot too me, where as the canvas ones ive seen in person from black wolf were phenomenal, same design and poles and all just material difference. personally id go for the canvas option or the Oztent instead. ill get getting another Oztent if I ever get a Mrs again haha!.

bottom line, I vote Oztent over black wolf, but if you go black wolf spend the extra and get the canvas model.

my 2c
Leroy.
(now using a 'roo systems' double swag[thing is already ripped -_-] )

[Hoges]

The Oztrail-type tent has been the preferred setup of outback travel bus companies for years... simple and quick to erect, stable in windy conditions, plenty of room to move around inside... good choice;)

[Graeme]

I have an Oz-Trail type canvas one but without an awning that's 20 years old. Its up in 5 mins with only 4 pegs then the centre pole.

[101RRS]

I erected this tent and conditioned it in accordance with the instructions. Hose down and let dry then hose down and let dry. The tent was easy to put up but only comes with enough pegs and ropes to do the basic setup - I then spent another $40 on pegs and ropes so that if I did have to a full setup I would have the gear.


After the second hosing I left the tent standing and noticed that when you touched the inside of the canvass my hand was wet so if something is touching the sides it will get damp. Also as the canvas gets soaked it starts to sag a bit compounding the problem. No other leaks.



The tent dried out but before I was able to take the tent down it started to rain so I left the tent up. After 2 days the floor was covered with water from leaks around the roof and the inside of the canvas was damp. I contacted Oztrail who said, "what did I expect as the tent had been up two days in the rain" - doh - not to leak. I asked if they sold flys and they said it was not needed.

Also when the front awning is up, the front door is just zipped with no waterproofing or flaps over the zips. In heavy weather the awning can be zipped up to cover the door bit the zip tags are on the outside so not easy to close up from the inside.


This tent needs a fly for heavy weather. As none is available and most of the water comes in through the roof I might make up a little canvas cap that will fit over the top. The other concern is that when soaked, the canvas is damp to touch (but no water droplets form) so anything touching the walls will get damp in heavy rain.


So I guess - do not buy this tent if you need a waterproof tent.


Garry

[BMKal]

Ref other comments re fitting into the bag - the RV also seemed to have the same issue.

Cheers

Garry


Hi Garry - I have an Oztent RV3 (and annexe, fly etc.) for about 5 years and the original bag was too small. Oztent listened to the owners and the new bag I got a couple of weeks ago is a bit bigger and now much easier to get into the bag.

It used to take longer to get into the bag than setting it up! Now all good.


No problems fitting the RV4 into it bag

No problems with the RV5 either. ;)

In fact, we usually put more than just the tent in the bag. We leave the fly permanently fitted to the tent, and also manage to get the awning / "room" wall panels into the tent bag as well. Only thing we carry in a separate bag now is the tent poles for the awning / "room" and the tent pegs.