ARB Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm) vs ARB Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm)
Both of these are ARB tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm) and the Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm) share ARB's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm) is 10 kg lighter at 75 kg against 85 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm) gives 3.6 m² of sleeping floor against 3.15 m², about 14 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm)'s 2. The Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm) lists $264 lower, at $3,429 against $3,693.
ARB
Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm)
The Intrepid 2.5 is the mid-width (1400mm) honeycomb-aluminium hardshell in ARB's Intrepid range, rated for two adults plus a child. Like its siblings it packs to 180mm, opens in about 60 seconds and offers 138cm of internal headroom. It sits between the Intrepid 2.0 and 3.0 in width, weight and price.
- Extra sleeping width over the Intrepid 2.0
- Slim 180mm pack-down and 60-second setup
- Full 138cm internal headroom
- Heavier than the Intrepid 2.0
ARB
Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm)
The Intrepid 3.0 is the widest (1600mm) honeycomb-aluminium hardshell in ARB's Intrepid range, rated for three people. It shares the range's 180mm pack-down, 60-second gas-strut setup and 138cm internal headroom, and features dimmable dual-temperature LED lighting and two stargazing windows. It is the largest and heaviest of the three Intrepid sizes.
- Widest sleeping space of the Intrepid range, rated for three
- Slim 180mm pack-down and 60-second setup
- Dimmable dual-temperature LED lighting and skylights
- Heaviest Intrepid variant at 85 kg
Which one to pick
Take the Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm) if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm) if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $3,430— best of the tents compared | $3,690— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 165 lb— best of the tents compared | 187 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 5 in | 7 ft 5 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.1 in | 7.1 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 5 in | 7 ft 5 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 33.9 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 38.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 6 in | 4 ft 6 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in | 2 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 60 sec | 60 sec |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminium | Honeycomb aluminium |
| Fabric | 300D double rip-stop polycotton, PU coated | 300D double rip-stop polycotton, PU coated |
| Warranty | 3years | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | ARB product page | ARB product page |
Related comparisons
- Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm)vsIntrepid 2.0 (1285mm)
- Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm)vsAltitude Electric
- Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm)vsEsperance V2
- Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm)vsAltitude Electric
Or read the full spec sheets for the ARB Intrepid 2.5 (1400mm) and the ARB Intrepid 3.0 (1600mm).