OzTent: RV-3 vs RV-4

The RV-3 and RV-4 are OzTent’s most popular models, here’s a comparison of the two so you know which one is right for you.

Ben and I have been using our OzTent’s in the field now for over 2 years, and we’ve had nothing but great experiences with them. From torrential downpours to snow camping, they’ve held up exceptionally well and they’ve earned a permanent place in our camping setups.

RV-4 (Left) and RV-3 (Right)

	RV-3	RV-4
Packed Weight	46 lbs	48 lbs
Packed Size	6’6” x 11” x 5”	6’6” x 1’1” x 5”
Awning Size	7’10”(w) x 6’6”(d) x 6’2”(h)	7’10”(w) x 6’6”(d) x 6’2”(h)
Deployed Size	7’10”(w) x 6’6”(d) x 6’2”(h)	7’10”(w) x 7’10”(d) x 6’2”(h)
Sleeps	3-4	4-5

From looking at the specs, you can see that the RV-3 and RV-4 are pretty similar across the board in everything but their Deployed Size.

Where this makes a difference is how you want to sleep in your OzTent. Since Maria and I come from a backpacking background we still utilize our awesome NEMO ground pads which fit perfectly side by side in an RV-3. We can comfortably sleep 2 and still have plenty of space for our dog, heater, and a few bags of gear.

The extra depth of the RV-4 allows Ben to run a set of cots along each side of the tent while still leaving plenty of space in between to move around. The other benefit of using a cot is the extra gear storage under them – utilizing the dead space.

Now you’re probably wondering how many people you can sleep in either tent. The RV-3 will easily sleep 3 adults side by side on ground pads, and the RV-4 could easily sleep 4. If you choose to go the cot route, you’ll only be able to sleep 1 in the RV-3 (your friend or soon to be ex-wife will have to sleep on the floor) and 2 in the RV-4 respectively.

So which tent is right for you? If you mainly travel solo, I would get an RV-3. The majority of the time it’s just me and the pup so there is ample space in the tent. If you’re going to be traveling with a second person and a larger dog on a regular basis, I would recommend an RV-4.

With either tent you can’t go wrong, they’re both built like a Toyota (100% reliable and won’t let you down), and they’ll easily last you a decade if not more.