Facts & Questions

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General

• Can I buy directly from Kiwi Camping?

  Kiwi Camping is a camping wholesaler and sells through selected retailers. These can be found under the 'Buy Online' or 'Buy In-Store' tabs on each individual product page. You can also find our retailers in the 'Where To Buy' section under the 'Support' tab.

  Kiwi Camping sells all products within the 'Touring' range directly to the public through our website. Simply choose the 'Add To Cart' button on the individual product pages. Our touring range can also be purchased through your favourite local retailers as listed on each individual product page.

• Where can I get tent fabric repairs?

  Kiwi Camping work with selected and trusted repairers across the country. Please contact us at 0800 161 161 and we will put you in touch with your nearest option.

Rooftop Tents

• Will my Rooftop Tent be delivered during lockdown?

  Rooftop Tent orders cannot be sent during alert level 4. Once your region has reached alert level 3 and our Hamilton-based team can safely process your order, we will work to fulfil these as fast as we can with a limited team due to safe distancing requirements in the workplace. You can check the status of your order at any time by following the link in your confirmation e-mail to your orders portal. For further queries, please call us on 0800 161 161.

• What kind of vehicle will Tuatara Rooftop Tents fit?

  All our Kiwi camping Rooftop Tents have been designed to fit any vehicle! The uniquely designed compact series is perfect for fitting onto smaller vehicles and on the back of your Ute or truck.

  Tuatara Hardshell (HS)

  Extremely low-profile at only 17cm when packed down, the HS is our most compact design for vehicles with a dynamic weight rating of over 78kgs.

  Tuatara Hardshell Compact

  An aerodynamic design to reduce fuel consumption and weighing at 75kgs, the HSC is perfect for vehicles with a dynamic weight rating of 75kgs over. Can be fitted onto the back tray of your Ute and smaller SUV’s and hatchbacks.

  Tuatara Soft Shell Compact

  Weighing at only 50kgs, the SSC is ideal for smaller vehicles and can fit onto the back of Ute trays. Designed as a more compact version of standard Soft Shell Rooftop Tents.

  Tuatara Soft Shell Extended

  A kiwi classic style Rooftop tent weighing only 52kgs. Ideal for both SUV’s and Ute’s.

• What Rooftop Tent is right for me?

  Tuatara Hardshell (HS)

  This is a great option if you’re after an easy Rooftop Tent to set up and pack down with the added capacity to store items on top using the optional roof racks (sold separately)! The HS allows keen campers to get on with their adventures without the hard work of setting up a tent. A hard-wearing Rooftop Tent, our Hardshell is designed to suit Kiwi’s most rugged adventures wherever they may take you from Mountain to Sea. Every aspect of quality has been considered to produce a Roof tent to withstand New Zealand’s varying climates and environments from the far North to the Deep South. Sleeps up to 2 people with internal and external storage capacity.

  Tuatara Hardshell Compact (HSC)

  Ideal for smaller vehicles such as SUV’s. The HSC is aerodynamic for more efficient fuel consumption when travelling, easy to use and fits onto the back of some Ute models. Sleek and easy to set up, the compact HSC is a great option that suits a variety of vehicles. Escape from your 9-5 with ease and set up in epic locations within minutes. The HSC makes adventure easier than ever, from wherever you are to wherever you want to go. Sleeps 2-3 people with internal and external storage pockets.

  Tuatara Soft Shell Compact (SSC)

  This lightweight Rooftop Tent is ideal for a range of smaller vehicles and suitable for most Ute trays. Designed as a more compact version of standard Soft Shell Rooftop tents, the SSC is the perfect Roof Tent for those looking to invest in their first and for those who are after an extremely versatile and easy to use Roof tent with room for extra gear to be mounted alongside. Sleeps up to 2 people with internal and external storage pockets.

  Tuatara Soft Shell Extended (SSE)

  A larger Rooftop Tent that can sleep up to 3 people, the SSE is a classic style Rooftop Tent designed for rugged adventures in harsh environments. Whatever the weather, the SSE has you covered - literally. This Roof tent provides extra shade and shelter under the fold-out design with internal and external room for storage.

• What style Rooftop Tents will fit a smaller compact SUV/Vehicle?

  Our Rooftop Tents are designed to fit any vehicle with the appropriate dynamic weight rating. Some of our Rooftop Tents are bigger in size therefore the vehicle owner must take into consideration the size and weight rating of their vehicle prior to purchase.

• How tall does my vehicle need to be to fit a Rooftop Tent?

  All our rooftop tents have been designed with an adjustable telescopic ladder, this way you can adjust the ladder to your desired height.

• What equipment do I need to mount my Rooftop Tent?

  To mount your Rooftop Tent, you will need a roof rack system that is suited to your vehicle and has a dynamic load rating of 75kg or over.

• Can I mount a Kiwi Camping Rooftop Tent on top of a Ute canopy?

  This depends on the style of canopy your Ute has. these must be appropriately weight rated or reinforced to hold the weight of the tent and people inside.

• How hard is it to remove my Rooftop Tent from my vehicle while it is not in use?

  All our roof tents have been designed with an easy-to-use mounting system which makes for a fast and easy setup or removal. The Rooftop Tents weigh between 50 and 78kg therefore we recommend having the help of another person to make the lifting process easier.

• What are the benefits of having a Black out fly?

  After spending many years in hot and stuffy tents we developed a system to help and reduce the internal temperature of our tents. We use a blackout PU fly on all our rooftop tents that have a fly! This reduces the internal temperature of the tent and keeps it nice and dark inside, which allows you to sleep in longer after your epic adventures.

• Which way should I mount my Tuatara Rooftop Tent?

  Our Tuatara Rooftop Tents can be positioned to suit your vehicle and personal needs; however, we strongly recommend the following:

  • For larger vehicles, we recommend positioning our SSC and SSE models off the back, for coverage from the weather and to allow room to access your vehicle boot.

  • If your boot opens towards the roof and above your roofline, we recommend fitting this tent to open off the side.

  • For smaller vehicles, we recommend having the SSC & SSE models open off the side, this reduces the tent width to 1120mm for the SSC and 1250mm for the SSE. This keeps the body of the tent inside the dimensions of the roofline on most small vehicles

  • Having the roof tent positioned to come off the side allows you to store your gear up on your roof rack.

  • It also allows for your upwards opening boot to operate normally.

  • Our HSC model has an aerodynamically shaped hard shell that has been designed to open onto the driver’s side of the vehicle. It is possible to have this be positioned off the passenger side, however, this may affect the Roof tent's aerodynamics and cause wind noise.

• How do our Roof Tents stand up in high winds and heavy rain?

  All our Kiwi Camping Rooftop Tents have been tested over several years in some of the harshest conditions New Zealand has had to throw at them. All exterior windows can be zipped up to stop water from entering the tent. The adjustable fly can be tightened to prevent excessive noise from high wind gusts.

• Does a Roof Tent get hotter than a normal tent during summer?

  Like any tent, your Rooftop Tent will warm up during the day. To counteract this, all our Roof Tents have been designed with great airflow to help keep you cool during hot summer days. Our black-out fly also helps to reduce the internal temperature of our Roof tents through the light-diffusing coating.

• How do I reduce moisture build up?

  When you are inside your Roof Tent, naturally in cold weather some condensation will build up on the inside of your tent due to body heat and breathing. To reduce this, slightly open one or two of your windows to allow for increased air to flow through the tent.

• Can I pack down my Rooftop Tent when it is wet?

  Yes, but for no longer than 24-48 hours to stop mould build-up. When at home, open the tent and let it dry out

• What roof racks should I use to fit my Rooftop Tent?

  We recommend using a roof rack system that is a permanent mount or a rail clamping design. A permanent mounting roof rack distributes the weight equally across the roof of your vehicle and does not put added strain or stress on your car. Using a door/roof clamping roof rack puts a lot of extra stress on certain sections of your vehicle due to its smaller surface area.

• What weight rated roof rack system should I use for my Roof Tent?

  On all our Rooftop Tents, we recommend having a roof rack that can support a dynamic weight rating of 75kg or higher.

• How long does it take to set up a Kiwi Camping Rooftop Tent?

  Soft Shell Compact (SSC) - Under 2 minutes.

  Soft Shell Extended (SSE) - Under 4 minutes.

  Hardshell (HS) - Under 1 minute.

  Hardshell Compact (HSC) Under 2 minutes.

• What distance should my roof racks be spread apart when setting up to carry my Roof Tent?

  On all our Rooftop Tents we recommend between 800mm and 1200mm, the ideal distance is 1000mm.

  If you are using your Rooftop Tent at the back of your vehicle, we recommend having roof racks between 800mm – 1000mm, the most ideal distance is 900mm. This is adjustable and can be changed to suit your needs.

• Why should I buy a Rooftop Tent?

  Rooftop tents are a great option for quick and easy adventures! Our Roof Tents can be set up and packed down in under 2 minutes so you can spend less time setting up and more time getting out and about.

  Being in an elevated tent that is high up off the ground provides you with a flat and mostly level (depending on how you park) sleeping area. Other advantages include:

  They come with a comfortable mattress inside!

  Allows you to utilize car and trailer space for other gear for your camping adventures.

• Why should I pick a Kiwi camping Rooftop Tent?

  Kiwi camping is a family-owned brand that has been designing and developing tents and camp ware built to withstand New Zealand conditions for over 25 years. Everything we have learnt over those years has been put into making these Rooftop tents New Zealand proof and ready for any adventure.

• What are the advantages of a Hardshell tent compared to a Soft Shell?

  Our Hardshell tents are more aerodynamic than our Soft-Shell designs which helps with fuel consumption. Regarding weather, our Hardshell designs provide superior weather protection when faced in to the wind and rain. Both the HSC and HS models are quick to set up and pack down (under 1 minute).

  Our Soft-Shell models are compact in size and due to this, take up less room on top of your vehicle.

• What is a dynamic weight rating?

  The dynamic weight rating is the maximum weight/load your roof racks can handle while moving.

• Can I pickup my Rooftop Tent during lockdown?

  No. Pickups at our Hamilton Warehouse will not be allowed until the Waikato region reaches alert level 2. Due to the heavy and bulky nature of these products, it is unsafe and impractical for Kiwi Camping to offer contactless pickup as assistance will be required to shift these items onto your existing Roof Racks and/or trailer. Your order will be securely held in our system until we can fulfil and prepare your order ready for pickup which you will be notified.

• Do I need a specific brand of Roof Racks for my Kiwi Camping Rooftop Tent?

  No, our Rooftop tents are designed to fit on any roof rail however, please ensure your chosen roof rails are narrow enough to fit between the mounting bracket bolts. Ensure when threading on your Rooftop Tent that there is at least 1 whole tread visible after the nut to ensure a tight and secure fit.

• Can bedding be packed down in my Rooftop Tent?

  All of our Tuatara Fitted Sheets can be packed down in our Rooftop Tents. For other bedding items, refer to the following guidelines for when packing down your Kiwi Camping Roof Tent:

  Tuatara SSC: 2 x Sleeping Bags

  Tuatara HSC: 1 x Lightweight Sleeping Bag OR 1 x Heavy Sleeping bag

  Tuatara HS: Fitted sheets only.

  Tuatara SSE: 2 x Sleeping Bags

Payment & Personal Information

• Do I need an account to buy online?

  No - you can check out as a guest, meaning your details won’t be saved for a future visit.

• What currency are prices displayed in?

  All prices are displayed in New Zealand dollars.

• Do you accept Laybuy?

  No, we do not currently accept Laybuy for online purchases.

• Is buying online safe?

  Yes, Kiwi Camping uses the Stripe.com online secure payment system. Stripe will ask you if you’d like them to remember you at the time of payment. This is optional, when you allow Stripe to remember you, Stripe will store certain identifying information, such as a password, your email address, or your mobile phone number (“Stripe Credentials”), and your Payment Credentials. The advantage of remembering you is that it will make your checkout quicker and easier if you come back to the same website, or to any of the other websites that use Stripe (a “Checkout Enabled Site”) – this can be especially handy when you’re on a mobile device or don’t have your credit card in front of you.

• What payment methods do you accept?

  We accept all major debit and credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express and JCB.

• What happens after my payment is accepted?

  Once payment is received the standard delivery time is between 2 - 10 business days depending on what part of the country your order is being delivered to.

  For pre-orders, an order confirmation will be sent to your e-mail address used to complete the transaction with proof of purchase. Once the items are in stock, you will be notified when your order is ready for dispatch. Please Note: If one or more of your items is a pre-order item and you are ordering in conjunction with a non-preorder item, your order will be shipped separately.

• Are there any Card fee’s when purchasing?

  No – you'll only pay for the items you wish to purchase and the appropriate shipping rate calculated at the time of checkout.

• I have entered all my payment information, but the order does not seem to be going through.

  If you are having issues processing your payment, you can try a few of the following:

  Some versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported and occasionally cause compatibility issues, try switching to Google Chrome or Firefox.

  Double-check if you have any ad or pop-up blockers that may be stopping verification windows from opening.

  Should the problems persist, please contact us on 0800 161 161 for further assistance. Since this is an independent payment system Kiwi Camping does not hold any of your payment details.

• Can I change or cancel my order?

  Once you have finalized your order and processed payment it cannot be changed online. Please contact Kiwi Camping directly on 0800 161 161 or refer to our Refund Policy.

Delivery

• What freight services does Kiwi Camping use?

  We use Mainfreight for our larger items including our Tuatara Rooftop Tents and Awnings. For smaller items such as the awning walls, we use Post Haste.

  Delivery estimates by zone once dispatched:

  Zone 1 (Waikato / Auckland / Bay of Plenty): 2 - 5 working days

  Zone 2 (Rest of North Island): Up to 5 working days

  Zone 3 (Upper South Island incl. Christchurch): 5-10 working days

  Zone 4 (Rest of South Island): 5-10 working days

• How much will delivery cost?

  Your delivery cost will be calculated once you enter your delivery details into the shopping cart. This is dependent on the item size and shipping location.

• What days do you deliver?

  Monday to Friday excluding weekends and public holidays.

• Do I have to be home to receive my items?

  All deliveries must be signed for when you receive them; deliveries cannot be made to PO Boxes or ParcelPods. The freight company will call ahead to ensure someone is home - this will be to the contact number you provided when making the order. If you are not available to take delivery of your item or your selected address is unable to be reached by our freight carrier, the item will remain at your nearest depot until a second delivery has been arranged privately between the original purchaser and the freight company.

• Can I nominate a different delivery address to the billing address?

  No, only one address can be entered into the guest check out system.

• Can I have my items delivered to a PO Box?

  No, items must be delivered to a physical address. Your address will be checked by our address validation tool during the checkout process.

• What if my address is Rural?

  We deliver to Rural addresses across New Zealand. The cost of delivery will be calculated in the cart once a rural address is entered.

• Do you deliver to the islands?

  Unfortunately, we do not deliver to Chattam Island, Stewart Island and Great barrier Island addresses. For Waiheke Island deliveries, please contact us at sales@kiwicamping.co.nz and we will sort this with you.

• Will my order, which includes a few items, be delivered in one shipment?

  When a number of items are purchased in a single order, the order will be delivered at the same time if all purchased items are in stock. It may be in multiple boxes. If an order is made with a combination of pre-order and in-stock products, the order will be shipped separately.

• What if I receive a damaged parcel, the wrong items, or don't receive my order at all?

  If you believe there is damage to the products you've ordered, the incorrect items have been delivered, or your order hasn't arrived within the specified timeframe, please contact us on 0800 161 161.

Collection

• I opted to collect my order, when will it be ready?

  Our Kiwi Camping team work hard to process your order as quickly as possible, for this, we allow ourselves between 1-2 workings days. Once you receive confirmation that your order is ready for pickup, you are free to collect your order. Note this confirmation will be made via e-mail to the e-mail address used at the time of purchase.

• Where do I pickup my order from?

  For pickup orders, please collect from the address detailed below between the hours of 9:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday only:

  Aber Living 17 Mainstreet Place Te Rapa Hamilton 3200 Ph: 0800 161 161

  Note: For Rooftop Tent collection, you will require a trailer large enough to safely transport the size of your purchase or appropriate roof rails. We do not install or mount any products on site.

Rooftop Tent Warranty

• Is my Rooftop tent covered under warranty? 

  Kiwi Camping gear is tried and tested right here in our backyard to ensure it meets the demanding standards of New Zealand’s ever-changing climate. We are confident in the quality of our gear and its ability to handle many Kiwi adventures for years to come. 

  All Tuatara Soft Shell Rooftop Tents have a warranty period of 3 years and our Hardshell Rooftop Tents have a period of 5 years from the date of purchase.

  The original purchaser is offered a warranty if the product fails due to a fault in either materials or workmanship during this time period. Service under this warranty is available with proof of purchase. After inspection, it is determined that the product is defective, we will repair or replace it (at our discretion) free of charge.

• What isn’t covered under Warranty?

  This warranty does not cover misuse, damage caused by accident, storm or wind damage, mildew, neglect, UV degradation and fair wear and tear. Please note, the warranty on this Rooftop tent will be deemed void if the product is used for any purpose other than a temporary shelter. If the claim is not deemed a warranty or is outside its warranty period, we can repair the product at a nominal cost.

• What is your claims process?

  Should you wish to make a warranty claim on your Rooftop Tent, original proof of purchase to the original owner must be presented. The original owner is the individual who purchased the rooftop tent and whose name is presented on the invoice at the time of purchase.  

  Contact sales@kiwicamping.co.nz with the following details:

  *Your Name

  *Original Order Number

  *Proof of Purchase

  *Photo Evidence

  *A description of the defect and / or reason for the claim

  Our dedicated team will handle warranty claims on a case-by-case basis, to determine with the original purchaser the best course of action to fulfil the claim in the best way possible.

Tents

• Do you sell tent poles?

  Yes! We have tent poles available depending on the model of tent. Please provide us with the name and model number of the tent to ensure we can correctly check the availability of poles. You can contact us on 0800 161 161.

Barbecues

• Do I need to put a fat absorber like sand in the bottom of the fat collection tray on my barbecue?

  If your barbecue is fitted with a drip cup that collects the fat that accumulates in the drip tray, there should be no need to use any form of fat absorber.

  If your BBQ does not use a fat cup system, Gasmate offers a 100% natural fat absorber that can be used in place of sand or kitty litter.

• Why am I experiencing low flame or low output on my BBQ?

  All QCC regulators (the part that attaches to the gas cylinder to regulate the flow of gas) have a safety feature included that restricts gas flow in the event of a gas leak.

  You can inadvertently activate this safety feature without having a gas leak. This typically occurs when you turn on the gas using the barbecue control knob before you turn on the gas cylinder valve. If the gas regulator safety feature activates, the barbecue will operate with reduced output as gas flow is restricted.

  These steps should be taken first to reset the gas regulator safety device:
  1. Ensure the barbecue hood is open.
  2. Turn gas cylinder valve off.
  3. Turn off all control knobs.
  4. Disconnect the regulator from the gas cylinder.
  5. Wait 30 seconds.
  6. Reconnect the regulator to the gas cylinder.
  7. Leak test the connection using a soapy water solution. Ensure no bubbles appear before proceeding.
  8. Slowly open the gas cylinder valve all the way. Do not put excessive force on the valve at the full open position, to avoid damaging the valve.
  9. Light barbecue as per the instructions provided.

• What is the best way to test my Barbecue for leaks?

  The best way to check your Barbecue for leaks is to mix 2 parts liquid hand soap or dish washing liquid, to 10 parts water in a spray bottle or jar. Apply the solution to all newly sealed connections and to all previously sealed connections on a regular basis.

  If the solution starts to bubble where it has been applied to a connection, a leak is present.

  Turn the gas off at the cylinder immediately. Retighten the leaking connection and retest.

  A good rule to follow is to check all connections when you get your bottle refilled.

• I have just purchased a new Gasmate barbecue and I was told to “burn off the plates” before I use it. What does this mean?

  Before you use your barbecue for the first time it is a good idea to thoroughly heat the grill and plate for about 15 – 20 minutes on a medium to high heat. This burns off any machine oil or impurities left behind by the manufacturing process.

  After this length of time a light coat of cooking oil should be applied to the plate very carefully. Heat for a further 5 minutes before cooking (preferably not olive oil as it burns off too quickly). DO NOT USE COOKING SPRAY AS THE PROPELLANT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.

• What are the various types of cast iron hot plates and grills? What are the differences between the types?

  There are 3 common types of plates and grills that Gasmate use as standard components in Hooded and Flat Barbecues.

  These are:

  Painted finish (also called standard cast iron): Painted plates and grills use a black, food-safe paint to protect the outer surface. This is a very common coating.

  Satin enamel: These plates are coated using a standard enamel baking process to achieve a satin finish. This is more durable than a painted finish but with a similar look.

  Gloss or Vitreous enamel: Plates with this finish are made by fusing a hard-wearing ceramic, glass-like coat to the outside of the plate. Similar to the finish found on ceramic cooktops and stoves.

• Should the plates and grills on my Barbecue rust?

  No, the grills and plates should not rust. They will only rust if they have been left without cooking oil on them for any length of time.

  To stop your plates from rusting, it is a good idea to coat your plate and grill with cooking oil before and after each use.

• What is the difference between a rail burner and a “U” burner?

  Rail burners and “U” burners can be measured in terms of performance, and by the way they heat the cooking surface. A “U” burner will heat a surface more evenly, eliminating any hot spots, but will not put out as much heat as a rail burner.

  A Rail burner has a higher output, but is more likely to produce hot spots along either side of the rail.

  Rail burners are commonly manufactured using either stainless steel or cast iron. There is no great advantage of using one material over the other. both burners will produce similar heat out puts.

  “U” burners are generally made from stainless steel.

• How often should I have my outdoor appliances serviced? Who can carry out the work?

  The frequency of service depends on the type of appliance you own. For example, if you own a patio or area heater, this should be serviced by a gasfitter on a 6 - 12 monthly basis, depending on how often it is used.

  By comparison, a barbecue will simply require a leak test every time the cylinder is refilled, and a good clean after every use. This should be done by the owner. For further details on leak testing, refer to the common questions safety issues section.

  Any repairs to a fault of a technical nature (that is to say, related to the gas or electrical side of the unit's operation) will need to be carried out by a craftsman gas fitter.

  Any cleaning of the unit is to be carried out by the owner. The owner is also responsible for leak testing all gas connections on a regular basis.

  For the details of your nearest Gasmate approved service agent contact us on 0800 161 161.

• When there is a fire ban in place can I light my barbecue?

  Only a controlled barbecue can be lit when a fire ban is in place. Kettle, wood or Hibachi barbecues are considered uncontrollable.

  If you are unsure contact your local fire station or visit the New Zealand fire service website at fireandemergency.nz

• I have a Gasmate Cruiser; Orion portable Barbecue. The flame is not very big. What is wrong with my barbecue?

  Each of these types of barbecue has a safety device built into the hose.

  To operate the barbecue follow the instructions below:

  1. Ensure the control knob on the regulator is in the OFF position.
  2. Turn the cylinder valve ON.
  3. Wait for 30 seconds for the safety device to reset after the initial 'rush' of gas from the cylinder.
  4. Turn the barbecue control ON and ignite the barbecue.

• I have a Gasmate Portable Barbecue and I am using a Gasmate Propane Canister (PROCAN) on it instead of a standard cylinder. How long will a PROCAN last?

  Typically a Propane Canister will last for 2 1/2 hours when used on a barbecue running on medium to high heat. This is based on a Gasmate Cruiser Portable Barbecue running at 7.5MJ per hour which is the highest output for Gasmate Portable Barbecues that are compatible with a Propane Canister.

• I have a Gasmate Rio Portable Barbecue and it has four “S” shaped hooks on the handles. What are these hooks for?

  They are to hang your barbecue tools from while the barbecue is set up on the floor stand.

• What is OPD?

  OPD is an Over Fill Protection Device that is fitted to all Gasmate 9.0Kg LPG Cylinders. It is designed so that a Filling Station cannot accidentally overfill your cylinder past a safe level.

Waterproofing

• Why is the stated waterproof rating of my tent on the website higher than on the packaging?

  Higher waterproof ratings
  This season we retested the waterproof ratings on our polyester tents and camping shelters, as we believed that they were performing better than we thought... and they were!

  We are pleased to announce that all previous model Keas, Takahes, Savannas and Falcons are all the same waterproof rating as our new 2020 models! Please refer to the table below to find your tent and confirm its true waterproof rating.

  

  Has the fabric changed?
  We have not made any changes to the fabrics waterproof coating but have simply retested them.

  How does the testing work?
  This testing is done using a hydrostatic water test. Waterproof ratings indicate the amount of water pressure fabric can stand before it begins to leak.

  Why does the packaging on my tent still have the old rating?
  Re-testing was done in January 2020. Tents packaged prior to this date will have the original waterproof rating on the packaging, but rest assured, if you have purchased one of the tents listed above, it has the same waterproof coating as the 2020 tents and will achieve the updated waterproof rating.

  If you have any questions please contact us or see your local Kiwi Camping retailer.

Gas & Fuel Fittings

• I have just purchased a Gasmate 9.0kg cylinder from a local retailer. When I took the cylinder in to be filled, the filling station could not fill the bottle. What should I do?

  Gasmate 9.0kg Cylinders are fitted with a safety device that does not allow the bottle to be over-filled. At the start of the filling process this device can be tripped by a sudden rush of gas into the cylinder, thus not allowing any further gas to be put into the cylinder.

  To rectify this, contact Gasmate on 0800 161 161 for your nearest testing station to reset the safety device.

• I have just had my brand new Gasmate 9.0kg Cylinder filled, but now I cannot get any gas out of it. What can I do?

  Ensure that the regulator is properly inserted into the valve and that the valve is fully open.If there is still a problem contact us at Aber (the supplier of Gasmate Cylinders), on 0800 161 161 and we will give you the contact details of your nearest Cylinder Testing Station.

• I recently took a 9.0kg cylinder in to my local filling station and tried to get it filled. The attendant informed me that it was out of test date and therefore could not be filled. What does this mean?

  The test date indicates the start point of the 10 year period in which your cylinder complies with the safety standard it was tested against. After the 10 year period has elapsed, the cylinder will need to be re-certified against the current standard.

  Part of a filling station attendant's training is to ensure that a cylinder is not outside of its 10 year test period. If a cylinder is outside this period it should not be filled. The test date is stamped into the cylinders “valve protection ring”.

  To get the location of your nearest cylinder testing facility contact Aber Living on 0800 161 16

• What do the various numbers that are stamped on my Gasmate cylinder mean?

  The two most important sets of numbers on a Gasmate cylinder are the E.W and the TEST DATE.

  E.W. stands for Empty Weight. It is used to correctly calculate the amount of gas that can be safely put into your cylinder.

  TEST DATE relates to the date of manufacturing, which also corresponds with the date that your cylinder was tested against the current test standard in the country you brought it from.

• I have an appliance that uses an older style Clip-On or Kosan Adaptor. I have just bought a new LPG Cylinder and it has a QCC type valve with the large external thread on it. Am I able to put a Kosan or Clip-On Adaptor into this cylinder valve?

  No. The QCC valves are fitted with a safety device that does not allow a Clip-On Adaptor to be fitted. This type of conversion of the thread is not approved and Filling Stations will not fill your cylinders.

  A standard POL cylinder can be converted. This will need to be carried out by an approved agent. Note that all conversions are at the customer's expense.

• What is QCC?

  QCC or Quick Closing Coupling is the large external right-hand thread found on the valves of all standard Gasmate 9.0kg LPG Cylinders.

  QCC enables a regulator to be connected by hand. No tools are required. QCC is also approved for use indoors whilst POL is not.

  QCC is commonly used in patio heaters, barbecues, indoor cabinet heaters and on some portable barbecues.

• What is POL?

  POL or Prest-O-Lite (Prest-O-Lite was the company that first produced the valve) is an internal, left-hand thread connection type that is used in the same valve as QCC as well as on its own.

  It was also widely used before QCC. Cylinders with POL only valves can still be purchased. POL is not approved to be used indoors.

  POL is commonly used on appliances such as patio heaters, some barbecues and a lot of industrial and domestic high-pressure setups.

• What is a Companion Cylinder?

  A Companion Cylinder is a cylinder that uses a small vertical, external left-hand male thread.

  It is commonly used on appliances such as camping stoves, heaters and lanterns.

• What is Kosan?

  A Kosan or Clip-On type valve is an indoor approved valve that does not require any tools to fit a regulator to. As the name implies a regulator can simply be clipped onto a cylinder.

  Kosan is no longer supplied as a standard regulator or cylinder valve on Gasmate products but can still be purchased through selected retailers.

Gas Camping Gear

• I have just brought a Gasmate Table Top Cooker. When I came to use the unit, I could not get the canister to lock into position. Why will it not work?

  The Gasmate Table Top Cooker is fitted with two devices that ensure safe lighting and operation of the unit. The first is a device that does not allow the canister to be locked in place when the gas control knob is turned on. Always ensure the knob is in the OFF position.

  The other is the trivet. If the trivet is not turned up the opposite way to the way it is packed it will not allow the canister to be locked in place.

  All of the correct lighting information can be found in the instruction manual.

• How often should I change the mantle on my Gasmate Lantern?

  The mantle should be replaced whenever holes are formed in the fabric or after 7-8 uses. Because the mantles are very delicate once burnt, it is sometimes necessary to change them more frequently.

• I have had my Gasmate Camping Lantern for a number of years and it has suddenly stopped working. What should I do?

  Because these Lanterns use a fibrous mantle that breaks down easily, they are prone to becoming blocked by fragments of the disintegrated mantles.

  To remedy this simply blow the lantern out on a regular basis with an air compressor. Or change the injector annually.

• I just bought a new lantern. When I went to start it up for the first time, the cloth piece inside caught fire. Should this happen?

  Yes, it should. The mantles are designed to burn. On initial start-up, the cloth or “mantle” will catch fire and release a thick white smoke for about 10-20 seconds, then begin to shrink rapidly. This will then subside and the mantle will begin to glow white.