Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition vs ARB Altitude Electric

The Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition and the ARB Altitude Electric are both hardshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Alu-Cab and ARB take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

The Gen 3-R Expedition is 30 kg lighter at 76 kg against 106 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 Altitude Electric gives 3.63 m² of sleeping floor against 2.73 m², about 33 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 160 cm in the Gen 3-R Expedition against 118 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Alu-Cab does not publish a list price for the Gen 3-R Expedition, so a direct cost comparison means getting a quote from a dealer.

The Gen 3-R Expedition uses aluminium hard shell with insulated roof and base; the Altitude Electric uses fiberglass. Canvas differs too: double-layer 400gsm canvas, hydrostatic head above 1000 mm against 380GSM poly-cotton canvas. Closed, the Gen 3-R Expedition sits 9 cm lower on the roof — 28 cm against 37 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.