Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition vs TentBox Classic

The Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition and the TentBox Classic 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 TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

The Classic is 9 kg lighter at 67 kg against 76 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 2.73 m² and 2.79 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 160 cm in the Gen 3-R Expedition against 100 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 Classic uses ABS shell with aluminium frame and stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: double-layer 400gsm canvas, hydrostatic head above 1000 mm against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. The Gen 3-R Expedition adds a heater or HVAC port, solar-powered ventilation and the ability to carry cargo on the shell, which the Classic does not offer. Closed, the Gen 3-R Expedition sits 7 cm lower on the roof — 28 cm against 35 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.