Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition vs Trustmade Nomad
The Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition and the Trustmade Nomad 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 Trustmade take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Gen 3-R Expedition is 17.900000000000006 kg lighter at 76 kg against 93.9 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 2.6 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. 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 Nomad uses stainless steel frame. Canvas differs too: double-layer 400gsm canvas, hydrostatic head above 1000 mm against 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+.
Alu-Cab
Gen 3-R Expedition
The overlanding specialist's tent: aluminium rather than plastic, a heavy 400gsm double-layer canvas, and pre-wiring for solar via Anderson SB50 plugs. It stands 160 cm at the interior peak.
- Heavy 400gsm double-layer canvas
- Pre-wired for solar with integrated LED and USB-C
- Cargo rails rated for 50 kg
- Alu-Cab publishes no list price or warranty term
Trustmade
Nomad
A budget stainless-framed clamshell hardshell for two, opening in about two minutes to an 82-inch floor.
- Low price for a hardshell
- ~2 min clamshell setup
- 1-year warranty
- 600D/280 g fabric rather than heavy canvas
Which one to pick
Take the Gen 3-R Expedition 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 | 2 |
| Season rating | 4-season | — |
| List price | — | $1,198 |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb— best of the tents compared | 207 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11 in | 11 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 29.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 28 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 5 ft 3 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.8 in— best of the tents compared | 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | 2 min |
| Shell material | Aluminium hard shell with insulated roof and base | Stainless steel frame |
| Fabric | Double-layer 400gsm canvas, hydrostatic head above 1000 mm | 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+ |
| Warranty | — | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | No | — |
| Annex available | — | No |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Alu-Cab product page | Trustmade product page |
Related comparisons
- Gen 3-R ExpeditionvsHardshell (61002)
- Gen 3-R ExpeditionvsOrion 1200 Lightweight
- Gen 3-R ExpeditionvsPolaris 2
- Gen 3-R ExpeditionvsJoyCee
Or read the full spec sheets for the Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Expedition and the Trustmade Nomad.