Darche Double Dee Hybrid vs TentBox Cargo
The Darche Double Dee Hybrid and the TentBox Cargo are both hybrid tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Darche and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Cargo is 24 kg lighter at 72 kg against 96 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 2.84 m² and 2.79 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Cargo lists $359 lower, at $2,940 against $3,299. TentBox also backs the Cargo for 5 years against 3.
They open differently: the Double Dee Hybrid is a fold-out and the Cargo a clamshell. That is not cosmetic — it decides whether headroom is even across the tent or tapers towards one end, and how much of the roof the tent occupies when closed. The Double Dee Hybrid uses ABS / 6-Series Aluminium; the Cargo uses aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware. Canvas differs too: 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm both) against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. Closed, the Cargo sits 12 cm lower on the roof — 19 cm against 31 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Darche
Double Dee Hybrid
The Double Dee Hybrid is an ABS/aluminium hardshell rooftop tent with a canvas body that deploys via an X-hinge, weighing 96kg (102kg with roof rails). It has windows on all sides, a tinted sky window, roughly 100L of internal storage pockets plus a roof storage grid, and a 50mm memory-foam mattress. Roof rails and a 2.3m telescopic ladder are included.
- Published weight (96kg excl. rails / 102kg incl.)
- Roof rails included; large internal storage (~100L)
- 3000mm waterhead on both body and fly
- Heaviest of Darche's published-weight rooftop tents
TentBox
Cargo
An aluminium exoskeleton rather than a moulded shell, which is how it packs to 19 cm and still carries bikes or boards on cargo bars above the tent. Thirty seconds to open, and 145 cm of headroom under the peak.
- 19 cm closed profile
- Carries bikes or boards on top of the tent
- 30-second setup, and 145 cm headroom
- 72 kg before your rack
Which one to pick
Take the Cargo 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 | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $3,300— worst of the tents compared | $2,940— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 212 lb— worst of the tents compared | 159 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 30.6 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 30 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 9 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~3 minest. | 30 sec |
| Shell material | ABS / 6-Series Aluminium | Aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware |
| Fabric | 280gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 420D Polyester Oxford Ripstop fly (3000mm both) | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | 3years— worst of the tents compared | 5years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
- Double Dee HybridvsMeteor Delux
- Double Dee HybridvsGA150 2.0
- Double Dee HybridvsMaikhan (140)
- Double Dee HybridvsBonito
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Double Dee Hybrid and the TentBox Cargo.