Direct4x4 ClamTrekk vs Femkes JoyCee
The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Femkes JoyCee 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. Direct4x4 and Femkes take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk brings 76 kg and sleeps 2. The Femkes JoyCee counters with 65 kg, 2.79 m² of floor, 123 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The JoyCee is 11 kg lighter at 65 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. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium; the JoyCee uses aerodynamic ABS, waterproof, with aluminium base. Canvas differs too: 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm against polyester mix with 280 gr cotton canvas, waterproof and fire-retardant. Closed, the ClamTrekk sits 11 cm lower on the roof — 20 cm against 31 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Direct4x4
ClamTrekk
The ClamTrekk is Direct4x4's two-person hard-shell clamshell tent, built around a honeycomb aluminium shell that opens on gas struts from either side. Direct4x4 publishes closed dimensions of 210 x 130 x 20 cm and a 76 kg weight but does not list the open dimensions, interior height or mattress thickness. It ships with a telescopic ladder, two door poles, a camping light with 12V internal sockets, an anti-condensation mat, boot bags and two roof-rack bars.
- Honeycomb aluminium shell opens quickly on gas struts
- Ships with ladder, camping light, 12V sockets and two roof-rack bars
- Fabric rated to a 10,000 mm water column
- Open dimensions and interior height are not published
Femkes
JoyCee
The JoyCee is an ABS clamshell hardtop tent from Femkes that opens upward on gas springs to sleep two, with an interior peak height of about 123 cm. It includes a fixed awning over the large window and an annex awning that attaches behind the vehicle. Femkes lists a closed size of 210 x 140 x 31 cm and an approximate 65 kg weight including ladder and mattress.
- 123 cm interior height, taller than Femkes's Lifun and Miles clamshells
- Annex awning included for behind-vehicle shelter
- 6 cm mattress with optional NASA memory-foam layer
- Manufacturer does not publish a season rating or setup time
Which one to pick
Take the JoyCee 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 | — | — |
| List price | $3,070— best of the tents compared | $3,080— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb— worst of the tents compared | 143 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.9 in— best of the tents compared | 12.2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 6 ft 9 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 5 in |
| Floor area | — | 30 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.4 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminium | Aerodynamic ABS, waterproof, with aluminium base |
| Fabric | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm | Polyester mix with 280 gr cotton canvas, waterproof and fire-retardant |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Femkes product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Femkes JoyCee.