Direct4x4 ClamTrekk vs Gasell Adventure GC138
The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Gasell Adventure GC138 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 Gasell Adventure take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk brings 76 kg and sleeps 2. The Gasell Adventure GC138 counters with 89 kg, 2.54 m² of floor, 145 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The ClamTrekk is 13 kg lighter at 76 kg against 89 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 GC138 uses aluminum. Canvas differs too: 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm against poly-cotton, 280 g/m2, PU-coated, 3000 mm water column (rain cover: 600D Oxford polyester, PU-coated, 3000 mm).
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
Gasell Adventure
GC138
The GC138 is Gasell Adventure's aluminium hard-shell clamshell tent, opening to a 145 cm peak on a 218 x 138 cm footprint. Gasell lists an 89 kg weight, a 350 kg roof load, a 50 mm high-density memory-foam mattress (200 x 127 cm), poly-cotton fabric (280 g/m2, 3000 mm) and a setup time of under a minute, with room for two adults and one small child. Gasell's own page still carries a GC132 label in its prose while the title and URL call it the GC138; they are the same model.
- Aluminium hard shell opening to a 145 cm clamshell interior on a 218 x 138 cm footprint
- Manufacturer states a setup time of under a minute
- Includes a 50 mm high-density memory-foam mattress and LED lighting
- Rated for two adults and one child on a narrower 127 cm mattress than the GM and GA models
Which one to pick
Take the ClamTrekk 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 | $3,110— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb— best of the tents compared | 196 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.9 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 6 ft 7 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 2 in |
| Floor area | — | 27.3 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 9 in |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | 60 sec |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminium | Aluminum |
| Fabric | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm | Poly-cotton, 280 g/m2, PU-coated, 3000 mm water column (rain cover: 600D Oxford polyester, PU-coated, 3000 mm) |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Gasell Adventure product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Gasell Adventure GC138.