Direct4x4 ClamTrekk vs Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening
The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening 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 Smittybilt take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk brings 76 kg and sleeps 2. The Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening counters with 3.02 m² of floor, 96.01 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
The Aluminum Side Opening lists about 22% lower than the ClamTrekk.
The ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium; the Aluminum Side Opening uses aluminum.
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
Smittybilt
Aluminum Side Opening
The Aluminum Side Opening RTT is a hard-shell rooftop tent with a low-profile aluminum shell that opens to the side, sleeping 2-3 people. It uses gas-assisted struts, a 2.5" high-density foam mattress, an LED light strip with inline remote, internal mesh storage and external roof rack bars on the shell. Smittybilt rates it for a 661lbs load and backs it with a 5-year warranty.
- Aluminum hard shell with 5-year warranty and gas-assisted setup
- External roof rack bars allow cargo carrying on the closed shell
- 2.5" mattress and LED strip with remote
- Manufacturer does not publish tent weight or season rating
Which one to pick
Take the Aluminum Side Opening if the budget is fixed. 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— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $3,070— worst of the tents compared | $2,399.99— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb | — |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| 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— worst of the tents compared | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 7 ft 1 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 7 in |
| Floor area | — | 32.5 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 2 in |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.5 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 | Aluminum |
| Fabric | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm | — |
| Warranty | — | 5years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Smittybilt product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening.